2003 APC NATIONAL FIELD TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

September 22nd-26th, 2003 Sunnyside, Washington
by Angela Schillereff, Event Secretary

The eighth annual American Pointer Club National Championships were held on the vast and beautiful Anderson Ranch north of Sunnyside, Washington. The Anderson family homestead covers nearly 20,000 acres and is a working beef cattle operation. This was the site of the 2000 Nationals, and in addition, they are home to the NGSPA Region 10 Championship trials, AFTCA Pacific Coast and National Chukar Championships and the 1999 and 2002 AKC Pointing Breed Gun Dog Championships. We are indebted to Rick and Sharon Anderson for their generosity over the past several decades that field trials have been held on their property.

Once again we had a nice turnout from all around the country. The host club, Cascade Pointer Club, and its members have always been supportive of the Nationals. Much appreciation to the CPC members Doug and Sandy Johnston, Richard Matzke and Todd Schaaf who spent the week in Sunnyside and assisted with the dog truck, line marshaling and bird planting. Eric Bettesworth from Dallas, Texas, who was also known as Chef Eric, used his culinary talents in the kitchen and at the BBQ. We had several new faces at this year's event. From California were Russell Boyd, Kari and Dave Jorgensen, Lou Johnson, and professional handler, Dave Lachance. We even had an international participant, Jill Koch from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada made the long trip to watch her Derby dog perform. Thank you for your support!

A special thanks to the hard working field trial committee members who helped to make this another class event: Steve Bailey, who created some beautiful keepsake awards, Debra Freidus, DVM, who was the judges marshal, Jack and Tracy Haines, Richard Matzke, our bird steward and especially our chairman, Tim Schillereff.

Our honorable judges came from around the country. Raymond Marshall arrived from Stillwater, Minnesota, to judge the National Championship with Joe Hanzel of Littlerock, California. The National Amateur Championship was judged by Vicki Northington of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Tom Farwell from West Linn, Oregon. Ray Marshall and Tom Farwell officiated as well for the Open Derby Classic. We thank these fine judges who gave us their time and many hours in the saddle to select this years winners.

Purina once again sponsored our event and provided dog food to the winners and financial support through their ProPlan program. Iams and Eukanuba also supported our championship with a generous financial donation. TriTronics, Inc. annually donates a Pro 500 Training Collar which was awarded to the handler of the National Champion. Tracker, Inc. donated a tracking collar to the winner of the National Amateur Championship. Tarpin Hill Saddlery made the trophy saddles for the winners of both Championships and a saddle bag to the Derby winner. The perpetual bronze trophy "Magic Time" by James Kermott was viewed, as was the beautiful silver bowl trophy for the Open Derby Classic winner donated by the Pointer Associates of New England.

We have received numerous private donations by APC members and non-members alike. It is with such sponsorship that our Nationals can continue to prosper. We appreciate the following individuals, clubs and businesses who contributed to the success of this event: Chukar Cherry Company, AAB Awards-Steve Bailey, Gordon Corporation/EMT Gel, Innotek, inc., The Pointing Dog Journal, Cascade Pointer Club, Pointer Club of Central New Jersey, Pointer Associates of New England, Blackthorne Kennels-Debra Freidus, Highby Kennels-Judith Hamiliton, Jim and Vicki Landis, Tuxedo Kennels-Richard Matzke, Dancindoll Pointers-Laurie McCarty, Sauvie Island Kennels-Tim and Angela Schillereff, Bookstor Pointers-Howard and Karen Spey, and Judy Wright.

Our headquarters for this event was the Mid Valley Gun Clubhouse situated near highway 241 on the Anderson property. The clubhouse has all the kitchen and dining amenities needed for our championship event, plus an excellent view of the Rattlesnake mountains, it was possible to view most of the championship course from the shade of the clubhouse porch. The Mid Valley Gun Club has a fine trap and skeet range and hosts regular shoots for their members.
The fun began Sunday night, September 21st, as we hosted an all you can eat Italian spaghetti and meatball dinner on the grounds for all those in attendance. Sandy Johnson's homemade Italian meatballs were outstanding! No one left hungry, and not much was leftover!

After a long day in the saddle on Monday, we had a feast of the Northwest finest, fresh BBQ Salmon dinner prepared by chef Eric Bettesworth. The first six braces of the National Championship were complete, with the remaining four to be run on Tuesday.

Our formal Awards Banquet was held Tuesday night at the Snipes Mountain Brewery and Restaurant in Sunnyside. Here, the placements were announced for the National Championship of which is detailed later in this report. We were honored with the presence of our judges and the landowners, Rick and Sharon Anderson for this evening. The ever popular general raffle gave everyone a chance to win something new. Wrangler and stand up comedian, Terry Zygalinski, organized a lively auction of numerous nice items including several framed limited edition prints and a pointer quilt. A raffle for a Tracker collar generated much interest and was won by Eric Bettesworth. It was truly a memorable and entertaining evening.

On Wednesday, September 24, the Open Derby Classic was held and at the end of the day, we had an old fashioned western barbecue on the grounds. Tri-Tip steak, fresh green beans and baked potatoes were served to a hungry crowd.
The National Amateur Championship began on Thursday, with five braces finished on day one. The remaining two were scheduled and run on Friday morning. The Mexican Banquet was held Thursday night at El Valley Family restaurant and was well attended. Make your plans for the 2004 Nationals!

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The one hour Championship course ran west through the sagebrush and CRP fields along the foothills of the Rattlesnake mountains. Situated in the high desert country of eastern Washington, the Anderson Ranch provided magnificent mountain vistas, bright blue skies and excellent chukar habitat. Monday, September 22, the first six braces were finished, with the conclusion of the final four braces on Tuesday.

Birdwork was plentiful, every brace recorded several finds on the liberated chukars. The winner came from the third brace, AFC Elhew Paladin, who had three finds with great style to his credit. He finished the hour going away strong to earn the title of National Champion. Second place was awarded to the familiar three time winner NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Tian Lickity Split, who had five finds with a great race. Nobles' Texas Tango placed third in the Championship and was braced with the fourth place, FC Clearwater Josiah in the ninth brace. Both Tango and Josiah had two finds each with great style and a good finish.

Judges: Raymond Marshall and Joe Hanzel
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
One Hour Heats-20 Pointers

2003 NATIONAL CHAMPION -- AFC Elhew Paladin "Pal"

Sire: Elhew Snakefoot	Dam: Elhew Miss Frisky
Breeder: R. G. Wehle
Owner: Doug & Sandra Johnston	Handler: Doug Johnston



SECOND PLACE -- NFC/NAFC/FC/AFC Tian Lickity Split "Aimee"

Sire: Rail Dancer	Dam: FC/AFC Riverlady Sasha
Breeder: Eric Bettesworth
Owner: Eric Bettesworth	Handler: Tim Schillereff



THIRD PLACE -- Noble's Texas Tango "Tango"

Sire: Honky Tonk Attitude	Dam: Texas Elhew Kiwi
Breeder: Randy Turner
Owner: Doug & Sandra Johnston	Handler: Doug Johnston



FOURTH PLACE -- FC Clearwater's Josiah "Josiah"

Sire: Clearwater's Jim Bridger	Dam: FC Clearwater's Rail Dance
Breeder: Edward Sitar
Owner: Jim Landis	Handler: Jim Landis

OPEN DERBY CLASSIC

The Open Derby Classic started on Wednesday, September 24, 2003. The weather was warm, but birdwork was still plentiful, with every brace recording finds. First place was awarded to Tian Mr. Spock, who ran in the second brace. Spock had a big early move along the foothills, and together with multiple limb finds, a great back and a strong forward finish to earn the blue ribbon. Tian Just Peachy ran in the first brace with Rail City Rocket, and together, they had multiple finds with good style and an all around nice performance to earn second and third place respectively. Fourth place went to Super Express Buddy who ran in the third brace and had a single find and nice range.

Judges: Raymond Marshall and Tom Farwell
OPEN DERBY CLASSIC
Thirty Minute Heats-8 Pointers

FIRST PLACE -- Tian Mr. Spock "Spock"

Sire: FC/AFC Tian Where's Jim	Dam: Tian's Bella
Breeder: Dr. Peter and Clare Jacky
Owner: Tim & Angela Schillereff	Handler: Tim Schillereff



SECOND PLACE -- Tian Just Peachy "Peaches"

Sire: Deception's Bullet	Dam: She's Moonstruck
Breeder: James Rose
Owner: Tim & Angela Schillereff	Handler: Tim Schillereff



THIRD PLACE -- Rail City Rocket "Rocky"

Sire: FC Smoke Creek Woodrow	Dam: Kay's Shadow Reward
Breeder: David Valle
Owner: Dave Jorgensen	Handler: Dave Jorgensen



FOURTH PLACE -- Super Express Buddy "Buddy"

Sire: Deception's Bullet	Dam: Super Express Samantha
Breeder: Sheldon Twer
Owner: Russell Boyd	Handler: Russell Boyd

NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The first brace of the National Amateur Championship began on Thursday morning, September 25th, 2003 and five braces were recorded by the judges on that day. The sixth and seventh brace were finished on Friday, with several great performances noted by our judicial panel.

The winner, Setter Ridge Natural High ran in the second brace and had numerous finds with great style and a wide reaching race to keep her on top. She was challenged by the second and third place dogs, Tian Mr. Spock and Tian Just Peachy respectively, who ran in the last brace Friday morning. Spock, who won the Derby Classic, was handled by his new owner Tracy Haines, and had a wider race than Peaches. Both carded numerous finds throughout the hour. Fourth place was earned by FC Loose Lady, who had a single find in the fifth and last brace on Thursday. She had a fast forward race, reaching into the cover to find a lone chukar. The judges remarked on the quality of the stake, solid clean birdwork, and that there were numerous dogs that could had been considered for placement.

Judges: Vicki Northington and Tom Farwell
NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP
One Hour Heats--14 Pointers

NATIONAL AMT CHAMPION -- Setter Ridge Natural High "Flair"

Sire: AFC Elhew Paladin	Dam:NAFC/FC/AFC Nevada Neon Moon
Breeder: Richard Matzke
Owner: Melissa & Paul Newman	Handler: Richard Matzke



SECOND PLACE -- Tian Mr. Spock "Spock"

Sire: FC/AFC Tian Where's Jim	Dam: Tian's Bella
Breeder: Dr. Peter & Clare Jacky
Owner: Tracy Haines	Handler: Tracy Haines



THIRD PLACE -- Tian Just Peachy "Peaches"

Sire: Deceptions Bullet	Dam: She's Moonstruck
Breeder: James Rose
Owner: Tim & Angela Schillereff	Handler: Eric Bettesworth



FOURTH PLACE -- FC Loose Lady "Lucy"

Sire: Twin Lakes Boss	Dam: Squirrel
Breeder: L. P. Weaver
Owner: Jack Haines	Handler: Jack Haines