NBHA National Amateur Invitational Championship results
NBHA National Amateur Invitational Champion Glover's Pepper Shaker and Runner-up Champion Sky Hawk's Little Rascal
NBHA National Amateur Invitational Championship was held at Keith Wright’s RedWood Farm near Covington, IN. The NBHA Invitational Championship invited 12 dogs based on their NBHA rankings in the Amateur Shooting Dog category to compete for this title. This trial started on Monday November 18 with the dogs running to qualify for the chance to win on Tuesday.
This year the AFTCA National Walking Shooting Dog Championship was held at the RedWood Farm with 36 dogs running Friday thru Sunday. The NBHA Amateur Invitational Championship started the next day and as always there are plenty of birds at RedWood Farms to evaluate each dog on their ability to find and maintain proper manners on their bird work. RedWood is the ideal place to evaluate a Walking Dog Championship with the rolling hills, fields with edges of native grass and soybean. With a creek that trickles through the farm and several ponds it allows plenty of water for dogs to stay hydrated. The Wright family always provides hospitality that is unmatched anywhere else. Facilities are first class; the field trial course was manicured like a professional sports field. Parking and horse stalls were available for all who participated.
This year’s Champion Glover’s Pepper Shaker is owned and handled by Jack Glover from Shelbyville, MO. This is “Pepper’s” first championship, she ran in the third brace of the callback, her race was forward to the front. Pepper responded well to her handler as she navigated the course. Pepper finished with three finds all in order and style that made you sit up in the saddle. Runner-up Champion Sky Hawk’s Little Rascal owned and handle by Rob Warner of Pittsfield, IL. Sky Hawk’s Little Rascal ran in the first brace of the callback, he finished the hour with two clean finds, he was thorough in his application and was pleasant to watch.
We want to thank our judges for their time evaluating the performances of these fine canine athletes. Thanks again to Judge Aaron McAfee of Clinton, IL and JD Waters of Mechanicsburg, IL their decision were well received.
NBHA would like to thank our sponsors Purina for the dog food that is provided for the winners and samples to all the participants. Garmin provided a Pro 500 and a TT25 collar to the winners, On X Hunt to the winners and Gun Dog Supply gift certificates. Other NBHA sponsors Gun Dog Central and Mule Brand clothing are ongoing supporters of the organization throughout the year.
At the noon lunch on Monday, we had several honors to mention that made this trial a memory for those attending. First the host club North Missouri Field Trial Association gave each entry a Travel Mug with the new NBHA logo and with the script of NBHA National Amateur Invitational Championship 2024. Purina Pro Plan gave each owner a Purina Pro Plan reversable vest. NBHA recognized and presented Kenny DeLong, owner of K DeL’s Eagle Magnum Hotshot, a painting of last year’s NBHA National Amateur Invitational winner. Big thanks to Kenny DeLong who had a cake made to honor and wish good luck to all the participants at this year’s championship.
Finally, the host club North Missouri Field Trial Association and the NBHA would like to thank the Wright family, Keith, Jessica, Jill, and John for allowing us to use their facilities to hold this year’s NBHA National Amateur Invitational Championship event. Their help and assistance were greatly appreciated. And a special thanks to Kenny and CJ for assisting with the dog wagon duties.
RUNNING
Monday morning was the start of the qualifying run in the Invitational. With the rain setting in for the day the first brace had The Need For Speed, SM owner / handler Chris Kobs running with Emert’s Show Me Motu, SM owner Dave Emert and handler Cliff Monroe. This was the first time that these two were running in the Invitational. “Speed” finished the hour and made some good moves but missed the opportunity in making the callback. “Motu” is a veteran dog, but on this day was not his to finish the hour.
2nd brace had last year’s winner K DeL’s Eagle Magnum Hotshot, BM owner / handler Kenny DeLong was braced with Foxy Lady Sadie, ISF owner / handler Mike Fox. Both of these dogs are running for their second time at this event. Foxy Lady Sadie was lost in her bid to run in the final hour. “Hotshot” ran a good race having 6 finds earning his spot in the final hour.
3rd brace had Erin’s Gypsy Lady, PF owner / handler Matthew Puckett running with Baker’s Shining Star Duke, GSPM owner / handler Mike Baker. “Lady” wasn’t pleasing her handler today and was up at the halfway point. “Duke” finished the hour, had multiple finds and he stayed in check with his handler. Duke’s performance earned him a spot in the callback series.
4th brace Glover’s Pepper Shaker, SF owner / handler Jack Glover was up against Hirollins Gone and Doneit, PM owner / handler Warren Parrott. This was the first time that these two contestants ran in the Invitational. Both dogs navigated the course, had bird work and finished the hour making the callback.
5th brace Raintree Blue Moon, ISM owner / handler Cathy Lewis was braced with Craig's Runin Roxie, PF owner Craig Hiatt and handled by Tim Penn. This brace was unique as it showed cased the most consistent NBHA Amateur winning dogs in this trial. Raintree Blue Moon has been invited and ran in four consecutive NBHA Invitationals. “Blue Moon” was unable to finish the hour this year but the opportunity for him to repeat again for next year is still a possibility. While Craig’s Runin Roxie is running in her 5 appearances, Roxie handled her way to the front with four finds and finish the hour to earn a run in the callback.
6th brace had two newcomers to this stake. Sky Hawk’s Little Rascal, SM owner / handler Rob Warner running with Glover’s Flintstone, SM owner / handler Jack Glover. Both dogs broke away to earn the right to run again. “Flint” was secured by his handler midway through the brace ending his bid to run in the final. “Rascal” hunted with a purpose showing good manners on his bird work and finishing the hour to secure the opportunity to run again.
The callback had 3 braces running.
1st brace had K DeL’s Eagle Magnum Hotshot, BM vs Sky Hawks Little Rascal, SM
2nd brace was Hirollins Gone and Doneit, PM vs Baker’s Shining Star Duke, GSPM
3rd brace Craig’s Runin Roxie, PF vs Glover’s Pepper Shaker, SF
After the dust settled, the clouds cleared and the sun was shining, the announcement was made with the judge’s decision. This year’s NBHA National Amateur Invitational Champion is Glover’s Pepper Shaker and Runner- Up Champion is Sky Hawk’s Little Rascal.
