2011 Midwest Vizsla Futurity
Winner
Burr Oak's Redneck Cowgirl “Casey”
Sire: Redneck Susie Que
Dam: Touchdown Kid
Owner/Handler: Jim Gingrich
Breeder: Ray Cooper
Runner Up
Saginaw Redneck Cowboy “Tex”
Sire: Redneck Susie Que
Dam: Touchdown Kid
Owner/Handler: Mark Johnson
Breeder: Ray Cooper
Second Runner Up
Kick Em Up Kimber “Kimber”
Sire: CK Penny
Dam: Sam I Am
Owner/Handler: Jarrett and Allison Bell
Breeder: Ron Chenoweth
Third Runner Up
CK Super Shot Suzie “Suzie”
Sire: CK Penny
Dam: Shilohs Rommels Blitzkrieg
Owner/Handler: Ron Chenoweth
Breeder: Ron Chenoweth
2011 Midwest Vizsla Field Futurity
Submitted by Jonathan Peck & George Haines, MVF Scribes
The 29th running of the Midwest Vizsla Futurity (“MVF”) was held on March 4, 2011, at the Des Plaines Wildlife Conservation Area near Joliet, IL. The MVF regularly attracts the best and brightest derby dogs that the Vizsla breed has to offer, and this year did not disappoint. A number of the top Vizsla derbies in the country were on hand to vie for top honors and take home the coveted “Double Lane” trophy. Many of the dogs in this year’s field had puppy and/or derby wins under their belt, several having placed and won at the National level. The MVF lived up to its name yet again, drawing entries from throughout the Midwest, and even attracted participants from as far away as Arizona.
Breeders nominated a total of twenty-two litters for this year’s Futurity. Thirteen hopefuls were re-nominated, entered, drawn and brought to the line to compete for a total prize purse worth in excess of $2,000. This year’s Futurity again enjoyed a large gallery of spectators, excited to bear witness to the future of our breed. Those in attendance were treated to a number of noteworthy performances. The judges definitely had their work cut out for them.
Judges for this year’s renewal were Howard Burbach, of Pleasant Hill, MO, and Kent Harter, of Hampshire, IL. Mr. Burbach, our returning judge from last year, is an accomplished GSP field trialer and also a well-respected judge. Mr. Harter, also a successful GSP field trailer with considerable judging experience, was a welcome addition to this year’s judging slate. The MVF was honored to have such fine gentlemen sitting in the judging saddle once again. They both were attentive to the dogs, fair and positive in their evaluation of the dogs, and their decisions were well-received by those present.
As with any other event, the MVF would not succeed without the hard work, dedication and gracious support of volunteers and its supporters. MVF Chairman, Mark Spurgeon, and MVF Secretary, Rodney Albin, do a lion’s share of the work and must be commended for their dedication to this event. The MVF is run on a limited budget, but somehow Rodney and Mark make it all come together. MVF Webmaster, Michel Berner, has also done a fantastic job maintaining the MVF’s website and solidifying the Futurity’s online presence. The MVF would also like to thank Nestle-Purina, and specifically Pat Lamantia and Terry Trzcinski, for their continued and generous support of this event. Nestle-Purina awarded Pro Plan Performance Formula product to the MVF’s winners and donated hats for participants and spectators alike. Nestle-Purina remains an ardent supporter of field trialing and the MVF appreciates their contribution to our event. We look forward to their continued support in the future, especially next year when we celebrate the MVF’s 30th Anniversary. Finally, the MVF must thank the Vizsla Club of Illinois for its support. Although a standalone event, the MVF is run in conjunction with the VCOI’s spring field trial, which is held on the weekend following the MVF. The VCOI has very graciously supported this event, sometimes even financially, for nearly two decades. Without their commitment to the Futurity, it likely would no longer exist.
Although not quite as pleasant as the previous two years, this year’s MVF was fortunate yet again to enjoy weather conducive to running dogs. The temps were balmy, reaching highs near 60 degrees later in the day. The sky was overcast and threatening, but the day’s running was complete before the rain, and later snow, moved into the area. The ride around began shortly after 8:30 a.m. and the first brace cast off at 9:30 a.m.
THE WINNERS
The winner of the 2011 Midwest Vizsla Futurity was Burr Oak’s Redneck Cowgirl (“Casey”), owned by James Gingrich of Winnebago, IL, and bred by Ray Cooper of Longview, TX. Casey was handled by Jim’s son and professional trainer, Brian Gingrich of Rockford, IL. Although somewhat less celebrated than several of the other entrants, Casey enjoyed a successful puppy and derby career and was clearly a favorite coming into this year’s MVF. Casey would not be denied top honors this time. Running in the second brace of the day, Casey ran a strong forward race and carded several quality finds, exhibiting pleasing style and great intensity on point for each. Casey, a petite bitch, has an eye catching and snappy gait, boundless stamina and is a thrill to watch as she charges hard to the front in search of her quarry. Her ground race, gait and mature application set her apart from the other top performers and netted her this year’s top honors.
Casey cast off from the gravel lot and immediately made a big move to the front, making short order of the first field and quickly moving through the cut into the “back 40,” where she disappeared for a spell. At 5, Casey was found pointing just through the cut into the “back 40.” A single was flushed, the gun fired and Casey was again on her way moving towards the far edge in search of her next find. Casey made excellent use of the field’s objectives and moved through the next cut into the “big field” at 10, where she again disappeared for several minutes. As Gingrich approached the cut, Casey showed from the north, returning to her handler with a casualty from the first brace. Gingrich collected her offering and cast her off into the “big field” after giving her a quick splash of water.
Casey punched hard to the front along the far edge at breakneck speed, turned left just before Blodgett Road and headed north, checking the brushy islands briefly before moving to the tree line dividing the orchard from the north field. Casey entered the orchard at 20 and shortened her range a bit in response to the numerous objectives. She continued hunting at a feverish pace, however, scouring the orchard and remaining forward the entire time. At 27, her effort was rewarded with a second stylishly pointed find on the far west side of the orchard. Gingrich located and flushed a single Bob, fired the gun and cast Casey off heading north in the last field, where she finished her brace going away.
Casey ran the strongest race of the day, yet she handled kindly for Gingrich. Her snappy way of going, considerable stamina and mature application capped off an exceptional performance. The win was certainly well-deserved and a proud moment for owner, Jim Gingrich. Although Jim took 1st Runner-Up honors in 1993 with Bo Knows Birds, it was Casey who finally brought home the elusive Double Lane Trophy for him this year after a 26-year hiatus since winning the event in 1985 with Princess Molly. Having his son, Brian, at the helm made the win that much sweeter. Casey is the first dog from Ray Cooper’s kennel to win the Futurity. Her littermate brother, Tex, also took 1st Runner-up honors this year. Casey’s sire is Touchdown Kid (“Diamond”), her dam is Redneck Susie Que (“Susie”), and she was whelped on June 23, 2009. Casey’s grand-sire, Pointe Blanc’s Rusty Miracle (“Duke”), was the MVF 1st Runner-up in 2002 and is the sire of Hoosier Daddy (“Hoosier”), the Winner in 2008, Shiloh’s Wisdom (“Freya”), the 3rd Runner-up in 2008, Kojac’s Maggie’s Mae (“Mae”), the 1st Runner-up in 2009, and Saginaw CYA Reba (“Reba”), the 3rd Runner-up in 2009. Casey’s other grand-sire, Tommy Boy (“Tommy”), sired October Rust Shiloh’s Zetta (“Zetta”), the 2nd Runner-Up in 2005, and grand-sired last year’s Winner, Tiszabec’s Josie of Vanguard (“Josie”), and 1st Runner-up, Shiloh’s Red White & Blue (“Blue”).
The First Runner-up was Saginaw Redneck Cowboy (“Tex”), owner-handled by Mark Johnson of Winnebago, IL. Tex is Casey’s littermate brother and bred by Ray Cooper of Longview, Texas. Tex was the most celebrated of this year’s crop of derbies, having won the National Vizsla Association’s National Derby Classic in the Spring of 2010 (and again in 2011, several weeks after the MVF), the National Walking Puppy Stake at the Vizsla Club of America’s National Gun Dog Championship in late winter of 2010, and taking 1st Runner-up in the Derby Classic at the Vizsla Club of America’s National Championship and 1st Runner-up in the Gary Jagoda Derby Classic at the Midwest Vizsla Shooting Dog Championship, both in the Fall of 2010. Although bested by his sister, Tex ran a strong, consistent and forward race, carding two stylishly pointed finds.
Tex ran in the fourth brace of the day. He began his bid by making a strong move to the right edge and disappearing to the front. After a short absence, point was called at 8. Johnson quickly rode to his charge, who was standing just inside the north wood line before the cut, head and tail high. Unfortunately, Johnson’s flushing attempt proved fruitless and he was unable to locate the bird. Tex was collected and cast off into the “back 40,” where he efficiently hunted the far edge, periodically checking the tall grassy areas that often hold birds. Once into the “big field,” Tex briefly checked the broken tree line in the middle and then knifed sharply across the field to the far right edge. Much like his sister, Tex charged hard to the front and hooked north at Blodgett Road. He checked the larger of the two brushy islands and then advanced to the orchard. At 23, Tex swapped ends just as he entered the east end of the orchard and point was signaled as Johnson raised his cap. A single was flushed and Tex was collected, given a swig from the water bottle and sent on his way. Tex scoured the orchard, shortening up a bit but always remaining forward. He carded his second find on the west side of the orchard at 26, pointing with intensity and exquisite style. Another single was flushed, followed by the report from Johnson’s .38 blank gun echoing through the orchard. Tex was cast off into the North field and finished to the front.
Tex ran a strong forward race, but shortened a bit towards the end of his brace. His range, mature application and two stylishly pointed finds netted him First Runner-up honors. Johnson is no stranger to the MVF winner’s circle. Tex’s placement makes him the fifth dog of Johnson’s to place in the MVF. Johnson won the event in 1988 and 2006 with “Fridge” and “Danny” respectively. Tex’s sire is Diamond, his dam is Susie and he was whelped on June 23, 2009.
The Second Runner-up, Kick Em Up Kimber (“Kimber”), was owner handled by Jarrett Bell of O’Fallon, MO, and ran as the bye dog in the third brace of the day. Kimber was bred by Ron Chenoweth of Port Byron, IL. Kimber, another one of this year’s favorites, was among the top rated Vizsla derbies in the country heading into this year’s MVF. Not phased by having to run alone, Kimber began her brace with a strong forward cast through the prairie grass along the right edge. Kimber’s first bird contact occurred shortly thereafter with a bobwhite flush as she made the cut into the “back 40” at the 5 minute mark. Kimber, still motoring to the front, disappeared over the “mounds” and was absent for nearly 5 minutes. While Bell searched for his charge, call rang out from his scout that Kimber was up front. Kimber appeared along the far west edge of the field, moving to the south past the “turnaround.” Kimber held the edge nicely until the cut into the “big field,” where she disappeared to the right.
Point was called by Bell at 15, after Kimber was found standing a single along the edge just through the cut where she disappeared earlier. Kimber exhibited breathtaking style and intensity as Bell went in for the flush. A bobwhite was flushed, the gun fired and Kimber was quickly cast off into the “big field.” Kimber continued to hunt hard, devouring the edges along the “big field” and Blodgett Road. Although her range was not quite that of Casey and Tex, she was very thorough, leaving little cover unchecked. At 22, her efforts were rewarded with another beautifully pointed find shortly after entering the orchard. Kimber made short order of the orchard and exited it several minutes later, moving along the west edge of the North field. Slowing a bit, Kimber nosed a bird at 27, but finished forward along the north tree line as time was called.
Although she had two nice finds, the two bumped birds may have cost Kimber in such a highly competitive stake. Nevertheless, her excellent application, style and intensity on point, and hard hunting for the full thirty made up for her indiscretions, and Kimber was named the Second Runner-up. Kimber is Bell’s second dog to place in the Futurity, having won the event just two year’s prior with “Bullet.” Kimber is one of two dogs bred by Chenoweth to place in this year’s Futurity. Her half sister, Suzie, took 3rd Runner-up. Kimber’s sire is Sam I Am (“Sam”), her dam is CK Penny (“Penny”), and she was whelped on June 10, 2009. Sam was the MVF 2nd Runner-up in 2001. Kimber’s great grand-sire, Raany, was the MVF winner in 1997, and her other great grand-sire, Lifo Riley, was the MVF winner in 1995.
The Third Runner-up, CK Super Shot Suzie (“Suzie”), bred and owned by Ron Chenoweth of Port Byron, IL, was handled by professional trainer Jerry Jordan of Cedar Point, IA. Suzie ran in the dreaded first brace of the day but persevered. She began her bid with a strong forward cast along the right edge and headed towards the cut, where she disappeared for several minutes. She showed from the front, quickly checked-in with Jordan, and was on her way again, heading for the “back 40.” At 7, Suzie retrieved a freshly killed bob to Jordan and then returned to hunting, zipping past the “mounds” and alternating between the west edge and the grassy areas that often hold birds. At 18, Jordan called point after finding Suzie standing staunch just into the wood line before the entrance to the “big field.” After some difficulty, Jordan produced two bobs and fired his gun. Suzie initially gave chase, but was easily collected and cast off into the “big field.” Suzie continued to the broken tree line in the center of the field, hunted several of the grassy objectives and then attacked the far edge. She made her way past the brushy island and entered the orchard at 25. She quickly carded her second find along the east entrance to the orchard at 26, a single that she pointed stylishly and with noteworthy intensity. The bird was flushed and gun fired, and she momentarily gave chase before she was easily collected by Jordan and sent on. Time was called as Suzie exited the west end of the orchard and headed north along the tree line.
Although she worked at a shorter range than those placing ahead of her, Suzie remained forward and ran a nice course, hunting hard for the full thirty. Her strong effort was rewarded with Third Runner-up. Suzie is the first dog owned by Chenoweth to place in the Futurity, and one of two bred by him to place in this year’s event. Suzie’s sire is Shiloh’s Rommel’s Blitzkrieg (“Rommel”), her dam is CK Penny (“Penny”), and she was whelped on January 12, 2010, making her the youngest dog to compete and place in this year’s MVF. Suzie’s sire, Rommel, is a full brother to Crimson’s Twenty Gauge Ruger (“Ruger”), the MVF 2nd Runner-up in 2004. Her grand-sire, Raany, won the MVF in 1997, and her great grand-sire, Lifo Riley, won the MVF in 1995. Suzie’s dam, Penny, also has the distinction of being the only dam in MVF history to produce two dogs to place in the same Futurity, but by two different sires.
Running Order
1a
CK Super Shot Suzie
“Suzie”
SR60454606 F 1/12/2010
Dam: CK Penny
Sire: Shiloh's Rommel's Blitzkrieg
Owner: Ron Chenoweth
Breeder: Ron Chenoweth
1b
Windchill's Little Boy Blue
“Arlo”
SR55876801 M 5/1/2009
Dam: Windchill's Cukor Honey
Sire: Moller's Touchdown Csonka
Owner: Steve Kuchenberg
Breeder: Belinda Freeman
2a
Pele's Wiki Wiki Hawaiian Punch
“Pele”
SR55713805 F 2/1/2009
Dam: Sable II
Sire: Busters Boy Zeke
Owner: Charles K Chadwell / Nancy Brown
Breeder: Mike Booker
2b
Burr Oak's Redneck Cowgirl
“Casey”
SR57681204 F 6/23/2009
Dam: Redneck Susie Que
Sire: Touchdown Kid
Owner: Jim Gingrich
Breeder: Ray Cooper
3a
Kick Em Up Kimber
“Kimber”
SR57877007 F 6/10/2009
Dam: CK Penny
Sire: Sam I Am
Owner: Jarred Bell
Breeder: Ron Chenoweth
3b
“bye”
4a
Saginaw Redneck Cowboy
“Tex”
SR57681205 M 6/23/2009
Dam: Redneck Susie Que
Sire: Touchdown Kid
Owner: Mark Johnson
Breeder: Ray Cooper
4b
Crimson's Isidora Rizzini
“Izzy”
SR56426101 F 5/25/2009
Dam: Crimson's Arrietta Lady Double
Sire: Crimson's Lord Rigby of Liden
Owner: Mark & Pam Spurgeon
Breeder: Mark & Pam Spurgeon
5a
Equinox Gus' Dime
“Dime”
SR55963002 F 4/7/2009
Dam: Chelcees Little Pistol
Sire: PR's Gustopher of Rockpoint
Owner: Tom & Cindy Pescod
Breeder: Ken Hart
5b
Bravo Haulin's Stage Winner
“Brie”
SR56908006 F 6/12/2009
Dam: CH Opoint's Brave Thunder Rolls
Sire: Touchdown Kid
Owner: Jim Gingrich
Breeder: Julie LaRue & Medda Rauhut
6a
Russet River Amber
“Amber”
SR59839501 F 12/1/2009
Dam: Cheyenne Blue River Sky MH
Sire: CH Archiee
Owner: Tim May
Breeder: Tim May
6b
Zekes Maxccident
“Max”
SR55713802 M 2/1/2009
Dam: Sable II
Sire: Busters Boy Zeke
Owner: Steven Elliot /Kristin Elliot
Breeder: Mike Booker
7a
Crimson's Twenty Gauge Dakota
“Dakota”
SR59816701 F 12/1/2009
Dam: Midnight Run's Shiloh Femme Fatale
Sire: NAFC 2X NGDC DC AFC Crimson's Twenty Gauge Ruger
Owner: Mark & Pam Spurgeon
Breeder: Johathan Peck
7b
Equinox Gus' Nickel
“Niki”
SR55963003 F 4/7/2009
Dam: Chelcees Little Pistol
Sire: PR's Gustopher of Rockpoint
Owner: Tom & Cindy Pescod
Breeder: Ken Hart
