2012 National Amateur Invitational Championship
The Alabama Region of the NBHA hosted the National Amateur Invitational Championship. We were privileged to have the use of Ken Tolbert’s training grounds and facilities not to mention his equipment, dog trailer, four wheelers, of course the legendary Mr. Charles Aston and his mechanical mule handled the dog wagon chores and helped everyone that needed assistance. We would have been hard pressed to have put this stake on without the generosity of Ken Tolbert, his family, Mr. Charles Aston, Mr. Brud Powell of Arab, AL. Ken Tolbert and Brud Powell of Arab Ala. filled the judicial saddles for both stakes. We want to also thank our generous sponsors for the continuing support of our events. The NBHA and event host are truly rewarded by the support from Purina, Tri-Tronic’s, Christie Enterprises, and Gun Dog Supply. All of the added winner’s gifts are additional rewards for their effort in the bird dog world. Thanks again to everyone.
Ken has trained and campaigned NBHA dogs for years, winning many championships including the NBHA National Open with Eboga Cracker Jack a few seasons back. Brud runs in NBHA events and has a long list of judging assignments both walking and horseback trials. They both are as qualified as they come and we are blessed to have had them agree to preside over these stakes. It would have been nice to have had more entries in both stakes, but what we lacked in quantity we made up in quality. Roger Foshee came down from Knoxville Tennessee with three nice shooting dogs and his buddy Bill. They were super nice folks and they were a pleasure to meet and be around. We sure hope to see them again soon. Keith Foreman came from Sulfer, OK with three fine dogs. His Hobb’s Silver Bell did a real nice job in the second brace and then was lost on point about fifty minutes. I felt for Keith because we have all been there and experienced this. It’s an empty sick feeling.
The weather was cloudy and rain off and on Friday and Saturday we had to stop the derby stake and seek shelter until after lunch, because of the severe lighting, but it passed and we got it done. All the members of the AL Region that could make it pitched in to help. Some of the folks we need to mention are Bruce Norris, Marty Robinson, Bill Garner help scout when they weren’t running their dogs, and Mr. Charles Aston. Bill Garner also was in charge of getting the trophies made. Pat Whitt made lunch, ham cooked in pinto beans with cornbread with cupcakes and brownies for desert. Pat also furnished the cold drinks, tea, plus snacks.
The winner this year was Attitude’s River Kate (call name Star) owned and handled by Marty Robinson of Bremen Georgia. Star was runner up last year in this stake, including a win at last season’s Mid-South Regional Championship; she also was named NBHA R/U overall Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year. This makes Marty’s third time to win the NBHA NATIONAL AMATEUR INVITATIONAL and our congratulations go out to him for his support and efforts. He won twice with his High Regard in several seasons past.
Championship Run
Star ran the first brace with Chase (need registered names) owned and handled by Roger Foshee. Both dogs broke hard to the front ,both were seen around the bend, when handlers and gallery made the top of the hill Star was seen ahead in the strip on field edge, head up tail at twelve o’clock but she was looking across field, Chase not in sight. Marty made a short flush and sent Star on to the front. When we caught up (gallery) Star was pointing and Chase backing. Marty’s flushing produced the bird and Star remained immaculate staunch. Both dogs we released on toward the long field and hill, Star grabbed the right edge and Chase took the left, a bird flushed and Chase moved too much and Roger put her on dog wagon. Star was seen far too front ,Marty kept walking and singing and after the hill was crested and scout sent to check wooded edge , the Judges spied Star standing to the front in next field, all crispy clean. Star was watered and sent down tractor road that runs about a hundred and fifty yards to little field where course turns right but the dog can also go to. When Marty reached the field Star was not to be seen, Marty wisely sent scout Bruce Norris to left , Marty went on to the right when the turn was made Marty spied Star standing in the edge of the woods. Calling point handler started toward his charge, bird leaving when he neared the edge. Star again text book find. Star skirted the edges with a cracking tail only slowing to check birdie objectives. Not seen in high grass until the turn was made and she had another good find. Handler watered her and sent Star up logging road toward the long finish when the field open up Star was not to be seen, scout was dispatched to check left side when star came up out of the dip right on course. Star was running with a lot of gusto and seen going over far hill. Marty did some strong calling and you could see her bend to the front. This was a beautiful piece of handling and dog working with his handler. Star was striding to front and on to the front hunting and running as pretty as it gets. She was seen far to the front and when she slowed to double check with handler out of the cover, she froze in motion, head and tail high and tight. Handler got there after a push up the hill and flushed her quail. Star was sent on to finish strong when pick-up was called. That was a real championship performance by a dog and her handler.
Runner up was also well deserved. Remplap’s Doc Feel Good was in second brace handled and owned by Bill Garner, braced with Hobb’s Silver Belle owned and handled by Keith Foreman. Both dogs broke away very strong and the first five minutes Doc was seen standing on right side of cover strip, when handlers approached it was noted that Doc was backing Silver Bell, pointing inside cover. Keith flushed and relocated to no avail. Both dogs sent on, both running strong and seen going up long hill, after about half way Doc was seen pointing in the cover strip, after Bill had flushed, Doc was sent to relocate, but was unsuccessful. Keith and Silver Bell were far to the front Doc was far to front when he was seen pointing in the field before tractor road, Bill flushed the bird and Doc was sent down the road, where he joined Silver Bell and Keith, Bill calling and Doc was seen far ahead, Bill had about caught up when Doc pointed again, all in good manners. Doc was sent up logging road and after Bill and the gallery popped out of woods Doc was standing in the edge of sage field, what happens next gave Doc (I guess) the little extra to set himself ahead of the other dogs for runner-up title. Bill went in to flush and a damp bird ran out of cover right back toward Doc, stopping only inches from his nose, Bill herded the bird away and it ran into a brush pile where the bird planter captured it. This was done so no one else would have to go through that nerve racking experience. Doc and Bill continued on course and Doc had another find, in the bottom and was sent up long finishing hill to the end of course. Doc was seen hunting the edge all the way out of sight. When the hill was topped Doc was seen far too front pointing Bill arrived and flushed his bird and after the shot pickup was called. Good job for a handler and his dog.
The others that threaten Doc were Sand Mountain Spirit and Fridge if it had not been for a mistake or two.
Amateur Derby
The Amateur Derby was a nice stake with the winner emerging as Pinnicle’s Elhew Dream owned by Keith Cooley and Handled by his dad Edwin Cooley.
Dream and Shadows Misty Lee owned and Handled by Bruce Norris ran in the second brace together. Misty Lee and Dream ran nice to the front. Dream had some nice bird work and was nice on the ground. Misty was a hand full at times but she also had some nice bird work and backed Dream on one occasion. Misty got a little excited on her last bird, but as a derby has the potential to be a good one. Slab Creek Jack owned by Mike Otinger and handled by Bruce Norris gained third honors with a big race and one nice find.
Submitted by Oscar Whitt
