News from the Greypointe trial Sept. 24-25
From Doug Meyer - Good trial – a half dozen newbies to the game. I explained to them how to find the trials on the American Field website and Kansas Hunting Dog website. I hope some new people call in as it would be great to get them started with more than just this event. This was the first NBHA trial for Dr. Hoehns – former NSTRA guy. This was the first trial of any kind for Vinnie Nickell. Also it was the first non-AKC trial for Kelli Johnson and a couple other new folks that did not place. We drew for the first of the Gun Dog Supply $25 gift certificates – all winners received plaques and Purina coupons and we had a birthday cake for Marvin McDowell who turns the big 8-0 soon. That was fun and Marvin gave quite a bit of encouragement to several handlers and their dogs. Good luck this trial season!
As submitted from R. Nickell, Vinnie Nickell’s dad, and as posted on the Gundog Forum site… My son Vinnie, decided he wanted to try running one of our “rescue mutt's” in a field trial in the area Sunday. I told him his best chance was to run the Shorthair Murphy since he listened to him better then the Griff. So we loaded up Murphy and took off to a NBHA event hosted by a local club to see how the two rookie's would do. Now I should have known right off the bat that taking a dog named for Murphy's Law would make for an interesting day, but instead I grab a lawn chair and thermos of coffee and headed off to see what fate awaited them. Murphy took off from the line at full speed hunting a nice pattern down both sides of the path going the wrong direction, Vinnie recalled him and got him headed the right way and seemed unphased as he followed along. At the first turn Murphy had a brief point but the other dog, running close by, busted the bird before I think she was aware of Murphy's point. Now Murphy is use to my shooting and knows sometimes it takes a couple of chances on the same bird, so he ran to re-point the bird, jumping a fence in the process. Vinnie recalls Murphy off the bird and as he returns he sees the fence, and without a bird involved, sits down not willing to jump it. I was watching from the cart and I see Vinnie and a couple other people go over and lift the dog back over the fence so they can continue. Murphy once again starts working, only to not hit the brakes fast enough and fall over the side of a 90 degree creek bank. Vinnie and another person rescue him (by this time I could tell my son’s chance of glory was quickly fading). As we hit the half way point I figured the disaster (I mean run) was nearly over and since the field was pretty flat, and there no more fences to maneuver, things might go smoother from here out. As they took off from the water bucket, Murphy seemed finally to get the hang of it, he suddenly stopped and honored his bracemate’s point, standing unflinching till the blank gun sounded and the group started to move off. Murphy locked up about 90 yards further down the path and stood tight till my son moved in front of him, flushing the birds. Now I was starting to think either they had put something in the water or someone switch dogs while he was taking a drink, because for the second half of course both my son and the dog worked like old pro's putting in a near flawless performance. With true dad pride, I get to submit the attached picture of them holding the 3rd place plaque.
Side note from "Dad" - please mention Murphy was adopted from a shelter. He was probably dumped because he was gun shy and scared of his own shadow. Several people including a couple of trainers told me to make him a pet because he would never be able to be a hunter. Took a couple of years but he proved them wrong.
Watch for a full report to come soon.
