2023 NGSPA Hungarian Partridge Championships

2023 NGSPA Hungarian Partridge Championships

By Keith Richardson

The 21^th running of the “Hun” Championship was well attended and was a big success. The added Handler of the Year points for a Species trial is a big attraction.

It ran from September 13 until of September 22.  The weather was near perfect for running dogs. A little warm a few afternoons but there is plenty of water on course. A little wind and rain that didn’t slow any dogs down. The Richardson Ranch is nearly 7,000 feet in elevation and very dry, and attendees are always advised to drink a lot of water and use ample sunscreen.

The “Hun” Championship and Region 8 are held back-to-back at the Richardson Ranch and are two of the premier NGSPA Championships. The challenging grounds, and difficult birds provide an extreme test for dogs and handlers. Most folks stayed for both events. The two courses are remarkably different, each with its own challenges. The end of the day brings a relaxing time in the Bunkhouse including a wonderful home-made meal, beverages of choice, friendship and hospitality.

We enjoyed the best lunches and dinners of any trial in the country, expertly prepared by Marya Kerchner. Marya had the outstanding assistance of Diane Crabbs at all meals. Fine aged wines from Keith’s cellar were served by Gary Kercher, who ably filled in for our “Field Trial Sommelier”, David Quinn, who was missed and promises to rejoin us next year.

Other benefits of the facilities enjoyed by all were: showers, laundry, and electrical and water hookups. round pens and enclosures for horses, plus ample areas for staking out dogs. Judges enjoyed first-class accommodations in either the Guest House or the Bunkhouse.

These two Championships provide unrivaled “on-the-job-training”. The large number of challenging multiple chukar and Hun finds, running coveys, large explosive covey flushes, and concentrations of “old” scent will teach the dogs things that cannot be learned in training setups.

The “Hun” is the only trial in the American Field (and the entire country as far as we know) that uses pen raised Hungarian Partridges. The birds were young, strong, great flyers and remarkably like wild Huns.  Large covey rises, with birds exploding in all directions tested the steadiness of every dog.  A dog making it clean through the Hun Habitat continues up Derby Draw to Derby Rim where mixed coveys of jumpy chukar and Huns lurk. The immense pressure of many difficult, multi-bird contacts places the Hun Championship at a level of difficulty arguably exceeding that of the wild bird trials. Dogs that survived the “bird challenge” were able to demonstrate their endurance during a mile of undulating prairie with a draw on one side and a drop to the Habitat on the other.

During our two weeks of Championships we were pleased to have several pros in attendance for some or all of the stakes: Dan DiMambro, Josh Nieman, and  Rich Robertson, Jr.  We were happy to welcome a number of amateurs from outside of the region:  Dean and Diane Crabbs (OR), Andy and Becky Dynkiewicz (OH), Drs. Fred and Ann Ryan (OH), Hank and Dina Lewis (OH), Dr. Kirk Loftin (TX), Sherri Tangsrud (MO), Tom Kosmack (UT), Larry Metter (AZ), Shannon Yancy (TX), Our “local” amateurs from WY and CO included: Brandon and Jennifer Blum, Alan Davison, Keith and Cathy Bryant, Mike Patrick, and Robin Lambourn. Terry Zygalinski (CA) provided horses for judges and guests.

We had a slate of excellent judges and our thanks go out to each of them.  Our Open Shooting Dog stake was judged by Mick Cheshire (Highlands Ranch, CO), and Chris Bryant (Centennial CO). Our Open Derby was judged by Mick Cheshire and Mike Patrick. Our Amateur All-Age Championship was judged by Mick Cheshire and Brian Gingrich (Prewitt NM) . Our Amateur Shooting Dog Championship, and Open All-Age Championship were judged by Justin Hess (Exira, IA), and James Messer, (Needeville, TX).

The Hun course gives the judges an opportunity to evaluate a dog’s “total package”. The cast-off crosses a half mile of rolling short‐grass prairie before entering the “Hun Habitat”, which is a 3-mile flowing line of dense willow-lined creek bottom bordered by large mown fields, stands of wild plum thickets, and an irrigation ditch with dense grass and shrubs. The course then heads up the steep Derby Draw. Many dogs take the road up the middle, but it is exciting when they take either the left side up Chukar Hill, or the right side with a steep escarpment strewn with large rocks and dense shrubs. A right turn at the top takes the dogs along Derby Rim, a flat bluff with a steep rim and many pockets holding birds.  The course continues along the Badlands with deep drop offs and steep draws, which tend to draw the dogs backwards. This demanding course finishes (time permitting) through the High Gate onto the rolling prairie.

We are grateful for our sponsors. Purina provided financial support and a pallet of Pro Plan for the winning dogs. We also welcome the sponsorship of Sport Dog with their generous gifts of excellent training collars and bark collars. We missed seeing our friend, Jim Morehouse, but hope to see him next year. Beautiful Hungarian Partridge mounts, generous cash prizes and Gift Cards, Purina Product and Sport Dog collars were among the gifts to Champions and Runners-Up. Our good friends, Eldon and Terry Hongo, who own the local Bunkhouse Bar and Grill kindly gave $50 gift certificates to all Champions.

A special thanks to the organizational abilities and hard work of Bobbi Richardson without whom these trials would not be successful.  A big thanks also to all of the other folks who helped: Joe and Japheth Frauendienst, and David Clifton:-bird catching, planting, and feeding, and water sled filling.  Gary and Chris Kercher-bird planting and organizational details. Andy Dynkiewicz also planted birds. All participants were grateful to the “dog wagon team”:  Kaitlin Gaukel, Rob Beeler and Nancy Kutchara who booted all dogs with best-in-class boots from Ruff-Wear to protect them from cactus. They also picked up dogs and helped keep us on schedule. Other behind the scenes “heavy lifting” was done by Justin Peppers, and Brittiny Haberkorn.

Open Shooting Dog Championship

By Keith Richardson

Judges: Mick Cheshire and Chris Bryant. Starters: 35 GSPs.

GENERAL COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES

Huns can often be at a premium during the first stake of the trial, but this year they were plentiful and flew as strongly as wild birds. The cover was denser than prior years and this made producing birds a bit tough at times. Birds could run into the cover rather than flying and very few birds were caught in the open.

Autry’s Natural Chromoly Steel (Molly), handled by Josh Nieman and owned by Heath Autry, was named Champion.

Molly had three finds in the Habitat at 17,25.30, a stop-to-flush at 33, and a fourth find at 46. She was cast off in a drizzling rain, and made a huge move to the far fence line dropping into the far east end of the Habitat. Throughout her run through the Habitat she hugged the meandering willow line without breaking off, a move no other dog duplicated. She stood a good ways off her birds and never crowded them, displaying perfect manners and impressive style. She was watered and cast-off up Derby Draw. She headed to the thick cover on the east side of the Suicide Hill escarpment hunting it thoroughly, rounding the upper corner and hunting the rim where she was found pointing a covey of chukar. Molly had a big finish after passing through the High Gate onto the prairie, nearly reaching the far fence before time. She was to the front the entire hour, exhibiting a powerful and fast Shooting Dog race. Her style on birds was beautiful with no movement as birds were flushed. She was hunting the entire time with no wasted effort. Molly handled kindly with no hacking and little scouting.

Slate Rock’s Mountain Heart (Rommel), handled by Dan DiMambro and owned by James and Andy Dynkiewicz, was named Runner-Up.

Rommel had three finds in the Habitat at 10, 16, and 30. His style was gorgeous and his bird work was impeccable. Rommel had a huge cast-off heading to the far east fence before dropping into the Habitat. Rommel had his first find on the willow line after entering the Ferguson gate. After passing through the double gate he took the right side of the Habitat where he had his second find. Rommel then powered to the far west end of the Habitat for his third find. After watering Rommel was cast off up Derby Draw, and he worked the difficult right escarpment before climbing over the top. He worked the entire Derby Bench with no bird contact and continued through the High Gate onto the prairie where he had a strong finish. He had a big shooting dog run, handling nicely with speed and power. He required some scouting to keep him in the pocket, but never showed from behind. Overall the Champion’s race flowed a bit better.

Amateur All-Age Championship

By Keith Richardson

Judges: Mick Cheshire and Brian Gingrich. Starters: 17 GSPs.

GENERAL COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES

Day 1 was very difficult for the dogs. For some unknown reasons the Huns tended to be out in the open where they were camouflaged in the grass only to explode before the dog could wind them. Over 75% of the dogs could not handle these wild-acting birds.

BMB’S Samsquanch (Sam), handled by Brandon Blum and owned by Brandon and Jennifer Blum, was named Champion.

Sam had a very strong break-away heading to the far east fence and dropping into the Habitat. When the judges crested the hill above the Habitat they caught a fleeting glimpse of Sam as he disappeared to the front. Sam stayed on the willow line until breaching the double gate where he took the line on the left in a strong forward move. He passed quickly through the Habitat at range without any Hun encounters. He was gathered up at the end and shot up Derby Draw where he crested the hill and was found standing on a covey of Huns. He was standing tall and looking great through the flush and not too long after being released he established point again around the corner of the rim near the water tank with a challenging chukar flush with all in good order. Sam soon passed through the High Gate onto the prairie where he finished strong way to the front. The judges were impressed with his bird work because he stood like a statue until birds were flushed and handler collared him. Handler went about his flushing attempts without needing to caution his dog showing his deep trust in Sam. Throughout the hour Sam was consistently far to the front, and always in the pocket requiring little or no hacking or scouting.

BMB’s Free Ride (Lewey), handled by Brandon Blum, and owned by Brandon and Jennifer Blum, was named Runner-Up.

Lewey had an impressive and unusual break-away where he crested the ridge at Cathy’s Bench and dropped into the Habitat. He had his first find at 19 after the double gate with manners in order. He then struck off and covered the rest of the Habitat with plenty of power until he was watered at the end and sent up Derby Draw. Lewey hunted deep along the escarpment and crested the top of the Draw where he was found standing at 38. He looked great on a large covey and was watered. Once cast off he worked his way through the High Gate and passed into the rolling prairie where he disappeared over the edge near Cathy’s Bench where he was found standing at 58 on a large covey of 30-40 chukar. He pointed with a nice high head and tail and looked great until collared. Overall Lewey had a strong All-Age race with a bit less ground speed than the Champion and he required some hacking and scouting.

OTHER NICE RUNS

Slate Rock’s Mountain Heart (Rommel), handled  by Andy Dynkiewicz and owned by James Dynkiewicz.

Right from the “get-go” Rommel impressed with the speed and power of his break-away, which he carried as he passed through the double gate, and powered through the Habitat where he had one NP. He made a nice move up Derby Draw, rimming Derby Bench and going on point down the steep hill at the end where he had his second NP. Handler picked him up.

Hi-N’s Allison Miranda (Allie), handled and owned by Dr. Kirk Loftin.

Allie had a terrific break-away and an impressive race through the Habitat, passing through the stretch gate at the end where she ran through a large covey of Huns hidden in the cover and her bid was lost.

Chicoree’s Glitter and Gold (Glitz), handled and owned by Dr. Fred Ryan.

Glitz was on an All-Age roll for the first 30 minutes as she showed a big break-away and a powerful race through the Habitat until at the very end she encountered a covey of jumpy Huns which flushed in front of her and she failed to apply her brakes.

Lambourne’s Surface Air Missile (Sam), handled and owned by Robin Lambourne.

Sam made the move of the stake as he rimmed the bowl along the escarpment on the back side of Suicide Hill. He carried this huge stunning move until the escarpment bent to the north where he disappeared and his tracker eventually requested.

Open Derby Classic

by Keith Richardson

Judges: Mick Cheshire and Mike Patrick.  Starters: 23 GSPs.

GENERAL COMMENTS

23 dogs is one of the largest NGSPA Derby Classic Stakes ever. The judges were impressed with the quality of the dogs and made the comment that the future of the GSP breed looks bright indeed. One judge said it was the strongest Derby he has ever judged, and was better than some of the Futurities he has seen. It was really fun to watch. The derby is run on an out and back course from one end of the Habitat to the other and there are some wide open vistas so the bigger ranging dogs can be seen really well. There is no cactus so the dogs do not need to be booted. There was a strong head wind going west and a strong tail wind heading east.

KC Moen’s Freedom Belle (Belle), handled by Brian Gingrich, and owned by Scott Kragerud, earned First Place.

Belle ran directly into a fierce head wind and the judges were impressed with the fact that her power and speed were unaffected. She hunted the objectives and cover like a mature dog. Her run was pristine and impressive for a derby dog. She earned “extra credit” for showing such an impressive run into the wind.

Prairie Wind Lightening Bolt (Bolt), handled by Rich Robertson, Jr., and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, earned Second Place.

Bolt followed the first brace dog going the opposite direction with the wind to his back. He had an eye catching gait that was speedy and fluid, while appearing light on the ground. He ran the meandering willow line until he was lost to sight without breaking off. He showed in the distance at appropriate times so as to keep in touch with his handler.

Prairie Wind Catch Me if You Can (Sprint), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, earned Third Place.

Sprint was also running into the wind as a BYE dog and started off slower, but her speed increased until by the end she was running with impressive speed and power. Her application was that of a mature dog as she hunted the likely cover and stuck to the lines. She responded well to her handler.

OTHER NICE RUNS (dogs not placing but showing good promise)

Prairie Wind High Voltage (Elli), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson.

Ellie was carried in third place until the very last brace when Sprint ran. Ellie had a strong forward race with the wind to her back. She was light on her feet and carried the willow line like a mature edge running dog.

Stoney Hills Runnin DaRidge (Ridge), handled by Kirk Loftin and owned by Larry and Kirk Loftin.

Ridge had a good race with a  strong finish. He took the fence line to the end of the Habitat in a big forward move getting stronger and stronger. His run was not as mature as the placing dogs.

Nike’s Frozen Arrow (Arrow), handled and owned by Larry Metter

At 13 months Arrow was one of the younger dogs and showed a lot of promise. She had good range and was really birdy with three finds. She didn’t have much of a handle.

Tak’s Longmire (Walt), handled and owned by Tom Kosmack.

Walt had birds which he handled nicely for his 14 months of age. He had good hunting application and he worked the cover hard. His range was not as big as the placing dogs.

Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

by Keith Richardson

Judges: James Messer, Justin Hess.  Starters: 18 GSPs.

GENERAL COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES

This was a very difficult stake. Less than 25% of the dogs got around, mostly due to the strong wind and its effect on the Huns. The Huns were found in coveys of 20-30 birds and they were extremely jumpy taking out a lot of dogs. They would explode at the sight of the dogs, with another wave exploding when the horses approached. All dogs had to push the wind for half of the course. It is a great course to judge big running dogs because the dogs can be seen at an extreme range.

Uodibar’s Robbi Jo (Robbi), handled by Dr. Kirk Loftin and owned by Sherri Tangsrud, was named Champion.

Robbi had three finds, and a stop to flush. She had a strong breakaway heading to the far east fence line. She was seen hunting forward in the Habita. After passing through the double gate she went on point at the plum thicket on the right side, meantime her bracemate stole point and ripped the birds while Robbi stood beautifully with classic style during all of the commotion with no let down until collared. Robbi had another Hun find in the Habitat before being sent up Derby Draw, where she hunted her way around the upper corner and disappeared. After an extensive search along Derby Rim she was found standing down a steep draw on a huge covey of moving chukar-an impressive limb find. She was sent on and after passing through the High Gate Robbi had a big finish in the prairie. All of Robbi’s bird work was exceptional. She handled kindly with little scouting and was always to the front.

Stoney Hill’s Pinnacle Dee (Dee), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin was named Runner-Up.

Dee broke away across the prairie in the direction of the east fence and dropped into the Habitat where she was seen as judges were riding down the road. She ran the willow line following it around towards the house where she was found standing by the tall lone tree. The Huns must have been running because it took her two relocations to finally pin them for handler to flush and fire. Handler brought her to the front and she went on to have a second find along the dense willows at the far end of the Habitat. More running Huns and after a relocation the birds were pinned and during the flush about 15 Huns blew out of the cover. Dee was watered and sent up Derby Draw, where she made a beautiful move along the right escarpment hunting the dense shrubs and rock cover aggressively. She was found on point around the top of the draw on the rim for her third find. After being cast off she passed through the High Gate onto the prairie and nearly reached the far fence before time was called. Dee had an impressive run: her bird work was pristine, she handled like a dream, and was strong through the hour. She was always forward but her power was a bit less than that of the Champion.

OTHER NICE RUNS

Aunt Troji’s Dirty Nike (Nike), owned and handled by Larry Metter

Nike had a medium cast off into the Habitat where she went on point by the gate. She was relocated and birds were flushed but she moved a bit. After release her application through the Habitat was beautiful as she ran the willow lines and had her second find. While handler was starting to work the bird her bracemate came in and ripped the birds while Nike stood solid and got credit for the find. She ran up Derby Draw cresting the top where she was found standing on her third find. After being sent on her pace slowed a bit, but picked up and she had a good finish in the prairie.

Slate Rock’s Mountain Heart (Rommel), handled by Andy Dynkiewicz,  and owned by James and Andy Dynkiewicz.

Rommel had a huge cast off and was finally seen pointed just past the double gate. His second find was midway and his last find in the Habitat was at the mot at the end. He ran the road up Derby Draw and had his fourth find on top. He had a really strong and powerful race and was beautiful on point handling his birds with style. He was penalized for not hunting his way up Derby Draw.

Open All-Age Championship

by Keith Richardson

Judges: James Messer, Justin Hess.  Starters: 24 GSPs.

GENERAL COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES

The judges were impressed with the level of sportsmanship exhibited with pros helping amateurs and vice versa. Everything ran smoothly and efficiently. The weather was perfect for running dogs. The slight rain didn’t detract. The Huns seemed to hold tighter than the prior stake, and there were plenty of finds.

Chicoree’s Riden High Trixie (Trixie), handled by Dan DiMambro and owned by Rondal Alexander, was named Champion.

BMB’s Free Ride (Lewey),  handled by Brandon Blum, and owned by Brandon and Jennifer Blum, was named Runner-Up.

The Running

The Champion and Runner-Up both ran in Brace 4 on Day 1.

Both dogs were “toe to toe” throughout the brace garnering the excited attention of the judges. Both had far reaching cast-offs across the prairie, through the Richardson section of the Habitat and were seen heading north at the double gate where they rimmed the bowl on the back side of Suicide Hill completing the move by flowing down the line of rock outcroppings back into the Habitat. It was a huge demanding move as they hunted deep into the rock hill face. No other dogs in the stake made this move.

Lewey had his first find buried in a ditch near the Habitat fence-line with manners in order and classy style. Trixie had her first find through the far gate at the far end of the habitat with pretty style and no let down at the flush of Huns. Lewey had his second find at the mot before the far gate. Both dogs were watered and sent up Derby Draw. Both dogs took the right side of the draw and hunted the steep escarpment strewn with large boulders and dense mountain mahogany shrubs. Trixie was in front of Lewey with both splitting the cover at different elevations. Both had separate finds around the large rock near the top of the Draw. From there Lewey climbed up and over the rim where he was later found standing. A covey of chukar was produced and all was in order. Trixie also had a chukar find on the rim and handler shot her across the prairie.

Both dogs went through the High Gate entering the prairie and coursing to the front in All-Age fashion. Trixie had amazing power continuing to build until time was called, while Lewey slowed a bit at 55. Both dogs looked great on their birds, handled well and required little scouting. Both stayed to the front with consistent All-Age range. It was an outstanding brace.

OTHER NICE RUNS

High Standing Cuttin Edge (Woody), handled by Dan DiMambro and owned by Anthony and Dayna Rusciano.

Woody had a big race with two finds. He did a really nice job. He required very little scouting and was to the front hunting all the right spots. His finds displayed exceptional style, but he didn’t show the power of the placing dogs.

BMB’s Free Loader (Hewey), handled by Brandon Blum and owned by Brandon and Jennifer Blum.

Hewey held the attention of the judges as he ran the course nicely with several finds. He did a classy job but lacked the range and power of the two top dogs.

Hi N’s Dirty Secret (Badger), owned and handled by Hank Lewis.

Badger was “making money” until he bumped a bird. Not an uncommon occurrence in this stake where the Huns were jumpy and required very little pressure to flush explosively.

PW Race to the Front (Raycee), handled by Rich Robertson, Jr., owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson.

Raycee did a good job overall, taking the far edge of the habitat with speed and power and never breaking off until her move was completed. She had two finds but took the road up Derby Draw which detracted from her run. She was lost at 50.