Result: Western Championships And National Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championships

Location: Reno, Nevada

Post Date: Jul 18, 2024

Submitted By: Jared Tappero

National Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Brad LaVerne, Sergio Velez, Jim Ledington, Bridget Ledington with S B Always Dreamin, Jarry Walton (judge), Lori Steinshouer (judge), Mike Wilkin with Miller's Newest Version, Bill Owen, and Bruce Hale.

The 2024 renewal of the Western Championships was again held at the BLM field trial grounds near Red Rock, 15 miles north of Reno, Nevada. The Western Championship stakes, hosted by the Bay Area Bird Dog Club, include the Pacific Coast Derby Championship, Western Shooting Dog and Western Championship, and the California Quail Championship; these stakes began this year at the conclusion of the AFTCA Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championship, which was co-hosted by AFTCA and the Bay Area Bird Dog Club. The five championship stakes ran over nine days under variable weather conditions, with handlers from five western States and one Canadian Province participating.

The Red Rock field trial grounds are located on the western edge of the Great Basin, the Sierra Nevada Mountain range rising ominously from the high-desert floor to the west. At 5,300 feet elevation, the grounds are located on a rolling sage and grass-covered landscape with deep cuts, steep hills, long ridges, rock outcrops, grassy basins, and large patches of western juniper.

National Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championship
The National Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championship was drawn by Piper Huffman, Secretary of the AFTCA, on the evening of Thursday, April 18, from her home in Michigan City, Mississippi. Twenty dogs were drawn in this one-hour Amateur Championship stake; the field of canine participants included (16) Pointers, (3) English Setters, and (1) German Shorthaired Pointer. All 20 canine athletes started. Advertised judges for this stake were Lori Steinshouer of Reno, Nevada, and Casten Pigman of Washoe Valley, Nevada. Casten suffered a foot injury Saturday after lunch while mounting his horse and was replaced as judge by Jarry Walton of Reno, Nevada. Many thanks to Piper for drawing this stake for us.

The Winners
Declared champion was S B Always Dreamin, a 7-year-old white and orange Pointer bitch owned and handled by Bill Owen of Santa Barbara, California. Miller's Newest Version, a 4-year-old, white and orange Pointer bitch, also owned and handled by Bill Owen, was named Runner-Up.

Reno, Nev., April 20
Judges: Lori Steinshouer and Jarry Walton
NATIONAL AMATEUR CHUKAR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
Winner-S B ALWAYS DREAMIN, 1679868, pointer female, by Rivertons Funseek'n Scooter-Touch's J Class. William Owen, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-MILLER'S NEWEST VERSION, 1696284, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. William Owen, owner and handler.

Western Championships
The stakes annually run as part of the Western Championships, including the Pacific Coast Derby Championship, Western Shooting Dog Championship, Western Championship, and California Quail Championship. All stakes were drawn Sunday evening, April 21, by Jarry Walton and Jared Tappero, in an open forum at the field trial grounds; pizza, wings, and cold beverages were provided for all who attended.

Pacific Coast Derby Championship
The Pacific Coast Derby Championship began shortly after 8 a.m., Monday, April 22, and concluded that day. Ten canine athletes, (7) Pointers and (3) English Setters, were drawn and started in this National Championship qualifier, Purina Open Derby and Handler of the Year Points stake. Judges for this stake were Marty Middleton of Herriman, Utah, and Chris Perkins of American Falls, Idaho.

The Winners
Declared champion was Kelly's I.B. Ruby, a 2-year-old white, liver, and ticked Pointer bitch owned and handled by Sean Kelly of Loomis, California. Valor's Lace and Grace, a 2-year-old white, orange, and ticked English Setter bitch, owned and handled by Ray Carter of Payson, Utah, was named runner-up.

Pacific Coast Derby Championship (l-r): Kara Kelly, Julie Kelly, Sean Kelly, Kay Kelly, Alex Mauck, Jarry Walton with Kelly's I.B. Ruby, Jim Ledington, Bridget Ledington with Valor's Lace and Grace, Brad LaVerne, Ray Carter, Sergio Velez, Marty Middleton (judge), Chris Perkins (judge), and Bill Owen.

Judges: Chris Perkins and Marty Middleton
PACIFIC COAST DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] 7 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-KELLY'S I.B. RUBY, 1700810, pointer female, by Kelly's Rebel Louie-Saddle Up Reba. Sean Kelly, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-VALOR'S LACE AND GRACE, 1703474, setter female, by T's Nickleback-T's Hidden Grace. Ray Carter, owner and handler.

Western Shooting Dog Championship
The Western Shooting Dog Championship began Tuesday, April 23, and concluded the following day, Wednesday, April 24. This Purina Top Shooting Dog and Shooting Dog Handler of the Year points stake drew 17 canine entrants: (14) Pointers, (1) English Setter, (1) German Shorthaired Pointer, and (1) Vizsla, all of which started. This year, we were fortunate to have three professional handlers competing in this stake: Sheldon Twer, Brian Gingrich, and Sergio Velez. Judges for the stake were Austin Turley of Molt, Montana, and Jared Tappero of Burns, Oregon.

The Winners
Named champion was Touch's Jimi Thing, a 4-year-old white, liver, and ticked Pointer dog owned and handled by Chris Perkins of American Falls, Idaho. S T's Locked N Loaded, a 6-year-old GLN rust Vizsla bitch, owned by Jeff Zenas of Williamsburg, Michigan, and handled by Brian Gingrich of Prewitt, New Mexico, was named runner-up.

Western Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Chris Perkins, Jared Tappero (judge), Jason Staley with Touch's Jimi Thing, Jim Ledington, Torben Hansen, Austin Turley (judge), Bill Owen with S T's Locked N Loaded, Sean Kelly, Brian Gingrich, Brad LaVerne, and Bridget Ledington.

Judges: Jared Tappero and Austin Turley
WESTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] 14 Pointers, 1 Setter, 1 German Shorthair, and 1 Vizsla
Winner-TOUCH'S JIMI THING, 1692245, pointer male, by Touch's Grey Street-Hainline's Silver Star. Christopher Perkins, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-S T'S LOCKED N LOADED, 1686059, Vizsla female, by C K Touchdown Guy-Midnight Run's Probable Cause. Jeff Zenas, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.

Western Championship
The Western Open All-Age Championship began Wednesday, April 24, at the conclusion of the Western Shooting Dog and concluded Friday, April 26. This National Championship qualifier, Purina Dog of the Year and Handler of the Year points stake drew 30 canine athletes, 29 of which started; dogs drawn included (24) Pointers and (6) English Setters.

The Winners
Named champion was Kelly's I.B. Ruby, owned and handled by Sean Kelly of Loomis, California. Miller's Newest Version, a 4-year-old white and orange Pointer bitch, owned and handled by Bill Owen of Santa Barbara, California, was named runner-up. Judges for the championship were Marty Middleton of Herriman, Utah, and Jason Staley of Kimberly, Idaho.

Western All-Age Championship (l-r): Hunter Grundmeyer, Chris Perkins, Alex Mauck, Austin Turley, Jason Staley (judge), Jim Ledington, Jarry Walton with Kelly's I.B. Ruby, Sean Kelly, Bill Owen, Sergio Velez with Miller's Newest Version, Steve Auxier, Bridget Ledington, Brian Gingrich, Marty Middleton (judge), and Brad LaVerne.

Judges: Marty Middleton and Jason Staley
WESTERN OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 24 Pointers and 6 Setters
Winner-KELLY'S I.B. RUBY, 1700810, pointer female, by Kelly's Rebel Louie-Saddle Up Reba. Sean Kelly, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-MILLER'S NEWEST VERSION, 1696284, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. William Owen, owner and handler.

California Quail Championship
The California Quail Championship began Saturday, April 27, and concluded the following day, Sunday, April 28. This National Championship qualifier, Purina Dog of the Year, and Handler of the Year points stake drew 23 canine athletes, 20 of which started; the dogs drawn included (18) Pointers and (5) English Setters.

The Winners
Named Champion was Ramblin Rivers Unplugged, a 3-year-old white and liver Pointer bitch owned by Bill Stapleton of Franksville, Wisconsin, and handled by Brian Gingrich of Prewitt, New Mexico. Circle B Wanted Ryder, a 4-year-old white, orange, and ticked English Setter dog, owned by Circle B Setters of Payette, Idaho, and handled by Sergio Velez of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, was named runner-up. Judges for the championship were Steven Auxier of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Jim Wolthuis of Sacramento, California; Jim Wolthuis replaced advertised judge Jared Tappero of Burns, Oregon.

California Quail Championship (l-r): Brian Gingrich, Steve Auxier (judge), Jim Wolthuis (judge), Bridget Ledington with Ramblin Rivers Unplugged, Jarry Walton, Kay Kelly, Kara Kelly, Sean Kelly, Julie Kelly, Jim Ledington with Circle B Wanted Ryder, Sergio Velez, and Brad LaVerne.

Judges: Steve Auxier and Jim Wolthuis
CALIFORNIA QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 18 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-RAMBLIN RIVERS UNPLUGGED, 1698585, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Wells Southern Charm. Bill Stapleton, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.
Runner-Up-CIRCLE B WANTED RYDER, 1702409, setter male, by T's American Gunfighter-Circle B Burning Stardust. Circle B Setters, owner; Sergio Velez, handler.

Acknowledgments
Members of the Bay Area Bird Dog Club would like to thank our cadre of judges, each of which put a number of days in the saddle watching a good selection of class bird dogs. A big thank you to Casten Pigman, Jarry Walton, Lori Steinshouer, Chris Perkins, Marty Middleton, Austin Turley, Jason Staley, Steve Auxier, and Jim Wolthuis, all of whom have a number of years behind them sorting out field trial bird dogs. The judges were attentive, gave our dogs the fullest attention and their decisions were well received. We would also like to thank Nestl Purina and Garmin for sponsoring the AFTCA National Amateur Chukar Shooting Dog Championship and Purina and SportDOG for their contributions and continued support of the Western Championships. Purina provided bags of Pro Plan dog feed for the winners of all five stakes and co-hosted the Wednesday night barbeque banquet. This year, 30 folks attended the mid-week banquet, again prepared by Andy's BBQ & Beans and served by Mel Belding. All who attended enjoyed a meal that included barbeque-smoked beef tri-tip accompanied by chili beans, a tossed green salad, fresh sourdough bread, soft drinks, and other refreshments. Continued support by SportDOG, which generously provided training collars as prizes for the winners, is much appreciated. The support provided by Purina and SportDOG representatives Greg Blair and Jim Morehouse is unsurpassed. Thanks again this year to the Western Village Inn & Casino folks for offering field trialers such generous rates and excellent accommodations. Clear Creek Outfitters of Chico, California, provided us with lively chukar again this year, and Irwin Family Farm of Fernley, Nevada, provided us with some lively Bobwhite quail. Lori Steinshouer graciously allowed us to utilize her facilities again this year for dog and horse water throughout the week. Thanks again to our go-to man, Bradley LaVerne, who manned the dog truck, kept bird bags full, and set up the lunch fixings daily this year. Bradley was informed at this year's banquet that he will receive a Life Patron Plaque presented by the National Bird Dog Foundation. We couldn't do it without Bradley! And thanks to Sean Kelly for additional help around camp and on the courses. In addition, many thanks go out to all the participants who this year traveled from five western states and one Canadian Province to make the Western Championships. We were blessed to have such a well-attended event. Thank you!

Reporter's Note
I apologize for the brevity of this report. I spent a good portion of my time on horseback this renewal at the back of the field planting birds. For some dogs, I had adequate information; for others, I had little to none. I was not present for the last stake of the trial, so I had no information other than what was provided on the essential data form. Finding judges for five stakes is a big effort, but finding multiple reporters is nearly impossible. Thanks for your understanding.

Bradley A. LaVerne, receiver of Life Patron Plaque presented by the National Bird Dog Foundation.