2014 NBHA National Free for All Championship
The original plans were for this event to start on Wednesday March 5th and conclude on Saturday the 8th with our National Open Championship starting on the following Tuesday. It seems that the global warming seemed to have not cooperated with us having wind, rain, and sleet, ice, and snow as far south as Houston, TX. We were unable to depart on Monday as planned from freezing rain in Houston, TX. Departure moved to Tuesday after lunch after the weather warmed up and the ice on the road had melted. Arriving late to Arkansas with the roads in Arkansas starting to freeze back up were not in too bad of shape. It seems that everyone arriving had delays with the weather and road construction on I40 thankfully all arrived safely.
On Wednesday weather started warming up and the snow and ice melting. It was still cold on Thursday but slushy not hard ice for the first brace of the Nat�l Free for All Championship started one day behind.
We have to thank numerous folks and sponsors for their help and support. Glenn Cumbie and Ronnie Miller are a huge help and support for this event. Ronnie Miller helping with early morning bird planting, scouting for handlers, and marshalling we couldn�t do this without him. Glenn Cumbie managing the dog wagon, getting all the correct dogs to the starting line, and helping collecting entry fees is a huge help. Our National sponsors Purina, Garmin, Christie Enterprises, and Gun Dog Supply are wonderful partners. Purina and Garmin were in full support with Mike Witt representing them, There every day with coffee, donuts, samples, hats, and brought Garmin�s new VIRB camera. I wore this on my hat for many braces and hopefully we�ll have some video to post on our web site soon. As you can imagine there will be some editing that needs to take place as this was worn as a gallery member not a participant. Think about some of the gallery conversations and most of you have memories about some of those conversations. Janice Stroud did another fine job of catering our lunches having to pull her back out of retirement. We can�t say enough about the Arkansas Fish & Game for their efforts at Camp Robinson. The do such a good job having this facility in such good shape for the many events it hosts. Thanks to Roger Martin and his crew for all their efforts. On Saturday evening we had everyone stay around the historical club house for a quail (furnished by Mike Sandifer), chicken, and venison sausage cook out with all the fixings. Ken & Melissa Sauer put this together. The camaraderie was wonderful. Just like days of old at these events.
This year our shooting dog stake drew 34 entries and 14 derbies. This was a good draw and seems to keep getting better. Hopefully it�s from the camaraderie, friendship, just having a good time, the grounds, and chasing the crown. We had participants from Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, & Kentucky. This event was well supported by trialers chasing the crown. Thanks to all for making this a wonderful trial.
First Series:
Carolina Rose �Tina� Keith Foreman Owner/Handler � Rocky Hollow Big Time �Big� Brian & Georgie Casey Owners Oscar Whitt Handler: Tina had a find at 4. Keith had an extended flushing attempt. Big had a stand at 10 before the first creek crossing with Tina coming into back. Tina failed to back and was leashed. Oscar relocated and was charged with an unproductive. Big had another find at 27. Big moved unsure of the bird and was relocated before the flush. Big established point and bird flushed all in order. Big was missing for a period but located by the scout around 41. He was a little hard to handle but was back in the game. Big charged up over the mountain to the right and scout was dispatched to locate him. Big�s time was up on the back side of the course pretty much at the furthest place from break away.
Blue Bell Promise Keith Foreman Owner/Handler � Jim Fork Jackson Redo � Kenny Snow Owner/Handler: At 4 minutes after the break away both dogs took to the right where the course bends to the left. Mike Sandifer was dispatched by Keith Foreman back to the road and found both dogs standing. Keith elected to move on after Kenny had an extended flush for Redo. Kenny relocated and Redo re-established point near a lone pine tree. Again with an extended flush nothing was produced. The reporter had to move up with the front dog and Redo was charged with bumping a bird that this reporter didn�t see. Bell was found standing just past the first creek crossing at 15 with bird in the air and all well. Bell made a big cast up to the front near the second creek crossing. Bell had another find at 50 on the back side of course all well. Bell had another find at 54 all in order. Bell�s race was what would have been considered a little too short for the Judge�s eyes.
Leecassupp�s Two Bits Addition Felicia Russell Owner Tom Woods Handler � Kozican�s Six Pop Gun Bobby Taylor Owner/Handler: Two Bit�s had a find at 10 past the first creek crossing in a stand of brush back to the north of the course with Taylor�s setter coming in for a back all in order. Bobby�s dog had a find at 24 back off to the north of the second creek crossing with Two Bit�s coming in for a back. At 29 Taylor�s setter had a stand back off to the left. Kozican is a handsome setter with picturesque stand on game. Two Bit�s had a find at 47 and was leashed by Woods and was running a little too short for Woods and the Judge�s. Kozican had another stand at 47 (not the same bird as Two Bits) all in order. Taylor had another find at 59 with everything in order.
Jim Fork Jackson Kenny Snow Owner/Handler � Hobbs Silver Belle Keith Foreman Owner/Handler: Snow�s dog was charged with an unproductive at 15. Jim was out of pocket and a little rough on the handle but left on the ground until 30 when Kenny asked for the Garmin. Belle had a stand at 15 in a different location and she too was charged with an unproductive. At 24 Belle had a stand back off to the left before the second creek crossing. The dog seemed to be right on top of game and looked a little low or standing in a ditch. All was in order. Belle stopped again at 30 just off the main trail with a hare seen. Belle was seen going over the mountain and out of pocket beyond this point. At 55 Keith asked for the Garmin.
Sand Mountain Spirit Mike Otinger Owner Oscar Whitt Handler � KC�s Leer Jett Melissa Sauer Owner/Handler: This brace was started after lunch break. The first part of the course didn�t bide well for either handler. Jett had a stand at 4 in a location where a bird had been produced in the morning. Spirit came in to back however Jett was charged with an unproductive. Both dogs were off to the races. Jett scored for Melissa at 24 with a stylish find back to the left of the second creek crossing. All was in order with Melissa doing a good job with the flush and shot. Jett had a stop to flush at 27 with a bird out for a stroll just off the road. Jett handled this like a seasoned shooting dog. Oscar elected to pick up not liking what he was seeing. At 31 Jett had another stand but didn�t possess steadiness for handler and was picked up.
Lady Victoria Keith Foreman Owner/Handler � Ketchican Bobby Taylor Owner/Handler: Ketchican had its first stand at 21 back off to the left of the second creek crossing with all in order. At 23 Lady had a stand back to the left of the second creek crossing also. With an extended flushing attempt and a relocation Lady was charged with an unproductive. At 40 just over the mountain Lady score a find and all in order. Ketchican was leashed somewhere the 30 minute mark. This reporter did not know the reason nor any shots fired.
Skydancer Swift Current �Bud� Greg Sloan Owner Brett Francis Handler � Desiminol Wind �Emma� Keith Foreman Owner/Handler: This was the last brace of the first day around 5:00PM. Weather has cooperated and it was a beautiful day. Bud had a stand at 5 just as the course turns north. Bird was put in the air and all well. Emma had its first find at 10 just past the first creek crossing in the brush mott. Keith had some trouble putting the bird in the air. Dog remained solid and bird was lifted. All in order. Bud suffered an unproductive at 15. At 20 Bud had a wild covey find. All was in order. At the 30 minute mark Bud took a left and went across the road over in the pasture where we finish the hour but was collected up and moved on to the mountain. Bud crossed the mountain and wasn�t seen until around 51. The dog/handle pick up wagon professionally managed by Glenn Cumbie indicated that the dog headed back to the one hour finishing pasture. At 55 Emma just past the last creek crossing had a find just on the other side of the creek. All is well. Judge Fred Smith informed Keith he had 17 minutes left just to see handler�s reaction. We think Keith was considering lying down in the creek to take a nap. At 58 Emma moved down the creek line and had yet another find. Just as he shot Bud came in. A bird popped up from a scattered covey still on the ground and Bud was scored with a stop to flush. Judge�s indicated Bud had done nothing wrong. Emma did a nice job with her ground speed and range. Bud�s race was a little erratic but he is a real snappy mover.
Rock Bridge Lil Rascal �Izzie� Ray Brown Owner/Handler � KC�s Fred Too Ken Sauer Owner/Handler: The first brace of the morning possessed cool temperatures with dogs and handlers excited. Fred scored first find out in the open field at 8 and Izzie backing. A pair of birds lifting. All was in order at flush and shot. Izzie scored a find at 18 past the first creek crossing with all in order. At 24 just before the second creek crossing Fred was located on point by gallery with Izzie backing again. During the flush Fred took to many steps for the handler and was leashed. At 27 Izzie off to the left of the second creek crossing scored game with all in order. This reporter was walking back to the pick up and it was reported that Rascal had additional finds at 34, 44, 53, & 59. The Judge�s indicated he hunted the entire time and provided good ground speed. Job well done by dog and handler.
Las Animas Bart Travis Wheat Owner/Handler � Penrosa Knox Tim Penn Owner/Handler: Knox scored first at 8 with a find just past the break away. Knox scored again at 30 before the trek to the mountain. The bird lifted before the handler got in to flush and dog remained steady through shot. Knox scored his last find at 52 just before the last creek crossing. Bart for handler Travis Wheat was unable to come up with any bird work. Knox�s ground speed reported by the Judge�s needed a little more range.
Kozican Bobby Taylor Owner/Handler � Erin�s Sweet Alabama �Polly� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler: Excitement in the air for last year�s Camp Robinson Champion Polly. Polly was running big and not really listening to Mike. Polly made it to the front with a find at 24 and all well. Kozican score a find at 27 just before the second creek crossing with all well. Kozican score again at 36 just at the turn heading to the climb at the mountain. At 40 Kozican had a stop. When the bird lifted Kozican moved with the bird. Polly was right there and took a few steps at the flush without Mike there. Polly�s steps were not critical enough and everyone waited on Mike to arrive. Polly was missing quite a bit throughout this brace.
This is where some of my voice notes got deleted off my phone. Probably an issue trying to operate with fat fingers.
Penrosa Stoney Ox Tim Penn Owner/Handler � Starfire Supersport Ray Brown Owner/Handler: Ox had an unproductive at 7. At 11 just past the first creek crossing Ox score a find with all in order. At 21 just before the second creek crossing Ox scored again to the right of the path. At the turn heading to the mountain Ox scored again with all in order. I couldn�t seem to retrieve any notes on Supersport. Apologies to the readers and handler.
Iron Hawk Keith Foreman Owner/Handler � Barado�s Northern Hawk Jeff Markham Owner/Handler: Iron was lost pretty much from the break away and Keith asked for the Garmin at 20. Hawk (Markham) scored at 14 at the mott past the first creek crossing. At 20 & 25 Hawk score twice before the second creek crossing Once to the right on the tree line edge and then again back to the left of the creek. Another find for Hawk came at the turn heading to the mountain climb. At 42 just past the last creek crossing back to the left Hawk was found. Hawk possessed a good front running race that was pleasant to see. Good job for handler and dog.
Honky Tonk Pawn Broker �Rock� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler � Skyview Leading Edge �Judy� Greg Sloan Owner Brett Francis Handler: Rock came out of the gate swinging with a stop to flush at 2 with a bird that seems to be taking a stroll. Rock had unproductives at 5, 15, & 25 and was picked up by handler. Judy started off with an unproductive at 5. Things didn�t get much better with the second find at 15 past the first creek crossing and went with the bird. This brace ended too soon for the handlers expectations.
Attitude�s River Kate Marty Robinson Owner Oscar Whitt Handler � Barado Soldier �Chili� Jeff Markham Owner/Handler: Kate for handler Oscar Whitt was rough right out of the gate. Kate was missing for the first 39 minutes and Garmin was pulled out. Chili ran the country with a charge. He score finds at 39 and again at 42.
Hawk�s Black Diamond Steve Schiber Owner/Handler � Silver Knight Rider Keith Foreman Owner/Handler: Rider had a find at 23 with Hawk backing. Hawk scored additional finds at 28 at the turn to the mountain, at 41 over the mountain headed to the third creek crossing , & at 43 on an edge towards the finishing back part of the course. The Judge�s felt his rang was too close and came from behind too many times. Riders race was similar and not really to the Judge�s liking.
Las Animas Paris Mike Wheat Owner/Handler � Sandifer�s Nicki Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler: Paris took off like a rocket and headed towards the turn north. Off to the right where birds were know to and not many other dogs taking this route Paris met her match. At 5 she was charged with moving with lifting birds. The leash was put on and a short trek back to the starting line was the Mike Wheat path. Nicki chalked up a find at 19 on an edge to the right heading to the second creek crossing. At 28 Nicki had a stand at the turn heading to the mountain. Again at 40 Nicki, on the back side of the course on a brush edge she scored again. At 45 she had an unproductive with an extended flush. Nicki stood like a champ through the entire flushing effort. At 48 near the third creek crossing she scored for her final time. All was well with her manors and she possessed a snappy front running race.
Pinnicle�s Elhew Dream Bill Garner Owner Oscar Whitt Handler � Barado�s River Queen �Roxie� Jeff Markham Owner/Handler: Dream had an unfortunate situation at 10 past the first creek crossing with yet another strolling bird that flushed. Dream stood for a moment and then moved too much for handler Whitt. She was leashed at this point and Whitt made his stroll back to the starting line. Roxie scored at 41.
The second series dogs were called out for the running of the title. The six dogs and two stand-by dogs were to be drawn and random pairings. Keith Foreman did the honors of the drawing. The first brace would be Ray Brown with Rock Bridge Lil Rascal �Izzie� and Jeff Markham with Barado Soldier �Chili�. The second brace that was drawn was Desiminol Wind �Emma� Keith Foreman and Sandifer�s Nicki �Nicki�. The final pairing drawn was Barado�s North Hawk �Hawk� Markham and Kozican�s Six Pop Gun Bobby Taylor. The two stand-by dogs that were named are Hawk�s Black Diamond �Hawk� Steve Schiber and Barado�s River Queen �Roxie� Jeff Markham.
We had great weather and friendship and look forward to our date at Camp Robinson, AR next year. The date has been secured on March 10-15, 2015. The specific event will be voted on at our National Sumer Meeting this year in Nashville, TN the last weekend in July.
Champions Highlights
Champion � Barado Soldier �Chili� Jeff Markham Owner/Handler: Chili started off quick with a find at 5 just off the turn to the north from the break away. His second find came at 22 left of the second creek crossing back off the beaten path. At 28 close to the turn to the mountain back off to the left where few dogs had made casts Chili was found on point. Jeff during his flushing attempt two deer got up thirty yards away. Because of his flushing attempt and the deer bedding down he was charged with an unproductive. No harm done. Chili�s next find didn�t come until after we climbed the mountain off to the right where only few dogs made casts. Scout was dispatched and Chili was found on point under a big pine tree. Making his way around the course in a stylish manor at 42 Chili scored again off to the left in an edge of briars. All was still well. Moving forward like he was on a mission Chili had yet another find past the third creek crossing off to the left at 54. With not much time left but just enough Markham turned him loose letting his scout know �don�t lose him�. In lieu of making his way to the right that had a lake to keep him being seen he headed straight over the hill. Before we could get over the hill time was called. Scout was dispatched to locate him and he was found on point off to the right over the hill. Job well done by dog and handler.
Runner-Up Champion Highlights:
Sandifer�s Nicki Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler � At the break away Nicki had her running shoes on. Being seen to the front she was found at 28 at the turn heading towards the mountain standing. She was rock solid and picturesque in her poise. Turned loose from there she was off to the races. Over the mountain and around the big opening she was found on point again at 41 up near the briar hedge on the back side of the course. Here she handled a situation with another dog coming into back and failed to do so. Dodged that bullet and was handled well by dog and handler. Turned loose again she was off to the races. Making our way to the finishing pasture with time still on the clock we crossed the finishing creek and headed south. Nicki had a final covey find at 59 on a wild covey. This was quite a show and enjoyed by all the gallery.
Open Derby Winners:
1st Place went to Sand Mountain Will owned by Mike Otinger and handled by Oscar Whitt. Will had a fancy forward race with two nice finds.
2nd Place went to Taylor�s Anewone owned and handled by Bobby Taylor. Hoss is his call name and tore up the countryside in a flashy moving gate. Hoss always seemed to be hunting and looked really good doing it. Hoss had one find.
3rd Place was bestowed to Trooper�s Money Boy owned by Dr. Stanley McCain and handled by Oscar Whitt. Trooper had finds at 10 and 23 with a medium ground race. He was always hunting and a very stylish young setter.
