1977 VCOI May Fun Trial - Busch Farm

The VCOI Fun Trial held at Busch's Farm (?) was a hugh success. For the first time the field trial dogs were seperated from the non-field trial dogs for the stakes that were run. In addition to the four events for big boys and girls, a junior handler stake was offered for the smaller boys and girls.

Pheasants were used in the four senior events and homing pigeons in the Jr. Handler. The pheasant were breeders and as a result a few did not fly too willingly. Whenever possible we tried to hand launch them. Thegunnars Jum Valukas and Tim Stapleton had their usual outstanding day and missed few, if any. The bird field portion of all stakes was the only part they got to see, but they were still able to predict the winners. Sort of makes you wonder how important the backcourse if after all. One of their observations was that it was easy to tell who had dogs the handlers trusted and who did not. They observed that those guys who trusted their dogs turned their back on the dog and launched the birds two-anded high into the air. Those who did not trust their dogs tried a one-handed launch behind their back as they faced the dog. Frequently, this resulted in a very low short flight of the bird with disasterous consequences for the not trusted dog. What it boiled down to was this, difficult situation for the green broke dog was made worse and harder for the dog to handle.

The Judges for the young dog stakes praised all of the performances very highly. They commented that it was difficult to properly weigh the performances according to the dogs ages since the young dog stakes included dogs from 5 months to two years old.

Placements Follow:

Young Dogs (Non-Field Trial Dogs) under 2 years - 7 vizslas
1. Kryssar's Elsa, O/H Wally Johnson
2. BB's Sr. Margaret O/H Debbie Parker
3. Amber, O/H John Jeffries
4. Little Ava, O/H Paul Dommers
H.M. Jump-N-Jubalation, O/H Jim Eifrig

Young Dogs (Field Trial Dogs) under 2 years - 12 vizslas, 2 GSP
1. Willie's Bushwak Barney McGee, O/H Mike Florian
2. Brooks Red Alert, O/H Tony Lucas
3. Spring Creek Express, O/H Roger Paluska
4. Hi's Delightful Dolly, O/H Tom Gaulke
H.M. WW II O/H Jim Busch
H.M. Smudge (GSP) O/H Art Ciolkowski
H.M. Willies Russett Duke, O/H Chuck Boegel
H.M. Fasses Crazy Corey, O/H Vern Fasse

Older Dogs (Non Field Trial) 2 years +
1. Blazer Babe, O/H Gordy Crull
2. Jolie Highland Sir Duke, O/H Danny Burrows
3. Puff the Golden Dragon, O/ J. Smith H/ P. Ingraffia
4. Papes Skycrest Rusty, O/H Joe Pape

Older Dogs (Field Trial) 2 years + 1 Vis, 3 GSP, 1 GWP

1. Beau James Frost (GSP) O/H Phil Rosenberg
2. D & AFch. Jodi's Jump N Bing Bang Bucz, O/H Jim Busch3. Evelyns Red Pride, O/H John Ewers
4. VCOA '76 Nat. FCH. & D & AFCh. Brooks WillieWhompum, O/H Tony Lucas

Jr. Handler (Under 16 years old) 7 entries
1. Ryan Stapletonw.Flamin Star
1. Rod Tovar w/Judy B
2. Jennifer Ciolkowski w/ Cocoas Carbon Copy
John Busch w/WW II
3. Diane Busch w/Apollo
Mike Gengler w/BB.s Sr. Margaret
4. Keith Crago w/Webster Woodlands Amber Glow

IN CONCLUSION, everyone has a good time; Many, Many new faces were there and we sincerely hope we will see them often in the future. We ran 47 dogs that day and that's a lot. Without the help and cooperation of toomany to name, it would have been impossible. We are always concerned at the end of a big say like that, that some new person may have been ignored or slighted in some way. Please, if this was your first club event, try to understand that in addition to running the event, we also compete and get as excited about it as you do. If some of your questions remain unanswered, come to the club meeting and grab someones sleeve for a lont talk. (next meeting July 20th)

These fun trialws are an introduction to the wonderful sport of Field Trialing. There will be another fun trial about the middle of August and then the Field Trial (governed by AKC) itself on September 10th & 11th. The Puppy stake and both the Open Gun Dog and Amateur Gun Dog will be for Vizsla only. In addition to these, there will be an Amateur Ltd. Gun Dog, Open Ltd. Gun Dog and Derby for all the Continental pointing breeds. The Trial will be at tht eDes Plaines WIldlife Area which is fantastic bird dog country, especially in the fall. If you have any doubts about getting an entry in the mail, send me - Jim Busch(address omitted by webmaster) a postcard requesting that your name be put on the field trial mailing list. Even if you do not plan on entering, please attend and give us some help! There are many many chores that need to be tended to --experience helpful but not necessary

- as printed in the VCOI 1977 Bulletin by Jim Busch