Event: NBHA Arkansas State Shooting Dog Classics
Result: Westark Field Club

Location: Booneville, Arkansas

Post Date: Feb 24, 2025

Submitted By: Dustin Huggins

On January 16-19, Westark Field Trial Club held the Arkansas State Classic on the well-known grounds of the J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA in Booneville, Arkan. This is a very special year for the Westark Field Trial Club as it marks its 50th Anniversary. Arkansas was coming off a winter storm with 8-10 inches of snow, which is very unusual in the far south. The snow had almost completely melted, making for a challenging, cold, and wet trial.

The event kicked off with the Open Shooting Dog which ran for two days, saw 24 starters, and was judged by Harold Woodward and Steve James. Sitting atop day one with four nice finds and a nice forward running race was Indian Creek Spur. He placed third for handler Garry Malzone.

Day two brought a couple more fantastic runs by Garry Malzone and his classy Pointers. Second place went to Indian Creek Sprout, where he drove forward with four finds with an expertly handled relocation on a walking bird. First place went to Ch. Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior with an exceptional race. He had five masterful finds and ate up the course with class and precision. The final of his five perfect finds produced a covey of 10-12 quail, which sealed the deal.

Next was the Open Derby with 11 starters also judged by Harold Woodward and Steve James. Third place went to the English Setter Boatwright's Audubon Outcast, handled by James Kleve. Second place was awarded to Pointer Haney's Big Country and handler Garry Malzone. First place saw Pointer Hog Hill Fafo take the blue ribbon. Poncho was also handled by Garry Malzone.

The third stake presided over by Harold Woodward and James was the Open Puppy, which saw 16 starters. Taking the third-place spot was English Setter "Stormy," handled by Justin Crook. The second-place award went to Pointer Indian Creek Stevie Nicks with handler Garry Malzone. Finishing atop this impressive string of puppies was Pointer male Lil Elhew Chief Snakefeather, handled by Mike Taylor.

The conclusion of the event came with the Amateur Shooting Dog presided over by Garry Malzone and Jillian Stuhr. Third place went to English Setter Glover's Flintstone and handler Jack Glover. The second-place spot was awarded to English Setter Sky Hawk's Little Rascal, handled by Rob Warner. Topping out the seven-dog field went to German Shorthaired Pointer Blazin Cora of Dixie, handled by Dustin Huggins.

A big thanks to our judges for their time in the saddle. Thank you to our sponsors: Purina, Garmin, OnX Hunt, Mule Gear, and Gun Dog Supply. Thanks to Steve Morgan and Jerry Oswalt for all their hard work as bird stewards and picking up dogs. Also, thank you, Mrs. Jennifer Taylor, for the fine lunches served on the grounds and an excellent dinner of pulled pork, baked beans, and potato salad served hot at the clubhouse. Finally, a big thank you to the AGFC for allowing us the continual use of the J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA. Without that access, we wouldn't be able to host these trials!

Congratulations to all owners and handlers!

Booneville, Ark., January 16 - One Course
Judges: Steve James and Harold Woodward
NBHA ARKANSAS STATE OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers, 5 Setters, 1 German Shorthair, and 1 Gordon Setter
1st-MOHAWK MILL TRAIL WARRIOR, F1676193, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Hirollins Fancy Lady. Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
2d-INDIAN CREEK SPUR, F1695312, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Legacy's Pride-Mohawk Mill Dolly. Black Meadow Kennels, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
3d-INDIAN CREEK SPROUT, F1693330, pointer female, by Indian Creek Perfect Storm-Indian Creek Ramona. Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 8 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-HOG HILL FAFO, F1711945, pointer male, by Tattle Tailer-Ms. Antebellum. Tim Cavanaugh, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
2d-HANEY'S BIG COUNTRY, F1715342, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Wiggins C Trace. Chris Cagle, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHT'S AUDUBON OUTCAST, F1705038, setter female, by Audubon Americus-Circle B Burning Stardust. Terry Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.

NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 11 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-LIL ELHEW CHIEF SNAKEFEATHER, F1709748, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee. Mike Taylor, owner and handler.
2d-INDIAN CREEK STEVIE NICKS, F1716829, pointer female, by Indian Creek Spur-Indian Creek Mascara. Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
3d-STORMY, unreg., particulars not given. Justin Crook, owner and handler.

Judges: Garry Malzone and Jillian Stuhr
NBHA ARKANSAS STATE AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 1 Pointer, 4 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-BLAZEN CORA OF DIXIE, F1717161, German Shorthair female, by Duke Maximum Ridge Runner-Sizzlin Sage. Dustin Huggins, owner and handler.
2d-SKY HAWK'S LITTLE RASCAL, F1670670, setter male, by Hytest Palladin-Sky Hawk's Blues Traveler. Robert R. Warner III, owner and handler.
3d-GLOVER'S FLINTSTONE, F1691597, setter male, by Islander-Kodiak Island Bird Dog. Jack Glover, owner and handler.