The latest visitors to Hopkins County, this week, have names such as Texas Ranger, Jade of Jax, Run Wild, and Rip Tide. Then, there is Big Time Molly, Scooby Doo's Storm, Mojoe Molly, Prairie Rider, Cole Younger, and Bobwhite Belle. They are registered Weimaraner Field Trial Dogs and they are "putting on a show" at the Bailey Ranch, west of Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County is host to the Weimaraner Club of America, where they are conducting field trials for their very talented bird dogs, in what is known as the Mid-America Classic. The circuit consists of three regional contests and the national contest, and the Mid-America is for the middle region of the U.S. In about three weeks, the national trials will be held in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the first week in December. The Hopkins County contest has attracted some 35 dog owners and handlers, who have brought some 65 dogs to compete in the event, according to local attorney, Frank Long, one of the organizers of the contest.
"We have competitors from Oregon, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Virginia, Vancouver, Canada, and all points in between," expressed Long, who is also competing in the trials. "We have a very good representation of the better dogs in the organization."
The Weimaraner is a keen hunting dog bred for generations in Germany and used as a pointing breed, for flushing birds from their habitat, allowing the hunter to make his kill. "They have an outstanding 'eye' for locating and flushing birds," denoted Tim Carwile, of Virginia, who is the reigning president of the Weimaraner Club of America.
Object of the difficult dog trial is to challenge the dog to point a pheasant and then once the bird is killed, to retrieve the bird and bring it to the hunter, undamaged. The dog is graded on each aspect of the performance, by two qualified judges, who score him with points for his actions in the contest.
Diane Vater of Pennsylvania flushes a pheasant from the brush following her entry pointing the
bird. The dog must wait until the bird is shot, before he can retrieve the bird and bring it back
to its owner.
One of the colorful and beautiful male pheasants used in the dog
trials held at Bailey Ranch, west of Sulphur Springs.
The field trials being held at Bailey Ranch are broken down into five events.......Open All Age Division, a Futurity Class for nominated young dogs, an American Gun Dog Class, an Open Trial Class, and an Open Derby Class. Dogs are entered by their owners according to their level of skill and must receive a "call back" for the finals competition.
This is "Texas Ranger" owned by local attorney, Frank Long, who received a "call back" for
Wednesday's competition, to compete in the finals.
Diane Vater, encourages her entry, Smokin' Winds Holiday, to bring the pheasant back to her
in the final rounds of competition, on Wednesday.
Just like in an species of animals, predominant bloodlines exist that are better at hunting, pointing, and retrieving, thus the Weimaraner enthusiast is always trying for that elusive cross of bloodlines that will produce the next champion dog. Then, once the bloodlines are achieved, a long and arduous training regimen is undertaken to produce the winning performance. "And, there is lots of luck involved once you get dogs of this caliber competing against each other," denoted Long. "You can have everything there to win the contest and the wind can be out of the wrong direction for the dog to scent the bird, or the bird can fly an odd pattern, etc. There are many, many variables in the field trial to test the skills of the dog."
Alan Davison, of Hudson, Colorado, left, allows the judge to inspect his pheasant, as his dog,
Robynski Deaugh Davison, paitiently waits for the results, after retrieving the bird.
A successful hunt is the perfect way to end the day.
Wednesday's winners were announced at 6:00 p.m., as the final dog completed its run and the scores were tabulated. Diane Vater of Pennsylvania was the victor, in the day's competition, with her Smokin' Wind's Holiday entry.
The winners in Wednesday's competition were left to right, Smokin' Wind's Holiday, Robynski
Deaugh Davison, and FC Jax's Waybac Tyler.
This horse was glad when the final competition of the day was finished, so he could get some
"R&R." A portion of the contest involves working the dogs from horseback.
"This field trial is an economic boost to Hopkins County tourism," stated local resident, Roy Pelton. "These folks stay in our motels, eat in our restaurants, and purchase horse and dog feed, for the entire week of their stay, plus, they enjoy coming to the outstanding facilities that the Bailey Ranch offers for bird hunting. It's a great opportunity for Hopkins County and the Weimaraner Club of America!"
If you want to see something new and exciting in Hopkins County, check with the officials at the official headquarters, Best Western Trail Dust Inn, and see about going out and watching these exciting and talented dogs perform.
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