2014/15 NBHA Free for All National CH
The 2014/15 NBHA National Free For All Championship concluded on November 23rd at the Sportsman Association Grounds at Grove Spring Missouri. The trial, Hosted by the Missouri Bird Hunters Association, drew a good entry of 20 top flight shooting dogs, 6 derbies, and 6 puppies. Crowned Champion was Ninnescah War Dance, stylish white and liver pointer male owned and handled by Keith Foreman of Sulfur, Oklahoma. Runner up went to the seasoned veteran setter Kozican, owned by Bobby & Mildred Taylor of Winfield, Alabama, and handled by Bobby Taylor.
Anyone who has put on a trial knows that to make the event successful a lot of things have to come together just right. We were fortunate to have the winning combination of good grounds, good birds, and good judges. Trial Chairman Chris Gebhardt along with the Missouri Bird Hunters worked diligently to organize this trial. Chipping in on all of the duties were Missouri Bird Hunters members Larry Carpenter, Tim Penn, Joe Zimmer, Joe Shearer, & Kevin Western to make for an outstanding trial.
We were fortunate to have two honorable, knowledgeable, and fair judges look over this year�s running, Bob Barker of Inola, Oklahoma and Kevin Western, of Queen City, Missouri. Bob Barkers involvement with bird dogs goes back to when he was just a kid bird hunting over pointing dogs. He has had a very successful field trial career and has won several championships with both pointers and setters. His expertise and professionalism made for a pleasure to judge with and for the participants. Kevin Western has been field trialing for the past 15 years, primarily in the Midwest in both horseback and walking field trials. Kevin has judged numerous championships and weekend trials. He is currently the director of the NBHA Futurity. Both gentlemen were attentive and thorough in their evaluation of the dogs they looked at. At this Championship mother nature tried to put a damper on things but fortunately the weather held out just long enough to get things completed without anyone getting too wet. When it was all said and done the announcements were well received.
I cannot say enough about the grounds and the Sportsman Association at Grove Spring. Clifford Weaver had the grounds looking great as usual. His attention to detail of the grooming of the grounds was amazing. His hard work and dedication will make the spring trials at Grove Spring extremely successful. Michelle Weaver, Clifford�s wife, kept everyone fed with her home cooked breakfast and lunch meals. Michelle�s homemade pies are especially a big hit with the entire crowd. We could not make it without these two. The Missouri Bird Hunters, led by Chris Gebhardt, made the evening meals an event at this trial. We had a fish fry on Friday evening and a ham and potato dinner on Saturday evening. These social events were a great place for participants to gather and visit with old friends and new and were very well attended.
The National Bird Hunters are blessed to have amazing sponsors. Purina provides dog food to the winners as well as samples and hats to the trial participants. Garmin/Tri-Tronics provides one of their new shock collars to the winner. Christie Saddles and Gun Dog Supply provide gift certificates to the winners and trial participants. We could not have a successful trial without the support of these sponsors. Their participation and sponsorship of the NBHA is much appreciated.
THE WINNERS
The newly named champion Ninnescah War Dance ran on the second day in the qualifying series. Dance is owned by Keith Foreman, Sulphur, Oklahoma. Dance was bred by Dr. Richard Steckley of Wichita, Kansas, and trained and campaigned by Chuck Stretz in horseback shooting dog competition until he was purchased by Keith. Dance ran in the ninth brace in a carded 4 well-spaced finds with an upfront race to secure his placement in the finals. He was braced with Sir Eaton (Gebhardt) who was named as a standby dog. Dance ran in the second brace of the finals with Penrosa Stoneyox. Dance put on a show. He had 9 impeccable finds. When the country allowed he opened up with some textbook cast. In my opinion his performance was near perfect and his manors around game were perfect. It was a true pleasure witnessing this performance. Kozican ran in the six brace on the first day of the qualifying series. His performance on that first day was sparkling. He ran an outstanding race with four well-spaced finds to be named the top qualifying dog. He ran in the first brace of the finals with Bob�s Miller Daisy (Bobby Phillips). Daisy had a bobble at 20 and was picked up by handler. Buck went on to have a good ground race with 3 well-spaced finds to earn the R-U Champion placement.
THE RUNNING---QUALIFYING SERIES
The first brace began on time with Paint Me Gold (Taylor) and Seminole Wind (Foreman) coming to the line. Paint Me Gold was making some really nice cast but the pressure got to him on a find at 55 and was picked up. I expect good things from this dog in the future. Seminole wind put on a show with 7 well-spaced finds and a moderate race to earn a spot in the finals. The second brace paired Bob�s Miller Daisy (Phillips) with Ninnescah Liberator (Gebhardt). Both dogs were running an outstanding race. Daisy went on to card 3 finds and nice up front race. Liberator putting down a strong race with 2 nice pieces of bird work but was lost at about 40 and tracker was called for. Dot Is Ice Cold (Gullick) and Penrosa Stoneyox (Penn) was turned loose for the third brace. Dot was running a nice race but got a little sticky around a bird at 20 and shortly after failed to back brace mate. Stone had 4 nice finds with his usual impeccable style and manors to earn a spot in the finals. Silver Diamond Cricket (Snow) and Kozican�s Six Pop Gun ran in the fourth brace. Cricket ran a moderate race with a divided find on a wild covey and finished her race. Pop Gun ran a good race but it was not his day ad he was eventually picked up by handler. Bob�s Elhew Kate (Phillips) and Doc�s Touch of Gold were off like a house of fire with multiple finds early. At 14 they both had bobbles and were picked up. I see a bright future for both of these young dogs. Kozican (Taylor) and Southern Comfort Jack (Formann) were turned loose on the afternoon of the first day. Jack had a find at 18 but was eventually picked up for an infraction. Kozican, call name Buck, went on to have a very good race with 4 well-spaced finds. His manors around game was flawless and he showed the intelligence of a veteran bird dog and field trailer competitor. Buck�s performance was magnificent and I am grateful for having the good fortune to be able to witness it. Creekwood Missy (Snow) and Shokamo (Taylor) rounded out the first day. Missy had a very nice up front race rewarded by three finds to earn a spot in the finals. Shockamo ran a strong and powerful race but had a bobble with his manors that ended his day.
Mother Nature threatened to put a damper on the day but held off long enough for us to finish up the qualifying series on Saturday morning. The Eighth brace come to the line a little before 8 am. Pawnbrokers Royal Flus (Gullick) and Bob�s Elhew Jill (Phillips) got the day�s running underway. Flush put down a very solid race but was a little unsure on his bird work. He did handle four well spaced finds to finish the hour and make it in as a standby dog. Jill was up early with a bobble. Sir Eaton (Gebhart) and Ninnescah War Dance (Foreman) were paired in brace number nine. Both dogs started out like a house on Fire trading points back and forth. in the end, Dance had four well-spaced finds to earn a spot in the callback. If Sir Eaton had not slowed just a little at about 45 it could have made a difference in the callbacks. He was however used as a standby dog. Penrosa Jane Doe (Penn) and Ketchican (Taylor) were let loose for the tenth and final brace of the qualifying series. Both dogs charged forward with a strong, youthful exuberance that had us riding high in the saddle. Jane went on point right away but was too much temptation for the stylish young setter. Ketchican was running a very strong race and had finds at 30, 45, and 55. This is a very nice young powerful dog. I am sure we are going to see more out of him in the future as he polishes manors around game. The judges were picked up for the ride back in.
FINAL SERIES
The judges called back Bob�s Miller Daisy with Kozican, Penrosa Stoneyox with Ninnescah War Dance, and Seminole Wind with Creekwood Missy. Sunday morning brought a strong chance of rain so all were anxious to get underway. Bob�s Miller Daisy (Phillips) was turned loose with brace mate Kozican (Taylor). Both Dogs were up front and showing strong with a find each. At 20 Daisy corned some birds close to the double gates and could not make up her mind on what to do. The handler elected to pick up and her day was over. Kozican went on to run a nice up front race complimented with 3 perfect finds. Ninnascah War Dance (Foreman) and Penrosa Stoneyox were set for the second brace. Dance struck first with Stone backing. They both had finds at 12 about 50 yards apart handled to perfection. Dance had another find at 17 with Stone backing, all in order. When dogs were tuned loose Stone got off course and behind with an absence that kept him behind the rest of the brace. Dance went on to have finds at 25, 40, 45, 47, 54, 55, and one unproductive right at pick up. His race through Sycamore bottom was textbook and a pleasure to watch. Although Stone was behind he finished his hour with 6 clean finds to give the judges something to talk about. The absence probably cost him a placement. Creekwood Missy (Snow) and Seminole Wind were the last brace of the call backs. Missy initially pointed on the left line of the breakaway but was not 100% sure of herself but handler managed to get a single up for the standing dog. Seminole Wind had a find shortly after with Missy backing. Missy was not pleasing handler and she was picked up. Seminole Wind went on to have finds at 14, 22, and 28. At about 35 she ran through a crossing where a bird just happened to be sitting and the temptation was just too much for her to handle and her day was over.
When the announcements were made all were pleased. This was an extremely proud moment for Keith Foreman and for Bobby and Mildred Taylor.
NBHA NATIONAL OPEN DERBY
The derby was run Saturday afternoon under extreme overcast skies. There were 6 young hopefuls drawn for this event. The field that ran had several bird contacts and a few were close to being finished. This group is a promising young group with will be contenders in the future. Judging this event was Joe Shearer of Kansas City, Missouri and Bob Burchett of Conway, Missouri. Both men gave these youngsters their full attention.
Emerging as the winner with a strong, forward race and one divided find was Chris Gebhardt�s nice, young pointer Bubba. Sue, Kevin Western�s pointer female, was braced with Bubba and took second with a divided find and two additional finds. This was a very nice race of Derbies. Both dogs look like they have a bright future. Iceman, Dr. Rutschi nice young pointer male took third with a nice ground race. .
NBHA NATIONAL OPEN PUPPY
The puppies ran right after the Derbies on Saturday afternoon in a heavy misty rain. Judging the puppy stake was Joe Shearer of Kansas City, Missouri and Bob Burchett of Conway, Missouri. Both men gave full attention to all of these young dogs. There were 6 competitors drawn and 6 dogs run. Earning first was Dan, handsome young pointer male owned by Dr. John Ruetschi and handled by Justin Crook. Taking second was Mike, pointer male owned by Jerry Snow and handled by son Kenny Snow. Rounding out the placements was Betty, Setter Female owned and handled by Larry Carpenter.
On Behalf of the National Bird Hunters we would like to thank the Missouri Bird Hunters team, judges, trial participants, the Sportsman�s Grounds Association and anyone else who helped make this an outstanding event.
Submitted By Larry Carpenter
