Missouri State Classic results
BOB CATLETT OPEN SHOOTING DOG
This year's Bob Catlett Memorial classic was held at the Sportsman's Association grounds in Grovesprings Missouri. The weather was Sunny and a crisp 25ﾟ with plenty of frost in this bottomland. This class was ran on Thursday with a break Friday to run the 1st series of the National Amateur Invitational Championship. We finished on Saturday with the same cold and windy weather.
This year's winner was ran in the 10th brace. Tin Man PM O/H Kenny Snow. Breakaway was 1017 for this nice pointer. His 1st bird contact would be 10 minutes in. 2 birds would be produced coming from a small feed strip across from Andy's house. Tin Mans bracemate would be picked up at this time. Kenny wouldn't have to go far before the team had another pair of birds located. 18 minutes in before crossing the road Tin Man would pin a single feeding under the oaks. Crossing the road and taking the edges into Sycamore bottoms Tin Man would find another pair in one of the many millet strips. His last find was in the in the Little Vine loop with another pair of bobs. Tin Man would finish the hour with power and style.
Our second place dog Unfinished Business (Ace) PM owned by John Gaines and handled by Justin Crook. Ace ran in the 4th brace and had great weather as we warmed up to 33°. The dogs were released at 10:47 coming back toward the club house. Justin would find Ace standing in the Little Vine Loop 8 minutes in. He flushed hard as a single left. Ace would continue hunting the front and searching hard for his next bird contact. After leaving Sycamore bottoms and crossing the road Ace would find a pair in a feed strip at the 1127 mark. Five minutes later he would have a stop to flush on one of the many liberated coveys. Ace finished the hour strong and with style to the front.
Third place was Two Seamer (Jeff) PM O/H Colby Tackett. Jeff was in the last brace of the Classic. He did a great job pointing with intensity and class. Jeff would find his first bird @ the 29 minute mark before leaving Sycamore bottoms. 5 minutes later after crossing the road he pinned a pair in the milo strip. With 8 minutes to go he stood tall on a single. Jeff's last find would be behind the cemetery with all in order.
Thank you to our judges, Mr.Tim Penn and Mr. Craig Hiatt both from Missouri.
LARRY CARPENTER AMATEUR DERBY AND PUPPY CLASSIC
This year was a good year for dogs tough year for judges these dogs were all good enough to be placed this year in any trial. The derby stand out was a pointer male Blair's Holy Thunder (Doc) owned and handled by Greg Blair. Doc was pointed in Sycamore bottoms on a liberated covey with his bracemate chasing and knocking. This was a beautiful broke find. He also had plenty of class and style. 2nd place is a puppy Sonic Boom Vom Huber Haus (Boomer) owner handler Travis Patterson this is a supernice pointer male with a big future. Travis is a newcomer this year to the NBHA and already successful. 3rd place Glover's Liza Menelli (Liza) pointer female owner handler Jack Glover. Liza has already shown she is the real deal and when continue winning she had multiple finds and will be able to compete at the next level.
The Puppy Classic was full of class, style, run, and bird work these puppies also could have been used in most trials this year. 1st place was (Artie) Huber's Artemis Sunshine Brittney female owner handler Travis Patterson this is a super exciting firecracker of a pup she is so fast and snappy it would be hard not to like her she is also a bird finder. 2nd was (Boomer) Sonic Boom Vom Huber Haus pointer male owner handler Travis Patterson. Boomer is a big old boy with plenty of go. Very classy dog that holds an edge with confidence. 3rd place (Belle) PB Helles Belles pointer female owner Bryan Stockham handler Marla Stockham Belle is a fancy girl that can find birds and look good doing it she is easy to watch move through the fields. She has placed many times this year and should have a good Derby season next year. A special thank you to Judges Kenny Snow and Justin Crook.
This year was a blast. These trials go smoothly with our team. We had morning breakfast of biscuits and gravy and eggs, dinners with our judges nightly. This was nice to all be together cussing and discussing. Sometimes we went to different venues but no matter we were always eating with friends and family. Friday evening was a handler's dinner catered by Terry and Company Catering. We had a wonderful meal and dessert. We presented last year's championship winner Mr. Don Heisner a beautiful painting of Champion Beacoup Creek Gus. This painting was done for us by Jordan Wood of Grove Oklahoma.
The Missouri Bird Hunters Association helpers are great group Kevin Western, Jack Glover, Randy Zimmer, Joe Zimmer these guys cook breakfast every morning, donated UTV, drove dog wagons and kept every brace on the line. Hauled the bird planter, reporter, gallery wagon which is becoming a huge hit. I could call all of these gentlemen my brother. They are great behind the scenes helpers as well always offering help Justin, Tim, Craig, and Kristi. Thank you to all that had anything to do with this trial.
A special thank you to Ivy Crook and Crooks Creations for making the judges and National Invitational Championship dogs beautiful keepsake tumblers. Gabe Allen G&S Printing for the awesome hats.
Our birds came from Seneca Missouri this year. Scott Walker has been working to improve his birds and facility. The results are amazing these birds would flat get-up-and-get gone. If you need birds locally give him a yell Walker Valley quail.
Thank you to our sponsors Purina for their gift certificates and coupons and dog food. On-X for the gift certificates. Garmin for the Alpha 10 and TTX collar. Gun Dogs Supply for their gift certificates. Gun Dog Central. These sponsors are our backbone and we would ask that you support them whenever possible. Thank you all so much.
