Tuesday, October 10, 2023

42. Prairie Wind’s Chipper Jones, “Chipper,” BLM, Derek Smith

Entry Questionnaire

Owner Name: Derek Smith

Dog Full Name: Prairie Wind’s Chipper Jones

When did you begin competing in Field Trials?

I ran my first Field Trial in 2015.

What made you decide to compete in Field Trials?

I had competed in Hunt Tests when I was younger and always knew that Field Trials was where I wanted to be. Once my children were grown I was able to commit my time to Field Trials.

Who are your training partners at home?

My wife and I both train with and are trained by Kenny Trott and Marcy Wright of Horsetooth Retriever Kennels. Another big contributor that we train with at HRK is a new young trainer- Jake Jones.

What is the origin of your dog’s name?

I have always been a big baseball fan and my dog is out of a female I own named Smarty Jones. Putting all of this together I settled on naming him Chipper after one of my favorite baseball players- Chipper Jones.

Tell us an interesting story or fact about your dog.

Chipper thinks every dog bone at HRK is his. Anytime you get him off the dog truck to train typically three or four dog bones are in his crate.

You and your dog have made it through nine series of the National Derby Championship. You are about to come to the line for the 10th series with a chance to win the 2023 National Derby Champion. What song and artist would you want to hear playing as the two of you come to the line?

"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne


Chipper and Derek came to the line at 8:22 am

Ran down the hill, into the middle of the pond, one turn to change direction while swimming and then out on the far side. Up the hill and around the back of the Judges, one big loop and he was into the cover to grab his bird.