National Open Championship results
2022 NBHA National Open Championship returned to the beautiful grounds of West Tennessee for the 2021-2022 renewal of our National Open Championship. The West Tennessee Field Trial Club has been in existence since the early 1900’s and some of the largest and most storied field trials in history have been run over these grounds. Not to mention a who’s who of field trial royalty that grace the walls of the clubhouse and many times are part of the crowd at happy hour.
There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to Bill Currie, Dr. Gene Spiotta, Gene Spiotta, Chris Mullen, Ross Callaway, Blake Kukar, Ike Todd and all of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for their generosity, help, and for providing such a quality venue to run the National Championship. They went above and beyond every single day and in every way to make this event a great one. These are truly special people who go out of their way to provide everything we need to make this trial work. Every single participant that ran a dog over these grounds absolutely raved about this championship, the grounds, the people, and how it continues to be THE venue for the NBHA National Open Championship.
Special thanks also to our judges, Dr. Bob Canada and Joe Hughes Sr. Both men know a championship performance, were impartial and helpful to all participants, and rendered a decision that was respected by all. They are also the kind of people you enjoy having around - honest, straight, and fair. Big thanks also go out to our sponsors. We couldn’t do what we do without the amazing support of Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Mule Brand Clothing, onX Hunt and Gun Dog Central. Thanks to you all.
National Championship running:
1a Jimfork's Cool Lady P F Snow picked up on course
1b Penrosa Hidncash S M Penn one stop to flush and three finds – finished the hour
2a Georgia Born Windstorm P M Ridings tracker requested
2b Dale Creek Resurrection P M Waite picked up on course
3a Bob’s Elhew Sushi P F Phillips tracker requested
3b Sho Me MoTu S M Erne three finds – finished the hour
4a Skydance Flash Finish S M Waite three finds and one back – finished the hour
4b Indian Creek Bocephus P M Malzone one find, one unproductive and failed to back
5a Jimfork’s Staple P M Snow one find, picked up on course
5b Caird's Lefty P M Ridings four finds – finished the hour
6a Brooks White Hot Blaze RS M Waite finished the hour
6b Forsberg's Hello Dolly P F Forsberg one find and one unproductive – finished the hour
Day 2
7a Renegade Rhett S M Erne picked up on course
7b Brushville Burton Spencer S M Waite one unproductive, two finds and one stop to flush – finished the hour
8a Indian Creek Courageous Cat P F Malzone two finds – finished the hour
8b Pineview Sally P F Crook picked up on course
9a Cedar Creek MacArthur Ruby RS F Waite picked up on course
9b Gun’s Pistol Pete S M Crook picked up on course
10a Bolts Duramax P M Crook picked up on course
10b Bob’s Elhew Sage P F Phillips picked up on course
11a Georgia Born Braveheart P M Ridings tracker requested
11b Pure Confidence P M Malzone one unproductive and one find – finished the hour
12a Hey Mr. Tin Man P M Snow one find and two backs – finished the hour
12b Fast Money P F Crook three finds – finished the hour
13a Raintree's Blue Moon RS M Waite picked up on course
13b Unfinished Business P M Crook tracker requested
14a Emert's Grouseringer T S M Forsberg/Erne picked up on course
14b Black Jack S M Ridings picked up on course
Day 3
15a JoJos Dark Night S M Crook picked up on course
15b Emert's Sho Me Mo S M Erne nine finds – finished the hour
16a Blair's Calvary Mountain P M Waite two unproductives
16b Bye
After the completion of the initial series, the top dogs were announced for the callback and drawn.
National Championship callback braces:
1a Skydance Flash Finish – Waite
1b Sho Me Mo – Erne
2a Indian Creek Courageous Cat – Malzone
2b Fast Money – Crook
3a Pure Confidence – Malzone
3b Caird’s Lefty – Ridings
Stand By Dogs
4a Forsberg’s Hello Dolly – Forsberg
4b Brushville Burton Spencer – Waite
National Championship callback brace 1 with Skydance Flash Finish, Waite and Sho Me Mo, Erne. The brace broke away at 7:30 with both dogs hunting to the front. Dale Creek Flash Finish was slowed by a shoulder injury but ‘gutted out’ the hour and finished with six stylish finds, one stop to flush, and two backs. One of his finds was on probably the largest covey of the week. Sho Me Mo did a nice job on the ground, was credited with three finds and one back. Unfortunately, the handler decided to pick him up on the third find.
National Championship callback brace 2 with Indian Creek Courageous Cat, Malzone and Fast Money, Crook. The brace broke away at 8:45. Both dogs ran the country with style and purpose. Cat was punching the front and found on her second find, pointing a large covey on the side of the pond. She had a long absence and was found pointed for her third and final find. Fast Money finished the hour with three finds and handled nicely for handler Crook.
National Championship callback brace 3 with Pure Confidence, Malzone and Caird’s Lefty, Ridings. The brace broke away at 10:05. Both dogs started strong and handled kindly. Pure Confidence was seen hitting the edges and all right spots. He carded two finds and handled them with great style and manners. He also had a back and was very responsive to handler Malzone. Caird’s Lefty was the first one pointed with Pure Confidence backing. Lefty went on to have his second find and it was the find of the week – two hen pheasants and a rooster erupted on the flush! He went on to card two more finds and on his last find he moved forward on the flush.
The standby dogs did receive the call to the line.
National Championship callback brace 4 with Forsberg’s Hello Dolly, Forsberg and Brushville Burton Spencer, Waite. The brace broke away at 11:20. Dolly and Spencer were released and carried on with purpose. Spencer was pointed and handler Waite flushed with all in order. Dolly carded her first find then was found backing Spencer on his second find. Dolly had not been seen for quite a while and after a good effort, handler Forsberg requested the tracker. Brushville Burton Spencer had the back half of the course to himself and was found pointed again – all in order. Spencer was sent forward but unfortunately failed to stop on a wild flush and was picked up.
After a short break, the winners were announced (pictured l to r). The winner of the 2022 NBHA National Open Championship was Pure Confidence (Tango), handled by Garry Malzone, scouted by Jillian Stuhr and owned by Black Meadows Kennels. Tango laid down two strong back-to-back performances to win the trial. He was consistently between “ten and two” and kept in touch with his handler. Tango made the moves when the grounds opened up, hunted kindly as they tightened up, and beautiful on point. Congratulations Garry, Jillian and Black Meadows Kennels.
Runner Up was Skydance Flash Finish (Flounder) with handler Tom Waite, scout Andrea Ward and owner Tyler Waite. Flounder must have suffered a shoulder injury but was able to finish the hour qualifier and the one-hour callback. It was a gritty, tough week for the seasoned male setter. Flounder handled all his finds with adult, stylish manners and was consistent on his ground race. Never out of pocket and was found to the front. Congratulations Tom, Andrea and Tyler.
Working around the initial series and the championship callback, open derby and open puppy stakes were run. There were many fine performances and many great handlers. The juvenile stakes are always exciting and a great place for young and old handlers alike to participate in a trial.
National Open Derby winners were:
1st Southland's Johnny Ringo P M Owner/Handler Karl Forsberg
2nd Rester’s Wildrose Buck P M Owner/Handler Danny Bardwell
3rd Georgia Born Apache Wind P M Owner Sam/Margie Ridings and Handler Sam Ridings
National Open Puppy winners were:
1st Teddy Bear S M Owner/Handler Buddy Smith
2nd Dark Run Jasmine P F Owner/Handler Steven Burrus
3rd Kekegamma Lake Maggie SF – Owner Rick Torres and Handler Tom Waite
We would like to thank all the people of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for the fabulous grounds, facilities, and assistance with making the trial a success. Also, a big thanks goes out to the dog wagon driver Ken Millikin! We look forward to continuing running championships at West Tennessee! If you are a bird dog fan, you will thoroughly enjoy the country and people of Dancyville and should make every effort to attend a trial there.
