Vitals

DOB: 5/18/2014

Sex: Female

Sire: NFC Warrener’s Whip-Poor-Will

Dam: Annie Oakley

Owner: Vicky L Thomas

Breeder: James Fairclough

Click here for Pedigree

FC earned 11/4/2017
CFC earned 8/25/2018
Western Regional High Point Dog 2019
NFC earned 10/27/2020
US National High Point Open Dog 2020 (Click Here for Photo)

Purina Article Tully20210223_14202966

For the Heat of the Hunt Article Minnkota Power

Placements & Awards

ONE BIRD–TULLY’S OPPORTUNITY By Keith Schoop

At some National Championships, it all comes down to one bird.  The 2020 National Cocker Championship would be one of those Nationals.

Meet Vicky Thomas and her 6-year-old English Cocker Spaniel, Tully.  Tully is a Field Champion who has just completed four solid series in the field and the water series at the 2020 National Cocker Championship in Bismarck, North Dakota.  Vicky is an English Cocker Spaniel Field Trial Hall of Famer approaching four decades in the sporting cocker game.  She imported her first cocker from England back in 1984, chaired the first modern National Cocker Field Trial Championship in 1998, was named the AKC Breeder of the Year for Spaniels in 2015, and has been a leader in the reemergence of cocker field trials in the United States.  In National competition, Vicky handled cockers to third place finishes in 2010 and 2018.  Winning the National has eluded her, so far.  Her partner, professional trainer Paul McGagh, has won nine nationals–but none with dogs owned by Paul and Vicky.

Vicky’s 36-year journey in the cocker game has taken her to the re-launch of cocker trials in 1993 in Colorado; to the town of Tullinadaly, Ireland, where Paul’s grandfather was born and raised and where Tully got her name; to countless Nationals since 1998; and now, to the fifth series of the 2020 National.

One bird.

Vicky Thomas didn’t know it at the time, but Tully was close to winning or losing, and it all might come down to this one bird.  It was the fifth and final series of the National, bird contact number 14 for Vicky and Tully to be exact, and the bird was a big runner.  This pheasant was determined to spoil things, taking Tully, Vicky, the judges and a gunner along for the ride in the tall prairie grass and dense brush.

The little golden cocker followed the scent, quartering, closing in, and finally –a flush.  It was a long shot.  The gunner connected, making for a long fall and a long, tough retrieve.

Judge David Williams tapped Vicky on the shoulder, his cue for Vicky to send Tully for the retrieve.  Instinctively, Vicky called “Tully” sending her little cocker into the tangled, brushy abyss.

In the moment, Vicky remembers Judge Williams whispering, “I don’t know if I’ve just done you a favor or put you out of this trial.”  It’s the judges’ discretion to ask for the retrieve, or not, and now this retrieve was in motion and a must-have.  If Tully comes up short, she’s out. 

Vicky whispered back, “Id rather go out on a tough retrieve than settle for anything easy.”  In her head she thought, “It’s up to her now.” 

The gallery held its collective breath at a distance as the seconds ticked away.  Even Vicky couldn’t see what was happening as Tully worked the retrieve.  Onlookers stood on tippy-toes and stretched necks in an attempt to gain a glimpse of Tully’s fate.

If she makes this retrieve, Tally ho!  If she doesn’t, Tully who?

Finally, in the distance, Judge Dan Lussen raised his walking stick.

“I knew she had the bird then,” Vicky remembers.  Sure enough, Tully made her way back to Vicky, tail wagging, bird in mouth, to complete the retrieve.

The gallery seemed to exhale in unison.  “Well, she certainly didn’t hurt herself on that one,” a competitor said softly. 

Under Vicky’s whistle, Tully’s body of work was stellar through four series.  She had three contacts in every series, handled multiple runners, but in Vicky’s opinion lacked that long, tough, retrieve.  Bird contact number 14 checked that box.

Vicky knew Tully had one more bird contact to go in the fifth series.  There was still time to crash and burn.  No worries.  Piece of cake.

It was in the hands of the judges now.  Ninety-three talented dogs had started this National.  After three days of competing, only 14 were called back to the fifth and final series.

Vicky knows that the difference between first, second and third can be the narrowest of margins.  She also knew that Tully did her best, took the opportunities presented and made the most of them.  Vicky was content.

“I came to this National to have fun,” Vicky remembers.  “There were a lot of really nice dogs in great shape.  With COVID and all that happened in 2020, winning was the last thing on my mind.”

A couple hours later, excitement building, Judges Williams and Lussen entered a tent on the trial grounds to read placements and announce the new National Champion.  First, however, was the coveted Gunner’s Award.  Gun Captain Bob David thanked contestants for the privilege of gunning over their fine cockers.

“The dog that we picked, the dog that we’d lie to take out and hunt over, is number 26 — Tully.”

That’s a high honor.  But the real hardware was still on the table.

Judge Williams followed with the placements.  He announced fourth, third, and second place, momentum was building.  The moment of trust had arrived.

“I hate to admit the astuteness of the gun team — first place, number 26.”  It was Tully, now a National Champion.  Cheers and applause!  Hugs.  Maybe a tear.

“It’s very meaningful,” Vicky says of winning the National with Tully.  “This has been a wonderful journey.” 

Did one bird make the day for Tully and Vicky?  Only the judges know for sure.  It really doesn’t matter.  Vicky and Tully won the National Championship and their journey continues. 

Vitals

DOB: 7/11/2012

Sex: Female

Sire: FC Warrener’s Cliff Swallow

Dam: Warrener’s Red-Throated Loon

Owner: Doug Cannon

Breeder: Becky Johnson

Click here for Pedigree