NBHA National Open Championship Derby results
The Open Derby immediately followed the qualifying one hour braces of the Championship. The Derbies were broken away at the same spot as the hour braces; however, at 30 the brace was picked up and the next brace released to hunt back to the start line.
Ross Calloway continued with his excellent bird release, following each brace and releasing birds along the course.
Judging the were once again John Hott and Harold Woodward.
Black River Sue, setter female owned by Wendell Evans, trained and handled by Sean Melvin, captured the first place from the field of eighteen entries. Her race was classy and forward with plenty of speed as she covered the edges of the fields, bounced through the feed strips between the woods and fields. She showed good sense in checking with handler, while maintaining a good range. In addition to a good race, her placement sparkled with three mature finds, once again with style to write home about. She is one to look for in years to come as a champion.
Lucky Recharge, pointer male owned by Earl and Margaret Drew, and handled by Earl, was named second. He ran mid-morning, moving down the right of the breakaway and over the slight knoll. He returned to check with handler once before marching forward. Point was called at the end of a wooded island, where he stood standing tall: He remained so for flush and shot. He scored an additional two finds in feed strips bordering the woods and fields. One of these finds was on a large covey tucked in the far left corner beyond the lower gap. As handler began to flush, three quail lifted, and continued to lift in waves even after shot. Lucky thought about going with the third wave; however, obeyed handler�s �whoa� and stopped tall and erect on both ends. He finished his half hour hunting forward.
Third went to longtime NBHA patron Danny Bardwell�s Wiggins Wicked Pleasure. This happy gaited pointer made some very wide casts, coming reluctantly back in response to handler�s call. He had two finds showing appropriate Derby manners and good location of game.
NBHA OPEN DERBY � 18 Entries
1st�BLACK RIVER SUE, 1681700, setter female, by Joe Is Hot�Rose Hill Sally. Wendell Evans, Jr., owner; Sean Melvin, handler.
2d�LUCKY RECHARGE, 1681737, pointer male, by Bud of Piney Woods�Blue Ribbon Bella. Earl, Jr. & Margaret Drew, owners; Earl Drew, handler.
3d�WIGGINS WICKED PLEASURE, 1682336, pointer female, by Wiggins Thunder�Wiggins Oreo. Danny Bardwell, owner and handler.
