In 1973, Two Exceptional Events occurred
Records for
each event were established that will never be matched or broken.
It was a
time of hippies, commies, Watergate and the Vietnam
war.
It was a
time of national uncertainty. Our country was in need of super-heroes and displays of excellence.
Greatness
is hard to define or put in words, but we recognize it when we witness it at
the Olympics or in skate-boarding. Some call greatness “defining moments”. As competitive humans we put one before the other in every
competitive endeavor. We even try to compare distinctively different sports and
proclaim one as more important than the other. Man will compete almost anything
that moves.
Authors are
accused of exaggeration and bias in calling something or someone “the best” or “the greatest”. Readers take
exception with their own alternative claims.
Some
individuals transcend their games with accomplishments that make them icons in
their sport with “one-name” or “nick-name’ recognition.
The test of
time and statistical comparison, either enhances or diminished their legendary
status. Tradition, tougher competition and faster times are each part of the
conditions we use to evaluate and compare.
In 1973, both
athletes were perfect measurement conformation examples for their breeds, structurally
built to perform the tasks they were bred for. Both had passionate owners and
trainers who had prepared to win.
Both had proven
pedigrees that foretold their success. Their breeders knew that they would have
the special attributes needed to compete at the highest levels, if they were given
the opportunity and placed with the right owners and trainers.
SECRETARIAT
June 19, 1973
Belmont Park,
Elmont, New York
The first Triple Crown Champion in 25 years, setting race
records in all three stakes:
The Kentucky
Derby (1:59.4)
The only
derby winner to ever break 2 minutes.
The
Preakness (1:53)
The Belmont
(2:24)
“Big Red” set
a World Record Time on a 1 ½ mile dirt track beat his rivals by
31 lengths.
It is still two full seconds better than earlier challengers. The 2 3/5
seconds by which he broke Gallant Man’s 16-year-old track record was the equivalent of 13 lengths.
Secretariat
also broke the record of the Kentucky Derby; and 39 years after the Preakness, it was determined that he
broke that record also, although officials disallowed
the proven claim. He accomplished a series of record wins that no other horse will ever match.
Secretariat is a member of the US Racing Hall of Fame and
the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.
Breeder/Owner of Record: Christopher T. Chenery
Owner: Penny Chenery - Trainer: Lucien Lauren - Groom: Eddie
Sweat - Jockey: Ron Turcotte
PACOLET CHEYENNE
SAM & Rick Smith
January 18, 1973
Ardmore, Oklahoma
“Sam” the only Brittany
to compete against pointers and setters and win the Three Hour INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE
SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP.
Coupled with Sam’s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP; NATIONAL SPECIALTY;
U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP; ABC PHEASANT CLASSIC and AMERICAN
& CANADIAN DUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, winning this stake opened the eyes of all bird
dog enthusiasts. He accomplished a series of record wins that no dog will ever
match.
The events leading to Sam’s win are as important as the win
itself.
This was not a lucky win. It was a dedicated effort on the
part of Sam’s trainer/handler and owner to compete against the very best bird
dogs at the highest level.
Sam’s Timeline:
February 2, 1970
American Field 03/14/70
page 326 – United States Open Brittany
Championship
Conducted 02/14/70
– Winner Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
November 1970
American Brittany Club National Specialty – Best of Breed Pacolet
Cheyenne Sam
November 1970
American Brittany Club National Open Championship
The infamous Judge Chet does not see the birds. Pacolet
Cheyenne Sam does not win and handler Rick Smith does not run trial dogs for 6
months.
There have been 3 judges at the Brittany Nationals ever
since this happened.
November 1971
American Field – January #1 page 6 –
ABC National Open Championship won by Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
The only dog of any breed to win its National Field and Show
Championships
American Field 12/25/71
– page 891 – Texas Open Championship – 70 entries
69 pointers and setters, 1 Brittany - Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
Winner Easy Jed – handled by Dean Lord
February 2, 1972
American Field page 218 – National Open Shooting Dog
Championship (1 ½ hour heats)
68 pointers and setters, 1 Brittany - Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
Winner Easy Jed – handled by Dean Lord
October 13, 1972
Greater Oklahoma
Open Shooting Association
23 entries pointers and setters, won by Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
Arkansas Open
Shooting Dog Classic
Conway, Arkansas,
01/05/73 - 43 entries,
Winner- Pacolet Cheyenne
Sam
Runner-up - Himself
Jan 18, 1973
International Endurance Shooting Dog Championship
Ran 01/18/73
at Ardmore, Oklahoma
Winner – Pacolet Cheyenne Sam in 5th
brace.
Runner-up –
Himself in the 6th brace.
February 3, 1973
Texas Coastal
Brittany Club Open All-Age
30 entries –Winner Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
February 23, 1973
Stillwater
Brittany Club Open All Age – 52 entries
Winner Pacolet Cheyenne
Sam
September 1973 Upper New York Brittany Club Open All Age –
30 entries
Winner Pacolet Cheyenne
Sam
1973 American Brittany Club Pheasant Classic at Camp
Adair, Oregon – 28 entries
Winner Pacolet Cheyenne
Sam
Sidebars:
Pacolet Cheyenne Sam was the first dog of any breed other
than a pointer or setter to be featured as the color insert in the Christmas
Issue of the American Field.
He is a member of both the ABC Hall of Fame & the Brittany
Field Trial Hall of Fame.
Pacolet Cheyenne Sam is a 4th generation Dual Champion and a 6th generation ABC Hall of Fame member.
Delmar Smith handled Sam to his first Open All-Age at Stillwater
Brittany Club.
Sam was shown briefly the US
and Canada,
winning 24 Best of Breeds w/ 4 group placements.
Sam is both an American and Canadian Dual Champion
Sam returned home each fall to hunt chukar in the hills of Eastern
Washington
United Airlines declined a 100,000 Mile Club Membership to
Sam.
Sam and and his daughter Star appeared on ABC Television’s “The
American Sportsman” with New York Yankee
shortstop and announcer Tony Kubek and Cy Young runner-up Jerry Koosman who
pitched for the New York Mets.
Ch. Jacolet’s Wandering Star - Brittany Field Trial Hall of
Fame
sired by Pacolet Cheyenne
won three U S Open Championships
among of her breed record of 10 Championships.
American & Canadian Dual Champion
Pacolet Cheyenne
Sam (ABC HOF & BFTHOF)
Whelped in Kentucky,
May 29, 1966 Died Oct. 9, 1979
Sire – Dual Ch. Pacolet Sam (HOF)
Dam – Fld. Ch. La Petite Blanche
Breeder – Dr.
Ralph Bolton
Owners – Ken
& Erin Jacobson of Redmond Washington
Trainer
– Delmar Smith
Handler – Rick
Smith
THE REST OF THE STORY:
Christopher T. Chenery, owner of Secretariat and Ken Jacobson, owner of Pacolet Cheyenne Sam
are brothers in Phi Delta Theta. The fraternities colors of the checkered
blinders worn by Secretariat are Phi
Delta Theta Azure Blue and Argent White.
