2012 NBHA Midwest Regional CH
NBHA Midwest Regional Championship concluded on Sunday January 15th at the Posey WMA north of Chillicothe, MO. Posey WMA is made up of more than 5000 acres of diverse habitat. Most of the course consisted of small grain fields, some mowed fields and fields that have several different species of native grass growing that are bordered by brushy edges and timber draws. These grounds make for an excellent place for a bird dog to test its ability in finding birds.
Champion for this year’s NBHA Midwest Regional Championship is Easy Attitude Buddy, PM owned and handled by Gary Mandernach, of Lee’s Summit, MO. “Buddy” started the trial off in the 1st brace and set the standard with a four find performance, a forward ground race with style and manners that could not be matched by any of the challengers this weekend. Runner-up was Mississippi Dan PM, owned and handled by Dan Martin, of Boonville, MO. “Dan” ran in the 2nd brace with two finds, his performance was the closes to that of the winner. Dan had good manners and style on his bird work and his race was to front.
This year’s championship was a success due to the fine support of our sponsors, judges, and trial committee.
NBHA sponsors for this event were Purina which provided Pro Plan feed to the winners along with caps, samples and other support to make this trial a success. Tri-Tronics provided e-collar for the winner and Christie Enterprises provided gift certificates to the winner and runner-up. Gun Dog Supply provided two gift certificates for merchandise that were presented to those attending this event.
Judges for this event was Charles Beeler, of Lancaster, MO. and Chuck Davis, of Madrid, IA. Both of these men are very knowledgeable about bird dogs and field trials, and what it takes to have a championship performance. We are very thankful for their efforts and their decision.
Thanks goes to the Missouri State Bird Hunters Association and its officers who were, Kevin Western, Chris Gebhardt, Larry Carpenter, Tony King and Tim Penn for their organization and work on hosting this year’s event. A special thanks goes to Charlie Sackett and Les Neer for helping with the bird planting duty.
Dogs from Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, and even as far away as Michigan were competing in this championship. As weather is always a concern in Missouri during January, as you just can’t predict what you will have. It can be mild and muddy, or cold and snowy. This year so far we’ve had a mild winter with much of the cover still up, making the birds hard to find. Championship started with a dusting of snow on the ground but it soon left by the end of the second brace. It seems like the scent must have left as well, due to the fact from the third brace on we never had another dog to have more than one find in the stake. Dogs that had finished the hour with only one piece of bird work are listed in the order that they ran, are Springponds Shooting Star, SF; Penrosa Stoneyox, SM; Frankenstein, PF; and Island Grove Finance, PM
Open Derby stake had Gailen’s Trading Up, PF; taking the honors for her owner Gailen Cooper, “Kate” has been winning regularly this past fall and looks like she will be giving the shooting dogs something to look at in the future.
Pictured left to right: Les Neer, Doug Meyer, Charles Sackett, Gary Mandernach with Easy Attitude Buddy, judge Chuck Davis, Dan Martin with Mississippi Dan, judge Charles Beeler, Gailen Cooper, and Kevin Western
Submitted by Tim Penn
