The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped bi-plane reported that he was performing a short field landing on a rough grass runway. The pilot further reported that he applied the brakes immediately after touchdown, and then felt the main landing gear "grab" and the tail begin to rise. Subsequently, the bi-plane nosed over on the runway. The pilot reported that he "should not have applied the brakes so soon" after touchdown.
The vertical stabilizer sustained substantial damage.
The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the bi-plane that would have precluded normal operation.