2013 NBHA Bob Catlett Memorial Classic
2013 NBHA Bob Catlett Memorial Classic winner Legacy being held by owner Jim Wirths. The person on his left is Wayne Nierman (judge) and on his right is Kevin Western (judge).
The 2013 Missouri NBHA Bob Catlett Memorial Classic was concluded on Dec. 8th, 2013 at the Greenwood Pointe Shooting Preserve near New Franklin, MO. The trial, hosted by the Missouri Bird Hunters Association, drew a solid entry of 50 dogs for the seven stakes. The Classic had not been run since the last renewal at the Westfall Brothers Ranch in Browning, MO in 2010. The Missouri Bird Hunters Association decided to restart this event as Bob Catlett was very important in getting several of the current Missouri officers involved in field trialing and in particular the NBHA. Bob provided valuable leadership for the Missouri Bird Hunters Association in the 80's and 90's. I was very fortunate to serve with Bob as an officer during this time and Bob was a close friend. Bob was also elected to the NBHA Hall of Fame some years back. I would like to thank co-chairman Jim Wirths for all his hard work along with Danny Martin, Danny Draffen, Joe Zimmer, and Chris Gebhardt. Illini field trailers Dan Crunk, Brad Hargis and his wife also pitched in where needed. Dan helped to plant birds and Brad drove the dog wagon and anything else we needed. Brad's wife took all the pictures for the trial.
The Judges were Kevin Western, Queen City, MO, Wayne Nierman, Sedalia, MO & Bill Seiter, Amazonia, MO. Bill graciously stepped in when Jim Rogers, our advertised judge, had a horse accident two weeks ago and was banged up. Kevin is the NBHA Futurity Director and has judged NBHA Championships and the NBHA Futurity. Kevin judged the Open Shooting Dog Classic and the Open Derby. Wayne Nierman is from Sedalia, MO and this was his first time judging an NBHA event. Wayne runs his dogs in Horseback trials and has judged trials and championship in the Midwest. Bill Seiter judged the Amateur stakes with Wayne. Bill has successfully campaigned his dogs in both horseback and walking trials here in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. Weather conditions on both days were very testing for our judges with cold both days and some snow on Sunday. We appreciate their perseverance.
The grounds at Greenwood Plantation consist of soy bean fields providing good edges with draws interspersed for a dog to show his hunting prowess. The club house at Greenwood was a welcome respite for those not running at the time to warm up and visit. Danny Martin does a lot of work on these grounds and we want to thank him for letting us hold the trial here. Trent Fischer (The Goose Slayer and his Wonder dog Ike) had chili, chicken noodle soup and hot sandwiches prepared for us each day. The trial drew dogs from Kentucky, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri.
The Missouri Bird Hunters wish to thank our amazing sponsors: Purina Pro Plan Sport and Gun Dog Supply for their generosity in providing gift certificates for winners in our various stakes.
The Running
The Open Shooting Dog was a one hour stake and drew eight competitive dogs. The first brace kicked off at eight in the morning with temperatures of about 10 degrees.
Robin Hood (Martin) with Saddle (Neria). Saddle had a find at 5 and his manners were loose causing pick-up. Robin Hood had 4 finds and an UP. On his 5th find, he was asked to relocate and as often can occur, a mishap ensued.
Penrosa Stoneyox (Penn) with Legacy (Wirths) Tim Penn was not able to attend because of the ice storm in Southeast MO. causing him to be called in to work. Legacy finished the hour with nine good finds and a stop to flush. Legacy was named the winner of this year's Classic (see picture above).
Bo (Seiter) with Rusty (Carpenter). Bo started the hour with a good find at 3 with Rusty honoring and another find at 6. Rusty was seen pointed at 8 and as handler approached the bird took off on its own and Rusty followed. Bo came in from his earlier find and pointed in the same area but handler could not flush. Asked to relocate, the bird flushed and he was finished.
Doti (Huffman) with Cam (Martin). Both dogs started well with Cam having his running shoes on. Doti settled in but had a bobble at the halfway point on a find in a fence row.
The Open Derby stake had 8 dogs. The winner was Jack, a male pointer handled by Jim Wirths. Bill Seiter took second and third respectively with his nice young pointers, Lady and Coon.
The Open Puppy also had 8 happy pups running. The winner was Ted, Joe Zimmer’s fast English Setter male. Second was Sue pointer female handled by Kevin Western and third was Pearl pointer female handled by Chris Gebhardt.
Sunday Morning started off not as cold as Saturday but it was cloudy and snowed off and on all day with about 1 inch accumulation. The Amateur Shooting Dog was a six dog stake with only Erin's California Girl, pointer female handled by Ken Black emerging clean. We wish Ken the best as his town of Washington, IL was hit by a tornado in late November. Ken was actually downtown catching up on some work and didn’t know his town was being devastated from within the confines of his office. Ken was lucky, although the town not so much.
In the Amateur Derby, first place went to Duke, English Setter male handled by Larry Carpenter. Second was Ike, pointer male handled by John Ruetchi and third went to Sadie, English Setter female handled by Jim Ogle. It was good to see the southern Missouri guys attending and running nice dogs.
In the Amateur Puppy, first place went to Jim, English Setter male handled by Joe Zimmer. Jim and Ted who placed in the Open puppy are litter mates. Second was Jack pointer male handled by Brad Hargis from Illinois. Third went to Bubba, Pointer male handled by Chris Gebhardt. The same here as Bubba and Pearl are litter mates with each placing this weekend
The Amateur Shooting Dog (jc@f) saw 8 dogs competing. First place went to Fritz, English Setter male handled by Joe Zimmer. Second was Lady, Pointer female Handled by Danny Draffen and third to Belle, English setter female owned by Jim Ogle and handled by his son James.
Congratulations to all.
Submitted by Larry Carpenter
