Result: NBHA Northern Regional Championship

Location: Argyle, Wisconsin

Post Date: May 7, 2024

Submitted By: Greg Blair

NBHA Northern Regional Championship (l-r): Deb Dlobik, Bob Bakas (judge), Andy Erne, Matt Miller, Jillian Stuhr with Champion Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior, Zach Erne, Garry Malzone with Runner-up Indian Creek Bocephus, John Dlobik, Rick Torres, and Jeff Wallace (judge).

The 2024 NBHA Northern Regional Championship was held again this year at the Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area near Argyle, Wisconsin. The grounds are very rolling, with plenty of acreage to allow a dog to stretch their legs yet be in touch with their handler. No mowing was done this past summer, which provided thicker, thorny cover. The Twelve O'Clock Field Trial Club hosts a very welcoming, warm event, and this year was no different. The field consisted of American Field/UKC and AKC Champions and major futurity winners. Thank you to each owner and handler who joined this Championship.

Our judges this year were Bob Bakas of Winfield, Illinois, and Jeff Wallace of Knoxville, Iowa. Bob and Jeff have judged all across the country and sat in judicial saddles of previous championships. These two gentlemen are duly qualified, and we appreciated their time with us. They did a great job and were welcomed kindly by all participants. Thank you, Bob and Jeff!

This year drew a reputable entry from across the country. We welcomed entries from professional trainers traveling from New Jersey, Ohio, and throughout Wisconsin. Due to the fact that this championship fell on Easter weekend, we began the running on Thursday morning to wrap everything up on Saturday afternoon. We experienced cool temperatures that rose throughout the day into the high 50s. Friday dawned with an east wind, which many will tell you not to run a dog in, but we had some very nice performances. Numerous dogs finished the hour, including M V R Earl's Black Diamonds (Erne), Raintree Blue Moon (Waite), Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior (Malzone), Miller Creek's Misbehavin' (Miller), Chippewa's Dog of War (Erne), Miller Creek's On the Horizon (Miller), Indian Creek Bocephus (Malzone), and Sycamore Creek Cody (Erne).

The 2024 NBHA Northern Regional Champion is Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior (Malzone), who ran in the third brace of the first day. The runner-up champion this year is Indian Creek Bocephus (Malzone). Bo ran in the first brace on Friday.

Champion Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior is owned by Jillian Stuhr, handled by Garry Malzone, and scouted by Jillian, all from Indian Creek Kennels out of Franklin, New Jersey. Buddy started his brace with an early find after the breakaway, all in order. He was classy on the ground, handled kindly, and stayed comfortably to the front. Warrior finished the hour with five finds and one back.

Runner-up champion Indian Creek Bocephus is THE tried-and-true competitor in the NBHA. Anyone who follows us knows of Bo's accomplishments. Mr. Ed Marron of Ho Ho Kus, New Jersey, is a great supporter of the NBHA and is the proud owner of Bo! Bo is also handled by Garry Malzone and scouted by Jillian all from Indian Creek Kennels. Bo took to the course Friday morning with a purpose and power. He drove forward and stayed to the front the entire hour. His four-find performance was beautiful to watch, and his finish paved the way for securing the Runner-up Championship title. Well-deserved for this 10-year-old liver and white Pointer.

After completing the Championship Saturday morning, we started the Derby stake, also judged by Bob Bakas and Jeff Wallace. We can't thank them enough for sticking around and watching these youngsters. The Derby stake drew 11 competitive derbies! Derby placements were secured by three very nice males. Indian Creek 9" Nails, a tri-color male English Setter, owned by Kevin Griffin of De Queen, Arkansas, and handled by Garry Malzone, took first and showed great range and handling with a forward application. 9" Nails had multiple finds and stood proudly on them all. Raintree Simply Singular is an exciting male Red Setter owned by Cathy Lewis and Dean Reinke of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and handled by Tom Waite of Burlington, Wisconsin. "Batch" ran a race that was always forward, stayed in with the handler, and applied himself well. He had a nice, broke find to start the brace and went on to have two more finds. Batch is a son of HOF/National Champion Zansett Simply Red. Rounding out the placements was Indian Creek Pearl Jam, another tri-color male English Setter, owned by Jillian Stuhr and Garry Malzone and handled by Malzone of Franklin, New Jersey. Pearl Jam and 9" Nails are littermates from Indian Creek Wingman and Erin's D j vu, bred by Indian Creek Kennels. All three placements showed application and desire for the entire 30 minutes.

The Twelve O'Clock Field Trial Club would like to thank our national sponsors, Purina, Garmin, Mule Clothing, OnX Hunt, Gun Dog Supply, and Gun Dog Central. We also would like to thank our dedicated dog wagon driver, Ken Millikin, bird planter John Dlobik, and scouts, who helped everyone who needed assistance for their time and hard work. It is appreciated!

Argyle, Wis., March 28 - One Course
Judges: Bob Bakas and Jeff Wallace
NBHA NORTHERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 33 Entries
Winner-MOHAWK MILL TRAIL WARRIOR, 1676193, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Hirollins Fancy Lady. Jilian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
Runner-Up-INDIAN CREEK BOCEPHUS, 1656742, pointer male, by Brown's Tom Tom-Indian Creek Riptide. Edward Marron, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 11 Entries
1st-INDIAN CREEK 9" NAILS, 1703032, setter male, by Indian Creek Wingman-Erin's Deja Vu. Kevin Griffin, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
2d-RAINTREE SIMPLY SINGULAR, 1700318, Irish setter male, by Zansett Simply Red-Come Back Stellar. Cathy Lewis & Dean Reinke, owners; Tom Waite, handler.
3d-INDIAN CREEK PEARL JAM, 1703034, setter male, by Indian Creek Wingman-Erin's Deja Vu. Jillian Stuhr & Garry Malzone, owners; Garry Malzone, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): Scott Hauer, Nichole Smith, Bob Bakas (judge), Garry Malzone with Indian Creek 9" Nails, Rick Torres, John Dlobik, Andrea Ward with Raintree Simple Singular, Tom Waite, Jillian Stuhr with Indian Creek Pearl Jam, Jeff Wallace (judge), and Deb Dlobik.