NORTHWEST AMATEUR ALL AGE CLASSIC

By Colin Kennedy

The 2006 Northwest Amateur All Age Classic was hosted by the Boise Valley Pointing Dog Club. The Classic was the final Stake of a 5 day trial that commenced on September 30, at the Robertson Ranch near Payette, Idaho.

The Robertson Ranch is near the end of Little Willow Road, just before the road climbs up the rough lava strewn hills to Paddock Reservoir. The road is full of twists and turns and there is usually much braking for the coveys of quail, Huns, and pheasants, which are in abundance. The Robertson Ranch owned by the Richard Robertson family is composed of 3400 deeded acres and 4,000 leased acres. Two creeks, Little Willow Creek and Indian Creek flow through the ranch. Arduous reseeding projects paid off this year with rainy spring weather leading to the germination and fruition of the wild bird food seed that the Robertsons had planted in years past. The bird hatch was the best seen in over 20 years. The wet spring produced very heavy cover, a good hatch of grass hoppers, and perfect conditions for wild game birds. It was very rare that a brace of dogs would not have wild bird contact.

The Field Trial Club House was made available to the Club by the Robertson's. Judges rooms, lunches, and the Saturday night BBQ were hosted at the Club House. Three new 1 hour courses were created for this premier hour long event. The new courses took advantage of the water and wild bird habitat. This was the largest trial held yet at the ranch. The Pacific Northwest Field Trial Club had hosted the Region 10 Amateur All Age Championship and the Cascade Open Shooting Dog Championship, just prior to the running of this event.

Club officers, Larry McConnell, Jack Cafferty, and Kelly McConnell headed up the trial. They were assisted by Club members: Jim Ledington, Gary Stevens, June McConnell, Josh Miller, Rich Heaton, Rich Heaton Sr., Richard Robertson Sr. and Richie Robertson. Other Club members who participated were: Tina McFarland, Neal McLean, Bob Wregglesworth, and Emily, Penny, and Johnnie Robertson. A trial is only as good as the quality of the participants. Many thanks to the extremely talented participants who drove many long miles to attend: Doug Favor and Matt Coverdale from Southern Idaho, Sean Kelley, Ron Young, and Mike Stephens from California, Joe Brinster, Janel and Joe Kirby, Gary & Kate Brown, Alex Mauck, Mel Lee, Tod Schaaf, and Rocky Tavares from the Northwest.

Thanks to Mr. Pat Lamantia of Purina who helped sponsor this trial and provided Purina dog food to the winners. Thanks to Marshall Radio Telemetry, Bass Pro Shops, and Sportsman's Warehouse who also made generous gift certificates available to the winners and the Judges. A special thank you to Pergo Design Gallery and Nickel Pointers for donating a Tarpin Hill trooper saddle to the winner! The Judges for this years running of the Northwest Amateur All Age Classic were Colin Kennedy of Calgary, Alberta and Mike Wilkin of Reno, Nevada.

The winner of the 2006 Northwest Amateur All Age Classic was 7 year old, pointer male, Magic Nickel, owned and handled by Larry McConnell. Magic Nickel was the class dog of the stake. Magic Nickel, call name Dollar, ran a huge all age race, to the front, and had great class and style on covey of chukar. Kelly's Rebel Maggie, pointer female, owned and handled by Sean Kelly was place second. Maggie ran a smooth wide forward ground race and carded 2 finds on chukar. Third place went to Painted Nickel, owned and handled by Jim Ledington. Nick ran a wide race and carded a find on Huns and chukar.

The Boise Valley Pointing Dog Club members would like to express our appreciation for having the opportunity to host the Northwest Amateur All Age Classic on the spectacular Robertson Ranch. Thanks again to Richard and Johnnie, Rich, Penny, and Emily Robertson, for their hospitality.

 Northwest Amateur All-Age Classic Running

Brace #1  Pay Per View - Ron Young - Pay Per View made a big move and was found on point at the first gate at 6. Pay Per View was solid at flush and shot. Huns were seen in the air at 10 and View stopped to flight of the Huns. View ran at medium range until crossing second gate at 25 and then fished the hour wide and to the front. Kelly's Laser Eye - Sean Kelly - Laser had an opportunity to point birds right off the break away, unfortunately Laser went with birds.

Brace #2: Pay Load - Ron Young - Released under the power line Pay Load blew out to the front and was not returned. Ron asked for the tracker at 25. DB - Gary Brown - DB broke away and made several nice all age moves and was gone at 50. DB was seen moving after time was called, going to the front. No birds pointed.

Brace #3: Penny's Magic Dream - Larry McConnell - Brace released at 10:36 with course intended to go south. Larry sent scout out at 7 with Magic being returned at 15 from the north. Magic was a hand full on this day. Point called at 50 no birds produced. Big Shot - Gary Brown - Big Shot covered a lot of country, but not always in the right direction. Point called at 57, no birds produced. Big Shot finished strong going away.

Brace #4: Hottie - Sean Kelly - Hottie made a huge opening cast and was returned at 10 minutes. Hottie shortened some after returning with point called at 26. Nice style. Sean could only produce a pile of feathers from a hawk kill. Sean picked up after an unproductive at 38. Buddy's Copper Shot - Todd Schaaf - Lost off the break away.

Brace #5: Riverton's Black Eye Pea - Matt Coverdale - Pea had her running shoes on and was returned from her opening cast at 9. Pea was gone again at 15 and returning at 28 after making a huge cast high in to the rocks along side the spring feed ravine. Pea continued to hunt impressively at all-age range for the balance of the hour, but without bird work. Kelly's Rebel Maggie - Sean Kelly - Maggie broke wide to the front and point was called at 5. Maggie remained staunch and stylish through the flush and shot with impeccable manners. Maggie was wide in range until 45 when she reached far ahead to corrals hunting impressively all the way to the top of last ravine where she established point with pretty style at 59. Sean produced a lone chukar over the mannerly dog ending the brace.

Brace #6: Just A Hellion - Larry McConnell - Bull hunted at a wide range, but with some directional difficulties for McConnell . Point was called at 34. However, the birds flushed back over Bull and he moved with birds. Blaze - Jim Ledington - Blaze ran a wide race and to the front, but finished the hour with no birds.

Brace #7: Dot - Joe Brinster - Scratched Valley View Lady Hawk - Todd Schaaf - Point was called at 2 with the handler calling the flight of the birds however, the birds were not seen by either judge. Proper manners were exhibited at the shot. Valley View Lady Hawk continued to run at wide range to the front and recorded a find 15, however, she chased and was picked up.

Brace #8: On Thin Ice - Kelly McConnell - On Thin Ice ran a wide to the front race, but was not reaching at all-age range. Kelly cautioned On Thin Ice when a bird popped wild at 15. On Thin Ice pointed attractively at 21 along side road prior to water tank. A chukar flushed wild as the handler rode up. All was in order at flush and shot. On Thin Ice scored a second find on chukar at 55 with all in order. Canadian Pete - Joe Brinster - Pete started slowly but warmed to the task. Point was called at 46. Just before Joe got to Pete, the dog released on his own and hunted the area out. Pete was last seen going to the front and was not returned to judgment.

Brace #9: Painted Nickel - Jim Ledington - Nick started well, but got behind a 7. Nick was returned to the front by the scout at 15. Painted Nickel recorded a nicely handled find on a covey Huns ahead at 21. Birds flushed wide and Nick remained high and tight for the shot. Nick was credited with a stop to flush at 31. Nick's race was wide until point was called at 40. Huns were flushed and all was in order. Painted Nickel finished running a medium wide race. Spectre Pete - Emily Robertson - Pete got behind after the break away and was picked up 15.

Brace #10: Mystic Fire - Joe Brinster - Fire started well, but was gone at 22 after crossing the main road and counted out at 42. Magic Nickel - Larry McConnell - Dollar left the breakaway with bird hunting on his mind, quickly reaching deep down course in advance of the crossing at the main road. Dollar continued to hunt impressively at all-age range turning north onto the number 1 course. Magic Nickel was seen standing proudly with rigidity and with magnificent high style along the fence on the north end of the number 1 course on a covey of chukar. All was mannerly at flush & shot. Dollar continued to run at all age range through out the hour.