NBHA

This year's National Amateur Invitational Championship was held at the sportsman's field trial grounds in Groves Springs Missouri on December 4th and 5th 2020. The grounds were immaculate. The creek crossings had new rock. The edges were inviting to the dogs. The pre released birds were stretched out from beginning to end. The weather was perfect for the dogs, handlers, and judges.

Our judges for the weekend from Muldrow, OK, Kenny Snow. Justin Crook from Jasper MO. on short notice jumped in with a last minute family emergency for our other judge. Our prayers go out to the family. Tim Penn from Edina MO. These 3 gentlemen gave their undivided attention to these dogs for both days of running.

Qualifying
8:05 a.m. December 4th Penrosa Behrdevil pointer male owned and handled by Tim Penn and Sulphur Bend Woodman German shorthaired male owned and handled by Emmet Sasser paired off. At the 10 minute mark Woody was found on point with Behr backing. With Woody needing a relocation Behr continued on. No bird was produced. At 17 both dogs were pointed on separate birds. 21 Behr was pointed with Woody failing to back. He was picked up. Behr continued on with finds at 38 and 49. At 55 Behr was found pointing again but no bird could be produced.

At 9:23 a.m. Foggy Bottom Uncle Ted setter male owner Joe Zimmer brother Randy Zimmer handling. Sassers Emma German shorthaired female with owner handler Emmet Sasser began the� 2nd brace. Both dogs were pointed at the 12 minute mark on separate birds. Emma was clean on her bird. Ted had a running bird that had took a couple relocations to produce. At the 26 minute mark Emma was pointed and Ted came in behind but refused to back, he was picked up. Emma held steady with the bird being produced. At 38 Emma held a covey in sycamore bottoms. We cross the road with Emma hunting the country. She was found one last time standing at the 54 minute mark. The Bird was produced with great manners all was in order.

10:31 a.m. we started our 3rd brace with Penrosa Hidncash setter male with owner handler Tim Penn. Blair's Witch Project setter male owner handler Greg Blair. 7 minutes into the brace Guy was found on point with Cash backing. The bird was produced by Greg and they moved on. The dogs were found again at 12 but Guy crept in and was picked up by Greg. Tim's flushing attempt produced the bird. Cash was found again at 18 with all in order. Tim picked up Cash at 24 for manners.

11:15 a.m. the starting of brace number 4. Wind Chaser pointer female and Brent Hoehns. Diamond L Islander Girl setter female with Bob England. Sue made 1st contact but was picked up at the 10 minute mark for manners. Kate put on a show for all before dinner with her 1st find at 14. At 25 Kate had a stop to flush on a covey but handler Brent decided to flush and produced a lone single that didn't leave with the covey. She had another bird at 27 then an unproductive at 29. She continued to pick apart the grounds with a find at 36 then another stop to flush at 38. She would finish the hour with 2 more finds one at 46 the other at 54.With a smile on Dr. Hoehns face we headed to the clubhouse for lunch.

We would return to the field at 1:50 p.m. for the 5th brace. Craig's Runnin Roxie pointer female and Craig Hiatt with brace mate Palm Glade Blitz German shorthair male with Lindsay Cuming. Blitz was 1st on the board with a bird at 7. He was then picked up at 14 because of manners. Roxy had a covey pinned down at 17. She looked like a pro skirting the field edges. She would produce her 2nd bird at 27, her 3rd bird at 31 and finally her last find at 42. She finished the our strong and still hunting.

Our final brace of the day would start at 2:58 p.m. with Dale Creek Gypsy Queen setter female and Deb Dlobik braced with Glover's Van Halen setter male and Jack Glover. The two paired off and was flying from the breakaway. Van Halen was first to the bird but Bling pushed to tight and the flight of the birds were too much for the setter duo. They were both picked up at the 10 minute mark.

CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNING
The 4 call back dogs were Wind Chaser pointer female, Sasser�s Emma German shorthaired female, Craig's Runnin Roxie pointer female, Penrosa Behrdevil pointer male.

Saturday morning at 10:17 a.m. the weather was perfect for all. First up would-be Brent Hoehns Wind Chaser. Kate started where she left off the day before with 7 pieces of spaced-out bird work. She had 3 quick finds at 4, 8, and 12 minutes. She would have a stop to flush at the 20 minute mark. She would continue picking the course apart, hunting all the right spots. With a find at 35 as we crossed the road into Sycamore bottoms. Steady as they come more birds were produced at 48 and 57. She had set the bar. Sasser�s Emma had a huge break away and would be found to the front. We crossed the road and she took the right side finding a covey, but couldn't keep her feet planted. She was picked up at the 21 minute mark.

Brace number 2 consisted of 2 very nice pointers. Craig's Runnin Roxie pointer female and Craig Hiatt. Penrosa Behrdevil and Tim Penn. The breakaway was at 11:32 a.m. Roxie was first up pointed at 11. Craig tried to relocate her but Roxie fell in with the group ahead and he had to take an unproductive. Behr was next found pointed at 15.Tim flushed the bird and all was in order. Roxie was hunting the edge nicely and locked up at 25. Craig put the bird in the air and continued on. Roxie's next contact was at 33 but was picked up because of manners. With the course to himself Behr hunted hard. At 44 Behr had a UP. The 50 minute mark Behr was seen putting on the brakes for a stop to flush. Behr�s last find was at 58. Tim flushed but couldn't produce a bird. He then sent Behr on a relocation which was performed perfectly. Tim flushed the speedy little flyer for his last bird. Tim sent him out again and Behr still had the stamina to show what it was all about hunting the country.

The Missouri Bird Hunters and National Bird Hunters would like to congratulate the newly named Champion Wind Chaser pointer female owned and handled by Brent Hoehns and Runner up Champion Penrosa Behrdevil owner handler Tim Penn pointer male. Congratulations to you both.

The derbies consisted of 8 dogs. 1st place with Luke Tewes Irish setter male Brooks White Hot Blaze. This dog set the bar immediately with bird work at 3, 12, 17, 18. 3 out of the 4 finds steady to wing and shot. His last find was at 24 and held a nice covey steady to wing and shot. 2nd place was Premieres Mystery Spot owned and handled by Brent Hoehns. Spot had a covey find at 3 minutes and another piece of work at 9 both steady to wing and shot. 3rd place all the way from South Carolina was Double L's Half Strut Jake owned and handled by Lindsay Cuming. Jake hunted the edges with precision and had 3 finds. 2, 25, and 28. Lindsay has a nice up and comer with this dog.

The puppy class was a nice group of 14. They hit both ends of the age group with all showing the promise for next year's Derby class. 1st place was Penelope Sasser with Sasser's Rock Hill Farms. 2nd Emmet Sasser handling Sasser's Jack Daniel's. 3rd was Glover's Flintstone handled and owned by Jack Glover. The judges were very happy with the talent shown for these puppies.

Lastly thank you to our important sponsors which we could not have these field trials without. Thank you, Purina Pro Plan, for all your generous donations to the NBHA and the National Amateur Invitational Championship. You do so much for our organization. Thank you, Garmin, for the donation of a new collar for our champion. Mule Brand Clothing gave a gift certificate to the Champion. Gundog Supply gave gift certificates. Thank you Gundog Central. And a huge thank you to the Sportsman's field trial association group the grounds were awesome. Thank you again to the judges Kenny Snow Justin Crook and Tim Penn. Thank you to the Missouri Bird Hunters for doing all the behind the scene stuff that made this trial run so smoothly. Kevin Western, Kevin Carpenter, Joe and Randy Zimmer, Jack Glover. Thank you all we had a great trial.

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