The 2025 NGSPA Sharptail Championship started September 1st and as usual brought warm temperatures and challenging conditions. While birds were seen in almost every brace, getting them pointed would prove to be challenging this year.
A big “Thank You” to our landowners Dean Wang, Kelly Ducharme, and Mike Gunderson, and our sponsor Purina. Without them and their gracious donation of land, this trial would not be possible. To battle the warm temperatures all participants were on board with 6:30am start times and a quick horse change in between the morning and afternoon braces to try and beat the heat.
The judges kept a great eye on the dogs and we thank them for their time in the saddle.
NGSPA Sharptail Amateur Shooting Dog Championship The champion, “Jim” started off strong with a fast and pleasing gait. After going through the gate below the 2 knobs he took the little creek and stuck a pair of sharptails. Moved on he had another find about 10 minutes later on the top of a hill where a covey of shirttails was moved. He finished the hour strong to the front.
Runner-up “Fly” came early in the stake in an extremely hot brace. She had a find 5 minutes in on a covey of sharptail. She had nice range and was always to the front even in the thick cover and hot weather. She had a very big finish after a quick visit in the water tank.
NGSPA Sharptail Open All-Age Championship The winner Nova started off with a find at 5 minutes. At 15 the scout found her standing with bracemate backing, but no bird could be produced. After going through the gates into the large pasture she was seen off to the left rimming the big valley. While not the most direct route to the next pasture, she used the wind and was seen as far as the eye could see. She finished strong to the front and was standing at time where a pair of sharptails were flushed.
Runner-up was “Santa” who had a find at 35 flushed with perfect manners. He made some nice all age moves but was not quite as consistent as the winner.
