February 14 - 25
Opening day at the 112th National Championship for Field Trialing Bird Dogs was warm, spring-like weather with temperatures in the 60s - great for riding, but not so great scenting conditions for the bird dogs.
The 2011 National Champion is Touch’s White Out, aka Sam, owned by Keith Wright of Covington, IN and co-owned and handled by Ike Todd of Danceyville, TN.
Sam ran in the Saturday morning brace, February 19, under “cool conditions, somewhat dry, but fairly good scenting conditions,” said owner Keith Wright. “The dog was hunting well; he had seven finds, the last one coming just 30 seconds after pick up. He had the highest bird count of any dog in the Trial this year.” Wright attributed all the credit to handler Ike Todd.
Sam is a young dog and Ike started working him in May 2009 “with yard work and flocking (running with a bunch of young dogs),” said Todd. “He was started at Ferrel Miller Ranch in Murray, KY. Then he spent the summer in North Dakota running pheasants. He had an outstanding Derby year last year.”
Todd described Sam as a “super bird dog. He finds lots of game. He is extremely strong; a great athlete; and he always stays healthy. He’s very tough.”
Owner Keith Wright was absolutely thrilled with his dog’s win. “It feels pretty good. I now understand what it means to be at this place and I feel very honored to be here!”
