2025 NGSPA Region 8 Championship
By Keith Richardson
The Region 8 Championship was a success, with a good entry in all stakes and with participants coming from all over. Many of the competitors also attended the NGSPA Hungarian Partridge Championship held previously.
The venue is not only scenic but provides great objectives for dogs to hunt and display their ability to find and handle difficult game birds. The course is unlike any other in the country. The cast off is over several hundred yards of prairie to Suicide Hill, named for the large number of birds inhabiting it, and the fact that most infractions may be seen ¼ mile away. Then following around the hill’s base we enter the deep Derby Cove defined by a steep escarpment holding large rocks, and dense shrub cover. We pass Derby Draw which cuts through the high bench and we continue along the bottom of the escarpment until around Shooting Dog Point and heading up Shooting Dog Draw. We climb to the Upper Rim and spend 15 to 20 minutes hunting the brushy edges of this steep chukar habitat anchored by the extensive rim ending at Derby Bench. The next leg offers a run through the prairie on the left or a steep series of draws on the right known as the Badlands, which tend to draw the dogs into a backwards move. The High Gate is entered and the dog finishes on the Richardson prairie, but time permitting the dogs may be brought into the Habitat heading west towards the cast off. The finish allows the judges to clearly observe the stamina and range of the dogs.
During their run the dogs will experience running coveys, large explosive covey flushes of 20 or more chukar, with birds flying back over their heads, and concentrations of “old” scent left by recent coveys which have flown off. The birds are healthy, young, and strong fliers. Any dog that completes this course is ready for Eureka, a few weeks away!
We welcomed two pros: Dan DiMambro and Rich Robertson. We were also happy to welcome a number of local amateurs: Keith Bryant (CO) (showed briefly but a recent hip replacement kept him from participating), Brandon Blum (CO), Robin Lambourn (CO), and Mike Patrick (CO). Others came from a long ways to support us: Kirk Loftin (TX), Sherri Tangsrud (MO), Hank Lewis (OH), and Dr. Fred Ryan (OH). Adolfo Gamboa (CA) was the official wrangler, but we were happy to see Ziggy show up to entertain us.
We had excellent judges, and a big thanks to Sheldon Rogers (and his lovely wife, Dawn) who came down from Saskatchewan and judged the entire trial. He was joined for the Amateur Shooting Dog and the Open All-Age by Ken Chenoweth (MO), and by Jadie Rayfield (SC) for the Open Shooting Dog, Open Derby and our Classic which ran after Region 8. All our judges were very experienced, attentive and a joy to be around.
We are grateful to our sponsors. Purina provided financial support and a pallet of Pro Plan for the winning dogs. Their support of the Purina Handler of the Year program is also very important as contenders often travel to Championships hoping to earn points. We encouraged all contestants to feed Purina. We also welcome the sponsorship of Sport Dog with training collars and bark collars. Cash purses, gift certificates, Purina food, and Sport Dog collars made up the offering of prizes.
A special thanks to the organizational abilities and hard work of Keith and Bobbi Richardson. A big thanks also to the other folks who helped: Joe Frauendienst, and Japheth Frauendienst (many tasks including catching and planting birds), Gary and Chris Kercher (bird planter and paperwork). Kaitlin Gaukel and Leandra Pfizenmaier booted dogs and ran the dog wagon. Brittiny Haberkorn helped many with dog health related questions and lots of tasks behind the scenes. Joe’s daughter, Alex, was a big help. Christy Harris and Will prepared very good lunches and dinners. Ryan Haberkorn did a lot of important work and some welding for folks. Our IT GUY, Aaron Thorpe also lent a helpful hand.
Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Sheldon Rogers and Ken Chenoweth. Starters: 14 GSPs.
Uodibar’s Lover Boy (Blue), handled by Kirk Loftin and owned by Sherri Tangsrud was named Champion.
Blue had his first find at 5 on Suicide Hill. Find was at 5 and his bracemate took out the birds while Blue stood high and tight. His next find was at 14 on Chukar Hill, after crossing over Derby Draw and climbing the hill. He hunted along the base and after not finding any birds home at Shooting Dog Point he disappeared up the Draw and was found standing on the Rim. It was a nice find showing excellent style. He made a good shooting dog cast and had another find at 37 on the Upper Rim. He consistently hunted the cover and worked his way around to the High Gate where he had a strong finish in the prairie. Blue had a consistent forward race with plenty of power and range and showed a strong Shooting Dog finish. He handled nicely for Kirk and required no scouting or hacking. In summary Blue ran an attractive Shooting Dog Race with outstanding bird work clearly earning his Championship.
Twin Creek’s Running Rocky (Rocky), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin was named Runner-Up.
Rocky had a solid run to the front hitting many of the objectives and having his first find at 22 at Shooting Dog Point, which he handled with great style and intensity. He hunted along the Upper Rim having a divided find at 36. His next find was on Derby Bench at 46. He worked the Badlands and after passing through the High Gate he was found standing with his bracemate on a covey of Chukar down the first draw to the right at 57. Rocky was always to the front, had a strong Shooting Dog race and was easy handling requiring no scouting. He finished strong and did a nice job on his game.
OTHER WORTHY PERFORMANCES
Nike’s Frozen Arrow (Arrow), handled and owned by Larry Metter.
In the judges’ words: “Arrow did an awesome job!” BUT she was lost at 47 and returned after time was called. She had two of the best finds of the stake. One was after dropping into the Habitat where she slammed on point way to the front. It took awhile for the riders to get to her and as they were approaching a huge covey of Huns took flight from all around her and her staunchness was impressive. Arrow’s second find was on another large covey of Huns at the top of Shooting Dog Draw. Her run was stellar and she would have been hard to beat if her last 13 minutes was like the first 47.
Hi-N’s Dirty Secret (Badger), owned and handled by Hank Lewis.
Badger was braced with Rocky, the Runner-Up dog. He and his bracemate both headed into the Habitat and his handler worked hard to get him out of the Habitat and back on the Region 8 course. It took some tugging and pulling but he eventually responded, settled in and had a nice find at Shooting Dog Point at 23. He had a divided find at 36 on the Upper Rim. Once he settled in he had a nice performance with his handler, hunting and finding birds with a good finish.
Open All-Age Championship
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Sheldon Rogers and Ken Chenoweth. Starters: 16 GSPs.
Twin Creek’s Running Rocky (Rocky), handled and owned by Kirk Loftin was named Champion.
Rocky made a nice All-Age cast across the prairie to Suicide Hill where he had an impressive find at 4. There were a lot of birds running all over the place as the handler approached. Rocky maintained staunch integrity through the flush and impressed the judges. He was out of sight when the handler got off the Hill and around the Cove and spotted him as he again disappeared to the front. He ran powerfully around the base of the High Bench until reaching Shooting Dog Draw where he disappeared again. He was found standing on the Upper Rim at 22, but the judges couldn’t figure out how he got there. They thought he climbed the face of the hill instead of using the horse path up the Draw. In short-the find was impressive. He was released and headed off showing great speed as he hunted the Upper Rim through the High Gate disappearing over the prairie. He was found pointed at the Cathy’s Bench covey at 48, and he went on to enter the Habitat with the strongest finish of the stake ending up near the Cottonwood trees near the first house. He had a powerful forward All-Age race and was solid on his birds, clearly earning the Champion title.
Chicoree’s Riden High Trixie (Trixie) handled by Dan DiMambro and owned by Rondal Alexander, was named Runner-Up.
This was an unusual brace in that the two dogs, handlers and judges got separated early on and remained that way for much of the hour. On the cast off Trixie hunted Suicide Hill with no success and then dropped through the fence into the Habitat where she made a huge move along the willow line all the way to the end of the Habitat where she continued her huge move up to Shooting Dog Draw where she disappeared. This was an impressive move and caught the eye of the judges. Trixie was found on point at the top of the Draw at 23 with impeccable style and manners. She had her second find on the Upper Rim at 28 and another at 35. Both Trixie and her bracemate were out of pocket at 48 and the handlers continued riding on through the High Gate. Trixie shocked everyone when she showed coming down off a high ridge to the front at 58.Trixie did a great job but her finish was not as strong as the Champion’s.
OTHER WORTHY PERFORMANCES
Cuttin Wild Heavy Firepower (Tank), handled and owned by Mike Patrick.
Tank had finds at 5,11,19,24,42 and was found standing at time on the Cathy’s Bench covey. He had so many finds that he could not really get going enough to demonstrate all-age range and power along with a big finish. His bird work was excellent, but there was just too much of it. An unfortunate situation in an All-Age stake.
Open Derby
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Sheldon Rogers and Ken Chenoweth. Starters: 10 GSPs.
MSPW A Need For Speed (Needa). Handled by Dan DiMambro, owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, earned First Place.
This was an out and back course and Needa was the only placing dog that ran into the wind. She had a very strong race with good power and ground speed, and she hunted the cover well. She was forward the entire time and responded well to her handler. She was an impressive young dog.
Uodibar’s Lonestar God of War (Aries). Handled and owned by Kirk Loftin, earned Second Place.
Aries ran with the wind to his back and was strong for the first half when he was running across the more open ground of the Big Habitat, but he shortened up when he hit the cover in the Richardson Habitat. He was forward the whole time.
Red River Metallic Moon Pie (Pie), handled by Dan DiMambro, owned by Layton Norwood, earned Third Place.
Pie had a similar run to Aries, but it was a bit immature by comparison. Pie was forward the whole time.
Open Shooting Dog Championship
By Keith Richardson
Judges: Sheldon Rogers and Jadie Rayfield. Starters: 16 GSPs.
Macke’s Jim Bob (Jim). Handled by Dan DiMambro, owned by Abe Macke was named Champion.
Jim headed to Suicide Hill and immediately established point standing while his bracemate stole point. Bracemate was picked up and handler flushed extensively before releasing Jim to relocate the running birds. It took a second relocation to finally pin them and Jim handled the sequence with admirable style and skill. He was released and by the time the handler got around the base of the hill Jim was nearly through Derby Cove. He continued at a big Shooting Dog range with speed and power along the base of the steep slopes and was seen heading to Shooting Dog Draw. He was found standing five minutes later at 23 at the top of the Draw and his manners and style were again top notch. He continued along the Upper Rim and soon had a clean stop to flush on a bird out in the open. He had another find midway on the Rim at 30 and an NP on Derby Bench at 45. He made a powerful cast to the High Gate and was found pointing the High Covey, down the steep draw just past the Gate at 52. It was an excellent dug up forward find and Jim handled it well. He still had time to show he had plenty of power in reserve as he passed Cathy’s Bench in the distance and dropped down to the Habitat for a truly big finish. Jim was always to the front in a classic 10 to 2 big shooting dog range and handled well. He was solid on his game with high style and no holes throughout his run. He was well deserving of his title: Open Shooting Dog Champion.
Prairie Wind Penny Singing the Blues (Boo), handled by Rich Robertson, owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, was named Runner-Up.
Boo made a direct and powerful cast up Suicide Hill and immediately slammed a hard point in some thick mountain mahogany brush. Handler quickly produced the bird and Boo sped to the front where she was seen hunting the rocky slope of Derby Cove coursing through the heavy cover and finally disappearing around the far corner. She evidently continued working the dense cover because she was found at 18 pointed above Derby Draw for a quality “field trial” find, which she handled perfectly. Her next cast took her around Chukar Hill where she continued to hunt the hillside until disappearing at Shooting Dog Point and was found standing at 30 on the top of the Draw. This culminated the best 30 minutes of any dog in the stake. Unfortunately, she got hung up after her bird work on the steep hillside and was lost to view while handler rode on. The scout spotted her and handler returned to assist in getting her back on track. This episode cost her the Championship, but she went on to redeem herself as she again disappeared on Derby Bench far to the front. After extensive searching scout, Adolfo, spotted her on point far down the steep slope. Judge Sheldon got in a position he could see the glint of her collar and handler dropped down being guided by scout. Rich eventually located her and she was in the midst of a huge covey of moving chukar when he fired and lead her back to the top. Boo made a big move through the High Gate with only a few minutes left but was found pointed down the first draw. Rich saw the bird leave but not the judge so he pulled her off point without firing and released her but with two minutes left she could not show the big finish he was hoping for. Despite a remarkable performance she could not surmount her period of absence.
OTHER WORTHY PERFORMANCES
PW Catch Me if You Can (Sprint), handled by Rich Robertson, owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson
Sprint had her first find at 20 on Chukar Hill, but she had a slow start getting there. Her second find was at 30 midway up Shooting Dog Point. Her third find was on the Upper Rim at 37 where she whirled to a point and a covey was produced. Her fourth find was at 57 on Derby Bench showing remarkable intensity and style. Her bird work was flawless and her style pristine. She handled easily with no scouting required, and she was always seen going to and hunting the cover. She was a pleasure to watch but her slow start plagued her performance.
Uodibar’s Lover Boy (Blue), handled by Kirk Loftin and owned by Sherri Tangsrud was named Champion.
Blue was notable for the number of finds he had which were five in total at 6, 19. 27, 39, and 46. His race was a bit erratic with some big moves and some shorter moves. He showed a lot of power but needed a lot of handling to channel it. He was always to the front with hunting on his mind.