Result: Utah Field Trial Association

Location: Howell, Utah

Post Date: Apr 23, 2024

Submitted By: Rich Burgi, President

Open Shooting Dog (front, l-r): Kyle Oxborrow with K O's Brown Sugar Showtime, Daniel Mayer with Hillbillie's Willow Maize, and Shawn Miller with O T F's Cephus Gone Wild. (Behind): Robbie Thompson, Connor Erickson, Art Cox (judge), Scott Evans, Derek Evans, Rich Burgi (judge), Ray Carter, Mat Blockovich, and Brett Burgi.

Utah Field Trial Association held its annual field trial at Howell, Utah, on Saturday, March 23. This trial has occurred at this site consecutively for over 50 years. The grounds this year were in remarkable shape, with excellent growth from the above-average moisture that northern Utah has experienced the past couple of seasons. These trial grounds have traditionally carried some native birds, and it was nice to see this year an increase in sharptail grouse and paired Hungarian partridge, consistent with the good cover and moisture. All braces had bird contact with the wild birds and released chukar. The weather mostly cooperated with breezy conditions, but no storms occurred until the trial had finished and participants were packing up to leave. At that time, strong winds with torrential rain and sleet came, which would have made it impossible to continue the trial if it had occurred just minutes earlier.

The Open Shooting Dog attracted 11 participants, with all races showing well and having bird contact. First place was awarded to "Cephus," a German Shorthair Pointer male owned by Shawn Miller. Cephus had a strong, forward race, accompanied by three excellent finds on chukar at 7, 22, and 29. Second place was awarded to "Willow," a Vizsla female owned and handled by Daniel Mayer. She had a nice race with three finds at 15, 22, and 28. The second find was on wild sharptail grouse. Third place was won by "Hersh," a German Shorthair Pointer owned and handled by Kyle Oxborrow. Hersh ran a nice hunting and searching race, scoring birdwork three times at 15, 17, and 22. The second was a stop to flush.

The Open Derby stake had eight dogs. Trip, a German Shorthair Pointer male owned and handled by Mat Blockovich, won first place. All derbies showed well, but Trip had a strong forward race covering the country and a find on liberated chukar. It was Trip's strong race and finish, which attributed to the first-place finish. Second place was won by "Fran," a German Shorthair Pointer female, owned and handled by Dr. Mike Van Zomeren. Fran had a nice, directed race, with two finds on chukar. "Tucker," a male English Setter owned and handled by Ray Carter, won third place. Tucker had a good, consistent ground race with three finds. On his second find, he demonstrated broke dog work.

All judges felt this was a very competitive trial for both stakes. All braces had bird contacts, making it fun to judge and watch. We thank judges Scott Evans, Kyle Oxborrow, Rich Burgi, and Art Cox for their time and attention. Thanks also to all participants, and congratulations to the winners. Special thanks to Jeanne Burgi for organizing the event and Brett Burgi for planting birds and marshaling. Thanks to Scott Evans for judging, raising the chukars for this event, and helping in any way.

Well-deserved congratulations to all the placements!

Howell, Utah, March 23 - One Course
Judges: Richard Burgi and Art Cox
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 11 Entries
1st-O T F'S CEPHUS GONE WILD, 1693905, German Shorthair male, by W D K's Otis-OTF's Tickle Me Wild. Shawn Miller, owner and handler.
2d-HILLBILLIE'S WILLOW MAIZE, 1698553, Vizsla female, by Hillbillie's Cherokee Brave-Hillbillie's Too Legit To Quit. Daniel Mayer, owner and handler.
3d-K O'S BROWN SUGAR SHOWTIME, 1675907, German Shorthair male, by Sliderock's Showtime Stopper-P P K's Sugar. Kyle Oxborrow, owner and handler.

Judges: Scott Evans and Kyle Oxborrow
OPEN DERBY - 1 Pointer, 3 Setters, and 4 German Shorthairs
1st-GOOD TIMES TRIPLE THREAT, 1703848, German Shorthair male, by Kimber Tactical-Covey Up's Shake The Bank. Mat Blockovich, owner and handler.
2d-SUPER FRANTASTIC, 1703699, German Shorthair female, by W S K's Road Trip-W S K's Voodoo Queen. Mike Van Zomeren, owner and handler.
3d-VALOR'S LUCKY TUCKER, 1703473, setter male, by T's American Gunfighter-T's Whistling Dixie. Ray Carter, owner and handler.

Open Derby (front, l-r): Shawn Miller with Good Times Triple Threat, Dennis Pennington with Super Frantastic, and Ray Carter with Valor's Lucky Tucker. (Behind): Mat Blockovich, Kyle Oxborrow, Dr. Mike Van Zomeren, and Scott Evans.