Alabama Open All-Age Championship

By Mike Crouse
The American Field

The Alabama Field Trial Club, host club for the alabama All-Age Campionship, is 109 years young and going strong. It hosted its first renewal in 1897. As the little boy once remarked to his granddad, "That's a long time aback!" It hosted this Championship at the Hell Creek Wildlife Area situated a few miles south of Blue Mountain, Miss.

At this year's renewal, Dennis Auping of New Melle, Mo., paired with Kipp Linard of Silex, Mo., to form the judicial team for this Championship. They named Shadow's Tennessee Girl, handleed by realative newcomer Blake Kukar of Somerville, Tenn., from 34 starters as the 2006 champion. Girl offered a consistent hour of courageous front running to complement her perfefect find which occurred literally in the final seconds. She was stylish and immobile as Kukar flushed the precisely located covey into the pines behind the manager's house. . .

. . . The first hour returns to the clubhouse and the next two are continuous. In the second hour, Blake Kukar had Shadow's Tennessee Girl and Weldon Bennett led Firewind to the line. It was an interesting brace; first one, then the other impressing with good swings and splashing through cold water. As the hour drew to a close we passed the manager's house with Firewind casting to the right and Girl straight ahead. Girl snapped into a positive find with seconds remaining. She was proud and positive and Kukar flushed a nice covey for his mannerly female. Firewind returned on his own from the front, well wintin the grace period. I am sure the judges were pleased to record this work. . .

Winner––SHADOW'S TENNESSEE GIRL, 1534506, pointer female, by Joe Shadow––Scout. Blake Kukar, owner and handler.

Runner Up––GALENA REBEL, 1543555, pointer male, by Chips Ahoy––Top's Phantom Shadow. W.O. Fitch, owner; Randy Downs, handler.

Open Derby

In the Derby only one contender found and handled game, Henry's Blueberry Pie. In the final analysis, the Derby judges chose to place all Derby winners on ground application. Making a sweep of first place in the Championship and hour Derby was owner Blake Kukar. His Derby, Ben Adams (I wonder where this dog got his name) was handled by John Dubson to a strong and forward race and excellent finish to secure his placement. . .

1st––BEN ADAMS, 1567558, pointer male, by Miller's White Powder––Doerr's Claire's Shadow. Blake Kukar, owner; John Dubson, handler.

2nd––WINDYHILL's TRUE GRIT, 1576906, pointer female, by Bitterroot––Ribbons N Bows. Jake & Windy Waddell, owners; Jake Waddell, handler.

3rd––HOUSE'S COLD MOUNTAIN, 1570515, pointer male, by House's Gunfire––House's Penny Annie. Gary Lester, owner and handler.