Eastern Regional Champion results
All of us at the National Bird Hunters Association (NBHA) would like to extend our gratitude to all the sponsors. Purina Dog Food for all that it does for the field trial sport. Park Cities Quail Coalition (PCQC) for the funding, research in the upland birds, and conservation. They support and raise money to make sure our kids, grandkids, and even great-grandkids have a future in the sport we enjoy. Garmin for all the support over the many years, they provided a TT15 collar for the NBHA Eastern Regional Ch. winner. Mule Brand Clothing for their support and of the NBHA Regional Ch. gift certificate, printing NBHA tee shirts and Judge�s jackets. Gun Dog Central for hosting our NBHA website and support over many years. Gun Dog Supply for their continued support with gift certificates. Mark Dunlap with Thunderstruck Kennels for the two dog stake out system for the winners. The Cypress Creek FTC provided had hats & tee shirts for participants.
Well the weather in Texas showed it�s ugly face with being hot and dry. Overall this was a very successful event. We met a lot of new folks, had some really great help show up and lend a hand, & there were a lot of new handlers and dogs that participated. I have to thank Larry Seybert Sr. for the bird planting duties Saturday & Sunday. We had handlers & owners from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Jersey, & Kansas. What a great turn out. Thank you to all of those who helped and entered dogs. A special thanks to our Judges; NBHA Eastern Regional Ch. Eddy Smith (TX) and Craig Hiatt (MO) We ran NBHA companion stakes Saturday & Sunday. The Judge�s for Saturday NBHA Open Shooting Dog & NBHA Open Derby was Jason Super, of Keller, TX and Sean Anderson of Alvord, TX. They did a great job and I thank them for help us out for their time in the saddle. The Judge�s for Sunday NBHA Open Puppy was Bill Osborne (OK) Ken Sauer (TX). Also on Sunday we ran NBHA Amateur Shooting Dog (JC@F) and Garry Malzone (NJ) & Jillian Stuhr (NJ) I can�t thank each and everyone of them enough.
We had pointer trophies sculpted by Shelia Uva crafted and they turned out great, she hand painted them and mounted on a walnut base. I sure wish my luck would have been a little better and I sure would have liked to kept one here in Texas. Well done Shelia, you knocked it out of the park. We�re going to have to come up with another sculpture for next year.
A huge THANKS has to go out to Park Cities Quail Coalition for their interest in our events. We feel their presence in the upland research and conservation efforts marry up very well with the walking type of bird hunters sport. PCQC was represent by Jay Stine and he was a joy to be around. We�re going to do all we can to support their effort with membership and some fund raising. This weekend we offered a membership, funded from the trial to all handlers and owners. We sure hope this is a stepping stone to the future. Thank you PCQC!
The winners obviously came out of the early braces and there were a lot of great performances from the ones that had to run in the heat. The course provided a hand with cold water every ten minutes so dogs could water and get wet. The cover was heavy in some areas, the front end of the coarse was tight (by some standards) requiring the dogs have to handle. For the most part was in good shape. Plenty of birds were released in the cover and ALL dogs had their opportunities to find birds.
Lunches were served and fabulous all prepared by the host & Melissa Sauer. I couldn�t have done this full four day event without her. She�s a blessing for not only to me but also what she does for the field trials I host. Thursday was smoked pulled pork Spanish tacos, Friday we catered from Subway, Saturday was brisket & sides. Didn�t hear any complaining what so ever.
Thursday the morning braces faired quite a bit better with cool temperatures in the air, by the third brace it started warming up and by after lunch it just got flat hot. Emmet Sasser�s GSPM Sulpher Bend Woodman �Woody� was named Champion with one back, a front race, & five finds. Garry Malzone�s setter female Erin�s D�j� vu �Bess� owned by Joseph Link was named R/U Champion. Bess has been in the winners circle for a few years and had a good forward race with three well space finds.
Friday began the Region 7 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship, here again the morning braces were cooler and by lunch it just got hot. I wish we could have controlled the weather but I just don�t have that magic wand in my tool bag. Weldon Gardner�s GSPM, Piper handled by Emmet Sasser, was named Champion. Weldon couldn�t make this event due to some re-certification classes he had to take in Dallas. Piper had a good race with six finds. This was Weldon�s first Championship on Piper. R/U Champion was Craig Hiatt�s female pointer Craig�s Runnin Roxie �Roxie�. She�s done really well in the sport and is a nice dog to watch. She had a forward race and four finds.
On Saturday we began the NBHA Companion Stakes. NBHA Open Shooting Dog had much better weather. Not that it didn�t get warm but it stayed cloudy & cooler all day. First place was awarded to Garry Malzon and owner Black Meadow Kennels for their dog Pure Confidence �Tango�. Second Place went to Jason Campbell from Madill, OK for his GSPM Osage Oklahoma Sage �Cap� coming out of the seventh brace. Cap had five good finds. Third place garnished the �Malzone Team� again. Indian Creek Courageous Cat, �Cat� owned by Edward Marron. Cat points with a lot of style and had a forward race, three finds, & one unproductive.
The NBHA Open Derby with the weather still not to bad was also run on Saturday. A newcomer and amateur handler to the field trial sport Matthew Puckett from Piedmont, OK guided his first place dog Erin�s Lone Star Attitude �Major� to the winner�s circle. Second place went to Tim Wright from Alice, TX employed by the Rollins Ranch handling the legendary Dean Lord�s dog Blackhawk Elhew Doc �Doc�. Third place also went to Matthew Puckett�s Erin�s Gypsy Lady �Maria�.
Sunday began the NBHA Open Puppy stakes with eighteen entries. This is a big puppy stakes and look forward to seeing all the young dogs this fall as derbies and some maybe even still puppies. There ware a lot of good young dogs and hard to pick the winners. Many dogs were on the board for some time until the winners were selected. First Place went to Tom Woods Sasser�s Jim Beam �Jim� coming out of the sixth brace. Second Place was also Tom Woods with his female Rendrag�s Luck Cloe �Cloe� coming out of the seventh brace. Third Place went to Mark Dunlap�s Thunderstorm Warning �Storm� running in the fifth brace. A lot of nice young dogs.
Sunday also had the NBHA Amateur Shooting Dog (JC@F) stake. This is a great stepping stone for those who want to possibly go to the next level and a great introduction to field trials. First Place was awarded to Brady Elmor�s, from Iowa Park, TX Southern Swagger �Hunter� in the third brace. Second Place went to a Lewellin Setter owned & handled by Conrad Jett, from Wichita Falls, TX Dashing Bonshu Jettsetter �Jet�. Conrad is a Captian in the US Air Force as a flight instructor. We all thank you for your service! Third Place was bestowed to Matthew Puckett again for this dog Bluestem�s Fastball �Cutter� coming out of the fifth and final brace of the trial. The Judge�s were very complimentary of all the dogs entered and who ran for their dogs. They said it was a tough one to decide. Garry and Jillian were great help to the new trailers and had already made many laps around the course.
Want to extend a big thank you and welcome to the NBHA for the newcomers who came out and participated. TJ Rainbow, Lee Daughtry, Steve Wilkerson, Brady Elmore, Matthew Puckett, Conrad Jett, & Jay Stine. We sure hope y�all had a great time and hope to see you back this fall. Stay tuned into the NBHA website & FaceBook page to see upcoming fall and spring events. There are clubs located near Kyle, TX, Mexia, TX, here at the LBJ Grasslands, & one fairly close to us in Madill, OK. We�re looking forward to next season.
