NBHA National Open Championship results
Championship Photo Caption:
(l to r) Judge David Russell, Ann Forrester, Lance Servais, Chris Mullen with CH Bandit Hill Bess, Dr. Gene Spiotta, Judge Mike Lemons, Tom Waite and Andrea Ward with RUCH Blair’s Holy Thunder, Ike Todd, Klaus Schmidt, Greg Blair, Julia and Bill Currie, and Mechelle Mullen.
2026 NBHA National Open Championship
By Greg Blair
The National Bird Hunters Assoc. (NBHA) “Dance in Dancyville” returned to the beautiful grounds of West Tennessee for the 2026 renewal of the NBHA National Open Championship. The West Tennessee Field Trial Club has been in existence since the early 1900’s and some of the largest, and most storied field trials in history, have been ran on these grounds. A who’s who of field trial royalty grace’s the walls of the clubhouse and many of those individuals have joined us around the campfire. It is an HONOR to host our National Championship here. We hope our relationship adds to the history that is already there.
There aren’t enough words to express our gratitude to Bill and Jullia Currie, Dr. Gene Spiotta, Gene Spiotta, Chris and Mechelle Mullen, Ross Callaway, Ike Todd, Brad Laverne and all of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for their generosity and help in providing such a quality venue. They go above and beyond every single day to make it a great event. These are truly special people, who go out of their way to provide all we need. This year the West Tennessee FTC handled ALL the meals. Each and every day the lunches were prepared in a timely manner and the handler fish fry along with the Saturday night tenderloin dinner was prepared to perfection! This year the cost of our handler meal was provided by the 2025 winner. Tom Waite and Andrea Ward provided home cooked meals (venison steaks, pheasant stir fry and pork/ham and potatoes) for the judges and workers throughout the week! Every participant absolutely raves about this championship, the grounds, the people, and how it continues to be THE venue for the NBHA National Open Championship.
We’d like to give a special thanks also to our judges, David Russell and Mike Lemons. David hails from Como, MS and Mike came to us from Little Rock, AR. Both men kept a close eye on all dogs, know a championship performance, were helpful to all participants, and rendered a decision that was greatly respected. They are also the kind of gentlemen you enjoy having around - honest, attentive, and fair. A big thanks also go out to our sponsors. We couldn’t do this without the amazing support of Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Mule Brand Clothing, onX Hunt, Gun Dog Central, Andis Grooming, World Class Bird Dogs and Crouse Kennels.
National Championship running: Wednesday - Day 1 – Weather gave us a blue bird sky with the temperatures topping out in the low 60’s. We had six dogs finish the hour along with multiple dogs needing the assistance of the tracker. Rain storms rolled in Wednesday evening but thankfully cleared for Thursday’s running. Thursday - Day 2 – A strong eight dogs finished the hour, putting numerous dogs on the list to be used for Sunday’s callbacks. Friday - Day 3 – The handlers added five dogs to the ‘finished’ list, with the temperatures hitting the low 70’s, it made it difficult on others.
After the completion of the initial series the top four dogs were selected, and an additional two were put on standby, for Sunday’s callback series.
The National Championship callback braces were announced Friday night. These are how the judges wanted to run them, along with notes from the initial series:
1a Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior – O: Stuhr and H: Malzone – five finds, one unproductive
1b Bandit Hill Bess – O/H: Schmidt – five finds, one unproductive
2a Foxy Lady Sadie – O: Fox and H: Waite – four finds
2b Touch’s Maximus - O/H: Schmidt – three finds, stop to flush, back
Stand By:
3a Blair’s Holy Thunder – O: Grochowski and H: Waite – four finds
3b Southern Shadow’s Stoner - O/H: Schmidt – three finds, back
For the the last couple years, World Class Bird Dogs has awarded a financial gift to the Top Qualifying dog’s handler and owner, they graciously offered that again. This year’s World Class Bird Dogs Top Qualifier was Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior – O: Stuhr and H: Malzone…congratulations!
National Championship callback brace 1 with Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior, Malzone and Bandit Hill Bess, Klaus. The brace broke away at 8:00 am with both dogs hunting to the front. Bess was handling nicely at a comfortable walking race and Trail Warrior was punching to the front. Bess carded the first two finds with Schmidt flushing and Bess handling them with style. Trail Warrior seemed to get stronger and stronger, but a bit out of touch with his handler, Malzone requested the tracker ending his bid for the championship. Bess had the course to herself and went on to card three more finds and lastly, she was found pointed and the handler called rabbit. She went on to finish the hour with a nice race.
National Championship callback brace 2 with Foxy Lady Sadie, Waite and Touch’s Maximus, Schmidt. The brace broke away at 9:12 am. Sadie punched the front will a smooth race. She was found pointed and Waite flushed birds in front of her with all in order. Maximus took advantage of Sadie’s find and took to the front carding a find of his own. After Sadie’s find, she easily caught the front and was found pointed by the front judge. Schmidt kept Maximus to the front while Waite arrived to flush for Sadie, again all was in order. In the meantime Schmidt also found Maximus pointed and kept his bid alive. After Sadie caught the front, walking birds just off the path, got the best of her and she was ordered up, finishing her bid for this championship. Maximus was sent forward running gracefully to the front. Unfortunately he hooked up on a lateral path and became out of pocket. Schmidt kept moving forward singing and calling for him. To his demise, he was never to be seen under judgement again.
The judges requested the stand by dogs. National Championship callback brace 3 with Blair’s Holy Thunder, Waite and Southern Shadow’s Stoner, Schmidt. The brace broke away at 10:22. Both dogs started strong and handled kindly. Holy Thunder unfortunately carded an unproductive in the first field, while Stoner was pointed across the field on birds. He handled them with style. Holy Thunder carded his first birds just after the first ditch crossing with Waite producing a single and all was in order. As Holy Thunder continued to the front, Stoner was found pointed up the long hill, on the left side of the big field. Schmidt produced birds and all was in order. Upon release of the dog, Stoner advanced back into the find area and bumped a sitting bird. That unfortunate circumstance ended his bid. Holy Thunder was found pointed on the right side of the piney woods and handled them with adult manners. Waite sent the dog on and secured another find prior to the last ditch crossing. All was in order. Holy Thunder finished the hour.
After a short break, the winners were announced. The winner of the 2026 NBHA National Open Championship is CH Bandit Hill Bess, owned and handled by Klaus Schmidt of Wichita, KS, scouted by Lance Servais. Runner Up Champion is Blair’s Holy Thunder, owned by Dan Grochowski of Eagle, WI handled by Tom Waite of Burlington, WI, scouted by Andrea Ward.
Saturday we ran the open derby and puppy stakes. There were numerous fine performances and many great handlers. The juvenile stakes are always exciting and a great place for young dogs to gain experience. The judges were truly looking for potential and awarded the following placements.
Judges Russell and Lemons named the following National Open Derby winners: (l to r)
First: Meghan’s Macavator – O: Riggs Family H: S. Ridings (not pictured)
Second: Loghome Lizzie – O: Torres H: Waite
Third: Blair’s Empty Tomb – O: Blair H: Waite
Judges Zach and Andy Erne named the following National Open Puppy winners: (l to r)
First: Indian Creek Branzino – O: Stuhr H: Malzone
Second: Hackberry’s Snake Lady McGee – O/H: Taylor
Third: Running With Scissors – O: Stuhr H: Malzone
We would like to thank all the people of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for the fabulous grounds, facilities, and assistance with making the trial a success. Also, a big thanks goes to Mike Baker and Dan Grochowski for traveling from Wisconsin to handle the dog wagon responsibilities for five days! We look forward to continuing running championships at West Tennessee! If you are a bird dog fan, you will thoroughly enjoy the people of Dancyville and should make every effort to attend a trial there.
