Result: Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Elk City, Kansas

Post Date: Apr 24, 2024

Submitted By: David Taylor

Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Shawn Kinkelaar, Dr. Stan Wint (judge), Dr. Bob Rankin (judge), Virgil Moore with Upfront's Southern Star, Curtis Teare, Scott Hadley with Game Sport, Harold Gearhart, and Randy Wilson.

The 37th running of the Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship and accompanying Derby stake was concluded on March 17. The trial was contested over three one-hour courses on the Bill Westfall ranch near Elk City, Kansas. Sixteen juveniles were drawn for the Derby stake, and 39 shooting dogs competed in the Championship.

The Midwest Field Trial Club was privileged to have Dr. Stan Wint from Gardner, Kansas, and Dr. Robert Rankin from Edmund, Oklahoma, to judge this trial. These two gentlemen are nationally known. Each has contributed to field trials as judges and club members, competed with their own dogs, and patronized professional handlers. Their decisions were well received.

After the running, trial chairman Garvin Collins thanked everyone and announced the winners. Upfront's Southern Star was named champion, and Game Sport was runner-up. Upfront's Southern Star ran a fast animated race going to every objective. She had three well-spaced finds during an exciting hour. Her second find was on a wild covey not seen again during the trial. Star's location, style, and manners were impeccable on each of her finds. With a Midwest Championship early in her career and a championship in 2022, runner-up in 2023, and champion in 2024, Star has become the queen of this championship. Star is owned by Lance Schulz from Bismark, North Dakota, was handled by Shawn Kinkelaar, and was scouted by Virgil Moore. Game Sport, an orange and white pointer male, owned by Bart Hicklin of Grimes, Iowa, and handled by Harold Gearhart, was named runner-up. Sport, running on the second course, reached the top of the high hill to the plateau area. Sport ran a strong, well-applied race. He had two finds that were well-located, and he demonstrated excellent manners. He remained stylish and intense for Gearhart to flush his birds. Sport, scouted by Chuck Stretz, was a worthy runner-up.

In addition to the champion and runner-up, 13 other dogs had birdwork and completed the hour. Luke Warm Whiskey, another Hicklin entry, had two wild covey finds. Twelve dogs had single finds. Listed in order of running, they were High Flyer, Touch's Wild Finale, Brighter Days, Aim High Hadley, Lester's Another Shockwave, Touch's Shameless, Tug O'War, Thunder Bolt's Storm, High Demand, Resolution, Panther Creek Rosie, and Creative Lady. In some cases, a stronger or better-applied race plus additional birdwork could have allowed them to challenge for recognition.

The Kansas wind played a significant role in the outcome of the Derby stake. All three placed dogs ran with the wind at their backs. No birds were pointed; thus, the placements were based on race. Hale's Country Buzz placed first with a strong forward race. Buzz was handled by Eddy Taylor for owner Dr. Jeff Hale. The second and third-placed dogs ran in the second brace and dueled throughout the 30 minutes. Littermates Creative Lady and "L.P." ran fast-forward races, with Creative Lady having a slight edge in range and maturity. Lady is owned by Bob and Catherine Reynolds and was handled by Chuck Stretz. Shawn Kinkelaar handled L.P. for owners Nicole Lombardi and Doug Swingley.

Patrons, Sponsors, Workers, and Fellowship
The Midwest Field Trial Club is indebted to Bill Westfall for the use of his ranch as well as the use of the facilities and equipment during the championship. The ranch is home to the Midwest, Jayhawk, and Sunflower Shooting Dog Championships and several all-age championships.

New ranch manager Wally Olson and wife Jennifer were on hand to assist during the trial. We enjoyed them joining the group for several evening meals. Wally and his son Trip rode the dog ATV with Garvin Collins and enjoyed learning about field trials.

Special thanks are extended to Purina and representative Greg Blair for providing feed to be awarded to the winners. Access to the new Purina store was also appreciated. New company representative Scott Johnson rode with us one day.

A special thank you to Randy Wilson, who provided three meals a day for the trial. The menu included comfort food everyone enjoyed after a day in the saddle. The desserts were a big hit with Judge Rankin and myself.

Thanks to Bob Reynolds, long-time trial chairman, for taking care of the dog wagon duties.

All those in attendance enjoyed the traditional steak dinner honoring last year's champion, Thunder Bolt's Storm. Storm's owner, Dr. Tom Jackson, and handler, Shawn Kinkelaar, provided the dinner.

Thank you to the owners and handlers who entered their dogs in the trial. Without their support, the trial could not continue.

Luke Topp provided his ATV to transport dogs and release birds. Luke has been very supportive of the championship for several years.
Thanks to club members for all their efforts to make the trial a success, especially Scott Hadley and Harold Gearhart. Scott saw that the gates were open for handlers, and Harold took care of many of the jobs preparing for the start of the trial.

Garvin Collins helped found the championship and has served in many capacities over the last 37 years. He continues his leadership as trial chairman, attending to the details necessary to host a successful trial. He leads with his usual optimistic attitude.

Bart Hastings traveled from Delaware to visit his uncle Garvin Collins and stayed on to judge the Jayhawk Championship. He arrived early and brought an ice chest of fresh oysters. The evening after the trial was over, he shucked oysters for those who remained. It was a festive evening full of good humor, with many memories recalled. It was good to see a long-time friend again.

Upfront's Southern Star with judges Dr. Bob Rankin and Dr. Stan Wint, as if to say, "Thanks for naming me the champion!"

Elk City, Kan., March 12
Judges: Dr. Robert Rankin and Dr. Stan Wint
MIDWEST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 35 Pointers and 4 Setters
Winner-UPFRONT'S SOUTHERN STAR, 1662579, pointer female, by Ransom-Double Wild. Lance Schulz, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Runner-Up-GAME SPORT, 1673797, pointer male, by Coal Trian-Game Bee. Bart Hicklin, owner; Harold Gearhart, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): Dr. Stan Wint (judge), Dr. Bob Rankin (judge), Virgil Moore with Hale's Country Buzz, Eddy Taylor (handler), Harold Gearhart with Creative Lady, Bob Reynolds (owner), Curtis Teare with Laura Pergolizzi, and Randy Wilson (master chef).

OPEN DERBY - 15 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-HALE'S COUNTRY BUZZ, 1709409, pointer male, by Game Heir-Hale's High Kick. Dr. Jeffrey Hale, owner; Eddy Taylor, handler.
2d-CREATIVE LADY, 1701680, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Buche's Elhew Rebel. Bob & Catherine Reynolds, owners; Chuck Stretz, handler.
3d-LAURA PERGOLIZZI, 1705950, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Buche's Elhew Rebel. Nicole Lombardi & Douglas Swingley, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.

Entrance of Bill Westfall Ranch