Second Annual Desert Southwest Cup
EVENT RECAP:
Max Claims the 2026 Desert Southwest Cup at Empire Ranch
Empire Ranch’s rolling grasslands just north of Sonoita, Arizona once again played host to the Second Desert Southwest Cup (a UKC sanction field trial) this past weekend, where top bird dogs from across the region gathered for two days of competitive Gun Solo stakes and TAN evaluations. With ideal conditions on Saturday and challenging winds on Sunday, the weekend delivered exactly what spectators and handlers hope for: exciting dog work, plenty of bird contacts, and a deserving champion.
A Perfect Start on Saturday
Saturday dawned crisp and clear, with temperatures starting in the mid-30s and climbing into the mid-60s, accompanied by a steady breeze that made for excellent scenting conditions. The Empire Ranch grounds proved once again why they are so well suited for bird dog competition. The property’s rolling grasslands provide ideal terrain for watching a bird dog run, offering judges clear sight lines and gunners safe shooting lanes while still presenting enough cover and contour to test a dog’s range and application. The bird planters also delivered an outstanding performance, placing birds in ways that produced consistent opportunities for the dogs, with nearly every entry finding bird contact during their run.
A total of 17 dogs entered the Gun Solo class, running in two batteries under Hon. Butch Nelson and Hon. Shooter Smith. Each battery was supported by experienced gunners Guy Mollicone, Robert Poor, Spencer Daines and Kurt Davis.
Battery 1 – Opal Annie Takes the Field
The Battery 1 winner (CAG) was Braque Français Opal Annie, owned and handled by Robert Poor.
Judge Butch Nelson described Opal as a snappy and purposeful dog, demonstrating drive and polish throughout her brace. During her run, Opal produced multiple finds, handling each bird with composure. She remained steady through the flush and shot, finishing each sequence with clean retrieves, sealing a convincing performance.
Battery 2 – Young Max Impresses
Winning Battery 2 was Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil, an Epagneul Breton owned and handled by David Hague.
At just 20 months old, Max delivered a performance well beyond his age. He demonstrated exceptional natural quartering, attacking the field with aggressive edge-to-edge movement while maintaining connection with his handler.
His standout moment came on a find over a ridge and out of sight of the judge. As the judge crested the hill, Max was still standing proud and steady, holding his point until the flush and shot before completing the sequence with a clean retrieve.
Saturday Barrage
The day concluded with a barrage between Opal and Max, showcasing the top dogs from each battery. In the final run-off, Max edged out Opal to claim the CAGT ribbon for Saturday.
Spotlight on the Next Generation – TAN
Saturday also featured six dogs entered in the Test of Natural Ability (TAN). These dogs were evaluated either during their Gun Solo run or in a standalone TAN field.
The TAN is widely considered one of the most important tests in a bird dog’s career. Rather than measuring training, it highlights a young dog’s inherited instincts — their natural drive, search pattern, bird interest, and pointing ability — providing a critical glimpse into the traits passed down from their parents.
Sunday Brings the Wind
Sunday dawned slightly warmer but significantly windier, with steady winds of 10 mph and gust exceeding 20 mph throughout the day. The gusts created sportier conditions, pushing birds to run and forcing dogs to manage longer scent trails and more challenging finds.
With 14 dogs entered in the Gun Solo, organizers switched the run order so dogs would compete on opposite fields and under a new judge from the previous day.
Despite the tougher conditions, the bird planters again ensured that every dog had bird contact, keeping the competition lively.
Familiar Names Rise Again
When the dust settled, the same two dogs once again rose to the top: Opal Annie and Max.
One competitor deserving special recognition was Hun Hill Dona Diggs, an 11-year-old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon owned and handled by Frank Puccio. Diggs finished second (RCAG) both days, a remarkable performance for a veteran dog.
This weekend marked Diggs’ retirement from competition, and at eleven years old she continues to demonstrate the drive, heart, and enthusiasm that define a true bird dog. The community wishes her many more seasons chasing wild birds in the uplands.
The Final Barrage – Max Seals the Cup
Sunday’s barrage once again matched Opal Annie against Max.
Opal burst out of the gate with energy, but briefly became stuck working an area of scent, slowing her forward momentum. Max appeared slightly sticky in the opening seconds, but quickly gathered himself and launched into a large cast to the right, before sweeping across the field to the left with authority.
The bold move proved decisive.
Max’s finish secured the Sunday barrage win, giving him back-to-back barrage victories and crowning him the uncontested champion of the 2026 Desert Southwest Cup.
A Weekend Worth Remembering
With excellent grounds, strong dog work, and a supportive community of handlers, judges, gunners, and volunteers, the Second Desert Southwest Cup reinforced Empire Ranch’s reputation as one of the Southwest’s premier venues for bird dog competition.
It’s also worth noting the commitment of the competitors themselves. More than 60% of participants drove over 10 hours to attend, traveling from Northern California, New Mexico, and Idaho to be part of the event. While the vast distances of the American West can present challenges, the turnout speaks volumes about the strength of the community. Handlers and owners continue to invest their time, effort, and resources to test their dogs and share in the camaraderie that defines weekends like this.
And at the end of two days of challenging runs, one young Epagneul Breton stood above the rest — Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil, the 2026 Desert Southwest Cup Champion.
EVENT RESULTS:
SATURDAY, MARCH 7 , 2026
GUN Solo Battery #1 (9 dogs)
Judge: Honorable Butch Nelson
CAG Opal Annie (Opal | Braque Francais) – Robert Poor
RCAG Hun Hill Dona Diggs (Diggs | Griffon) – Frank Puccio
EXC Seaview Finnagan (Finn | Griffon) – Mathew Jacobs
GUN Solo Battery #2 (8 dogs)
Judge: Honorable Shooter Smith
CAG Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil (Max | EB) – David Hague
PASS PR S&W Short Forty de Deux B (Shorty | EB) – Misty Beals
PASS Upland Outlaw Pour St Huberts (Jessie | EB) – Dave Harris
PASS Agassiz What I Love About Sunday (Sunday | Griffon) – Ryan Sanders
PASS Tessa de la Coipeane (Tessa | Griffon) – Carroll Kemp
GUN Barrage
CAGT Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil (Max | EB) – David Hague
RCAGT Opal Annie (Opal | Braque Francais) – Robert Poor
TAN Awards
Judge: Honorable Butch Nelson
Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil (Max | EB) – David Hague
Attaboy Scobey de Buckley Creek (Scobey | EB) – Shooter Smith
Agassiz What I Love About Sunday (Sunday | Griffon) – Ryan Sanders
Abe de la Coipeane (Abe | Griffon) – Carroll Kemp
Valerie des Grandes Origines (Val | Griffon) – Carroll Kemp
SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2026
GUN Solo Battery #1 (7 dogs)
Judge: Honorable Butch Nelson
CAG Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil (Max | EB) – David Hague
RCAG Hun Hill Kamiah Idaho (Repo | Griffon) - Frank Puccio
EXC Agassiz What I Love About Sunday (Sunday | Griffon) – Ryan Sanders
PASS PR S&W Short Forty de Deux B (Shorty | EB) – Misty Beals
GUN Solo Battery #2 (7 dogs)
Judge: Honorable Shooter Smith
CAG Opal Annie (Opal | Braque Francais) – Robert Poor
RCAG Hun Hill Dona Diggs (Diggs | Griffon) – Frank Puccio
EXC Nihel De La Trinite (Kimber | EB) - Misty Beals
PASS Seaview Finnagan (Finn | Griffon) – Mathew Jacobs
PASS NN Tona de Sainte Keller (Olive | EB) - Shawn Kearney
PASS Abe de la Coipeane (Abe | Griffon) – Carroll Kemp
GUN Barrage
CAGT Vincent Max du Pays de Soleil (Max | EB) – David Hague
RCAGT Opal Annie (Opal | Braque Francais) – Robert Poor
Compete for The Cup
Dogs entered in the Open and Gun classes are eligible to compete for The Cup in a thrilling Sunday afternoon runoff. Winners will earn bragging rights and recognition, though The Cup holds no official UKC affiliation. Read the 2025 event recap.
Pictured: 2025 Desert Southwest Cup winner Riri des Grandes Origines and owner Carroll Kemp flanked by Hon. Shooter Smith (left) and Hon. Butch Nelson (right).