2015 NBHA National Invitational Breeders Championship
The 2015 NBHA National Invitational Breeders Championship was held in conjunction with the NBHA Futurity and Jerry D. Kilgore Puppy Classic on March 26th and 27th at the Whetstone Quail Demonstration Area at Williamsburg, Missouri. This is the third year for this renewal to be held at this location. The NBHA is the leader in walking field trial events and the team effort for the Championship of Kevin Western, Tim Penn, Larry Carpenter, Joe Zimmer, and Chris Gebhardt mad the trial run smooth and successful. It is folks like this that help make a National event like this come off without a hitch.
We were fortunate to have two of the finest Gentlemen available as this year�s judges, Gailen Cooper of Oak Grove, Missouri and Dr. John Niebrueggee, of Kirksville, Missouri. Gailen has been a part of a the field trial scene for a number of years. He has judged all over the United States and successfully run his dogs in the highest of competition. Dr. John Niebrueggee is no stranger to the field trial game when he competed fiercely in the 80�s and 90�s with his successful string of dogs. Both men rode attentively and when it was all said and done the announcements were well received.
I cannot say enough about the grounds and the Whetstone WMA at Williamsburg, MO. Nicky Walker, Wildlife Biologist, and her team had these grounds looking as good as they ever have. Her crew has done some trimming to make the back side of the course more fluid. Their hard work and attention to detail of the grooming of the grounds was amazing. Those in attendance would agree that these grounds will allow for a dog to show but he still has to hunt and handle. We are thankful to have the cooperation of Missouri Department of Conservation and Nicky Walkers team. All involved did battle mud! Mid Missouri received some serious rainfall to make conditions a little more challenging.
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 provides one of their new Delta Sport remote training collars to the winner of the Championship. Christie Saddles provide gift certificates to the winners and Gun Dog Supply provided gift certificates at our drawing for the 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 judges named Texas Honey Bee, handsome tri-color setter female, the champion for Gary Malzone. Honey Bee is proudly owned by Kevin Klein Waterford, PA. Indian Creek Wingman owned by Jillian Stuhr of Franklin Lakes, NJ and also handled by Gary Malzone was named to the Runner Up spot.
Texas Honey Bee, call name Bee, ran in the last brace of the trial. She was braced with Penrosa Stoneyox. This was what I considered to be the brace of the trial. Both dogs went through and had magnificent races but Stone come up bird less. Bee went through and had three well-spaced finds to go along with her almost picture perfect race. Her bird work was impeccable as she showed her extreme style. Bee has been in the ownership of Kevin Klein since she was a puppy. Garry Malzon has had her for all of her formal training. Garry�s dedication to what he is doing is nothing short of amazing. His involvement with this trial is truly appreciated.
Indian Creek Wingman, call name Lucky, is a well put together setter male out of Terry Merritt�s breeding program. Lucky ran in the fourth brace of the trial and tallied 4 nice finds. This Setter stylist ran a forward race that put him in the winner�s circle. Lucky had his running shoes on and had an extended absence after time but was found with a few minutes to spare. Everyone riding took a deep sigh of relief as they know they had seen a great performance and did not want to see it end. I know Garry and Jill were really happy to gather Lucky up. This was the 4th title for Lucky in six weeks. To say he has been on a roll is an understatement.
This was a very tough trial on the dogs, horses, and handlers. Birds were at a premium with only a few dogs going through finding birds. Scenting conditions were poor because of the saturated course and raising temperatures. It was a pleasure having Oscar Whitt up with his fine string of dogs. It was also a pleasure to hang out with Oscar�s wingman, Stanly McCain. It is always a pleasure to have Bobby and Mildred Taylor with us. Mildred has been sick this winter but is on the mend. Hopefully nice warm weather is just what she needs to get going again.
This year the NBHA Open Invitational Breeders Championship had over 90 percent of its entries coming from dogs that had been from a NBHA nominated litter. With this continuing support of breeders promoting their efforts in the NBHA Futurity program we feel that this championship is becoming a class of its own. Looking forward and beyond, the NBHA Futurity strives to build and make a breeding program that will reward a breeder for their efforts, not only with the Puppy Classic, and the Futurity, but the Breeders Championship as well. Once again, the Missouri Bird Hunters Association has sponsored $400.00 toward the NBHA Open Invitational Breeders Championship by supporting the NBHA Futurity program. In return the NBHA Futurity is to award $200.00 to the breeder of the champion and another $200.00 to the breeder of the runner-up champion, provided that the winners are from an NBHA Futurity Nominated Litter. This year�s runner up champion, Indian Creek Wingman was nominated in the 26th NBHA Futurity and was bred by Terry Merritt of Pinehurst, NC.
The NBHA Futurity staff would like to thank the NBHA National office for their support, the management team at the Whetstone Wildlife Area, all the trail participants, and anyone else who made this year�s event a successful and memorable event. Hope to see you next year.
2015 NBHA National Invitational Breeders Championship
By Kevin Western
