Karen Hurdle with Mega Black Hawk Progeny, Luke Eisenhart with Erin's Foolish Pride. Back row: Jack Griffin, Steve Hurdle, CW Bud Moore (judge), Tom Curtsinger (judge), Steve Coleman.
Karen Hurdle, Austin Mann with Dazzling, Lee Phillips with Lester's Jazz Man, Ike Todd with Touch's Black Out, Blair Todd, Patty Moore (judge). Back row: Steve Hurdle, CW Bud Moore (judge), Gary Lester.
Hell Creek on a clear November day is, for a field trialer, beautiful! This writer has never seen the grounds in better shape. Summer mowing by Steve Coleman and his staff has opened up much of the piney woods in such a way as to offer vistas not seen for a long time. We needed a frost for great bird work, but plenty of birds were pointed, and many more seen. One of our judges had a truck breakdown and could not make the trip; so this writer filled in to judge. Patty and Bud Moore judged 20 derbies and what a stake! Judge Patty wrote in her book of the winner: “great find at 20, good forward race, good finish, pretty, take her home!” I think that is what we are all looking for, the one you want to take home.
We placed Dazzling first for Steve Hurdle; Lester’s Jazz Man second for Gary Lester; and Touch’s Black Out for Keith Wright and Ike Todd, third. All had all-age races combined with good, well-handled bird work; and it was very obvious that the males were young fall derbies. Four other derbies had good bird work, but lacked enough to move these three off the leader board.
In the All Age, Mega Black Hawk Progeny handled by Steve Hurdle continued his winning ways. His finish separated him from Erin’s Foolish Pride handled by Luke Eisenhart, named second. Both dogs had great first 30 minutes, but Pride shortened the last little bit, probably bird hunting the late afternoon feeding scents. Progeny finished in the big bottoms below the brick house, and Hurdle wisely blew him out around and through the harvested corn fields.
Gary Lester wisely piloted Millers Dialin In around the second afternoon course with a big, big race and one find in standing Egyptian wheat where only one quail was seen, but others heard. The dog nice under trying conditions. If you have ever heard a gallery ride through standing dry grain, you understand. This fine piece of bird work earned him third in a tough stake.
Ferrell Miller and his wife were riding this beautiful afternoon. It was wonderful to see the master innovator again. One can never be around him without learning much. Others in the gallery were Bob and Serena Craig and John Sayre to see their Star Dust Chazz and Progeny. They were not disappointed. Several of the locals came and many rode the dog wagon. Dutch, Hoyle and John especially were welcomed. John Rex and Diane Gates were welcome visitors also. Dr. Huffman looked great.
Enough cannot be said about Hell Creek. Jack and Steve ramrod the crew. Not a stone is left unturned. Even my judging partner, Tom Curtsinger kept remarking about the presence of the two W.M.A. trucks, and Jack pulling the dog wagon along with all the road crossings being monitored. Bonnie and Bill Plowman came every day to feed us hot lunches. It’s wonderful to be catered to in this way.