NBHA Western Regional Championship results
Championship Winners (L-R) Matthew Puckett, Rillie Pool (OK), Josh Pool, Jake Davis, Rob Warner (IL), Mike Taylor (behind). CH. KC’s Next Gen (AKA “Ben”) with Ken Sauer, Alex Martinez, Judge Chris Cornman, Chuck Maxson (KS), Dustin Huggins with R/U CH Blazin Cora of Dixie (AKA “Cora”), Jason Gallager, Judge Jason Super, Ty Seybert “Bird Planter”, Trey Baer, Bunny Snyder, Robert Jomes (MT), Connor Erickson (MO).
NBHA Western Regional Championship
By: Ken Sauer
February 6-8, 2026
We always have to start off by thanking our gracious sponsors. Purina Pro Plan (best sponsor we could ever hope for), Park Cities Quail Coalition for the grants to improve the trial grounds over the last two years, the USFS for allowing us to have these events and make improvements, Garmin for the continued support over many years, Mule Brand Clothing (the best outdoor clothing and hunting supplies), Gun Dog Supply that support every trial we have, OnXHunt that support us nationally, Gun Dog Central (the best online dog website). And I can’t forget Lary Cox of Christie Saddlery for the really nice leather roading harnesses for the derby and puppy winners. Champions Choice Silver for the handsome buckles to the Champion & R/U Champion.
The courses are very conducive for trials. They’re not the perceived “edge” country but do have edges in some of the more open parts of the pasture. There’s a lot of objective type spots that have birds. There’s plenty of ponds and stock tanks about every 10-15 minutes of the course. This makes it great for warm weather events. These watering holes make it great to keep dogs from overheating.
The folks that helped us hold this event are critical to pull off any event. Our Judges Dr. Chris Cornman & Jason Super. Two really good dog men. Your time in the saddles were greatly appreciated. Thank you to Larry Seybert Sr. & Ty Seybert manned the bird planting duties and dog wagon. My dear wife Melissa Sauer for lunches and preparing evening meals for the Judges was a huge help. She was also scouting my dogs when I ran.
We had some new folks come out to see the action and lend their helping hand. Able Rodriguez, Alex Martinez, Steve Engle, & we all got to see Brady Elmore & his wife Samantha back coming to some trials. A special thanks to Matthew Puckett for scouting dogs when folks didn’t have scouts & my moral support, and doing the AI generated draw. Can’t forget Trey Baer for helping me/us with some bird planting and helping put out some pre-released coveys, setting up feeders, and feeding the birds, early in the week after some of the snow & ice melted. He was also very instrumental in all the work we’ve done over two summers with clearing and mulching on the trial grounds. We also had folks from Montana Connor Erickson, Wyoming Robert Jones, Illinois Rob Warner, Kansas Chuck Maxson, Missouri Justin Crook, Arkansas Dustin Huggins, and Oklahoma. Jake Davis from Midland, Texas also brought some really nice dogs. Able Rodriguez and Alex Martinez of Texas came out for their first field trial experience.
So week before the trial we had 8” of sleet, snow, & freezing rain. Looked like it was going to be a cold muddy mess. As it turns out the weather gradually warmed up and somewhat dried up the course. As Texas weather does; temperatures warmed up with some cooler weather in the mornings. Still got warm (OK hot would be a better analogy). The Championship started on Friday morning and concluded around lunchtime on Saturday. The Championship drew 22 Open Shooting dogs. The derbies drew 13 dogs and puppies drew 10 dogs. Many breeds were represented.
So a week before the trial I developed a pretty bad sinus infection. Two weeks later when I’m writing this I still don’t feel well. I just had to figure out a way to play hurt. Matthew Puckett was instrumental in keeping me motivated and helping out.
I didn’t hire a reporter for this event and should have. Detailed reporting is a big deal for me so everyone can visualize a picture of all the happenings. If I would have felt better, I would have ridden every brace but just couldn’t do it. My apologies. I’ll recap below highlights and the winners of which I do have some records.
Western Regional Championship -
There were a lot of dogs with only one or two finds. There were a lot of birds out there. For some reason scenting conditions were tough even in the cooler braces in the mornings. It even got tougher as the temperatures got warmer.
Champion - KC’s Next Gen aka “Ben” - Ken Sauer Owner & Handler -
Ben drew out in the fifth brace with temperatures in the low 80’s. He scored his first find at 9 on a pair of birds with all in order. The second bird contact at 25 on a covey of birds at the hair pin turn. His third find came on yet another covey near a stock tank in heavy cover. His fourth find was on a single out in the heavy grass cover. Ben won this Western Regional back in 2023 in Inola, OK. His sire KC’s Shrimpboot (aka “Karl”) had won it many years back.
R/U Champion - Blazin Cora of Dixie aka “Cora” - Dustin Huggins Owner & Handler -
Cora drew out in the last brace of the Championship. Here again it was just after lunch and warm again. At 19 Cora had a stop. Handler couldn’t produce the bird but when collared the bird was flushed by the Judge’s horse. Again at 33 at the hairpin turn Cora was standing again. All the handler could produce was a pile of feathers. At 49 she had a stop to flush in heavy cover. Cora scored a find at 54 on the back side of the course with multiple birds getting up. Heading back towards the breakaway there was a straggler bird on bare cover that flushed and she carded another stop to flush. Cora is a nice moving GSP and had lots of manors on her game.
Honorable Mention -
Jane’s Atlantic Way aka “Jane” Josh Pool Owner/Handler -
Jane drew out in the first brace of Saturday. She’s a very nice Setter and easy on the eyes. She scored bird work at 14, 20, stop to flush at 30, find at 37, 40, at 47 point d a rabbit that cam out, another find at 50, & 57. There was a situation that the handler put his hands on the dog prior to flushing that removed her from the competition.
Texas Frostbite aka “Frost” Matthew Puckett Owner/Handler -
Frost ran in the ninth brace (3rd on Saturday). At 25 suffered an unproductive at the hairpin turn. She scored on game at 40 & 46 with nice style and manors. At 52 had a stop to flush with all in order. Frost is a first year shooting dog and really, really nice. She will be one to recon with for many years.
Heaven’s Red Raider aka “Raider” - Cary Waterhouse Owner/Handler -
Raider made game three times. At 20, 50, & 53. At 53 was on a bird she previously pointed.
Western Regional Open Derby -
1st Place - Jone’s Blazing Star aka “Phoebe” Robert Jones Owner/Handler -
Phoebe scored game on multiple occasions. At 5, 14, 23, & 25. At 28 she suffered an unproductive.
2nd Place - HPK Chaos aka “Buck” Trey Baer & Melissa Sauer Owners Trey Baer Handler -
Buck scored game at 25. He’s a nice moving front running pointer. Yes you read that right Trey Baer owns a Pointer.
3rd Place Elhew Chief Snakefeather aka “Chief” Mike Taylor Owner/Handler -
Chief is no stranger to the winners circle even since he was a puppy. He scored game on 5, 11, & 16. Again at 29 he was found but only feathers were produced.
Western Regional Open Puppy -
1st Place Quail Hawks Busy Bee the Baby Boykin aka “Bee” Nick Yashko Owner Connor Erickson Handler
2nd Place LMD Can’t Touch This aka “Poppie” Chuck Maxson Owner/Handler
3rd Place Hackberry’s Snake Lady McGee aka “Lady” Mike Taylor Owner/Handler
