Simone: Windfall’s foundation
Ch. Wingmaster’s Bella Beauvoir UD MH*** HOF (Simone), 1983-1995
(Ch. Torwood Peerless CDX JH WCX*** x Ch. Wyndham’s Nickel CD WC)
Simone was purchased as a show and obedience prospect from Maureen Kolasa. I had never trained a field dog before, nor had I shown a dog to a championship, or bred a litter despite almost seven years in Flat-Coats. Simone was named after noted feminist Simone de Beauvoir, as the puppy’s independence, strong will, intelligence and energy for all endeavors became overwhelmingly apparent.
More than 30 years later she is still the youngest Flat-Coat to earn a WCX, achieving this at eight months of age in a terribly cold April day in Michigan. Simone is also the only Flat-Coat to earn a place on the National Derby List, reserved for dogs under 24 months, competing in all-breed trials. She earned 22 points in 16 trials, including three wins, which tied for 23rd in the United States against all-breed competition. While in the Derby, she had Qualifying JAMS and finished her first Amateur at 2.5 years. She became the breed’s first Master Hunter in the United States, had an all-breed High in Trial in the obedience ring, and easily finished her championship. She may still be the youngest Flat-Coat to ever qualify for the FCRSA Hall of Fame (HOF), doing so at 25 months.
Simone as a veteran
Despite my earning a doctoral degree, a divorce, a move and two new faculty appointments, Simone and I persevered. She earned two Amateur placements, an Open placement and multiple JAMs given limited trailing and training. She ran her last Master at age 10, and then retired from competition.
I didn’t know enough at the time to fully appreciate her accomplishments, much less that they would never be repeated even 20 years later. She was a kind dog, yet driven, independent and intelligent until her death at just two months short of her 12th birthday. Her progeny inherited many of her traits, and my memories of our times together still shape my evaluation of the other Flat-Coats I have owned, sometimes to the point of unfairness. I am very sure I never would have become so dedicated to the working Flat-Coat if I had not experienced such raw talent and trainability.
The accomplishments of her progeny are too numerous to mention here, but her very first litter produced three High in Trial Winners, a National Specialty Best in Sweepstakes son, five Champions, and a field trial award winner and Master Hunter. The second litter and the future generations that followed have carried on the tradition that began here. — Mary Young
