NBHA Midwest Region Championship
The NBHA Midwest Regional CH was concluded on April 12th, 2014 at the Greenwood Pointe Shooting Preserve near New Franklin, MO. The trial was hosted by the Missouri Bird Hunters Association. This Championship was originally scheduled for Feb. 7 and after two postponements due to heavy snow, ice and single digit temperatures, April 11 was agreed upon. The weather was certainly better for the handlers but probably not for the dogs as it reached the 70's both days along with sun and wind.
I would like to thank Co-chairman Joe Zimmer for all his hard work along with Jim Ogle who helped put birds out for the championship. Both of these guys did everything else asked of them and without them the trial would not have run as smoothly. There were other members of the MBHA and trial participants there to pitch in where ever needed.
The judges for the Championship and companion stakes were Jim Rogers and Harold Gearhart. Jim is from Brookfield, MO and got started in the NBHA back in the1980's. He has judged the NBHA Futurity and several NBHA Championships and Classics. Jim is now raising and trialing Basset Hounds. Harold Gearhart is from Kingsville, MO and got his start in trialing in the NBHA. Harold is a professional trainer and handles dogs now in Horseback Open Shooting Dog trials. Harold has judged several NBHA championships, US Complete and the Red Setter National Championship among other assignments.
The grounds at Greenwood Pointe consist of soy bean fields providing good edges with draws interspersed for a dog to show his hunting prowess. Danny Martin does a lot of work on these grounds but was not able to attend because of previous commitments. Mitch Leonard, owner of Greenwood was a gracious and hospitable host. We want to thank them both for allowing us to hold the trial there. Trent Fischer provided his usual great meals for lunch each day. The trial being the last NBHA CH for the year drew dogs from Kentucky, Oklahoma, Alabama, Illinois and Missouri.
The Missouri Bird Hunters wish to thank our great sponsors including Purina who donated a total of 675 lbs of Purina Pro Plan to the new CH and Runner-up. They also donated Pro Plan to the winner of the Derby and Puppy stakes plus coupons to all 3 places in both stakes plus hats. Small sample bags were provided to all contestants. Garmin/Tri-Tronics donated a Garmin Delta Sport electric collar to the Champion and Christie Enterprises provided gift certificates to both CH and Runner-up. Gun Dog Supply sent gift certificates which were drawn as prizes.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
There was a nice group of 19 dogs competing for the championship. The winner emerged in Legacy, three year old Pointer male owned and handled by Jim Wirths who ran in the 7th brace on Friday afternoon. The temperatures were in the 70's. Legacy started off strong with a stylish find at 7 and then added another at 33 with perfect manners. After lake crossing, Legacy appeared to be getting stronger on the ground and scored a solid find at 54. He finished going away. The Runner- up Penrosa Stoneyox, English Setter male owned and handled by Tim Penn came out of the last brace on Saturday morning. The weather was a little cooler but windy. Stone, a classy moving dog showed his legs early and then settled in with finds at 19, 30, 42, 45 all with excellent manners. His last find at 50 may have separated him from first place as he seemed a little unsure on this find. Two other dogs mentioned by the judges that were in contention were The Seminole Wind, Setter female owned and handled by Keith Foreman and Go for Broke, Setter male owned and handled by Larry Hedge.
The Running
Kozican's Six Pop Gun, Setter male (Taylor) and The Seminole Wind, Setter female (Foreman). This brace started strong with Wind having the first find at 8 then again at 22. Pop Gun had a find at 26 and at 30, the handler decided to pick up. Wind continued on and had 3 more finds and an unproductive. Her race was a little short at times but everyone knew the standard had been set.
Silver's Knight Rider, Pointer male (Foreman) and Erin's California Girl Pointer female (Black). California Girl had a find at 24 with Rider backing and then Rider scored at 34. Shortly after, both handlers decided to pick up.
Ciara Markham, Vizsla female (Markham) and Go For Broke, Setter male (Hedge). Both dogs had their running shoes on early with Broke found pointing at 10 with the Vizsla backing. Ciara then pointed at 15 with Pride backing but this ended as an unproductive. Broke had a good find on a running bird at 24 and as handler ran by Pride it startled him and he let down a little but corrected immediately and all was well. Broke scored again at 35 and had his last one at 59 with style and manners good. Ciara finished without further contact.
Hobb's Silver Belle Pointer female (Foreman) and Ketchikan, Setter male (Taylor). Both dogs were picked up early.
Lady Victoria, Pointer female (Foreman) and Crow's Creek Sugar Baby, Pointer female (Black) Sugar Baby was scratched as she had become ill and was still at the vet's. Lady Victoria had a good start with a find at 8 then on her next contact, her manners were not satisfactory and she was picked up.
Brannigan's Last Straw, Setter male (Hedge) and Kozican, Setter male (Taylor). This brace started with a lot of promise as both dogs were reaching to the front. Straw was found pointing at 11 with Kozican backing with all in order. Kozican pointed at 22 and after a relocation with no bird produced, he was sent on. Judge Rogers in leaving the area spotted the bird up in a tree so some bad luck there. Straw pointed at 24 and as Hedge flushed, the bird ran back towards the dog and the temptation was too much. Kozican was seen pointing at 34 and a breach of manners ended his day.
Carolina Rose, Pointer female (Foreman) and Legacy, Pointer male (Wirths). Legacy�s performance has already been reported. Rose started strong but at 25 the heat was causing a problem and handler decided to pick up. This concluded the first days running. The next morning the temperatures were in the 50's and fairly windy with weather projected to hit the low 80's.
Southern Comfort Jack, Pointer male (Foreman) and Starfire Supersport, Pointer male (Brown) started with high expectations as the veteran Supersport had just won the NBHA National Invitational Championship two weeks earlier. Both dogs started strong with Jack having a find at 7 and then going with the bird to end a good start. Supersport was looking in all the right spots but at 35 Ray decided to pick him up.
Bluebell Promise, Setter male (Foreman) and Penrosa Stoneyox, Setter male (Penn). Stoneyox�s brace has been described. Promise did not have his running shoes on and after find at 24, Keith decided to pick up.
Iron Hawk, Setter male (Foreman) was a bye dog and handler decided not to run him.
The Derby had 6 contestants. Jake Setter male handled by Bobby Tayor had 2 nice fines and a big race to earn 1st. 2nd went to Dusty Setter female handled by Larry Carpenter with 3 finds and a unproductive. Her race was not as big as the winner. 3rd went to Jack Pointer male handled by Jim Wirths. Jack had a big race and at times a little too big and had 1 find.
The Puppy had 8 entries that showed a lot of nice prospects for the future. 1st went to Jim, Setter male handled by Joe Zimmer who had a strong race with a find right before pick up. 2nd was Sadie, Setter female handled by Jim Ogle who covered a lot of country and 3rd was Sue, Pointer female owned by Kevin Western and handled by Jim Wirths because Kevin had hip replacement surgery right after the Futurity. Kevin was there to receive her placement and is doing great. Sue had 2 finds but her race was a little shorter than the other two.
Even though Mother Nature detoured this trial a couple of times we were able to pull off this event successfully. Thanks to all who participated and helped.
NBHA Midwest Regional Championship
By Larry Carpenter
