2025 Futurity, Breeders Championship, and Puppy Classic
2025 Futurity, Breeders Championship and Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic was held again at the Sportsman's Association grounds near Grove Springs Missouri. The cover was not as thick this year as in past years but it was absolutely sufficient. These grounds are so nice to watch our dogs hit the lines and move forward. The grounds have plenty of outside kennels, horse stalls, electric hookups. The bunkhouse has separate judging rooms, plenty of bunk beds, fully functioning kitchen, restrooms and hot showers. These things are more than adequate for a bird dog guy. We drew a total of 118 dogs for all three classes. This is a record for me. I would like to thank our handlers for their consideration of the workers, judges, and other handlers being on the line ready to go. It is so important to getting all these Braces done in a timely manner. This year's Breeders Championship had 53 dogs entered. We had to start on Tuesday planning seven braces a day with number eight on standby. Our judges Howard Burbach and Brian Kennedy endured many hours in the saddle and some very harsh weather. Thank you, two gentlemen so much. This is also my first trial that I heard no complaining. So, I guess our judges get a pat on the back for this one.
This is never possible without volunteers and sponsors.
Our Missouri Bird Hunters Association (Kevin Western, Randy Zimmer, Joe Zimmer, Jim Ogle) was running again on all cylinders never missing a beat. Purina Pro Plan donated the dog food for all the winners and some extra bags for advertising. Garmin sent collars. On X Hunts sent memberships. Mule brand Clothing sent gift certificates. Gun Dog Supply sent gift certificates. Gundog Central is always at our side helping us with our website. Hats were donated to the Futurity and Puppy Classic winners by Ann Lorea Designs. Thank you to Purina for all the extras to auction off. Jack Glover for the Flintstone breeding. Bob England for the guided hunt. Joe Zimmer for the Christie saddle. Rob Warner for the blank gun holster. Gary Malzone and Kevin Western for our handler’s dinner. Everyone that donated to our auction. You all made this a huge success.
This year's Champion Kissamee Grousewoods Tea (Daisy) pointer female owner by Black Meadow Kennels scouted by Jillian Stuhr and handled by Gary Malzone. Daisy sire is Daddy's Little Boy Butch X damn Porter Meadow Bette. She ran in the first brace of the second day. Breakaway 802 a.m. Daisy was braced with Kenny Snow's Tinman. At 6 minutes she was pointed behind the cemetery with a pair of quail produced. At 9 minutes she would be seen backing Tinman in a small feeder strip. 16 minutes they were found standing on the hill in a briar patch before crossing the road. A divided find would be called. At 30 minutes she was standing in Sycamore bottoms. Tinman would be picked up. At 42 she had a single near a ditch crossing. She would have her last find at 49 in a feeder strip near Little Vine loop. She finished the hour hunting hard and going forward.
RU Champion Indian Creek Bocephus pointer male by Browns TomTom and Indian Creek Riptide. Bo is owned by Mr. Ed Marion and scouted by Jillian Stuhr and handled by Gary Malzone. Bo is now 11 years old and has won 16 championships. Bo ran in the fifth brace on day number two. Bracemate Outcast Dustorm handled by James Kleve. Breakaway was at 1:45 p.m. At the 12-minute mark they were both standing for a divided find. Dusty was picked up. At 18 minutes Bo was standing tall on the hillside near a briar patch, before the road crossing. 30 minutes in Bo was found standing at Sycamore bottom. Gary kicked up birds for him and they moved on. Bo would have his last find at 45. He would have a pair pinned down in Little Vine loop. Some people commented this was the best race they had seen Bo put down. You add that with perfect bird work and you end up with another win. Congrats to team Malzone for winning both champion and runner up.
Owners, scout, handler, and dogs everything has to come together at the right time and was their day.
Futurity this year 2025 was our 39th.
We hear every single year questions regarding the National Bird Hunters Association having to be broke dogs to compete and win in this class. My answer every year is the same. We will place the very best four dogs. If these dogs are showing our judges the complete package, then yes, they are going to win. In the NBHA per our rules a derby is not required to back. But if that dog runs in and takes a bird out already pointed by another dog that is interference. The dog WILL be picked up for that infraction. Some dogs are perfect on birds and some dogs move. I have seen both placed in this trial since I have been running it. I hope this will help ease everyone's minds. Also competing in the futurity qualifies dogs for a bonus if they win the Breeders Championship.
Our 6-dog call back and 4 dog stand-by were Bandit Hill Bess, Bandit Hill Payme, Tenecee Stella. Hackberry's Bright Rose, Miss Gracie, Alliwood's War Hero. Alliwoods Shady Street, Dale Creek Boogie, Hog Hill FAFO, Haney's Big Country. We drew 37 dogs and this was not easy for our judges. Competition was tough this year and we’ve seen some great dogs. It is not an easy task to win this trial. After a 30-minute qualifier they have to come back and compete for an hour. The winner could be named a champion but that is not in our bylaws. This year's winners were under the watchful eyes of judge Mike Poehler and James Kleve. Thank you both for the dedication you have to our sport.
First place winner Haney's Big Country by Haney Silver Dollar and Wiggins C Trace. He is owned by John Mathys he was scouted by Jill Stuhr and handled by Gary Malzone.
Second place Alliwood's Shady Street pointer male owned and handled by Adam Delude. He is out of Touch's Grey Street and Alliwood's Shady Shay.
Third place Alliwood's War Hero pointer female owned and handled by Adam Delude. She is out of Touch's Grey Street and Alliwood's Shady Shay. She is littermate to our second-place dog. Congrats Adam, great job breeding this litter.
Fourth place Miss Grace pointer female Owned and handled by Dan Crunk. Grace was sired by Smalls White Charger X Blue Mounds Main Street.
I would like to say thank you to all the owners that entered their dogs this year. This was a great trial with awesome competition. Good luck next year as you all go into the shooting dog world.
Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic
Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic will graduate to next year's 40th Futurity. This year we drew 28 of the best puppies. Our judges were amazed at the number and quality of these dogs. Mike Poehler and Brent Hoehnes were our awesome judges. Thank you, gentleman, for giving back your precious time and judge our puppy stakes.
First place Run To Wynn in owned by Brett Eikenbary and handled by Zach Erne scouted by Andy Erne. Wynn is by Imagine X Cocklebur Dragon Tattoo.
Second place Hackberry's Zinnia Warrior pointer female by Elhew Sinbad X Hackberry's Addie Blackhawk. Owned and handled by Brian Kennedy.
Third place White Rose Cutter pointer male owned by Ron Russell and handled by Justin Crook. He is by Wiggins Master Ronnie X Wiggins Tried Angel.
Fourth place Little Elhew Chief Snakefeather owned and handled by Mike Taylor. Chief is by Hackberry's Elhew Chief X Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee.
I would like to close by saying thank you to all the breeders out there. This starts with you nominating the litters all year. The owners Amateur and Pro for getting these dogs to the trial. It is because of you all that this was the second year in a row that we paid back 100%. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with the National Bird Hunter's Association, Missouri Bird Hunters Association, and these great people that I call my friends and family
