NBHA National Open Championship Results
2020 National Championship was a tremendously successful event. Great hosts in west Tennessee, unbelievable support of our auction and excellent fellowship. Thank you to our sponsors Purina, Garmin, Mule Clothing, and Gun Dog Supply, and Gun Dog Central. Also to Ross Callaway for bird planting, Blake Kukar for the grounds, and the WTFTC for your hospitality. Special thanks to our judges Harold Woodward of Vilonia, Arkansas and John Hott of Hoopeston Illinois.
Unfortunately with a faint, dry east wind, dogs running in the callback found conditions unfavorable to finish with a championship performance. Judges agreed that none of the callback performances met the standard for our walking championship. The stake was reverted to a Shooting Dog Classic.
DANCYVILLE, TENN. � The 2020 NBHA National Open Championship began March 4 at the West Tennessee Field Trial Association�s Dancyville, Tenn., grounds.
Around the clubhouse there is ample parking and some horse stalls. The grounds are open with lots of long fields, plenty of feed strips separating the fields from the woods with plenty of birds.
Ross Callaway who maintains these grounds was also the bird planter. Ross was the one who was up at 5 o�clock every morning catching birds and having the course ready for dogs at 8 every morning. Thank you, Ross.
NBHA is graciously allowed to use these grounds by the Currie family, as well as landowners Blake Kukar, Dr. Gene Spiotta and Ross Callaway. The breakaway is part of Ross� property.
Leah Brighman�s artist workshop served as a rest station where you were treated to many of her paintings on display.
The running order was posted and well presented on paper as the group arrived on Tuesday afternoon. Committee members helping to be sure every need was met were Greg Blair, Brett Bonner and Ken Black.
Dog wagon driver was Ken Millikin from Wisconsin. Noon meals were prepared and ready daily by Carolyn Black. In the evening Gene Spiotta and a crew grilled and served Tennessee specials.
The clubhouse is decorated with pictures and historic displays. The yard has ample parking and a covered porch on one side of the clubhouse. There is a large fire pit, which was going most of the time, as well as benches surrounding the pit.
Judging this event were John Hott, Hoopeston, Ill., and NBHA Hall-of-Famer Harold Woodward, Vilonia, Ark. Both men have years of experience with bird dogs and rode very attentively for the four days required to complete the event.
Sponsors of the event were Purina, Garmin, Mule Clothing, Gun Dog Supply and Gun Dog Central. The group had a successful auction on Friday evening with the dinner provided by Greg Blair and Tom Waite in honor of last year�s winner, Blair�s Witch Project.
At the conclusion of the callback series, the judges determined that no dog had met the criteria for a champion, under the standards of the National Bird Hunters Association; consequently, the placements were given as a shooting dog stake and based upon the qualifying hour performance. The championship placement withheld for the 2020 event.
The Winners
Brown�s Miss April, pointer female owned by Rev Andrew Brown of Garland, N.C., was handled by Sean Melvin.
Miss April had her first find at 6 when Sean called point for her standing to the right of the field in a planted feed strip. Every inch of her staunch and polished for wing and shot. Melvin entered the wooded area at 13, where he found Miss April standing near a tree, although he was unable to find and flush quail, requiring a relocation. Miss April moved slightly, stopped, turning her body slightly as the quail swung by the tree as handler fired. At 20 bracemate Kissamee backed Miss April as she stood solidly indicating game.
Marching forward with good style and good range, Miss April entered the high grasses as the gallery entered the field from the second gap at 23. Soon the tall grasses were waving as Kissamee came bouncing through while attempting to grab a lifting quail. This covey was the largest seen during this event.
As the excitement eased, Miss April was seen standing solidly awaiting handler�s shot. Miss April was taken back to the course and tapped on. She scored another find at 40, as well as a find down over a ravine, where she was almost overlooked when handler walked past. The call of point rang through the gallery; Sean returned for a perfect flush and shot.
She finished her hour going away, well forward on course, rounding the corner where the field turns toward the horseback longer fields. As time was called, Melvin indicated Miss again standing in the long feed strip along field and woods. He walked the distance to her and elected to pick her up.
Second place went to Belle Star, pointer female owned by Stanley McCain of Bremen, Ga., and handled by Oscar Whitt. Stanley was present for the week and watched all braces.
Star was braced with the third place winner, Black River Ruby, setter female, owned by Wendell Evans of Magnolia, N.C., and handled by Sean Melvin.
The pair was eagerly off the line in brace No. 3 on Wednesday, March 4. At 12 Ruby stood briefly, albeit moved on before handler had crossed the field. She hunted the area thoroughly while being encouraged on by handler. At 14 Belle Star had a good find, followed by another at 24. Belle showed determination and hunting sense, moving quickly to places where birds would be expected to be on a hunting trip. She had an unproductive at 34. Belle toured the course with a positive forward search, good action and nice style while standing.
Ruby backed Belle at 34, then hunted spiritedly along edges and in the woods where we found her standing deep in the cover at 45. This point required several relocations before quail were found buried in the tree trunk. Owner Wendell Evans would have like this find if he had been hunting. Ruby showed she has the determination and nose to find quail.
The Running
Brace one was transported to the breakaway at Coffee Gap, with announcements made and whistles blown by 8:05 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4. Tim Penn had his setter Penrosa Hidin Cash with pointer Jumping for June with Oscar Whitt. This pair gets the title of an �eleven-minute brace�. Both were down the wet, but green opening, each crossing and rounding the corner on the first terrace of the hill. At 8 we rounded the island to see Jumping for June standing, although a little tentative. As handler approached, she tightened up. Bracemate Hidin Cash joined the scene, made a few passes and then stopped. Both handlers attempted flush; when birds were flown both fired. The judge explained to Tim Penn that his dog needed to have backed. Whitt took Steve Tracy�s Jumping for June around the corner and encouraged her to hunt the edge. She popped into the brush where a quail lifted; she then pointed, with handler approaching to flush another quail. This was not championship quality bird work and she was up.
The gallery and judges rode back to the start and brace No. 2 was called to the line by 8:40. NBHA President Ken Black had Crow Creek Deuce as bracemate for Tom Waite�s Zansett Simply Red. Owner�s Cathy Lewis and Dean Reinke were missing from this year�s event. Crow Creek Deuce had a find at 9 with all in order. He ranged briskly at a nice pace, circling the right wooded island two times before disappearing at 24. A scout was sent, but returned stating that the cover and the deep water ravines made it impossible to get to the dog. Simply Red hunted appropriately along the course, being found on point at 28 in a feed patch between two fields. With scenting conditions not the greatest this opening morning he had stopped very close to the bird. As the quail flushed, Red arched back, although remained planted. Again at 51 she had a nice find in the woods. He finished her hour hunting the course at an easy pace with no further bird work.
No. 3: Oscar Whitt with Belle Star setter female Black River Ruby (Sean Melvin) was covered with the winners above.
Brace No. 4 was not on the dog truck, so an early call for lunch ensued, followed by the direction to be on the line at 12:15 p.m. back at Coffee Gap. Everyone returned to headquarters clubhouse for sandwiches prepared by Carolyn Black.
Garry Malzone had Black Meadow Kennel�s Indian Creek Alibi; bracemate was German shorthair Sulphur Bend Woodman with Emmet Sasser. Annaleah Sasser scouted for Woodie, while daughter Penelope rode in the gallery. Once again the 9-minute mark had birds pointed and flown, this time over Indian Creek Alibi. She had a little trouble getting going, although after a few turns pointed at 14; however, no birds were flown. As Malzone was flushing on the right, Sasser called point for Woodie who was stacked up deep in the woods for a quail sitting in the water. Handlers watered their dogs and waited on each other before turning their charges back to hunting. Woodie made his way through the feed cover along left field edge with nice speed. Woodie slowed to point as quail lifted and he spun to check on the sound of flight. He then returned to the scene where the original had lifted. He was reprimanded by handler, ending his hour. Alibi pointed at 26 and again at 38. The off-course find at 38 was well handled. At 44 she began making game when up popped a quail with her stopping a little too late. Another brace short of the hour.
No. 5: Stanley McCain�s McCain�s Warpaint Iceman with Oscar Whitt and Skydancer Flash Finish with Tom Waite. Iceman had a big independent opening cast, stopping at 12, 19, 27 and 29 as if programmed for the course for 35 minutes. He then reached well out of range, lost contact with handler and could not be located by scout, his promising bid cut short. Flounder had a nice find at 18 before handler tapped him on to continue his systematic slow coverage of all the right hunting spots. He scored a back at 27. As we started up the hill at 40, he stopped on the upper side of the hill, when the gallery rode up three quail handler fired. Again at 50 he and handler had positive bird contact. He finished his hour.
Garry Malzone had Ed Marron�s Indian Creek Courageous Cat; bracemate was Rev. Brown�s pointer Brown�s Ace with Sean Melvin. This pair ranged out, skimmed the edges and Ace was found standing at 14. Courageous Cat approached the same area, was hunting thru the cover nearby and soon stood. Having seen his dog stopped first, Melvin approached and began searching for birds, Malzone approached to the side and did the same. Malzone found a pile of feathers. When Melvin indicated he was asking Ace to relocate, Malzone collared his dog. Soon both dogs were hunting forward. Crossing the field and into the feed strip, Ace scored a nice find at 36. While Melvin was in the woods flushing, Courageous Cat came bounding back and was quickly intercepted by handler as he turned her into the opening adjacent. A bird was seen in the area, but Cat not charged with any infractions. Both dogs were seen infrequently for the next 20 minutes. Ace made a large cast across a distant field and ridge before returning at 41 when he had an unproductive although was left down to finish his hour. Courageous Cat was found pointing at 57; as handler approached, she went with the lifting quail.
No. 7 completed the opening day � Miss Lady W (Earl Drew) and Blair�s Witch Project, owned by Greg Blair with Tom Waite. Greg marshalling all the braces was eager to see his last year�s winner repeat. The pair cast down the hill and turned sharply to the left at great speed. Witch Project returned to hunt and scored a pair of finds before he decided not to await handler while he was backing Miss Lady W at 18. He had stopped, but crept up to stand beside her as she pointed. Miss obediently waited for handlers to arrive, birds to be produced in the cover and then handler to return to her. Guy was leashed for his infraction. The judges told Drew that he had a perfect piece of bird work, but that she was running too much and not what they were looking for.
No. 8 was on the line at 8 a.m. under sunny skies, mild temperatures and a light breeze to begin one of the most exciting during this first series of the NBHA Open Championship. A change in weather conditions were favorable for Rev Andrew Brown�s Brown�s Miss April (Sean Melvin) and Peter LaBella�s Kissamee Grousewoods Tea (Garry Malzone) to score high in the bird finding department. As the party made their way forward, Malzone called point for Grousewoods Tea. While Malzone was attempting to flush, Melvin rounded the corner of the wooded peninsular and called point for Miss April. When shot rang out for Miss April, a second shot rang out from Malzone�s gun, as he claimed the quail was the same his dog was pointing just on the other side of the area. Both dogs marched forward. At 18 Grousewoods Tea saw a bird in air and stopped. Malzone fired and grabbed his dog. At 20 Tea had to back. The pair continued their forward casting, across the water and up the right edge of the feed strips toward the slight hill before the Coffee Gap dirt road. Miss entered the high grasses as the gallery entered the field. Tea had followed the edge close to the woods. Neither dog was seen for a few minutes, although soon the tall grasses were waving and Tea came bouncing through the grass while attempting to grab a lifting quail. This covey was the largest seen during this event. Tea was rounded up by handler at 25.
Ed Marron�s second entry, Indian Creek�s Bocephus (Malzone) and Emert�s Moonshine (Melvin). Dave Emert and his wife were driving an ATV to view their newly acquired dog. As noted in brace No. 8, today�s scenting conditions were much improved, as evidenced by the multiple finds that continued this fine morning. Bocephus had an unproductive at 12 when he approached standing Emert�s Moonshine and stopped. Malzone attempted flush with Melvin taking a back. After a lengthy flushing attempt, Melvin took Moonshine on and Malzone requested a relocation which resulted in an unproductive. Moonshine moved happily down the edges, although had a quail in the air before the hour was up. Bocephus scored finds at 23 and 34. After not seeing him for 9 minutes, she was spotted through the woods on a distant hillside at 44; by the time handler reached her another 4 minutes had elapsed. All in order as quail were flown. Moving forward once again, she stopped and self relocated before handler reached her at 57 before finishing his hour.
Peter LaBella�s pointer male Pure Confidence (Malzone) and Emert�s Sho Me Mo (Melvin). Sho Me Mo is a promising young setter belonging to Dave Emert from Greenville, S.C. With wide reaching forward casts, this pair was down the cut, around the corner to the left, with Sho Me Mo returning first, showing plenty of bounce in his gait. Point was called for Pure Confidence at 4, standing tall and proud well to the front; however, before handler reached half the distance quail lifted in front of him and he went with them. Sho Me Mo stood on point at 5, requiring a relocation before quail were flown. At 13 he indicated more quail, although cautioned by handler. At 19 and 28 he scored additional mature finds. Making his way thorough the woods at 35 he pointed, quail soon seen lifting with Sho Me Mo excitedly moving. An overall positive adventure for a young dog.
Deb Dlobik�s Dale Creek Gypsy Queen (Tom Waite) and Kevin Klein�s Texas Iron Man (Malzone). This brace was short. Gypsy pointed at 7 and again at 16, although with a casual attitude At 3 Iron Man was seen casting in reverse direction after three very large deer. Handler was able to get him turned and back to course in time for a back at 7. These two did not complete the hour.
No. 12 had Dale Creek Cuppa Joe, owned by Alisa Jungbluth, with Tom Waite, and Western�s Outa Sight with Tim Penn. Joe was forward, in and out of edges, while Outa Sight made some good casts with good body carriage; however, spent some extra time in the fields. He tried to point at 10, albeit self-corrected and moved on. At 14 both dogs were beyond the gap; birds were seen by some and Penn elected to pick up Outa Sight, although he was standing when handler arrived. Joe was hunting the area, although he did move forward for another 15 minutes before being leashed near the dirt road.
Ken Black had his Crow Creek Sugarbaby braced with Smith�s Magic Mike, with Ed Smith. Both dogs were rapidly off the line, scouts quickly dispersed. At 14 point was called for Magic Mike with all in order. At 20 Sugarbaby scored a find, although marked flight with Smith�s Magic Mike backing. Sugarbaby seemed to prefer independence today, hunting just out of sight most of the hour. At 45 Ken Black requested his retrieval unit. Magic Mike hunted solidly for 35 minutes, then had difficulty staying with handler for about 20 while he hunted the wooded area to the left of course. As handler reached the top of the hill, Mike came forward only to march straight forward into another field. A scout was sent to search for him. As time was called he was still missing; however, he did return in time.
No. 14 concluded the second day of running with Tom Waite bringing the dog wagon driver�s Brushville�s Burton Spencer. Sam Ridings was bracemate with his Bob�s Elhew Kate. Ken Millikin�s Spencer moved forward, with finds in the lower field at 22 and 24. Kate required a little scouting, although did attempt to point at 9 and 20, each time not sure of her indication; she ticked on and off for both of these unproductives. At 33 both dogs were making their way forward in the feed strips when quail lifted, neither dog stopping. An abbreviated brace.
The qualifying series of the championship concluded at 8:35 a.m. on Friday morning following the pickup of brace No. 15 � Dave Matthews� Dale Creek Resurrection (T.Waite) and Emert�s Drivin Miss Daisy (Melvin). Resurrection stopped at 11, although chose to self relocate and give chase to lifting quail. Dave Emert and his wife Gail were pleased with their setter Miss Daisy for the first half hour. She was applying herself to the course with positive direction and an appealing gait, with tall and precise finds at 6, 12 and 18. At 26 she caught scent of quail; however, the situation went quickly south and she was leashed.
With the fifteen qualifying braces completed, the first four braces of the Open Derby were begun. A little after 11:30 a.m. we returned to the clubhouse for lunch. During lunch, the callback dogs were announced and details for completing the Derby and running Puppy stakes were explained. The Puppy Stake was run in the cotton field adjacent to the clubhouse.
Championship Callback Series
Brace No. 1: Brown�s Miss April, (Sean Melvin) with Bell Star, (Oscar Whitt). No. 2: Black River Ruby (Melvin) with Indian Creek Bocephus (Garry Malzone). No. 3: Smith�s Magic Mike (Ed Smith) with Skydancer Flash Finish (Tom Waite).
In the hour and a half callback, a dog must show their expertise in hunting the country with a walking handler, his ability to locate and stand for game, and finish going away. In order to be named the champion a dog must endure the hour well and point birds successfully. Unfortunately, on this day, no dog met the standards; consequently, the judges and club officials decided to revert the championship to a classic shooting dog stake and name three placements from the qualifying three days of running.
I have chosen to highlight only the three winners.
Some felt the dry air, slight frost in the shaded areas of the course, as well as a brisk eastern wind had cast a negative spell on today�s running. Others looked to the sky with the full moon as the culprit; whatever the reason, no champion was named for the 2020 running of the NBHA National Open Championship.
However, there is next year and Leah Brigham has graciously donated a painting to that winner. Her work is tremendous, so I suggest we all get to work polishing possible entries now!
Dancyville, Tenn., March 4
Judges: John Hott and Harold Woodward
NBHA NATIONAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC
[One-Hour Qualifying Heats; Ninety-Minute Finals] � 30 Entries
[Title Withheld]
1st�BROWN�S MISS APRIL, 1648341, pointer female, by Brown�s Tom Tom�Stoney Run�s Lady. Andrew Brown, owner; Sean Melvin, handler.
2d�BELLE STAR, 1678805, pointer female, by Miller�s Speed Dial�Cold Creek Ms. Kay. Dr. Stanley McCain, owner; Oscar Whitt, handler.
3d�BLACK RIVER RUBY, 1663048, setter female, by Rose Hill Bill�Rose Hill Mariah. Wendell Evans, Jr., owner; Sean Melvin, handler.
