Result: All-America Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Carson, North Dakota

Post Date: Oct 23, 2024

Submitted By: Lance Schulz

All-America Open Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Ch. Melrose Big John with Eli Taylor and R-U Ch. Grand Prairie Thrill with Jason Loper. (Standing with plaques): Terry Chastain, Tommy Rice. David Taylor, Joe Runyan, Buck Heard (judge), Alex Mauck (judge), George Hickox, and Debbie Ozner.

The North Dakota Pointing Dog Club hosted the All-America Open Shooting Dog Championship and Open Derby trial from September 2nd through the 5th, near Raleigh, North Dakota. This event would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the local landowners--the Miller, Stewart, Hartman, and Bachmeier families--who graciously offered their land for the trial. We extend our deepest gratitude for their hospitality and for enabling the success of this event.

We would also like to express our appreciation to Purina for their sponsorship, providing bags of Pro Plan Sport Dog 30/20 for all placing dogs. Such support from Purina is instrumental in maintaining the quality and prestige of these competitions.

The success of the trial is a testament to the dedication and hard work of many individuals. A heartfelt thanks goes out to our club volunteers, judges, dog wagon drivers, and marshals, including Joe Runyan, Billy Stewart, Alex Mauch, Buck Heard, Shawn Kinkelaar, Tommy Rice, Virgil Moore, Jason Loper, Lance Schulz, and Doug Swingley. Their efforts ensured that the event ran smoothly and efficiently each day.

Managing logistics for this event was no small feat. With over 25 horses to be transported daily from Shawn's camp to the breakaway farmyard, the operation became a finely tuned process. By the final day, the team had perfected it to the point where loading and departure took less than 10 minutes--an impressive accomplishment!

On Wednesday evening, a Landowners Appreciation Steak Dinner was held at Shawn's camp. The presence of all the landowners made it a special occasion for handlers, scouts, dog owners, and attendees alike, providing a chance to express personal thanks for their generous support. These landowners are not just valued partners in this sport but are also integral members to their neighbors as you could hear the conversations of them collaborating to support one another's farming and ranching operations, whether it was managing cattle, coordinating harvests, or tending to other vital agricultural duties.

The following is the reporter's brace report of the Open Shooting Dog Championship, capturing Finds, Stop-to-Flush, Unproductive, Back, and Picked Up perspectives. While the finds and STFs were confirmed with the judges, please note that these reports are not reflective of the overall performance of each dog but rather represent their activity around game.

The Running
Brace 1: Perfections Razzleberry (Hann) and Chelsea's Mae West (Kinkelaar). Hann: F1 at 38. Kinkelaar: NP1 at 15, F1 at 40, NP2.

Brace 2: Cheap Thrill (Lueck) and Ellen Charming Primrose (Rice). Lueck: F1 at 35 (40-bird sharp-tail grouse covey), F2 at 41, F3 at 43, STF1 at 48, F4. at 52. Rice: NP1 at 3, picked up at 25 after the second pasture.

Brace 3: Hale's Smooth Touch (Kinkelaar) and Travelin In Perfect Style (Hann). Kinkelaar: NP1 at 15, B1 at 23, NP1 at 30, F1 at 47, F2 at 49. Hann: F1 at 23 (3 birds flushed), STF1 at 45, F2 at 49.

Brace 4: Tallokas New Business (Loper) and Thunderbolt's Wild Agin (Kinkelaar). Loper: NP1 at 20, STF1 at 52, NP2 at 55. Kinkelaar: Failed to back at 20.

Brace 5: Perfections Huckleberry (Hann) and Dark Rebel (Rice). Hann: F1at 5, F2 at 25 (a large group of 40-50 birds), F3 at 30, picked up at 30 due to a DQ for running out of order. Rice: Picked up at 20.

Brace 6: Wiggins Pree Dawn Reward (Hennes) and Charlies Perfect Angel (Hann). Hennes: F1 at 36. Hann: Disqualified for running out of order.

Brace 7: Grand Prairie Thrill (Rice) and Touch's Steely Dan (Moore). Both Rice and Moore recorded finds at F1 at 45 and F1 at 55, respectively.

Brace 8: Tiann Gotta Lotta (Lueck) and Hunt's Full Moon Rising (Kinkelaar). Lueck: F1at 34, STF1 at 40, F2 at 54. Kinkelaar: Neglected a F/STF at 25.

Brace 9: Thunder Bolt's Storm (Rice) and Panther Creek Rosie (Kinkelaar). Rice: STF at 26, NP1 at 50. Kinkelaar: F1 at 12 (lacked style), picked up at 35.

Brace 10: Elhew Johnny Utah (Lueck) and Laura Pergolizzi (Kinkelaar). Kinkelaar and Lueck picked up at 45.

Brace 11: Upfront's Charlie (Kinkelaar) and Brighter Days (Moore). Kinkelaar: F1 at 15, STF1 at 20, picked up. Moore: F1 at 15.

Brace 12: Cottonwood Bud (Hennes) and Pineywoods Showstopper (Rice). Both dogs picked up at 40 after STF1 at 7 and STF at 24, respectively.

Brace 13: Big Man On Campus (Kinkelaar) and Land's Can't Touch This (Moore). Kinkelaar neglected STF1 at10. Moore: F1 at 15 (covey of Huns), bumped pheasants at 20.

Brace 14: Georgian (Kinkelaar) and Cold Creek Thrill Tuff (Rice). Rice. Both dogs recorded non-productive efforts: NP1 at 17, NP2 at 22 for Kinkelaar and NP1 at 20, NP2 at 42 for Rice.

Brace 15: Cole Fusion (Hennes) and Minnesota Red Confidence (Rice). Hennes: NP1 at 50. Rice: F1 at 23 (covey in trees after alfalfa field and creek crossing), B1 at 50.

Brace 16: Lester's Another Shockwave (Kinkelaar) and Cross Country Ryan (Hennes). Kinkelaar: STF1 at 3, F2 at 7, F3 at 13, F4 at 56 (pheasants after creek crossing). Hennes: B1 at 7, picked up at 22.

Brace 17: Due Respect (Loper) and Shagtime Sunny (Kinkelaar). Both recorded divided finds at F1 at 13. Kinkelaar: B1 at 19. Loper: F2 at 19. Both picked up at 46.

Brace 18: Real Thing Dolly (Rice) and Upfront's Southern Star (Kinkelaar). Rice: Picked up at 40. Kinkelaar: STF1 at 15, described by judges as "the kind of dog they're looking for."

Brace 19: Upfront's McQuade (Kinkelaar) and Melrose Big John (Chastain). Kinkelaar: F1 at 7, F2 at 13. Chastain: F1 at 7, F2 at 13, STF1 at 49. The most exciting brace of the event. Both dogs ran prairie shooting dog races. Both finished strong, with Kinkelaar outpacing Chastain at time.

Brace 20: Dollywood Thrill (Rice) and Silver W Jill Z (Kinkelaar). Performance: Rice: Picked up at 25. Kinkelaar: NP1 at 10, NP2 at 18.

Carson, N. D., September 2
Judges: Buck Heard and Alex Mauck
ALL-AMERICA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 32 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 4 German Shorthairs
Winner-MELROSE BIG JOHN, F1708582, pointer male, by Brakenslide Ben-Melrose Rebel Lou. Terry J. Chastain Jr., owner and handler.
Runner-Up-GRAND PRAIRIE THRILL, F1676501, pointer female, by Seekin A Thrill-York's Hollywood. Mac Stidham, owner; Tommy Rice III, handler.

OPEN DERBY
The Open Derby ran after the conclusion of the Open Shooting Dog Championship. After the last brace had run, the judges named their placing dogs.

Judges: Alex Mauck and Virgil Moore
OPEN DERBY - 8 Pointers
1st-MERRILY AMAZING, unreg., pointer female, by Nonami's Johnny Come Lately-Melrose Goodbye Kiss. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry James Chastain, handler.
2d-SILVER W WILDFLOWER, F1711106, pointer female, by Elhew Sinbad-Silver W Freee Spirit. Debbie Ozner, owner and handler.
3d-MERRILY SPECIAL EDITION, unreg., pointer by Nonami's Johnny Come Lately-Melrose Goodbye K. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry James Chastain, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): 1st Place Merrily Amazing with Tommy Rice, 2nd Place Silver W Wildflower with Shawn Kinkelaar, and 3rd Place Merrily Special Edition with Lewis Peterson. (Second row, l-r): Alex Mauck (judge), Terry Chastain Jr., Virgil Moore (judge), and Debbie Ozner.