In The Shadow
with handler Robin Gates, scout Hunter Gates and
owner Carl Bowman
In The Shadow (Buster) is owned by Carl Bowman of Louisville, KY, handled by Robin Gates, and scouted by Robin's son Hunter Gates. Born in March 2004 Buster was a special pup from the beginning, pointing wild quail from an early age. He is the Bowman's house dog during the off season and rides everywhere with Mrs. Bowman during her errands around Louisville where he is well known at Starbucks and the bank.
This was Buster's third time in the National Championship. His performance last year included three finds, two backs and one unproductive. His performance this year included ten finds and one unproductive. This ten find performance combined with a super strong race will go down in history as one of the greatest exhibitions of a bird dog's performance in the last couple of decades.
We want to express our sincere CONGRATULATIONS to In The Shadow and his owner Carl Bowman and the father and son duo Robin and Hunter Gates of Gates' Kennels, Leesburg, GA. GREAT JOB!!
Brad Harter, official reporter for the National, compiled the following report on the brace in which the champion, In The Shadow, ran.
Brace 6, Thursday P.M. Feb. 11th In the Shadow (Buster) (owned by Carl Bowman, handled by Robin Gates and scouted by Hunter Gates) X (Mega Touch (Ted) (Owned by Bob & Sarina Craig & John Sayre, Handled by Andy Daugherty and scouted by Allen Vincent.
The temperature had reached the mid thirties and the ground was beginning to soften. At five years of age Ted re-qualified for the National by winning the Texas Championship. With 8 wins to his credit, Ted is a strong, prairie type of dog that likes big open country. Bob Craig was riding for Mega Touch. In the Shadow, Ben Adams & Distant Shadow are all littermates out of the fabulous cross between Miller’s White Powder & Doerr’s Claire’s Shadow who is out of Joe Shadow. All three dogs have distinguished themselves by winning many field trials.
Buster started his 3rd bid for the National Championship. His proud owner Carl Bowman of Louisville Kentucky was riding in the gallery to see his charge.
Released from the afternoon breakaway both dogs made impressive cast showing at the far end of the first long field. The weather was sunny and warmer making the conditions for humans somewhat nicer. It was almost perfect conditions to catch birds feeding if we had dogs with hunting on the brain
In The Shadow was on the board at the 16 minute mark on the left side of the Buster Graves pasture. Birds lifted just where he said they were as Robin walked towards his stylish dog. His manners were as good as it gets. Sent toward the front Buster wheeled and pointed to the left side of the Buster Graves driveway. Only three minutes had elapsed since his first find. If bird finding wasn’t on his brain from the very beginning, it certainly was now! With two finds in the book before the first road crossing the stage was set for what could become a great afternoon.
Crossing the Ames road Buster continued taking in the country at a pace that makes one wonder if he could keep this going for three hours. Those in the gallery that had witnessed Buster perform in the past knew that would be no problem. Buster had gained admirers with his showing in last year’s National Championship. His win in the Southeastern had re-qualified him to return.
Both dogs hunted past Cedar Hill and made the big turn in the horseshoe bend. Through the Chute area we were catching a glimpse of each dog as they crossed the front. Point was called for Ted on the left before we made the turn towards the Strawberry Patch. It was a pretty piece of work for this strong powerful dog.
Approaching the Strawberry Fields, Buster took the right side and disappeared over the hill. Hunter Gates was dispatched to find his dog. His call of point was muffled by the horses and the terrain. Joe Thompson rode to get Robin and the Judges who returned to find Buster buried in a thick fence row. Only the ability of a skilled scout could have found the dog in this situation. A large covey was put to wing and all was in order.
Catching the front Buster was using his experience and was hunting sedge field edges where he had been finding Quail which appeared to be out and feeding. At the old dairy pasture Buster took the right side and was quickly gone from view. After making the turn into Turkey bottom Hunter Gates, scouting Buster, was sent to search the area where the dog had been seen last. The handler, gallery and the judges rode on across turkey bottom and up the next hill. From a distant the call of point came from Hunter. After locating Hunter’s position it was determined we would have to ride back down and cross a large gulley to get to the pointed dog. Buster was standing next to a strip of soybeans in a location that could not possibly have been seen except for the keenest sight from an experienced scout. Hunter Gates is a respected member of the Gates team and one of the best in the business. Birds were flushed right where Buster indicated they were.
Regaining the front, Buster took the left side as we approached the Old Agronomy Shed. Hunter was dispatched and soon he indicated the dog was pointed. Hunter had seen birds running on the ground and informed Robin of this situation. Robin flushed but to no avail. Sent on to relocate, his dog was unable to pin the running birds which somehow had made their escape.
Rounding the Agronomy Shed, Buster pointed in a fence row. A single bird was seen, others possibly flushing from the far side. Everything was in order. Buster was showing class, strength and bird finding ability, everything you would expect from a dog vying for the National Championship.
Ted had not been seen for some time at near the two hour mark, Andy called for the tracking equipment ending Ted’s bid for the title.
For the next thirty minutes Buster hunted fast and forward toward Cox’s Ridge. Robin called Buster in and dried him with a towel. Released Buster went to the right and pointed in less than 50 yards standing in tall bi-color. His style and intensity was as grand as it had been on his first stand.
Just before crossing Caesar’s Ditch Buster pointed on the left side of the hill. He had a covey perfectly located for his seventh find.
Across Caesar’s Ditch Buster went to the front and was soon spotted standing on the edge of heavy cover. As we approached a deer bolted from directly in front of the stylish dog. Within seconds a large covey erupted, find number eight. Robin then announced that deer season was closed and we were hunting birds.
Sent on across Buford Ellington road Buster was hunting the front and still running strong. Buster took the edge towards Turner Road and with Judge Bryan watching him he wheeled to the right and stabbed his ninth covey almost in the same exact spot White Powder Pete had pointed them in the morning.
Turned loose across the big crop field Buster was slinging dirt as if he had just been turned loose. Buster made a bold cast towards the new pond basin as Robin rode on to the left. With 24 seconds left and all the judge’s eyes on him Buster swapped ends standing on almost bare ground. At the call of point Robin came from the far left. He evaluated his dog, looked at the lack of cover and must have wondered if his dog did have birds pointed. Walking to Buster birds began getting up everywhere. A shot was fired and the brace was over, a fitting end to a magnificent three hours.
Everyone present knew they had witnessed a great performance. The bar had been set for this 111th running of the National Championship at the historic Ames Plantation. The courage and wisdom that only come with brains and perfect conditioning was evident in this classic three hours of endurance and bird finding exhibited by this great, Champion pointer.
Would his performance hold up to the 27 dogs left to run? Only time could answer that question!
For the Ames Plantation website click here.
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