2015 NBHA Nat'l Open Ch. Camp Robinson, AR
2015 NBHA Nat�l Open Ch. Mike Sandifer with Yellow Sky & 2015 NBHA Nat�l Open R/U Ch. John Everett with Moehill�s Carolina Ruby
L-R - Marty Robinson, Oscar Whitt, Steve Schiber, Dickie Sorrel - Judge, Jerry � S. Carolina Back Row Cook, Dr. Stanley McCain, Harold Woodward - Judge, Ronnie Miller - Back Row, Jerry Raynor, Allen Johnson, David D. Local AR Gallery Crew, Ken Sauer � Event Host
2015 NBHA Nat�l Open Ch.
Camp Robinson, AR
March 10-14, 2015
Judges: Harold Woodward Vilonia, AR & Dickie Sorrell Hubbard, TX
By: Ken Sauer & Ray Brown
Melissa & I left on Monday for the journey north to host this event at our favorite field trial grounds. It rained the entire nine hour trip up. After getting all the dogs and horses fed and settled in for the night we listened to the rain all night on the trailer roof. On Tuesday the rain subsided enough to get the temporary club house up. In the afternoon Melissa & I rode the north course to see how the water affected the course. The week before there was snow and ice and the temperatures were really cold. Surprisingly it wasn�t as bad as we expected. The forecast for the upcoming week was contending with was rain and lots of it. All the participants arrived during the day on Tuesday. Excitement started filling the air. Our participants came from many States. Alabama, Texas, S. Carolina, N. Carolina, Missouri, Georgia, and Kentucky were represented.
We have to take a moment to thank and speak about all about our wonderful sponsors and the help that help host and support this National Open Championship. Purina is one of our National sponsors. Mike Witt was there to hand out some goodies and bring certificates for the championship shooting dog winners representing both Purina and Garmin. Gun Dog Supply sent gift certificates for the workers, Christie Enterprises had gift coupons for the Champion & R/U Champion, Garmin had an E-Collar for the Champion and an Alpha unit was purchased for the R/U Champion. Wilson Fire Equipment from Houston, TX donated a check for the tent, tables, chairs, & heaters rental and added a purse of $1,500.00 for the winner of all the stakes. A special thanks to ALL of them for their efforts to the NBHA. All field trialers need to make sure we remember the NBHA�s valued sponsors when we go to purchase products or need services they�re involved with. The tent rental came to be a huge asset so we could have lunches, meals, and a gathering place out of the rain. A special thanks to Wilson Fire Equipment and Bob Wilson.
A special recognition for Ronnie Miller needs to be mentioned (the man I can count on for help). Ronnie is a true friend and asset and not just to the NBHA but also good friend. This week I�m going to owe him for a long time. He and Steve Schiber planted birds every morning, scouted for handlers when they were in need, and chipped in at any call. Glenn Cumbie was unable to attend this event this year due to a family matter. We were thinking of him every day and missed him greatly. Glenn usually mans the dog wagon for us and helps out with many tasks. John Everett filled in his shoes this year for us. John has been an asset to the NBHA for many years representing not only South Carolina region but also as an executive officer. Thanks to John for all of his help and support. Steve donated his truck to waller around in the mud carting handlers and dogs from the starting line to the pickup areas. All went well with the dog truck until the very last brace of the call backs on Saturday. Then the mud won. Ray Brown and his wife Pam came over from Kentucky to ride, Marshall, and report braces when I was unable either running dogs or preparing for the next item that needed to be done.
The rain started on Wednesday afternoon and never really stopped. We got through Wednesday with warm temperatures but really muddy conditions. When the rain started on Wednesday evening it made conditions even more interesting for the dogs and handlers. We did have a break on Friday afternoon and evening long enough to have a chicken & venison sausage cookout with all the fixings. A special thanks to Ken & Melissa Sauer for hosting this cookout and Mike Sandifer for bringing venison sausage. Mike also; years ago; built a fire/cooking pit accented with bird dogs and NBHA cutouts. This was perfect for the grilling over an open fire and a group sitting around the fire that evening. A good time was had by all with plenty of humor from Oscar Whitt�s jokes and stories. Oscar is a hoot and we laughed till our sides hurt. It was another anniversary celebrated by Ken & Melissa at Camp Robinson, number 32. I�m pretty sure it will cost me a trip to some really expensive place come May or so. The last one was the Ritz Carrolton in the Grand Caymans. This event landing on my anniversary is really costing me some serious dollars.
The rain took a toll with the notes on this event from the judge�s books to the scribes notes were soaked and the paper to write on was really wet. The ability for the scribe to keep a full report of every brace report wasn�t possible. I had to modify this report based on my ability with limited written record keeping and memory would be my only recollection. We all know how that works. Not to make excuses but this scribe has tried to do the best he could with limited data. I feel like the report highlighting the call back dogs first series, call backs, derbies, and puppy stakes. My apologies.
Call back dogs named � Yellow Sky �Sky� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler, Moehills Carolina Ruby �Ruby� John Everett Owner Jerry Reynor Handler, Sand Mountain Will �Will�, Sandifer�s Nickie �Nickie� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler, with stand by dogs � KC�s Leer Jett �Jett� Melissa Sauer Owner & Ken Sauer Handler, Peach Twist �Lady� Marty Robinson Owner Oscar Whitt Handler.
First Series (Call Back Dogs) �
Sand Mountain Will ran in the fourth brace on Wednesday. Will started his brace with a score at 9 before the first creek crossing. He chalked up another find at 15 past the creek up on the hill on the right in a stand of brush. A third find came at 27 past the second creek crossing on the right in a row bi-color and brush on the right before the half way mark. Another find came at 32 past the mid pick-up point on the left. Handler asked gallery if anyone had a bird he could use. Oscar promised to give it back. Will was charged with an unproductive on this stand. The scribe had the next brace and returned to kennels to prepare. Will�s a real nice young dog and all were pretty impressed with his performance.
Moehill�s Ruby Carolina ran in the seventh brace on Wednesday. The scribe was also running and relied on the Judge�s and handler for information. Brace with KC�s Leer Jett Ruby made her way past the first creek crossing scoring at 15 with Jett pointing another bird near her find. Both dogs handled their game with manors independently. Ruby moved up the woods edge on the right and was found standing at 18 before the second creek crossing in a brush pile below the tall pine tree. This was a nice piece of bird work being rewarded for finishing the edge line. Ruby crossing the second creek was off to the front and found at 28 in the mowed strip of bi-color. She suffered an unproductive at this find. There had been birds there on a prior brace. Taking a path through the woods heading to Rabbit Pen Ridge Ruby carded another find on the right on the edge of the ridge at 35. Jerry sent Ruby up and over the ridge. Once over the ridge handler sent scout back to the left not seeing her to the right in the opening. Scout called point for Ruby at 40. Handler sent Ruby back to the course. Ruby staying to the front crossed the gravel road and time was called before the next ridge.
KC�s Leer Jett ran in the seventh brace with Ruby. Jett score three finds with a satisfactory race. His manors were typical of the requirement to compete on this level of shooting dog standards. A stand was made before the first creek crossing back to the right in a stand of brush at 10. After the first creek crossing Jett was missing for a short stint and found up where Ruby was on point with another bird at 15 in a different stand of brush with all in order. His third find was carded on the right in a mowed strip before heading to Rabbit Pen Ridge at 28. With his final find came on the left past the third creek crossing after the gravel road at 52 back to the left on a trees edge.
Yellow Sky ran in the eight brace on Wednesday. Temperatures were warm. Sky made his way past the first creek crossing and scored a covey find up in the blue stem on the right by a standing pine tree at 8. Turned loose from there he scorched up the right edge about 200 yards ahead on the right tree�s edge scored again at 12. Sky was at a rapid pace to the front. At 26 Sky made his way up and over Rabbit Pen Ridge and was found on point as the handler and gallery came up over the ridge. Sky making his way across the gravel road, past the third creek crossing, and up and over the ridge was spotted back to the left. Scout had been dispatched to the right over the ridge. Seen standing by all back on a tree�s edge he was rewarded with another find. At this point we were going to have to cross the deep creek for more ground to run on. The course was extended back to the south with Sky finishing to the with a 400 yard cast. There was a lot to like about his race, bird work, pattern, and handling to Mike.
Peach Twist �Lady� ran in the eleventh brace on Thursday in the rain. The wind had switched directions and cooled off. Her first stand came at 16 past the first creek crossing back to the right in a stand of brush. Lady stood again at 19 past the second creek crossing on the left in the oaks. This resulted in an unproductive after a relocation and both moved on. At 30 back to the right a find was carded in the brush on the edge of the oaks. Lady handled this well. The bird was feeding on base ground. Up and over Rabbit Pen Ridge Lady had yet another find on a wet bird. Crossing a creek back on the right Lady stood and handler produced a pile of feathers and also produced a dead wet bird. Handler couldn�t get this one to fly. The remaining of the brace Lady�s range was good for a walking shooting dog.
Sandifer�s Nickie ran in the fourteenth brace with a bye on Thursday in a pretty heavy rain. Nickie was off to the races from the break away and the rain not slowing her down at all. After crossing the first creek and heading to the second creek crossing Nickie was spotted on point at 15. All was in order. On the way to Rabbit Pen Ridge Nickie was found again back to the right in the bi-color strip. Nickie blew out of there like a rocket and up and over Rabbit Pen Ridge. It took about 15 minutes to catch up with her. Thank goodness she was found standing in another mowed bi-color strip near the gravel road. This little female can really fly. Turned loose again she crossed the deep creek. Once Mike got to the deep creek his trusty scout was dispatched and found before time was up.
Open Derby � Placements for the young prospects. All the dogs were nice to watch even if it was raining. The placements were well earned and tough for the dogs in cool wet and sometimes raining weather. All derbies earning placements had bird work and nice ground speed and range. First place went to Bad River Rex owned by Marty Robinson and handled by Oscar Whitt. Second place went to Frozen Assets also owned by Marty Robinson and handled by Oscar Whitt. Third place was awarded to KC�s Buzz Saw owned and handled by Ken Sauer.
Open Puppy � The youngsters had to run after lunch on Friday. The braces had intermitted rain, cool, and all the creeks were full. Some were better swimmers than others but all showed potential. Buddy Smith who we haven�t seen in some time in the field graced us with his attendance. We also had a few young men that I�ve never met and really enjoyed their coming to this event. Jesse Brown, Justin Crook, and Jeremy Gulick endured the weather and turned them loose. I want to personally thank them for coming and participating. Jeremy also ran a shooting dog and Jesse a derby. First place was awarded to Button�s EZ Bell owned and handled by Buddy Smith, second place also went to Buddy for his Wild Ransom youngster. Third place went to Justin Crook for the white pointer Sir Mississippi Knight.
Championship Series �
To start this off the dog wagon had been sloshing around in the mud all week. Amazing that our fearless operator John Everett had not got stuck. Well I was called back to the starting line after about 20 minutes and it was stuck. Not a little but buried would be the correct terminology. After a few moments of thought I went & got my truck and we finished the dog wagon duties in my truck. After the second series was over I went to pull Steve�s truck out and also got stuck. Thankfully for the kindness and always helpful Roger Martin (Camp Robinson�s Manager) came and pulled both of us out.
1st Brace � Yellow Sky �Sky� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler & Sand Mountain Will �Will� Mike Otinger Owner & Oscar Whitt Handler � Will was absent for the first 10 minutes from the break away. He was found to the back to the right before the first creek crossing pointed by a fallen oak tree. As handler flushed it seemed to be too much for this young derby and gave a short chase ending his bid for the National Championship. Will is a really nice young dog and we�re pretty sure you�ll see much more of him in the winner�s circle for many years to come. Oscar has done a really nice job with this dog. Just wasn�t Will�s day for a show stopper.
Sky on the other hand had a completely different outcome. He too is a young dog. Recently acquired from Scott Miller and was owned by Ronnie Lytle. When Mike bought him they seemed to have problems getting him around on the horseback circuit. Mike had indicated to me that he asked them if they ever saw him pointing birds. Their reply was seldom. Mike�s reply to that (after owning him for a few weeks) was that it appeared that he liked to watch them be put up in flight. Well it appears that Mike has done a wonderful job with Sky and this story is going to be told. Sky started out with the big wheels turning. He too was found back to the right at 12 a couple of hundred yards from the first creek crossing standing picture perfect. All was in order at flush and shot. Sky motored across the creek and scout (Steve Schiber) was dispatched. Making our way around the course Sky was spotted to the front at 15 with a stand at the big pine tree. Once again all in order. Heading to the second creek crossing Sky went left and at 18 was rewarded with a nice find. Sending Sky across the creek he hit the cover back to the right and at the end of an edge he finished was found standing in a bi-color strip at 25. This bird flushed not too far and could have presented a problem real soon. Chalk one more up. For a dog that use to watch them fly showed impeccable manors. I�m sure Mike was thinking �let�s hope some of his bird finding slows down. Guess what, no it didn�t and so the brace goes on. Making our way back to the course and heading to the half way mark (mid way dog pick up point) Sky pointed back in the woods. Handler saw the bird leave but was not seen by Judgment and was charged with an unproductive. This was a similar situation as in Sky�s first series. This was the bird from the prior find. Dodged this bullet. Sky bird hunted all the way to and up and over Rabbit Pen Ridge. Where most dogs had taken tracks to the right Sky went left and was rewarded with a find at 37. Sky was sent back to the course path and hunted strong. At 45 back up on the hill scout found Sky standing at a brush pile under a large hardwood tree. Handler had an extended flush and put the bird in the air. Everything still going really well. Released from this find Sky wen hard to the front. He was seen crossing the gravel road heading to the back half of the course going strong. When Mike crossed the road and dog was not seen handler dispatched scout back to the right towards the lake. Sky was found standing pack in a brush pile under a big pine tree. �Nice find�! Cutting him loose again Sky quickly made his way across another creek and made a cast to the left down a trees edge to card yet another find at 58. Handler took time to water his dog. Turned loose again Sky hunted at a rapid pace up and over the ridge. Over the ridge the scout was dispatched to the right back by the lake. Seen well to the front back to the left on a Sky was standing on a trees edge at 65. Making our way back across the deep creek crossing Sky headed back to the east with the course heading to the south. This took a few minutes to round Sky up back on course. He hunted the grass edges and had a final stand at 75 on another tree edge. This was a covey and handled like a true shooting dog. Turned loose again dog & handler made their way back across the gravel road. Sky making cast with plenty of range to the front. With only a few minutes left Sky headed east and the course going south and back to the east. Scout was dispatched and just before pick up time Sky appeared to the front. Job well done by both handler and dog. Sky�s range was nice and to the front always popping up in the front or standing on game. His gait seems effortless and glides through the country. The scout really only found him on point or was called back to the gallery with dog appearing to the front.
2nd Brace � Sandifer�s Nicki �Nicki� Mike Sandifer Owner/Handler & Moehill�s Carolina Ruby �Ruby� John Everett Owner & Jerry Reynor Handler. Nickie was seen sparingly from the breakaway. Handler didn�t have her past the first creek crossing. Scout was dispatched with no luck. Handler asked for Garmin at the thirty minute pick up location. For John and Jerry Ruby was out to move Sky off the top spot. At 6 Ruby was back off to the right past the first bend in the course and score with a stop to flush in the bi-color strip. At 8 Ruby was found pointed by the big fallen oak tree with a bird in the native grass. Jerry had to work hard to get this bird up in flight after having her relocate. Ruby pinned this bird quickly and accurately. All was in order. Her next find didn�t come until the 36 minute mark past Rabbit Pen Ridge back to the direction of the course (right) in thick brush. Scoring again at 40 back to the right near the burned hardwood. Ruby hunted wide and to the front back to the left of the course. After the gravel road crossing Ruby was out of pocket for a while. Gathered up and went to the front. Ruby made her way towards the ridge and back to the right and had a stop to flush on a covey. She handled this like a true shooting dog. The birds were still getting up as handle approached. Seemed like the birds were out feeding. At 57 Ruby had another find up on the ridge. Could have been one of the covey birds but handled this well for flush and shot. Being turned loose to go over the ridge making a big cast she headed to the left and was found standing on the trees edge at 62. Ruby made it across the deep creek crossing with the motor still in high gear. Making nice casts both to the right and also to the left. At the gravel road crossing Ruby had to be gathered up while handler waited for her return. Once returning she made her was to the front slinging mud. Ruby finished her 90 minutes with plenty let in the tank and to the front.
After getting back to the Camp and everyone getting some dry socks on the winners were announced. The Judge�s placements were well received by all. Yellow Sky was named 2015 NBHA National Walking Shooting Dog Champion and Moehill�s Carolina Ruby was named Runner-Up. The winners received handsome checks for their efforts, a year supply of Purina dog for to each of them, a Garmin Astor and E-collar, gift certificates to Christie Enterprise, and trophies for their efforts.
I hope to see everyone attend next year�s Camp Robinson National event. We�ll decide at our National Summer Meeting at the end of July which event will be hosted in Arkansas. Melissa & I have been hosting a National event at Camp Robinson for almost ten years and I don�t plan on changing this. On the other hand Melissa thinks we ought to spend our anniversary not at a field trial.
Let�s all not forget the NBHA is hosting a National Fund Raising Event (a raffle) with many great prizes. Just to mention a few a Polaris 800 decked out with dog boxes and hunters seats custom made by Driftwood Kennels, Beretta Shotguns, a donated hunt to S. TX on a 6,000 acre ranch (of which last year was loaded with birds and this year the rain has been good), Garmin Products, outdoor ice coolers, and many more. The drawing will be held at our summer meeting in Grand Junction, TN. at the Bird Dog Foundation. Monies from this event will be used to fund local, regional, and National events. Your support of this fund raiser helps us help events. The flier is on our web site at www.nbhadog.org where donations can be made or you can contact myself or any State director for the purchase of tickets. It�s a great cause and we really need your support.
