Plans are currently underway to run the 26th Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity in the Spring of 2013. After a two year absence, permission was obtained from the former Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity Board members and the Field Dog Stud Book to re-establish this time honored event. This event was spawned in the early 80’s, during a conversation underneath a shade tree, between A. Leon Smith and L.D. Hayes. This conversation ignited the initial flame that was to be a 25 year running of the Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity. Early officers L.D. Hayes, Doyce and Barbara Boyette, and A. Leon Smith wanted the focus of this stake to be about the breeders and wanted to offer a derby stake that was a true measure of the future dogs of the sport. They developed two innovative approaches: they were the first Futurity to host an endurance derby stake and the first Futurity to promote the Sire portion of the breeding. Also initial development promoted the Amesian Standard of Bird Dogs. During the first few years the MWSD Futurity flourished and was ran at the Ardmore, Oklahoma grounds. Later it was coupled with the Oklahoma Shooting Dog Championship and moved to Dr. Hawthorne’s ranch. Records indicate Mr. Bill Trabue won the first MWSD Futurity with a female named Midwest Bell. After several successful years with large entries, the event was moved once again to Sudan, Kansas and then back to Ardmore where it was eventually changed to a derby classic. Along with the Pheasant Futurity, U.S. Quail Shooting Dog Futurity and the National Shooting Dog Futurity, this event can once again prove meaningful and be utilized as a building block for breed improvement.
As in the past, an orderly process of forfeitures leading up the running will be similar to other futurities. Instead of nominating the specific dam, the litter will be nominated. Plans are to have the 1st Forfeiture Payment (litter nomination) be paid thirty days after the litter is whelped. The 2nd Forfeiture Payment will be the Entry Forfeiture (Specific Derby Nomination) to be paid 60 days prior to the running of the stake. After the 2nd Forfeiture is paid an entry fee will be collected prior to running. Dams bred after October 31, 2010 and litters whelped on or after Jan. 1, 2011 will be eligible to be nominated for this event. Since it is currently past the initial breeding dates for litters whelped after January 1, 2011; all late fees will be waived for the litter forfeiture until the next breeding cycle. Please be alert for future communication in the American Field and on the internet to acquire the proper litter nomination forms.
To maintain the high integrity of the stake, the endurance format to run a half hour qualifier with an hour call back will remain in place. Currently we are working with members of the Missouri Open Shooting Dog Committee and the board members at the Sportsmen’s Association Grounds at Grovesprings, MO to acquire the appropriate dates in order to have the re-inaugural running in the Spring of 2013. The goal is to run this stake as a precursor event to the Missouri Open Shooting Dog and afford both amateur and open handlers alike the opportunity to win an endurance derby stake before running in one of Missouri’s most prestigious Open Shooting Dog events.
The preliminary stages of event organization are sometimes tedious and time consuming and this task is no different. This trial was a large success for many years and provided the appropriate foundation for future breed improvement as Futurities are designed to do. The goal of this transition is simple - rejuvenate and elevate the Midwestern States Shooting Futurity to the national stature it once had. When change occurs and out of box thinking takes place, new and exciting ideas typically arise. Currently the individuals working on revitalizing this event are evaluating some new ideas to promote participation. Such ideas include a Stud Dog Eligibility Program, a website that allows viewing the nominated litters, a website that allows online payment of forfeitures, and different ways to promote the breeders! They are initially what makes the Futurities a success and what generates the birddogs of the future. As for now, establishing a board of directors, enrolling the help of future officers, and organizing the infrastructure are the primary focus.
We would like to thank Mr. A Leon Smith, Mr. Chuck Taylor, Mr. Don Arnold, Mr. Bill Coddington, Mr. Jerry Hailey, Mr. Scott Crawford, Mr. Bernie Matthys, The American Field and The Field Dog Stud Book for allowing this opportunity and for all the help the aforementioned persons have aided in the transition.
Also, thank you in advance to the birddog breeders, owners and handlers for supporting this upcoming event and this exciting endeavor as the Midwestern Shooting Dog Futurity moves to Missouri. Please watch for future correspondence including articles, dam/litter nomination forms, officer and director announcements, website, and many other pieces of information showcased in the American Field. If you have any questions feel free to contact Tony King at 573-239-1665 or
wildcovey@dishmail.net or Vagas Mathiesen at 402-560-4194 or
vagasmathiesen@yahoo.com.
Litter-Nomination-Form
Stud-Dog-Eligibility-Form
