2012 TX State Classic
Joe Edens Memorial
Texas State Classic
March 2-4, 2012
LaGrange, TX “Bush Ranch”
By: Ken Sauer
This year’s classic had to be rescheduled due to a lack of entries on our normally scheduled weekend two weeks before Thanksgiving. After repeated attempts of either weekend events or our originally scheduled Texas State Classic this event was one of the largest entries in some time. We had forty-eight dogs start at this event. It could have been even larger except for some potential new comers that had either young children activities or work conflicts. We do want to welcome and thank some of the new folks who did come out and participate. Jeff Markham and his wife Pam from Huntsville, TX brought a fine sting of shooting dogs, derbies, and puppies. James and Brenda Cardwell with their newly acquired string of setters. Mike Sandifer with his string of shooting dogs and derbies. All of them had success and will be tough to contend with in future events. Henry & Diane Truxillo of Donaldsonville, LA came to this event. We haven’t seen them in a few years in the field trials. Henry and Diane are wonderful people.
We owe much gratitude to Ms Pat Bush for generously letting us hold these events on her property and supporting our efforts. She is a wonderful lady and our field trial community owes the world to her for her support.
We can’t to forget our NBHA National sponsors. Purina furnished coupons for winners, Gun Dog Supply gift certificates for our workers and Judges, Christie Enterprises for saddles and dog lead, and Tri-Tronic’s for their continued support of the NBHA.
Steve Schiber was a major instrument to the success of this event. He was able to secure Hugo Ford of Riviera, TX and Ben Kuykendall of Ferris, TX as judges in our open shooting dogs, open derbies, and amateur shooting dogs. They have not seen our dogs and rendered judgments all agreed with (OK most of us). Steve hauled out his travel trailer, fire pit, dog wagon, and grill. We had planned meals cooked out around the camp fire over the pit for all on Friday and Saturday nights. Not all camped out with us but most stayed around the camp and camp fire enjoying each other’s company, swapping stories and some tall tales. There were lots of stories about S. TX hunting and the wonderful history of the hunting camps. Between Hugo Ford, Steve Schiber, Mike Sandifer, Jeff Markham, & Ken Sauer have some 80 years between them on their own of hunting camps, land owners, and pastures of S. TX. Not to mention the ups and downs of quail hunting over many years.
Steve also made a huge commitment for the prizes for the TX Bird Hunters Assoc. to be something special. Christie Enterprise made trooper saddles for the open and amateur shooting dog 1st placements, handsome Lone Star Silversmith of New Braunfals, TX had custom belt buckles for open and amateur shooting dog 2nd placements and custom NBHA money clips for placements on the derby, puppy, and 3rd placements on the shooting dog stakes.
On Friday of the event was a warm humid day. In the open shooting dog event drew 14 entries and some of the highlights are as follows. Shawn Rowan’s Redneck Rex never got to stretch out the course having some 12 finds in his hour bid. On one occasion he required a whoa because of movement. Rex is a fine big running dog but also a keen nose for game that kept him from really showing his forward running. Jeff Markham’s Barado’s North Hawk had six finds in the second brace but on the last find tried to scoop it up. This ended his bid. Hawk is a fine handsome young dog any of us would have taken home with us. In the forth brace Erin’s Sweet Alabama “Polly” handled but Mike Sandifer handled a little short off the get go. She had four finds and at pick up was relocated twice trying to locate game. She was rewarded with a handsome belt buckle for second place. Mr. Mac’s Zap was put down in the fifth brace. He scored three finds. Zap was rewarded with third place and a custom money clip. In the sixth brace KC’s Shrimpboot aka. “Karl” was drawn out in the 80 plus temperature after a brief break for lunch. It was hot and sunny. Karl ran a forward race digging up seven finds most off the beaten path. He was rewarded with 1st place and one more saddle to Ken & Melissa’s collection. For the record this spring season Karl will be retired. He has been a real treat not only to the Sauer family but we hope for all who have seen him in his performances.
In the open derbies second brace Hillcountry’s Sage handled by Steve Schiber scored a find nearing the end of the brace and handled this bird contact with nice manners. She was rewarded with second place. Jeff Markham’s nice derby Barado’s River Queen “Roxie” had finds at 22 and again at 25 in the third brace and was awarded first place. Mike Sandifer’s young derby Sandifer’s Soldier Boy “Pete” ran also in the third brace with one find. Pete was awarded with third place.
The amateur shooting dog started with 16 entries and cooler weather on Saturday morning. In the amateur shooting dog first place winner came out of the third brace. Haskel’s Dream Keg was handled by Mike Gordon and was awarded a Christie Enterprises trooper saddle for this efforts. Haskel had six finds. Jeff Markham’s Barado’s North Hawk had nine finds in the hour. Jeff and Hawk were rewarded with a custom shiny new belt buckle of which Jeff sported the very next morning. Hawk is a well built dog with nice manners. Third place was yet another nice young shooting dog owned and handled by Jeff Markham. Barado Soldier “Chili” was in the sixth brace when temperatures warmed up. Chili scored a find at fifty-six with a nice forward race.
The amateur derby started Sunday morning and cool but sunny. Temperatures were pleasant but we all knew that it was a matter of time before it warmed up. Mike Sandifer’s dog Sandifer’s Nickie scored a find at eleven with a nice run. She was awarded with first place. Her bracemate Scout handled by Jeff Markham had a great forward race but came up dry on ant bird work. Second place went to Hillcountry’s Sage with finds at ten & twenty-two. Sage was presented with second place. Jeff Markham’s other entry Barado’s River Queen “Roxie” carded finds at sixteen, twenty, & twenty-eight. Roxie was awarded with third place.
In the amateur puppy first place went to Barado’s Line Dancer “Trick” another one of Jeff Markham’s young prospects. Her run was very animated and bird contact at five. CC Southwin Molly handled by Brenda Cardwell from Palo Pinto, TX was a very quick moving young setter. Molly didn’t have any bird contact but impressed the Judges by her snappy moving tail and quick movement. She was awarded second place. Carpenter’s To The Max was yet another animated setter handled by Brenda Cardwell. Max was awarded third. Young Tucker Rowan ran a high tailed pointer named Missy. This young dog look really nice moving and just lacked a little more room from the handler. We elected to award prize to Tucker for his and Missy’s effort with a leather dog lead from Christie Enterprise.
