2023 NBHA National Free for All Championship
NBHA Nat’l Free for All Championship
March 10-12, 2023
Blue Mountain SEU Booneville, AR
By: Ken Sauer
So our journey began on March 8th, 2023 to Blue Mountain SEU Field Trial Grounds. This was coming off from multiple NBHA events in KS, then to the NBHA Futurity at Grove Spring, MO, then home to host the Region 7 Walking Shooting Dog Championship. We had a week off missing the NBHA Nat’l Open Ch. in Tennessee. Sad to miss this one but my road warrior days seem to be getting shorter. With all these events, Melissa’s birthday was February 14th (once again she stuck with me), and our 40th Anniversary was March 12th (our 40th). It seems like we’ve been doing this for decades. At Blue Mountain our trailer neighbors the famous Rich Robertson & his lovely wife Penny brought flowers to Melissa to celebrate our anniversary. Next year is her year with no trials on those dates!
The weather was projected to be stormy and raining all day Thursday so the trial was moved to start on Friday. This was a great call and would have been pretty miserable for the Judge’s, handler’s, & dog’s. The coarse was wet but drained and dried out somewhat. It was a little sloppy in a few areas but for the most part in good shape. We had to change up the finishing 5-10 minutes because Lick Creek was not passable. It all worked out well. The coarse was laid out nicely for a walking shooting dog event. The coarse had a nice open break-away with edges and objectives throughout the entire hour.
Booneville, AR is a wonderful venue with all the amenities. A club house, kennels, horse stalls and turn-outs, and a great crew with the AF&G (thank you Brad Wells & crew). This event was co-hosted by the WestArc FTC & Cypress Creek FTC. The team from Arkansas is a huge help. Thank you Glenn Cumbie and Jerry Qzwalt for managing the handlers, dogs, dog wagon, and bird planting. A special thanks to Joyce Taylor & Steve Messick for the three days of sitting in the saddle judging. Also need to thank Zack & Andy Erne for judging the Open Puppy stakes. We cannot forget to thank our many Sponsor’s & supporters. A huge thanks to #Purina, #Garmin, #GunDogSupply, #MuleBrandClothing, #ParkCitiesQuailCoalition, #GunDogCentral, #OnXHunt. Cosey Tee’s provided the engraving trophies for the winners. The birds were good flying and thanks to C&G Game Bird Farm from Oklahoma. Also can’t forget Kim Seaton for all the lunches and dinners that were made and prepared plus a young man Trace Nicholas who came and kept all the horse stalls cleaned out. Also want to thank Lary Cox with Christie Enterprises for the halter bridle Judge’s gifts and Alyssa Rowan for the NBHA Yeti tumblers. We also had a special guest Harold Woodward a long time NBHA supporter and dear friend of ours. Harold is recovering from some shoulder issues but seems to be healing up nicely.
NBHA Nat’l Free for All 1st Series:
1) Hey Mr. Tin Man – “Tin Man” – Kenney Snow O/H & Indian Creek Sprout – “Sprout” – Jillian Stuhr-Owner & Garry Malzone-Handler - Both dogs had forward breakaway. At the 25 minute mark Sprout was found standing with all in order. Tin Man was found standing on another location/bird at 26. Tin Man had another stand at 29 but his manors cost him to be picked up by Kenny. Sprout was awarded additional finds at 32, 40, 50, & again at 54. This nice young dog moves nice, has nice manors on her game, and still a first year shooting dog.
2) Erin’s Lonestar Attitude – “Major” – Matthew Puckett – O/H & Cate’s Rocket Girt – “Girl” – David Cates Owner – Zack Erne Handler – At the breakaway Major had a stand at 7 minutes but handler was unable to produce a bird. On through the coarse Girl was found at 22 with Major backing. All was in order. Again at 25 Girl had another find all in order. Further ahead at 31 Major had a nice find at 31 and 34 all in order. At 46 Girl was located on a stand all in order and at 53 suffered an unproductive. Major was missing at around 55 but was found at 58 standing and only could produce a pile of feathers.
3) Jimfork’s Staple – “Bo” – Steve James O/H & Pure Confidence – “Tango” – Black Meadows Kennels Owner & Garry Malzone Handler – At 5 minutes Tango was found to the front on the right edge standing over the break away hill with Bo backing. This had a long extended flush and both dogs handled this situation with all the manors. Bo was found standing at 15 & 26 with all in order. Tango was located ahead at 26 with a stand. At 40 Bo suffered an unproductive. Tango was ahead and found at 42 standing high and tight. Tango scored again at 48 with Bo coming in to back. At 52 Tango had yet another find and at 54 Bo stood but was only able to produce a dead bird with no harm done.
4) Jimfork’s Hawkeye Buck – “Mac” – Kenny Snow O/H & Sycamore Creek Cody – “Cody” – Bob Kelly Owner & Zack Erne Handler – At 15 off the break away Mac stood nicely for handler all in order. Mac again produced a find at 20 with Cody coming in for a back. At 22 both dogs were found pointed on a divided find. Cody at 34 was found standing and had let had to let Cody relocate. All was in order with Cody handling the relocation like a seasoned shooting dog. At 38 Cody again had a find and took a few steps during the flush and at 48 he failed to back and was picked up. At 48 Mac suffered and unproductive stand. Mac had his final find at 52 before the back field.
5) Erin’s Déjà Vu – “Bess” – Mr. Link Owner & Garry Malzone Handler & Chippewa’s Grindstone – “Grady” – Geoff Johnson Owner & Zack Erne Handler – Bess started off at 14 with a find and Grady coming in for a back. All was in order. Grady had finds at 20 and again at 30. Grady’s find at 30 had a little to much movement during the flush. Bess scored a find at 37 all in order. At 45 Bess was running too big for a walking shooting dog and handler asking for the Garmin.
6) Sulpher Bend Firestorm – “Freckles” – Jim Langley O/H & Snow’s Home Again Katy – “Katy” Jerry Snow Owner & Kenny Snow Handler – At 21 past the first creek crossing Katy was located standing but unable to produce a bird. At 36 Katy brought Kenny Snow a bird back. Freckles didn’t have any bird work in this reporters notes.
7) Rendrag’s Lucky Jade – “Jade” – Weldon Gardner O/H & Dave’s Show Me Motu – “Tu” – David Cates Owner & Zack Erne Handler – Tu had a find at 14 requiring a relocation all in order. Jade was found standing at 15 and all was also in order. At 20 both dogs were found pointing on a divided find. At 23 Tu had another find with Jade coming in for a back. At 35 the dogs swapped with Jade pointing and Tu backing. Jade took a few steps before the flush and was left down. Again at 38 Jade & Tu had a divided find. Tu was awarded with a stop to flush at 46. Jade stood with a little ticking in the tail. Another divided pursued at 53. Jade’s final stand was at 58 with a little ticking in the tail.
8) Indian Creek Bocephus – “Bo” – Ed Maron Owner & Garry Malzon Handler & KC’s Guitar Man – “Zeke” – Ken Sauer O/H – Zeke had a find to the front at 5 in a mowed strip edge. He moved up a step or two before handler arrived. Zeke stood steady to wing & shot. Zeke was found again at 15 standing but moved up too much for the handler and he elected to pick up. Bo scored his first and only find at 25 and all was in order. At 40, Bo not being seen for a while, handler asked for the Garmin.
9) Chippewa’s Dog of War – “Finn” – Geoff Johnson Owner & Zack Erne Handler & Erin’s Gypsy Lady – “Maria” – Matthew Puckett O/H – Maria started off this brace with a find at 13 minutes and at 20 had an unproductive. At 34 Finn scored a find but Maria failed to back and was collared to the dog wagon. No other bird work ws produced in this brace.
10) Indian Creek Couragous Cat – “Cat” Ed Maron Owner & Garry Malzone Handler & KC’s Tye Oneon – “Tye” – Ken Sauer O/H – At 3 Cat pointed a rabbit and handler Garry couldn’t get it to fly very well. No harm and Cat made a big move to the front. Cat was missing for some time and the Garmin was asked for by handler. Tye scored birds at 10, 19, & 40 with nice style and intensity. His ground game wasn’t his normal powerful race. He didn’t seem to hit the edges like he normally does. He was able to make the whole hour and handled well for handler.
11) Rengrag’s Lucky Piper – “Piper” – Weldon Gardner O/H & Jimfork’s Black River – “Hawk” – Glenn Cumbie Owner & Kenny Snow Handler – At 10 Hawk stood nicely and the bird poped up. Unfortunately for owner, handler, & dog Hawk went with the bird and his bid was over. Piper handled nicely for Weldon throughout the hour brace. She made nice casts hitting objectives and edges of cover. Piper was rewarded with nice bird work at 9, 18, 23, 26, 34, 45, and 49. She laid down all the right qualities to get in the finals this reporter felt.
12) Indian Creek Spurr – “Spurr” – Black Meadows Kennels Owner(s) & Garry Malzone Handler & Emmert’s So Me Mo – “Mo” – Dave Emmert Owner & Zack Erne Handler – Spurr was found standing off the breakaway over the hill in a thick brushy objective. Handler was unable to produce a bird after an extended flush and relocation. At 20 around the bend in the coarse past the first creek crossing in another objective with heavy and thick underbrush Mo was found standing with Spurr backing. After quite a while flushing handler for Spurr moved on and Mo carded an unproductive. Up on an edge before Lick Creek both dogs stood on a divided find. After many attempts to flush by both handlers and two relocations both dogs got too close to the bird and moved when it flushed.
NBHA Free for All Call-Back Dog(s)
• Pure Confidence – “Tango” – Black Meadow Kennel’s Owner’s & Garry Malzone Handler
• Dave’s Show Me MoTu – “Tu” – David Cates Owner & Zack Erne Handler
• Rendrag’s Lucky Piper – “Piper” – Weldon Gardner O/H
• Indian Creek Sprout – “Sprout” – Jillian Stuhr Owner & Garry Malzone Handler
Stand-By Dog(s)
• Cate’s Rocket Girl – “Remi” – David Cates Owner & Zack Erne Handler
• Rendrag Lucky Jade – “Jade” – Weldon Gardner O/H
NBHA Free for All Open Derby
1) KC’s Dominator Pat – “Pat – Ken Sauer O/H & Maumee Jules – “Jules” – Jerry Snow Owner & Kenny Snow Handler – Jules took off like a rocket at the break away. It wan’t long before handler asked for the Garmin. Pat scored a nice broke find at 8 where no other dog had pointed a bird. At 17 Pat had a bird pop up while moving through some cover and had to be whoa’ed to stop. At 20 Pat suffered an unproductive. When Pat made a cast to the creek edge cover had a bird contact. At this point the wheels acted like they were coming off. She had a final stand at 28 when she had a pair of birds flushed for her. She had a nice ground race but needed a little more correction than the Judge’s were looking for with spring time derbies.
2) Indian Creek Pinapple – “Pineapple” – Jillian Stuhr Owner & Garry Malzone Handler & Chippewa’s Dream Chaser – “Arco” – Zack & Andy Erne Owner(s) & Zack Erne Handler – Both dogs had nice break away’s. At 10 past the first creek crossing Pineapple was found standing and Arco failed to back. Arco was collared by handler and loaded on the dog wagon. Pineapple was awarded with another find at 25 and all was in order.
3) Wynona’s Nickleback Micky – “Micky” – Kenny Snow O/H & Silent Assassin – “Tucker” – Bill Osborn Owner & Ryan Eichlberger Handler – Very soon after the break away, with Micky needing lots of scouting. The Garmin was asked for soon there after. Tucker scored a find at 18 with style and shooting dog skills. Tucker ran a pretty tight race needing no scouting and handling for Ryan. At 27 Tucker was pointed on an edge with heavy cover. Ryan had an extended flush in heavy cover and no bird was produced. This was carded as an unproductive.
4) KC’s Next Gen – “Ben” Ken Sauer O/H & Jimfork’s River Girl – “Girl” – Glenn Cumbie Owner & Kenny Snow Handler – At 17 Girl had bird contact but failed on some of her manors going with the bird. Girl was gathered up and loaded on the dog wagon. Ben’s race was big and to the front. At the break away after not being seen for 7 minutes he showed back up front. Running big, however he kept popping up in the front. At 26 Ben scored his only find some 400+ yards to the front in the open field. Took a while for handler to get to him but was able to before time. He showed a nice broke find.
5) Texas Rebel Heiress – “Joy” Joe Davis Owner & Kenny Snow Handler & (This brace had a Bye) – Joy made some nice moves in her ground game. She scored a find at 14. At 23 she was found pointing again but only to a pile of feathers that a hawk may have beat her to the bird. With a final find at 28 Joy suffered a delayed chase and was picked up.
NBHA Nat’l Free for All Open Derby Placements
1st – Silent Assassin – “Tucker” – Bill Osborn Owner & Ryan Eichlberger Handler
2nd – Indian Creek Pineapple – “Pineapple” – Jillian Stuhr Owner & Garry Malzone Handler
3rd – KC’s Next Gen – “Ben” – Ken Sauer Owner/Handler
NBHA Free for All Open Puppy
This reporter didn’t ride the puppy stakes and relied on the notes from the Judge’s.
1) Honey Hush – “Pistol” – Clay Erwin O/H & “Katy” Glenn Cumbie O/H – Both dogs possessed speed and front running. Nice set of young dogs and we’re sure to see them in the derby stakes next year.
2) “Jackie” – Glenn Click O/H & Saline River Judge – “Judge” – Steve James O/H – Both dogs were off with nice forward casts staying to the front even through the coarse turns.
3) Saline River Man – “Patch” – Steve James O/H & “Jack” Glenn Cumbie O/H – These two dogs are really nice. Patch separating himself above the others. The race was forward and to the front.
NBHA Nat’l Free for All Open Puppy Placements
1st – Saline River Man – “Patch” – Steve James O/H
2nd – Honey Hush – “Pistol” – Clay Erwin O/H
3rd – Saline River Judge – “Judge” – Steve James O/H
NBHA Nat’l Free for All 2nd Series (Finals):
1) Pure Confidence – “Tango” – Black Meadows Kennels Owner & Garry Malzone Handler & Dave’s Show Me Motu – “Tu” – David Cates Owner & Zack Erne Handler – Tango got off to a hot start with a find at 8 and Tu backing. Tu scored on his own at 15 with a nice find past the first creek crossing. At 17 Tango had a stand but only could produce a dead bird. Close to Lick Creek turn Tu & Tango had a divided find all was in order for both handlers and dogs. Coming along Lick Creeks edge at 30 Tu suffered an unproductive even after a relocation. Heading past the second creek crossing having to make a turn in the coarse Tango scored on a find with Tu backing. Tu scored finds at 38 & again at 44. Tango not to be outdone scored finds at 40 & 43. Coming into the back part of the coarse and Tu ahead of Tango socored a find on some 15 bird covey find and Tango backing. Tango scored again at 58 to conclude this brace.
2) Rengrag’s Lucky Piper – “Piper” – Weldon Gardner O/H & Indian Creek Sprout – “Sprout” – Jillian Stuhr-Owner & Garry Malzone-Handler – Piper was the first to score and rewarded with a find at 9 and Sprout backing. Piper had another stand at 14 all in order. Sprout scored on her first find at 18. Piper ahead in the field scored at 19 and Sprout backing again. Piper continued her quest with finds at 27 & 34. The find at 34 was considered a divided find. After being cut loose both Piper & Sprout had finds on two different locations each finding birds at 38. Sprout scored again at 41 & 45 but the find at 45 resulted in an unproductive even after a relocation. Hitting the back part of the coarse on the creeks edge Sprout swapped ends at 51 being rewarded with birds being flushed. Piper wasn’t done and had a find at 53 to the front.
This concluded the second series and the Judge’s had performances from the call back dogs not having to go into the depths of the stand-by dogs.
NBHA Nat’l Free for All Open Championship Placements:
Champion – Pure Confidence – “Tango” – Black Meadows Kennels Owner & Garry Malzone Handler
Runner-Up Champion – Rengrag’s Lucky Piper – “Piper” – Weldon Gardner O/H
