2025 NGSPA Hungarian Partridge Championships
By Keith Richardson
The 24th running of the “Hun” Championship was a very successful event where people enjoyed their time, exhibited respect and sportsmanship, and we saw some great dog performances. Competitors appreciated the extra Handler of the Year and Dog of the Year points for a Species trial.
It ran from September 13 until September 20. The weather was near perfect for running dogs. 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. The two courses are remarkably different, each with its own challenges. The end of the day brings a relaxing time in the Clubhouse including wonderful home-made meals, beverages of choice, friendship and hospitality.
We enjoyed wonderful lunches and dinners, expertly prepared by Christy Harris and Will from the Memphis area. Our previous cook, Marya Kirchner left Cheyenne to attend culinary school in New Orleans. Fine aged wines from Keith’s cellar were served by Gary Kercher. 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 Clubhouse.
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 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 Shooting Dog Draw along the rim of a steep plateau where mixed coveys of jumpy chukars 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 cover” 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 two pros in attendance : Dan DiMambro, and Rich Robertson. We were happy to welcome a number of amateurs from outside of the region: Dr. Fred Ryan (OH), Hank Lewis (OH), Kirk Loftin (TX), Sherri Tangsrud (MO), Andy and Becky Dynkiewicz (OH), Peter Coppens (IL), Larry Metter and Linda Sivertsen (CA), Tom Kosmack (UT). Our “local” amateurs from CO included: Mike Patrick, Brandon Blum and Robin Lambourn. Keith Bryant is still recovering from a new hip surgery. Adolfo Gamboa was the official wrangler, but we were happy to see Ziggy for a quick visit. They both also ran some dogs. Jack and Emily Young dropped by from Laramie to see what field trials were all about and rented a couple of horses and rode most of the day. They think a GSP might be in their future to accompany their English Pointer and Lewellen Setter. We hope to see them again.
We had a slate of excellent judges and our thanks go out to each of them. Our Open Shooting Dog, Open Derby and Amateur All Age stakes were judged by: Jarry Walton (NV), and Howard Burbach (MO). Open All-Age and Amateur Shooting Dog were judged by Mick Cheshire (CO), and Chip Pendergrass (TN).
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 towards the steep Shooting Dog Draw, allowing the dogs to reach to the slope to the east of the draw and hunt it before rounding the corner at the base of the draw. A right turn at the top takes the dogs along the Upper Rim, where a dog can hunt the rim or search the many pockets below the rim until reaching Derby Bench often loaded with large coveys all around its steep edges. The course continues along the Badlands with steep draws, which tend to draw the dogs backwards. This demanding course finishes (time permitting) through the High Gate and along the edge to the right until reaching the main road to the Habitat and then flowing through the Habitat and possibly the Ferguson Gate until time is called.
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. Our good friend, Jim Morehouse continues to generously support our events. 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 GSP 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-bird catching, planting, and feeding, and water sled filling. Gary and Chris Kercher-bird planting and organizational details. All participants were grateful to the “dog wagon/booting team”: Kaitlin Gaukel, and Leandra Pfizenmaier, 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 Brittiny Haberkorn, with assistance from Alex (Joe’s daughter).
Open Shooting Dog Championship
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Jarry Walton and Howard Burbach. Starters: 23 GSPs.
GENERAL COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES
This year the Huns were plentiful from the very first brace and no brace went birdless. The birds were plentiful, very strong fliers and there were some coveys of well over 30 birds. It was a true test of the dogs’ steadiness. The birds were so wild and jumpy that they would often leave after the dog hit point and as the riders were approaching, through no fault of the dogs. The challenges presented by the birds are unlike any other trial.
Prairie Wind Evolution’s Primo Creation (Spike), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson.
The Champion came from Brace 10, which ran the second day. Spike put on a show and lit up the course from the breakaway through his finish. He broke away powerfully to the left as he crossed the prairie dropping into the Habitat and heading through it quickly as he searched the cover. He had his first find at 15 showing robust intensity and style and had a divided find at 19 where a covey of Huns flushed wild. His third find was at 26 where he snapped to an instant point with a picturesque high head and tail as a large covey of Huns was seen to be running all around him and his bracemate. His fourth find in the Habitat was at the very end on a dense willow edge which he was speeding along and slammed on point with great intensity. Handler worked the dense cover thoroughly and upon being released to relocate he took about 10 steps through the cover, slammed on point and handler immediately flushed a single bird. It was classic. He then flowed along the Upper Rim hunting aggressively and speedily with one more find and a big powerful finish he had the heart and desire to go on. Spike didn’t need any scouting and handled easily and smoothly. He showed all the attributes of a true Shooting Dog Champion.
Macke’s Jim Bob (Jim), handled by Dan DiMambro, owned by Abe and Katelyn Macke was named Runner-Up.
Jim had a strong cast across the prairie into the Habitat and had his first find at 19 in the House Section where he showed intense classic style while a giant covey of Huns ran all around him before flying off. At 26 minutes he had a stop to flush. At 32 minutes at the very end of the Habitat he had another find with birds running all around him while standing statuesque. His next find on the rim at Derby Bench at 52 on chukar followed by a fifth find at 56. Jim had a big finish taking the left side of the prairie where he had a short antelope distraction and showed as much speed and range as at the cast off. He required no scouting as he cooperated with his handler without any hacking.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
PW Singing the Blues (Boo), Handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson
Boo had an NP at 15 and a nice find on Huns at 24. She was forward the whole time through the Habitat. When she made it to the top of Shooting Dog Draw she was not seen by the handler so he rode on expectantly. The scout spotted her down the hill and handler rode back and took several minutes to get her back on course. She finished strong with two more high quality finds with one being a memorable dug up find, but the absence cost her, and didn’t leave her much time to show a finish.
Open Derby Classic
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Jarry Walton and Howard Burbach. Starters: 12 GSPs.
GENERAL COMMENTS
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 easily seen. There is no cactus so the dogs do not need to be booted.
Alpenblick’s Ella (Ella), handled by Dan DiMambro, and owned by Helmut Schoen earned First Place.
Ella was in the first brace and had a nice forward race hitting the edges along the willow line. She handled well and showed a good use of the wind. At 5 Ella and her bracemate dropped into a depression loaded with dense willow cover. A covey of Huns burst out with the two dogs in hot pursuit. It could not be determined if either dog had pointed the birds. At the end of the course she had reached a nice range to the front and a covey of Huns was seen but the dogs did not appear to have been involved. All
in all Ella showed a lot of promise and no doubt will some day be a contender.
Weideland’s Slate Rock’s Bronco (Bronco), handled Dan DiMambro and owned by Rebecca Dynkiewicz earned Second Place.
Bronco made some nice forward moves. He started slow but showed excellent speed and power the second half. He went to cover with good application to the course. He was not as consistent or far forward as the first place dog.
Uodibar’s Lonestar Seekin a Thrill (Cheyenne), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin earned Third Place.
She didn’t have the range or speed of the first two dogs but her application was exceptional. She and her bracemate were seen twice with birds in the area but specific contact was not observed. She was forward moving and showed good promise.
HONORABLE MENTION
Uodibar’s Lonestar God of War (Aries), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin.
No dog in the derby had the range, race and power of Aires. He was fast, powerful and forward, but a bird dog must have birds on its mind first and foremost, and Airies showed no desire to hunt. He never hit objectives or likely bird cover on his journey down course. If his desire to hunt is awakened and channeled into superior application he will have a remarkable future.
Amateur All-Age Championship
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Jarry Walton and Howard Burbach. Starters: 8 GSPs.
Twin Creek’s Running Rocky (Rocky), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin, was named Champion.
In true All-Age fashion, Rocky blasted across the prairie and disappeared over the ridge into the Habitat and was not seen until nearly 12 minutes, when he was spotted to the front running over the second hill before the double gate. There was a covey seen in the air from a distance and Rocky and his bracemate were in the area but no infraction was seen so the dogs were left down by positive judges. Rocky had a strong run through the Habitat but no birds were pointed. He was cast off and disappeared up Shooting Dog Draw and was found standing on the Upper Rim at 48. He was released and soon was out of sight as he hunted the Rim. He was spotted on point in a hard to see spot at 51. Rocky continued to demonstrate All-Age range and power as he had the biggest finish of the stake.
Cuttin Wild Heavy Firepower (Tank), handled and owned by Mike Patrick, was named Runner-Up.
Tank had a strong cast off across the prairie dropping into the Habitat far ahead of the handlers, and was not seen until 14 when he was found pointed after the Ferguson Gate. He then had a back at 16 and his second find at the very end of the Habitat at 27. He had a nice run along the Upper Rim and had a find at 50 after he passed through the High Gate and found the High Covey. Tank was always forward and was always hunting versus some of the dogs that did more running than hunting. He was good on his game. More power at the finish may have improved his ranking.
Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
by Keith Richardson
Judges: Mick Cheshire and Chip Pendergrass. Starters: 18 GSPs.
Nike’s Frozen Arrow (Arrow), handled and owned by Larry Metter was named Champion.
Nike had a strong cast off to the Habitat and flowed through the Habitat with finds at 14 and 18, a stop to flush at 27 and a back at 30 at the very end. She then made a nice move up the hillside of Shooting Dog Draw reaching the Upper Rim where she flowed along the edges hunting them thoroughly and having her last find at 44 on Derby Bench. She finished her run by an impressive move through the dangerous Badlands and finishing at the High Gate water tanks. The Badlands move is not common because most handlers pull their dogs out of them fearful of the bad outcome if the dog drops too deep because all of the deep draws take a bad turn guiding the dog backwards to Suicide Hill. Nike had a lot of bird work and it was all flawless with elegant style. She presented a smooth forward race with no scouting required, and she was closely connected to her handler needing little vocalization. Her ground work was snappy and stylish. Her finish was strong and she seemed to build speed and power as the hour went on. Nike and Larry put on a show that was unmatched in the stake.
Hi-Ns Secret Society (Stella), handled and owned by Hank Lewis was named Runner-Up.
Stella had some nice bird work in the Habitat with divided finds at 14 in the House Section and 25 in the Big Section with a stop-to-flush at 33. She ran the Upper Rim and had a find at 45 about halfway along, and a find at 52 on Derby Bench Corner. Stella also dropped down to the Badlands where she maintained a forward run and popped out at the High Gate water tanks at time. She had a consistently polished and flowing race with no hacking or scouting needed, and she hunted the objectives. Her bird work was flawless with attractive style.
DOGS WORTHY OF MENTION
Uodibar’s Lover Boy (Blue), handled by Kirk Loftin and owned by Sherri Tangsrud.
Blue had a really nice race throughout except for having come from behind in the Habitat which was a detraction not shared by the placing dogs. Blue had three finds, one with an impressive relocation, a stop-to-flush and a non-productive.
Uodibar’s Back In The Game (Dakota), handled by Kirk Loftin and owned by Sherri Tangsrud.
Dakota was another dog that was “right there” with a strong forward run and excellent bird work, but he required a lot of loud hacking which the placing dogs did not need.
WFK Rio Grand Nash (Rio), handled by Peter Coppens and owned by Peter and Diane Coppens
Rio had a stylish and powerful gait and noticeably hunted the available cover where many of the dogs did more running than hunting. He had more power than most of the dogs, but had two NPs which ended his run at 40 minutes.
by Keith Richardson
Judges: Mick Cheshire and Chip Pendergrass. Starters: 16 GSPs.
PW That Was Then This is Now (Nova), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, was named Champion.
Nova broke away with power and purpose heading directly towards the Habitat and disappearing from view, and was not seen until handlers and judges broke out of the Richardson Habitat and had a distant view of the Twin Hills where they saw the dark speck of Nova cresting the top of the hill. Handler could do nothing but ride and sing until he passed through the double gates into the Big Habitat searching in vain for any sign of Nova until his scout called her out on the far hillside to the right on the Region 8 course where she was hunting the steep face of the hill. Handler began calling on her and encouraging her to continue this rare-extreme move as she rimmed the hill hunting all the way until she hunted down its curving slope and dropped into the Big Habitat where she capped off this incredible move by slamming on point. Her first find at 26 quickly produced Huns which Nova handled with perfection. She was watered and sent up to Shooting Dog Draw where she hunted its lower point before disappearing up the Draw. There was no sign of her when handler crested the Draw so he and scout searched the rim until they reached Derby Bench where they figured she had to be, but she was not seen pointed at the usual places. Finally judge-Mick spotted her over the side of the rim and standing on a huge rock pointing the air in front of her. After some scrambling, Handler found the dug-in bird underneath the rock and flushed it while Nova maintained her statuesque bearing. She had a huge finish which capped off a consistently powerful, extreme All-Age race where she hunted without any purposeless running, was always to the front and handled at extreme range. She was never out of control as Nova and Rich put on a memorable show.
BMB’s Freeloader (Hewey), handled and owned by Brandon Blum, was named Runner-Up.
Hewey blew across the prairie after cast off dropping into the Habitat. He was briefly seen far to the front and was not seen again until he was spotted on point through the Double Gates where he had an NP at 21 at a spot known for its difficulty in producing birds. His cast through the Big Habitat was fast and powerful as he hunted his way to the end where he was watered and sent up Shooting Dog Draw. He had a find at 35 on the hillside and another along the rim at 41. His third find was on Derby Bench at 48. All of Hewey’s finds were handled impeccably with impressive style. He had a strong All-Age finish. Throughout his run Hewey maintained a consistent All-Age range and handled at long range, while he was always hunting and reaching to objectives. He and Brandon made a nice team and Brandon rarely needed to vocalize. While Hewey had a worthy All-Age performance he did not make the extreme moves of the Champion.