1991 National Championship

The inaugural running of the National Vizsla Association’s National Classic was held March 7 & 8, 1991 at the Silver Saddle Ranch, California City, CA. The hospitality of thee Silver Saddle Ranch & Club, as well as the city of California City, was appreciated by all. The Silver Saddle Ranch & Club, located only ten minutes from the grounds, not only offered us quality rooms at attractive prices, but also offered a special opening of their restaurant and club to satisfy the thirst and hunger of us trialers.

The newly formed National Vizsla Association, dedicated to promoting the Vizsla as a high class bird dog, attracted 19 entries for this initial Classic from as far away as Minnesota, with entries from California, Utah, and Arizona as well. The event offered a representation of some of the best one hour dogs the breed has to offer. While several other interested owners and handlers from around the country were unable to make this inaugural running, they made it a point to convey their best wishes for the event and are already making plans to compete next year.

The weather was near perfect with winds being a bit brisk the first day. The temperatures in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s and crystal clear skies both days made for good conditions for both man and dog.

The California desert does not off the type of venue found in most other parts of the country, but the canyons, draws, rock outcroppings and open spaces do test a dog, and require a dog to reach to hit all that’s available to him. The rugged terrain, along with the hill climbing required to cover the courses, tests the mettle of every competitor. Those that finish an hour going strong and going away deserve the respect of all who watch them perform. Those of us who decided to form this Association were pleased to see all but one entrant finish the hour. Another positive aspect of the trial was the fact that not one dog had to be picked up for faulty bird work. While there were a few individuals who went birdless, there was only one birdless brace and several dogs scored multiple finds. While this breed has long attracted the trialer interested in half-hour stakes, the hunter and those who fancy the dog’s good looks and temperament find it quite rewarding to see the caliber of competitor performing in this one-hour Classic.

While a debt of gratitude must be paid tot eh Officers, Board of Directors, and all who contributed their time and money it make this event possible, a special thanks must go to Bruce Hale, our President. He is without a doubt the primary catalyst and the driving force that made this Association and this event happen.

The judges were also of the highest caliber. Jim Berneathy, a pro-trainer from Hesperia, CA has campaigned dogs over a good portion of the United States and has been fooling with dogs longer than anyone can remember. Likewise, Ed Dixon, a dedicated amateur handler and trainer from Long Beach, CA has owned and campaigned Brittanies and Pointers over most of the West and knows a good dog from any breed. Their decisions were right on the mark, and well received.

 

THE WINNERS

The Vizsla World has been dominated for the last decade by the offspring of two dominant individuals who were bred in 1982. This event was no different. Rebel Rouser Bandieto, who was the product of nearly twenty years of selective line breeding by Hank and Betty Rozanek of Schuyler, NE, was a true All Age Vizsla who passed his qualities on to his get. In the summer of 1982, he was bred to Magma’s Samantha of Voros Tars, herself an outstanding female. Samantha was the product of a breeding decision made by Bill Gibbons of Phoenix, AZ and Bill and Linda Woodward, also of Phoenix, with the Woodwards listed as the breeders of record. The litter whelped in August of 1982 would prove to be the powerhouse of the 80’s, as well as the seed for the future, with Samantha winning the 1984 Vizsla Club of America National Championship run under the auspices of the AKC. Two of her daughters from this litter, Voros Tars Dolly and Rebel Rouser Starr, would go on to win the same Championship with Dolly winning twice in 1986 and 1987, then Starr in 1989.
In the spring of 1988, Rebel Rouser Starr was bred to a grandson of Rebel Rouser Bandieto, Viesoo’s Prodigal Son to produce a litter that was almost wiped out by Parvo, all but two pups. These two pups, not yet three years of age, are the winners of this inaugural running.

                                                                  Rebel Rouser Bandieto
                                                      Rebel Rouser ET
                                                                  Rebel Rouser Star
                                       Viesoo’s Prodigal Son
                                                                  Taunee’s Loki Santana
                                                      Viesoo’s Szidi V Penlee
                                                                  Firebrand’s Constant Comment

                                                                  Rebel Rouser Duke
                                                      Rebel Rouser Bandieto
                                                                  Rebel Rouser Penny
                                       Rebel Rouser Starr
                                                                  Thor’s Thunderer
                                                      Magma’s Samantha of Voros Tars
                                                                  Milehi Miss

Magma’s Mentowin, the winner, is a big strong male with dominant features displayed both around birds and on the move. His gait is fast and attractive. The boldness he exhibits in far reaching casts is the type of quality one looks for in a true competitor. His hour produced two finds, one at 12, the other at 24. Both were handled with intensity and style. He would have had an opportunity to back at 16 had his bracemate not been hidden from view while pointing in heavy brush. Mentowin, as the name implies, went on to finish his hour far to the front with plenty left at the end.

Magma’s Lone Survivor, the runner-up and the only littermate to the winner, is slighter built but equally as easy to watch. Her fast, snappy gait carries her quickly to the objectives. The brisk wind at her back during her brace produced several lateral casts, but did not prevent her from making numerous treks to the front. Her find at 40 was handled with style and when released by Gibbons, she finished the hour to the front as though she had just started. 
 

THE RUNNING

Nicks Golden Bear (Cooper) – Magma’s Lone Survivor (Gibbons) – The wind drew both dogs to the left at break away with Survivor turning to the front as Bear turned into the wind and got hung up behind for two to three minutes. Survivor took to the ridge on the right while Bear, after returning to the scene, went for a ridge to the front. Both dogs disappeared from time to time working canyons and draws. Bear was found to the left by scout at 36, standing on a covey. His location was at considerable distance and he was relocated by handler to find his quarry. Bear was watered and sent on to go a little flat at 50, but finished to the front. Survivor’s remaining performance is outlined above.

Nitro’s Just For The Judge (Hale) – Coleto Cheyenne (Gibbons) – Both dogs moved out quickly at the breakaway with Judge going to the front at eleven o’clock while Cheyenne took to the one o’clock position. Judge was seen far to the front at 10, working heavy brush, when he pointed then relocated on his own. The birds had apparently moved and when he reestablished point, the birds were in view, perhaps causing Judge to tick slightly as Cheyenne came in to back. All was in order at flush and shot with Cheyenne displaying excellent style and manners throughout her back. Both dogs were released and moved to the front with Judge burning up the country. Cheyenne hunted the remainder of the hour with no birds of her own.

Rebel Rouser Starr (Gibbons) – Mandolin Wind (Knight) – Both moved out with the wind to their backs. Starr, the proud dam of the winner, showed her desire and ability despite her age and recent cancer surgery. Her find at 26 showed the style that helped her win the VCA Nationals in ’89. Maddy was eager and made some excellent casts only to go birdless, but not for lack of effort. Both finished the hour hunting to the front with Starr beginning to show her age, but never quitting.

Oakleaf’s Whiskey Pete (Fisher) – Magma’s Mentowin (Gibbons) – This brace produced our winner, doing it with grand style. He and Pete broke away strong and eager to cover the country. Pete scored at 14 and all was in order for flush and shot. Pete’s race was better early than at the end, but adequate throughout. Gabe’s two finds and outstanding race have been covered above.

Mehagian’s Firestorm (Gibbons) – Betty’s Hopeful Drifter (Christensen) Breaking away at 2:30 the first day, both dogs were quick out of the gate, taking the ridge to the right and carrying it some distance to the front. Drifter had the greater range while Firestorm was snappy, but working somewhat closer. Drifter scored a find at 28 and showed good style at flush and shot. A non-productive at 34 would not have detracted from his performance had he finished the last 10 minutes a little stronger. Firestorm hunted hard but to no avail when time was called.

Shotgun Danny Dude (Gibbons) – Nitro’s First Class Act (Hale) – As the last brace of the first day, these two were cast. Danny started quickly with some extreme casts to the front, being out of sight at times. Classy was slower to start, which is not her usual style and somewhat bewildered her handler. Danny’s find at 16 was one to watch, with good location and poker tail throughout flush and shot. Danny’s race was string and his finish to the front had to please the judges and he could have been a contender had he checked in a little less. Classy showed her usual spark at times, but never quite put the whole program together. She finished with plenty of energy, but no birds.

Shotgun Rust De Abbeyfield (Small) – Mehagian’s Firestarter (Gibbons) – Friday morning brought clear skies, less wind and cool temperatures. As these two left the line at 8:45, both were off but were stopped almost immediately as Firestarter slammed on point at under a minute with Rusty backing. All was well at flush and shot and the two started again. Rusty scored finds at 16, 18, 29 and 30 with some excellent casts to ridges and draws. Though sometimes lateral, he covered a lot of ground. Firestarter scored three finds and showed lots of energy. She was found on point after being gone for thirteen minutes and having been ridden past by handler and gallery. These two show a lot of promise and will be worth watching in the future.

Baker’s Darlin’ Sportin’ Ginny (Gibbons) – Cherokee Ombre (Mortensen) – These two started with a bang as they both disappeared to the front. Being spotted at great distances only briefly these two were eating up the desert. Ginny had a cut toe and was wearing a boot, but showed no favor in the early going. Her two finds were handled with good manners but her foot and the hour began to take its toll. She finished to the front and hunting, however. Ombre scored one clean find but did not have the finish that the winner showed.

Rusty Spike (Adamson) – My-T-Hi North Starr (Gibbons) – These two showed the stuff hour dogs are made of, ranging to every distant objective. Spike hit the front and searched to find no birds, while North Starr hit the front and sides with similar results. This was the only birdless brace in the trial which could have been caused partially by the rising temperatures and dry weather. None the less, these two were exciting to watch.

High Plains Drifter (Mortensen) – Run as the bye dog, Drifter just wasn’t in the mood this day and was put on the rope at 12.

Reported by Ray Cooper.