2022 NGSPA National Championships
By Robin Lambourn, Co-Chairman
The National German Shorthaired Pointer Association held another successful running of its National Championships in late March and early April at the Field Trial Sportsmen Association grounds in Grovespring, Missouri. These grounds provide three challenging courses suitable for a shooting dog or all-age championship, where dogs have opportunities show to themselves on big casts and point birds on a limb but must also handle. The NGPSA notices improvements to the grounds each year. The entire field trial community owes a debt of gratitude to the FTSA board for its stewardship of these top-notch grounds.
The NGSPA National Championship Committee strives to improve the quality of its trial every year. Although not much changed this year, the Committee endeavored to improve the consistency and quality of bird work with some changes to bird planting procedure. Specifically, we pre-released coveys and tried to keep these coveys in the area with feed and electronic callers. Certain parts of the courses, especially course one, have swallowed up quail in past years. We also varied the planting locations. These changes seemed to make a difference, with more limb finds on fast-flying coveys and more finds on course one compared to past years. This year also saw the replacement of Dean Crabbs with Robin Lambourn and Dan DiMambro as field trial co-chairmen. We thank Dean for his many years of service and for running the dog wagon again this year. We also thank Mark Verdoorn, Art Armbrust, Mike Patrick, and Lori Rezzardi for again serving on the field trial committee and supporting the trial in many ways.
This year’s National Championships saw favorable weather and successful social events. Rain and cold temperatures delayed the running on two occasions, but for the most part we had fair weather that was neither too cold nor too hot. We had several social gatherings during the amateur stakes, most notably Purina night, during which we grilled steaks and enjoyed live music played by John Mate and his band. The NGSPA also held productive delegate and trustee meetings during the amateur stakes. If you have a shorthair eligible to run, we encourage you to join us next year in Grovespring. We expect you will have a great experience whether you win or lose.
It goes without saying that an eighteen-day trial with 198 entries requires the support of many, not all of whom we have space to recognize. We first thank our primary sponsors, Purina, Garmin, and SportDog. We also thank all those who sponsored the dog wagon or our nightly happy hour. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Harvey Franco, Anthony Rusciano, Ray Larrondo, and Dr. Laura Miller for contributing to the National Futurity, National Championship, and National Shooting Dog Championship portions of this report. We finally thank our judges, who traveled from all over the country and Canada to watch our dogs.
46th National Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
Jeff Haggis and Justin Hess generously donated their time watching our amateurs run their shooting dogs. Justin is an amateur whose vizslas have an impressive list of wins. Jeff currently runs pointers, but also has experience with shorthairs. Jeff also made the beautiful custom saddle awarded to this stake’s champion.
The 2022 National Amateur Shooting Dog Champion, BMB’s Madison Ave (Brandon Blum), came from brace fourteen running on course two. Madison ran a powerful shooting dog race with five evenly-spaced limb finds. She had her first bird work at 17 under a tree on the left side of Little Vine Loop after a brief absence. Initially missing at the turn up Apple Tree Hill, her handler located her at 42 buried in some cover by the Pumphouse pond. Everything in order, Madison was seen next rolling up the left edge of Apple Tree Hill. This move concluded with a find at 48 in a feed strip by the Twin Barns. Madison took the right edge past the Twin Barns, with her scout calling point again at 57. After a quick flushing effort produced birds, Madison disappeared to the front and reappeared standing stylishly at the end of the fence line past the pond. After a relocation, her handler produced her birds and the judges called time. Madison’s run had no holes, surpassing her competitors in application, handle, and quality and quantity of bird work.
The 2022 National Amateur Shooting Dog Runner-Up Champion, Hi-N’s Hasty Matilda (Hank Lewis), came from brace eleven, also on course two. Matilda made big casts throughout, running a tweener race. Her first find came at 14 after blazing up the left side of Sycamore Bottom. She initially missed the turn up Apple Tree Hill, but her handler quickly collected her after a short absence. What followed was a huge move up the left side of Apple Tree Hill, with Matilda flashing a couple times. With Matilda still missing as the gallery road past the Twin Barns, her scout called point on perhaps the find of the stake back in the draw to the left. Matilda carded her third find at 42 past the pond on the fence line on course left and finished her hour going away past the Bull Pasture. The judges had difficulty separating their winners, but the quantity of limb finds and the runner-up’s one missed turn proved decisive.
Running in the first brace, Uodibar’s Robbi Jo (Kirk Loftin) made a few nice casts, but was not pleasing her handler and was up at 30. Snowy River’s Sippin On Fire (Chase Verdoorn) had a find at 45 before Horse Killer Hill and finished her hour.
Breaking away on course two, Texas Sophisticated Tomboy (Terry Bomer) kicked things off with a stylish find at 10 in a ditch before Sycamore Bottom. After showing nicely on some edges, she had a bobble at 20 that ended her bid. Chicoree’s Riden High Trixie (Fred Ryan) made a big move on the left edge after breakaway. After making the turn down the hill, her handler found her standing at 8. Her handler did not produce birds, but her bracemate’s handler secured the tie by flushing birds not far upwind. Her lust for finding birds still unrequited, Trixie carded her second find at 25 on the left edge after rimming Sycamore Bottom. Trixie had her third find at 40 in a feed strip on Apple Tree Hill and her fourth find at 45 by the Twin Barns. Trixie made a nice move around the pond and was found pointed again at 49 at the end of the fence line. Trixie’s sixth find came buried near the highway on course left. However, an unfortunate escape without judicial consent sowed seeds of doubt about Trixie’s chances.
PW Indian Brook Heads Up (Keith Richardson) went missing not long after breakaway on course three, with her handler requesting his tracker. MSR’s Lord of Dragonstone (James Messer) made several powerful moves with absences that were not excessive. His scout called point at 20 on a dug-in find on the right side of the Clubhouse Loop above camp. Dragonstone had some difficulty navigating the remainder of Clubhouse Loop and came from behind at 26. He scored an impressive covey find at 48 on a hill above the chute before entering Sycamore Bottom. Dragonstone finished his hour with a strong move up a tree line on course right after crossing the road.
Running after lunch, Autry’s Natural Chromoly Steel (Heath Autry) scored a fast find at 2 on course right before the first creek crossing. Her handler asked for his tracker at 20 after Steel had not shown herself since breaking away from her first find. Carey’s Blazing Cooper (Joe Amatulli) had a back at 2, but required GPS assistance at 20.
Breaking away in Davis Bottoms, Canyon Creek High Tide (Larrondo) had finds at 25 and at time and made several nice moves, but was a bit shorter than her bracemate. MSR’s Rowdy One (Messer) took a bigger tour of the country, scoring her first find at 25 before the turn up Horse Killer Hill. After rolling around the edge of every field on course two, her handler found her buried at time in some trees on the right side of Sycamore Bottom, along with an uninvited spectator. Her handler flushed a covey to complete a quality limb find.
With a break away up Apple Tree Hill, PW Evolutions Re-Creation (Richardson) and MSR’s Pretty Little Psycho (Messer) scored a divided find at 5 on a feed strip on course left. Re-Creation’s scout called point again at 25 on the fence line to the left past the pond, with everything in order. Re-Creation subsequently missed the turn up to the Clubhouse Loop, ending his bid. Psycho continued on with finds at 10 by the Twin Barns, at 45, and again at 50 on a covey. She finished the hour, but had an inconsistent race.
Chicoree’s Glitter and Gold (Ryan) started the second morning with a find at 7 on the left edge. She was handy at the start, but found another gear. After a big move, her handler called point on her second find at 36 to left of Davis Bottoms. She finished with backs at 48 and 55. After a back at 7, BDK’s Sam I Am (David O’Brien) made several powerful moves, but unfortunately went lateral for some time before the second creek crossing. He scored a find at 27 under some deadfall shortly after the road crossing. He made a nice move up the right edge in the Island Field and was found standing at 48. Sam’s final find came at 55 before Horse Killer Hill. Both dogs finished the hour.
Breaking away on course two, Snowy River’s Freak On A Leash (Chase Verdoorn) and PJ Wildfire’s Little Lexi (Kirk Loftin) shared divided finds at 2 and 20. Lexi carded a nice limb find at 45 in the chute to the left on course three before turning up Apple Tree Hill, with her bracemate coming in for a back. Leash and Lexi had separate finds not far apart on the fence line past the Twin Barns and again at 58 on the fence line past the pond. Both finished the hour, but neither had a race that pushed the winners.
Running in brace nine before lunch, Hi-Tailyn Talented Texan (Keith Bryant) suffered an unproductive at 5 and was last under judgment at 26. Horicon Havens Penny’s From Heaven (Jack Marchese) kicked off the brace with a find at 5 at the end of a cover strip on course left and a limb find at 20 along the fence by the highway. Continuing to make powerful forward moves, Heaven unfortunately lost her way somewhere on the Clubhouse Loop.
Running after lunch, Uodibar’s Lover Boy (Loftin) scored a limb find at 8 on the island between courses one and three, with style to spare. After pointing a feather pile at 16, Boy made several nice moves into a find at 41 before the turn up Horse Killer Hill. Snowy River’s Struttin N Cuttin (Verdoorn) joined in the top dog’s feather pile at 16. Spending too much time in the woods, Cuttin had an unproductive at 40 on a forested hillside, followed by a find at 48 before Horse Killer Hill while catching the front. Cuttin’s final find came at 42 near the deer stand on Horse Killer Hill. Both dogs finished the hour.
LSV’s Hammer Down (Juergens) carded a back at 19 and a find at 30. Running a strong shooting dog race, Down carded his final find at 47 by the Twin Barns. Hi-N’s Hasty Matilda’s runner-up performance is described above.
In the last brace of the day, Snowy River’s Cuttin High Tide (Verdoorn) had a find at 18 past the Twin Barns. After some wasted effort in the wrong direction after crossing the road, Tide made a strong forward move into his second find on the right edge by the cemetery at 25. Tide finished, but did nothing noteworthy the rest of the hour. PW Chicoree’s Kix Chic (Richardson) suffered an unproductive at 5 on the Clubhouse Loop. Making several power shooting dog moves, Chic was found standing on a limb far to the right of the cemetery at 25. Her handler asked for his tracker at 40 following an extended absence.
Outbak’s How You Doin’ (Larry Bradley) ran a race that bordered on all age, carding finds at 25 in Davis Bottoms and at 38 at the end of the Island Field. Doin’ was up at 45 after a breach of manners, however. HK’s Teal Blue Blaze (Chad Inderman) ran a pleasing shooting dog race, with a limb find at 20 in some briars to the left of Davis Bottoms. She later suffered unproductives at 38 and 52, ending her day.
BMB’s Madison Ave’s championship performance is described above. PW Made in the USA (Richardson) disappeared not long after breakaway, with her tracker turned on at 15.
MSR’s Motorollin (Messer) and Texas Bourbon Street Strutter (O’Brien) broke away on course three. Not yet having any bird work and due to the runs already laid down, both handlers elected to pick up at 30 when coming down from the Clubhouse Loop.
BDK’s Texas Hold Em (O’Brien) and Chisholm Creek’s Cutter Loose (Mark Wasserman) both made attractive moves up course one, with Loose slightly ahead in the brace. Loose’s scout called point at 10 on a limb find on the island between courses one and three before the second creek crossing. Loose carded another find at 37 on the left side of the Island Field, with her bracemate backing and everything in order. Both dogs finished the hour.
Hi-N’s Curtain Call (Lewis) made powerful shooting dog moves throughout. His first find came at 25 after a snappy relocation on the fence to course left of the Twin Barns. Call’s second find came at 33 following a strong move past the pond, with his bracemate backing. Snowy River’s Bankin On Boz (Verdoorn) suffered an unproductive at 5 by the horse path before the turn into Sycamore Bottom. Boz had a dug-in find at 26 to course left of the Twin Barns. A second unproductive at 40 ended his run.
Brace eighteen started off with quite a bit of bird work. Breaking away down the hill from the Clubhouse Loop, BDK PW Jewels Emerald (Richardson) and Chicoree’s Country Star (Ryan) scored a divided find at 2 on the left edge at the top of the hill before the Twin Barns. Emerald had a second find at 7, with her bracemate backing, on the fence just past the Twin Barns and a third find at 16 on course left in the chute coming into Sycamore Bottom. Emerald’s fourth find came at 32 near the cemetery following an impressive cast. Emerald finished the hour, but misdirected her efforts a couple times in her last twenty minutes. After her divided find at 2, Star carded a second find at 9 on course left before entering the chute past the Twin Barns, a third find on course right at the end of the chute, and an unproductive at 30. Her handler asked for his tracker at 50 following an extended absence.
Hi-N’s Secret Society (Lewis) and Texas She’s Got Legs (Bomer) both had a strong breakaway, with Legs pointing and Society backing on the right side at 10 and everything in order. Legs pointed a hawk kill at 15 to the right of the second creek crossing. Legs had a second find at 20 on a limb to the left of Davis Bottoms. Society’s run ended when she failed to back Legs’ second find. Legs’ run ended not much later under a bird at 32.
Breaking away in the Island Field in the last brace, Cajun’s Firecracker (Bryant) covered too much ground for the stake, with her handler asking for his tracker at 15. MSR’s Kiss My Lily (Messer) carded a find at 15 on course right before turning up Horse Killer Hill. Running a medium shooting dog race, she had a second find at 45 before coming into Sycamore Bottom, a third find at 53 on the left side of Sycamore Bottom, and a fourth find at time halfway up Apple Tree Hill. Although a fine performance, her run did not match the magnitude of the winners.
2nd National Amateur Championship
The National Amateur Championship was delayed by a day due to heavy rain and freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, these conditions decimated our pre-released coveys and made bird finding more difficult. Randy Anderson and Peter Coppens judged the stake. Randy is a prominent professional all-age handler and amateur geologist. Peter is an amateur from the shorthair world with many high-profile judging assignments to his credit. Their lively banter kept the gallery entertained throughout regardless of the quality of the brace.
The judges selected HighStanding Cuttin Edge (Anthony Rusciano) as their National Amateur Champion. Edge ran after lunch on the second day in brace ten on course one. Edge ran a huge all-age race with several extended absences that ended with him standing or showing to the front. Gone to the front for most of the beginning of the brace, Edge was found standing on the right side of Davis Bottoms at 19 with everything in order. Edge continued to appear periodically when needed. Another extended absence ended with Edge found standing at 58 at the end of the left edge of Little Vine Loop before coming down the hill, with a covey of birds flushing on the other side of the fence and Edge standing stylishly with intensity. Edge’s all-age race that pushed the limits and consistently forward application separated him from the field.
The Runner-Up National Amateur Champion, BMB’s Freeloader (Blum), ran in brace nine on course three on the second day. Freeloader scored a divided find at 5 and a second find at 27 on Clubhouse Loop, looking stylish and mannerly through the flush. Freeloader carded a third find towards Sycamore Bottom and a fourth find on a limb to the left of course one after crossing the road. Freeloader cemented his placement with this fourth limb find, but the magnitude of their races separated the winners.
Tulli’s Faraway Gallop (Amatulli) had a good one going in the first brace, with several nice moves and a find in Davis Bottoms at 25. However, some youthful exuberance ended his day at 40. BDK’s Twelfth Man (O’Brien) also looked hard to beat for thirty minutes. After an extended absence, his scout called point by the road before the second creek crossing, with everything in order. Unfortunately, Man was later seen under a bird at 30.
Cowboy (Loftin) and Keg Creek Royalty (Richie Rodgers) ran an all-age race in brace two, but both handlers asked for their trackers at 48.
Cuttin Wild’s Hank (Lambourn) had an extended absence after breakaway on course three. Initially not present when handlers headed up the Clubhouse Loop, he was spotted standing at 18 by the Twin Barns on the other side of the T, with everything in order. A bobble at 30 ended his bid. Hi-N’s Allison Miranda had a find at 32 past the Twin Barns and made several nice moves, but did not finish her hour.
Snowy River’s White Out (Verdoorn) started brace four with a back at 20 and a find at 30 in Davis Bottoms. Out had another find at 43 before Horse Killer Hill and a back at 51 by the deer stand on Appletree. Out suffered an unproductive at 55 and did not have a race that challenged the winners. Stoney Hill’s Pinnacle Dee (Loftin) ran an all-age race and had an impressive find at 51, but suffered unproductives at 15 and 30.
Running in brace five on course two, Cuttin Wild’s Hidden Gem (Patrick) required GPS assistance at 30 after a couple missed turns. Her bracemate, PW Out on a Limb (Richardson), stayed with her handler for the hour, with a find at 5 on Little Vine Loop and a second find at 30 in Sycamore Bottom following a nice move. Limb scored a third find at 38 by the Pumphouse pond and a fourth find at 48. Unfortunately, Limb suffered an unproductive at 55 by the Bull Pasture and had a race that did not quite equal the winners.
Breaking away up the Clubhouse Loop on course three, PWK Lonewolf’s BJ (Larrondo) made some nice all-age moves and had a find 10. Found standing again in Sycamore Bottom at 25, a subsequent infraction ended her day. Joker’s Sin City Slick Ace (Bob Thompson) failed to make the hour.
Running on course one the morning of the second day, PW Race to the Front (Richardson) failed to make the hour. Twin Creeks Running Rocky (Loftin) ran a huge all-age race, with his only find coming at 50 on a limb above Horse Killer Hill. Rocky finished the hour.
Breaking away from the usual course two starting point, his scout called point on River (Larrondo) at 6 by the tree stand on the left. Some excessive exuberance quickly ended his bid, however. Lambourn’s Surface to Air Missile (Lambourn) scored his first find at 8 before coming down the hill and his second find at 13 before entering Sycamore Bottom, with everything in order on both. His handler did not have him going up Apple Tree Hill and asked for his tracker before the Twin Barns.
Brace 10 broke away on course two on the other side of the fence from the Twin Barns. Llano’s Game on Greta (Inderman) scored a divided find at 5 on the left side past the pond. She required GPS assistance at 40, however. Her bracemate’s runner-up performance is described above.
Running in brace ten on course one, Cuttin Wild’s Rebel Yell (Patrick) ran an all-age race and stayed down for the hour, but failed to locate any birds. His bracemate’s championship performance is described above.
Breaking from Little Vine Loop towards Sycamore Bottom, Hi-N’s Dirty Secret’s (Lewis) suffered an unproductive at 15. Her handler elected to pick her up at 50. BDK Gold Mine Claim Jumper (O’Brien) carded his first find at 29 on a nice covey by the pond past the Twin Barns. His second find came shortly thereafter at 31 at the end of the field. His handler elected to pick him up at 50.
AO Tripps to Win (Alan Davison) had a good run going until it went off the rails at the end. Breaking away up the Clubhouse Loop, his scout called point on his first find to course right before coming back down the hill. Win’s second find came at 27 on a limb on the far-right side of Sycamore Bottom, with intensity to spare. Win scored again at 36 to the right of the cemetery, with everything in order. Unfortunately, Win missed the treacherous right turn up the hill past camp on course three. Snowy River’s Top Gun Maverick’s (Hellbusch) day ended when his handler asked for his tracker at 40.
Kicking off the third day on course one, Outbak’s Purdy Slick (Thompson) carded a find at 13 by the second creek crossing, but an uneven ground pattern caused her handler to pick her up at 35. BMB’s Free Ride (Blum) scored a quick find at 6 on the left edge. After standing on a hawk kill before the second creek crossing, Ride made some big moves into his second and third finds at 20 and 25 on the left and right sides, respectively, of Davis Bottoms. He had another find at 40 on the left edge of the Island Field and his fifth find at 47 before the turn up Horse Killer Hill. An ill-fated U-turn off Horse Killer Hill and a come from behind after time marred his otherwise championship-quality performance.
H’s Am Cruiser (Verdoorn) and PW Bert’s Joke On Us (Richardson) started with a divided find by the deer stand on Horse Killer Hill at 7 and a second divided find on the left side of Little Vine Loop at 10. Cruiser continued on with four more stylish, spaced-out finds, but got too handy for the all-age standard. He had a nice run, nonetheless. Joke On Us ran a bigger race with a subsequent find at 40 past the Twin Barns following a lengthy absence. Found standing by his scout on the right edge at 49 before dropping down towards the Clubhouse Loop, a breach of manners unfortunately ended his bid.
Running in brace fifteen on course three, PW The Real Deal (Richardson) did not finish the hour. His bracemate, BDK’s Dirty Harry (Wasserman), started strong and scored his first find at 30 after coming down into Sycamore Bottom. His handler elected to pick up at 40.
Slicks Wild Child (Rodgers) ran as a bye dog on course one in brace sixteen. She was last seen under judgment making a big move towards Turkey Corner. Her handler brought the stake to an end when he asked for his tracker in Davis Bottoms.
63rd National Futurity
James Messer and Mike Patrick graciously agreed to fill in after the advertised judges had to cancel. Both are seasoned amateurs with many championship wins in shooting dog and all-age stakes and experience judging national championships.
In Country’s Coin Toss (Chris Goegan) took first place with an exciting run that showed all-age potential. Running in brace six on the back half of course three, he started strong, finished his lines, and scored his first find at 9 after the gallery spotted him standing far to the front. Another forward move ended with a second find at 16. Yet another forward move yielded his third find at 20. Toss ended his thirty minutes running strong and going away to the front. Toss had impeccable style on all three finds, stood broke, had a good handle, and showed tremendous potential.
In Country’s Air Ride (Goegan) took second place in brace five on the first half of course three. Ride looked comfortable taking the downwind side of edges to the front, while showing himself periodically. His first find came on a limb at 15, with Ride standing stylishly and broke through the flush and shot. His second find came at 29. Ride moved nicely through the country, covered plenty of ground, showed a good rapport with his handler, and worked objectives maturely.
Snowy River’s So Far So (Mike Kindler) took third place running as the winner’s bracemate in brace six. Sophie had a single find at 9, standing broke through the shot with style to spare. Sophie had a very mature race, consistently showing to the front and finishing her lines. She also had a pleasing gait and hit all the likely objectives.
69th National Championship
Jarrett Bell and Jack Alexander accepted this judging assignment. Jarrett is an amateur with a string of vizslas and a gaudy win record. Jack campaigns brittanies and likewise has numerous high-profile wins and judging assignments to his credit.
The judges named Hi-N’s Allison Miranda (Loftin) their 2022 NGSPA National Champion. Allie ran a thrilling all-age race in brace twelve with four well-spaced finds. Breaking away on the second half of course two, Allie scored her first find at 3 on the south side of the pond past the Twin Barns. Her second find came quickly at the end of the cedar row in the same field. Disappearing thereafter, Allie scored her third find along the fence line by the highway at 20. Allie’s final find come on top of the Clubhouse Loop. She finished strong to the front past the Twin Barns. Allie ran a race that surpassed the all-age standard, showed championship style, and handled all her birds with aplomb.
The Runner-Up National Champion, BMB’s Free Ride (Blum), ran in the following brace in the afternoon on course one. Making all-age moves after breakaway, Ride’s first find came at 20 near the shack south of the road crossing. He scored a second find in some cedars above the creek coming into the Island Field. Ride’s final find came on the right edge before turning up Horse Killer Hill. His handler was able to hang onto him for the final fifteen minutes and produce him to the front at time. All finds came with impeccable style, intensity, and manners.
The stake began after lunch following placements for the National Futurity. Rollin Thunder’s Singin’ In The Rain (Jim West) had his running shoes on and required GPS assistance at 20. Cuttin Wild’s Hidden Gem (Josh Nieman) had strong start and a find at 15, with everything in order. Gemma quickly pointed again at 20 coming into Davis Bottoms. Initially unsuccessful, a quick relocation produced a bird. Gemma continued forward with an all-age race, showing herself at time at the end of course one.
In brace two, Cuttin Wild’s Rebel Yell (Nieman) started with a find at 20, but did not finish the hour. PW Bert’s Joke On Us (Rich Robertson, Jr.) ran a nice race with finds at 17, 19, 27, 42 and 47. His handler produced him at time at the end of course two.
Running in the last brace of the day on course three, Cuttin Wild’s Hank (West) and Jokes on You (Goegan) both had big starts, but went missing near the Twin Barns. Both handlers requested their trackers at 25.
Neither Texas Tuff (Keith Gulledge) nor Evergreen’s Jed Clampet (DiMambro) made the hour running in brace four on course one.
Likewise, the competitors in brace five, Rumel’s Augie Doggie (DiMambro) and Twin Creeks Running Rocky (Loftin), both failed to make the hour.
Running on course three in brace six, Cajun’s Firecracker (Nieman) ran out of pocket. Her handler requested his tracker. PW Lonewolf’s BJ (Larrondo) made some nice moves, but her handler picked her up following her second unproductive at 30.
Snowy River’s Top Gun Maverick (DiMambro) had a strong start on course one after lunch, but made an early exit when his handler requested his tracker at 32. Hi-N’s Curtain Call (Lewis) almost stayed in the running for the full hour. After an unproductive at 21, he scored finds at 29 and 42. Call’s hander picked him up after a second unproductive at 58 on Little Vine Loop.
Snowy River’s Strutt’n N Cuttin (Verdoorn) scored finds at 20 and 30 on course two. His handler elected to pick up at 37. Lambourn’s Surface to Air Missile (West) started strongly, but went missing not long after breakaway, with tracker assistance requested at 24.
Breaking away past the Twin Barns in brace nine, H’s Am Cruiser (Verdoorn) had a stylish find at 5. Unfortunately, Cruiser was last observed under judgment at 50. BDK’s Calamity Jane (Gulledge) had a back at 5 and finished the hour.
Brace ten was not reported.
Neither dog in brace eleven, Armbrust’s On Point Ole’s Sire Bandit (Art Armbrust) nor Joker’s Sin City Slick Ace (Gulledge), made the hour.
PW Out On A Limb (Robertson) had an unproductive at 2 in brace twelve. Limb continued on with three finds and made the hour. Her bracemate’s championship performance is reported above.
Running in brace thirteen on course one, Llano’s Game On Greta (Nieman) was not seen after breakaway. Her handler asked for his tracker at 18. Her bracemate’s runner-up performance is described above.
AO Tripps To Win (Nieman) broke away strong from Little Vine Loop on course two, scoring his first find at 3. His second find did not come until 54 at the top of the Clubhouse Loop. His third find came a couple minutes later by the Clubhouse Loop pond. Win finished the hour. BMB’s Freeloader (Blum) scored a find by the pond past the Twin Barns. His handler picked him up at 40.
Breaking away on course three in brace fifteen, PW Race To The Front (Robertson) scored her first find at 15 past the Twin Barns and her second find at the end of the chute entering Sycamore Bottom. A breach of manners ended her run shortly thereafter. MSR’s Rowdy One (Messer) had her first find at 9 just east of the Twin Barns. Although she had a second find, her handler decided it was not her day and ended the brace before passing the cemetery.
The morning of the fourth day brought very windy conditions. Running in brace sixteen, BDK Gold Mine Claim Jumper (Gulledge) scored finds at 16 and 25. His handler elected to pick up at 40. Osage Cuttin Em Down (Nieman) exited the running after his second unproductive in difficult scenting conditions.
Brace seventeen broke away in the Island Field. The top dog scratched after the drawing. Running as a bye, Tulli’s Faraway Giddyup (Amatulli) showed plenty of all-age power with a strong breakaway. He eventually misdirected his efforts, requiring GPS assistance at 35.
Brace eighteen broke away on course two and finished on course three. Fresh off his National Amateur Championship win, Highstanding Cuttin Edge (DiMambro) had a strong start, carding three finds. His run went off the rails at 50 when he leaked out into the field to course right before coming down off Clubhouse Loop. Teton’s One Slick Dude (Nieman) scored one find and two stylish backs, but his handler elected to pick him up at 50.
Running on course one after lunch, HCK’s Clowns Last Straw (Jon Tawater) finished the hour but went birdless. PW The Real Deal’s (Robertson) run was not reported.
Chicoree’s Sparkling Ruby (DiMambro) ran as a bye dog on course two in brace twenty. She went missing not long after breakaway, with her tracker pulled at 25.
In the last brace of the stake, BDK’s Dirty Harry (Gulledge) had a find at 19, but failed to finish the hour. Snowy River’s White Out’s (Verdoorn) run was not reported.
52nd National Shooting Dog Championship
The participants enjoyed having Dr. Laura Miller and Matt Solt judge the National Shooting Dog Championship. Laura is a very successful amateur with a string of vizslas. Matt runs wirehairs in the West and also has numerous judging assignments to his credit. We appreciate their time in the saddle for the longest stake of the trial.
The judges named PJ Wildfire’s Little Lexi (Loftin) the 2022 National Shooting Dog Champion. Lexi ran in brace twenty, breaking away into the Island Field. Previously seen climbing Horse Killer Hill, Lexi was found standing stylishly on the descent off Horse Killer Hill at 20. Lexi continued forward around Little Vine Loop and was later observed hunting the far end of Sycamore Bottom. She swept the edge of the field by the Double Gates and was rewarded with a find at 47 below the Pumphouse. She then took the left milo strip on Apple Tree Hill past the Twin Barns. Her handler pointed her out standing with style on the fence line beyond the pond at 59 to score her third find. She laid down a run that no other dog could beat.
Uodibar’s Robbi Jo (Loftin) took the 2022 National Shooting Dog Runner-Up Champion title. Running in brace thirteen on course one, Jo made big forward moves that swept the edges of the course, while always maintaining a connection with her handler that allowed him to sit back and show her. Her first find came at 25. She took the entire right edge of Davis Bottoms before slamming on point. Her handler initially located a dead bird, but flushed a live bird while returning to his staunch dog. Jo’s second find came at 31 with good style at the end of the Island Field. After climbing Horse Killer Hill, she hunted the fingers to the right, going out of sight but returning to find her handler from the front before entering Little Vine Loop. Jo’s final cast took her way forward through Little Vine Loop.
Running in the first brace of the stake on course one, All N’s Iron Mike (Joe Orndorff) had a back at 7 and a find at 20 on the right side of Davis Bottoms. His handler picked up at 21. Chicoree’s Glitter and Gold (DiMambro) carded her first find at 7, but suffered a breach of manners at 20 that ended her day.
Brace two broke away into the Island Field. All N’s Johnny B Good (Orndorff) scored a find at 4 in the corner of the Island Field, but had a breach of manners before turning up Horse Killer Hill. Cuttin Wilds Space Cowgirl (Nieman) had a back at 4 and a find at 22 on top of Horse Killer Hill. A third find in Little Vine Loop ended with a slight turn to mark. A lengthy absence ended with an impressive find at 43 on the left edge of Sycamore Bottom. She finished her run with an unproductive on Apple Tree Hill at 57.
Brace three broke away past the Twin Barns. Texas She Got Legs (Gulledge) took a big tour of the country, with her first find coming in the Bull Pasture to course left. Attempting to catch the front, she later had a find towards the Twin Barns. As the front had moved further forward, Legs skipped the Clubhouse Loop and clocked a third find in the chute past the Twin Barns. After crossing the road, she made some pleasing moves into a fourth find in the tree row near the Cemetery. Legs finished catching the front, with time called near the start of course one. HK’s Teal Blue Blaze (Inderman) had a find at 5 at the Blue House and the first covey find of the stake to the right of the chute entering Sycamore Bottom. Her race was erractic, but she finished the hour well to the front up the hill past the course one breakaway.
Brace four was fast paced with only a few sightings of the dogs. All N’s Southern Comfort (Orndorff) scored her first find at 18 on a limb in the cut to the left of Davis Bottoms. She continued to run big, with her second find coming at 57 entering Little Vine Loop. Quijano’s WD Forty (Nieman) had two nice finds in Davis Bottoms. His third find came at 55 in the left corner behind the pond shortly after the course two breakaway. Forty took a wrong turn after his bird work and finished behind.
Chicoree’s Royal Flush Remi’s Ready (Orndorff) and BDK’s Texas Hold Em (Gulledge) tagged each other quite a bit, having a divided find at 11 and a divided unproductive at 27. Both dogs struggled punching through a strong headwind while running up Apple Tree Hill and were picked up by their handlers at the Twin Barns.
Brace 6 broke away from the Twin Barns on course two. All N’s Green With Envy (Goegan) scored finds at 1 below the pond, 6, 30 and 35 on the Clubhouse Loop, 43, and 59, while also suffering unproductives 41 and 57. Texas Bourbon Street Strutter (Gulledge) was ordered up for failing to back his bracemate’s first find.
Brace seven ran on course one on Saturday morning. Autry’s Natural Chromoly Steel (Nieman) had a nice limb find between the pond and the double gates at 13. Karma Is A Dee (DiMambro) had a stop to flush at 32, which her bracemate honored. Dee did a good job meeting her handler at the cuts and using lines. Both handlers picked up by their dogs at 52 at the start of course two.
Running in brace eight, PW Made In The USA (DiMambro) was last seen at 13 heading towards Sycamore Bottom, with her tracker pulled at 28. Hongo’s Layla (Orndorff) scored a find at 22 and an unproductive at 25. Her handler picked her up at 30.
Outbak’s JW’s (Rich Barber) day ended at 35 when he failed to back on course three. All N’s Cuttin A Blue Streak (Orndorff) had a find at 14 in the Bull Pasture, a second find at 35 with some movement, a more stylish find at 46 at the Twin Barns, and a fourth find at 59 to finish the hour.
Brace ten broke away on course one in the afternoon. In-Country’s Hurricane Jane (Goegan) had an early find at 5 in the first island between courses one and three, pointed feathers at 6, and suffered an unproductive with a lengthy relocation at 11 after the first creek crossing. Chicoree’s Country Star (DiMambro) required much scouting to find the front. Both handlers picked up their dogs at 32.
Brace eleven broke away in the Island Field. MSR’s Jades Wild Card (Goegan) had find on the right edge before the turn up Horse Killer Hill, but a breach of manners ended her bid. In an effort to avoid the situation, Uodibar’s Toot My Horn (John Rabidou) went into the trees to the left and stopped on what would prove to be an unproductive. Horn later suffered a second unproductive on Horse Killer Hill to the left of the deer stand. Her handler elected to pick her up.
Running on course two, Carey’s Blazing Cooper (Amatulli) suffered an unproductive at 5. He later carded his first find at 23 in the left corner of Sycamore Bottom before the creek crossing. His second find came at 39 by the Blue House, but he ended his day with a second unproductive entering the Bull Pasture. Hi-Tailyn Talented Texan (Nieman) had a find at 39 after a relocation, a back at 42 entering the Bull Pasture, and an unproductive at 55.
Keg Creek Park Wood Road (Nieman) blew out his pads and was picked up early by his hander. His bracemate’s runner-up performance is described above.
Brace fourteen broke away from Little Vine Loop on course two. PW Indian Brook Heads Up (Robertson) and BDK’s Sam I Am (Gulledge) shared a divided find below the Pumphouse near the Double Gates at 15. They also clocked a divided find to the left below the Twin Barns. Sam had a find on his own at the Twin Barns at 31 with Heads Up backing and everything in order. His handler picked up Sam after an unproductive at 51. Heads Up had another find at 50, but shortened up over her final ten minutes.
Brace fifteen broke away from the pond on the Clubhouse Loop. Uodibar’s Sweeper (Rabidou) blew his pads and was picked up by his handler at 48 after coming off the hill at the end of course three. Slate Rock’s Logan Called Capone (Goegan) had a dead bird find before the Double Gates and was last under judgment exiting the hill at the end of course three.
Running on course one, Uodibar’s Etta James (Rabidou) showed nice application using the edges. She suffered an unproductive at 19 before the road crossing and was picked up at 40 before Horse Killer Hill. Uodibar’s Lover Boy (Loftin) had a strong race with a limb find at 10 and a back at 19. His handler picked him up at 40 when he came from behind.
PW Chicoree Kix Chic (DiMambro) was picked up fifteen minutes into brace seventeen. Her bracemate, Texas Sophisticated Tomboy (Gulledge), scored a find at 19, but was picked up at 36.
After a slow start to brace eighteen, BDK’s PW Jewel’s Tradin For An Emerald (Gulledge) carded a find at 7 before the Twin Barns, a find at 14 at the Blue House, and a third find at 20 by the Bull Pasture gate. She missed the turn up the Clubhouse Loop on her next cast and later suffered an unproductive at 35. Uodibar’s Sister On The Fly (Rabidou) had a strong breakaway that turned into a find at 9 by the Twin Barns. She later had a stop-to-flush at 14 by the pond. Along with her bracemate, Fly made a long cast into the lower camp at 35 and was picked up by her handler shortly thereafter.
Running in brace nineteen on course one, Chisholm Creek’s Cutter Loose (Gulledge) had the trial’s only undisputable wild bird find, stopping on a turkey at 5. Unfortunately, Lucy’s bid ended at 28 when she returned from the upper left side of Davis Bottoms packing a bird. LSV’s Hammer Down (DiMambro) lost connection with his handler while swinging wide in Turkey Corner and required GPS assistance.
In brace twenty, PW Evolution’s Re-Creation (Robertson) carded a stylish find at 20 on the way down from Horse Killer Hill. He took a right turn coming into Little Vine Loop, from which he did not return. Re-Creation’s bracemate’s championship run is reported above.
Brace twenty-one broke away from the Twin Barns on course two. Hickory Acres All Out Blitz (Goegan) scored at find at 29 below the pond on Clubhouse Loop. PW That Was Then This Is Now (Robertson) honored Blitz’s find. Blitz also scored finds at 41 at the Twin Barns and at 47 in the chute coming into Sycamore Bottom.
Brace twenty-two broke away on course one. Slate Rock’s Mountain Heart (DiMambro) had a find along the creek before the second crossing, with Mar Macs Thor of Opalescence (Goegan) backing. Thor had a find at 26 in Davis Bottoms and another find at 40 at the base of Horse Killer Hill, with Heart honoring. Their handlers picked up both dogs before turning up Horse Killer Hill.
Running as a bye dog in brace twenty-three, Chicoree’s Riden High Trixie (DiMambro) pointed a dead bird at 26 in Sycamore Bottom, had an unproductive at the Pumphouse pond at 37, and scored an impressive find at 47 on the far-left fence line past the Twin Barns. She finished her hour with a powerful race.