NBHA National Championship

NBHA National Champion Gailen's Lotto Kip, PM, Shannon Shields owner and handler.
R/U Daniels Creek John, PM, Meyer owner and Buck Daniels handler.

Open Derby.
1st. Penrosa Stoneyox, SM, Tim Penn owner and handler.
2nd. Tim's Setter Rosie, SF, Callahan owner and Tom Waite handler.
3rd. Dale Creek Pebbles, PF, Borchardt owner and Tom Waite handler.


Open Puppy.
1st. Pure Justice, PM, Chris Gebhardt owner and handler.
2nd. Greypointe Rusty, Doug Meyer owner and handler.
3rd. Carpenter's Mr. Sky Hawk, SM, Larry Carpenter owner and handler.



From Doug Meyer

Grove Spring, MO

"The NBHA National Open Championship was concluded the afternoon of April 17th at the excellent Sportsman’s Association grounds near Grove Spring, MO. Taking the championship after the two hour final series was beautiful white and orange pointer male, Gailen’s Lotto Kipp in the ownership of Shannon Shields of Reading, KS. Kipp had an excellent two hour final series with an anxious wait at the end as scout Gailen Cooper searched long and hard to locate Kipp on point. This stylish find was Kipp’s seventh after having run a reaching race with five finds in his qualifying hour. Running in very warm conditions, Daniels Creek John piloted by handler Buck Daniels from Wisconsin.was named runner up with six finds in the two hours and a finish indicating he was still searching. Newhawka Blackjack, pointer male who could have changed things made a mistake on birds at 1:53 to shock both those riding and handler Buck Daniels.

Also finishing the two hours and braced with the runner up was Fairchase Jiggs, pointer female handled by Tom Woods from Oklahoma with a 9 find effort. Jigg’s finish showed the effects of the 75 degree temperatures although she had her final find at 1:56. The other callback dogs were Notorious Bodacious for Daniels and Hobbs Silver Belle for Keith Foreman. I’m Wrong Too, setter male for Iowan Dennis Ireland and handler Ryan Eichelberger and All That Jazz, pointer female for owner and handler Mike Duvall of Wisconsin were given honorable mention after the 15 brace first series by judges Scott Crawford and Chris Livingston.

The Missouri Bird Hunters Association led by Chairman Chris Gebhardt did an outstanding job hosting this trial. Kevin Western of Greentop, MO headed up the tailgate parties each evening cooking smoked pork chops one night, burgers and brats another and then Chris Gebhardt stepped in to wrangle a fish fry Saturday night. We also enjoyed visits from numerous field trialers and previous NBHA officers including former NBHA President Gene Swadley, Don Vice, Don Arnold, Jerry Hailey, Jamie Euliss and his mother, Andy Daugherty, Dennis Kennedy and Dick Fortner. Purina was well represented with both Steve Grossman and Gailen Cooper in attendance. Full particulars will follow."

This was the Special Bulletin going in to the Field. The Derby and Puppy stakes were very competetive as would be expected for a national event.

The Derby was won by Tim Penn's shiny setter male Penrosa Stoneyox after an excellent race and find with Tom Waite handling the second and third place Derbies in Tim's Setter Rosie and Dale Creek Pebbles. This was a strong field of Derbies.

The Puppy was also quite a show with pups burning the creek bottom edges and showing some precocious pointing manners. Chris Gebhardt walked in front of Pure Justice on a find to take first after a nice race. Greypointe Lefty took second for Doug Meyer after a reaching race and Carpenter's Mr Sky Hawk, braced with Lefty was third for Larry Carpenter.

I would like to personally thank everyone for attending and helping out with the NBHA National Open Championship. Chairman Chris Gebhardt and co-chair Tim Penn, Kevin Western and all their Missouri Bird Hunters' helpers did an absolutely outstanding job of putting this renewal together. The Sportsman's Assn grounds could not have been better - a real place to showcase a bird dog. Purina and Tri Tronics have been outstanding sponsors all year with representatives at our major stakes and the NBHA Futurity. Christie's Saddlery owner Larry Cox also provides a beautiful product and supports our trials.

It has been an excellent year for the NBHA and the dogs that have competed. Congratulations to our 2010-2011 Champions and our Dog of the Year points winners - when all trial results are in.

These dogs and our Handlers of the Year will be feted in Tunica, MS the second weekend of August. Please plan on attending as we will have lots to talk about and plan for a super upcoming 2011-12 season.