Event: NBHA Kentucky State Classic
Result: West Kentucky Field Trial Club

Location: Kevil, Kentucky

Post Date: Feb 27, 2025

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

NBHA Kentucky State Classic (l-r): Korry Rinehart (judge), James Kleve, Mary Sue Schalk with Outcast Duststorm, Margie Ridings, Sam Ridings with Georgia Born Apache Wind, Jay Lewis (judge), and Mike Fox with Foxy Lady Sadie.

The National Bird Hunters Association Kentucky State Classic and companion Derby and Puppy stakes were held in Kevil, Kentucky, at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area December 20-22, 2024. Hosted by the West Kentucky Field Trial Club, the event had 24 entries in the Classic, 12 in the Open Derby, and 14 in the Open Puppy. Entries were especially appreciated the weekend before Christmas; the field had trainers from Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, New York, Iowa, Georgia, and Kentucky represented.

Jay Lewis of Ashland, Missouri, teamed with Korry Rinehart of Rienzi, Mississippi, to judge all three stakes. Both judges are active members of the horseback field trial community, and their time in the saddle was much appreciated. Lewis serves on the board for the Amateur Derby Invitational, competes, judges, and facilitates field trials on a regular basis. Rinehart not only competes as a pro but has also scouted multiple national champions on the all-age circuit.

The Kentucky State Classic turned loose the first brace on Friday, December 20. Prior to the start of the trial, the grounds received a heavy round of rain, thus making navigating for handlers on foot challenging. Not only for handlers, but the conditions were also tough for all canine competitors.
Rising to the top of 24 entries was Outcast Dustorm, an English Setter female, owned by Jim Kleve of Minnesota and handled by James Kleve. The tri-color female had a strong, forward race on Friday afternoon. "Sassy" pushed to the front throughout her hour, showing to the front at appropriate intervals. At the end of her hour, Kleve called point on a woodline. She stood stoic as her handler flushed in front of her, creating the perfect picture of a classic shooting dog. Her style, class, and forward-hunting ability earned her the top spot for the trial.

Sam Ridings handled Georgia Born Apache Wind to second place spot. Apache Wind is also owned by Sam and his sister Margie. The Pointer male ran in the final brace on Friday; the second half of his hour proved to be the better show. He was biddable and finished the hour at dusk with a picture-perfect find.

Rounding out the field was owner/handler Mike Fox with the ever-stylish and consistent Foxy Lady Sadie. The Red Setter female worked close for Fox most of her hour producing birds at the 55-minute mark, as she and bracemate Outcast Siren Song, handled by James Kleve, had a divided find in very thick cover. Guns were fired, and all was in order to conclude the running to the NBHA Kentucky Classic.

Besting a field of 12 derbies was black and white Pointer male Griffs Hackberry's Zach. Owned by Mike Griffin of Oklahoma, this strong, leggy dog is no stranger to the winners' circle. He handled to the front for Justin Crook and showed strong potential in his outgoing race. Hunting into second place was Bryant's Cold Rain, also a Pointer male. Owned by Kenton Bryant of Glasgow, Kentucky, the almost white dog hunted every inch of cover during his half hour for handler Michael Edwards. Rounding out the field of derbies was Setter Ridge Power Play, an English Setter male owned by Brad Peterson of Cedar Falls, Wisconsin, and handled by James Kleve. The tri-color male is a consistent competitor, digging in and hunting forward during his half hour.

The puppies wrapped up the weekend in the sunshine in Kentucky. Fourteen puppies were drawn for the stake, which ran on Sunday morning. Handler James Kleve returned to the winners' circle with English Setter male Boatright's Renegade. This puppy ran a strong forward race, taking edges with purpose. His enthusiasm on the ground was clear when he jumped in and out of cover seeking game. Second and third place were paired together during the stake, with Hackberrys Zinnia Warrior taking second and White River Cutter taking third. Zinnia is a classy, petite black head Pointer female, easy on the eyes; she handled well for owner/handler Brian Kennedy. Ron Russell owns Cutter, a burly white Pointer male, who covers the ground aggressively and showed consistently to the front for handler Justin Crook.

The National Bird Hunters Kentucky State Classic provided a full weekend of quality birdwork and performances. The West Kentucky Field Trial Club appreciates all those who contributed to the success of the event. Special thanks to the judges, Jay Lewis and Korry Rinehart, dog wagon driver John Clough, Southern Occasion Catering and Matt Schalk for providing meals, James Kleve for help with bird planting and marshaling, and all participants.

The National Bird Hunters also appreciates the sponsorship of Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Mule Hunting Clothes, Gundog Central, American Field with United Kennel Club, Gun Dog Supply, and OnX Hunts. These companies go above and beyond to support field trials; we cannot thank you enough!

Kevil, Ky., December 20
Judges: Jay Lewis and Korry Rinehart
NBHA KENTUCKY STATE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Pointers, 6 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-OUTCAST DUSTSTORM, F1701277, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Stardust. James W. Kleve, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
2d-GEORGIA BORN APACHE WIND, F1691160, pointer male, by Hirollins Gone And Doneit-Cock'n'fire Grace. Samuel & Margie Ridings, owners; Sam Ridings, handler.
3d-FOXY LADY SADIE, F1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner and handler.

NBHA Open Derby: Korry Rinehart (judge), Justin Crook with Griffs Hackberry's Zach, Jay Lewis (judge), Michael Edwards Jr., Michael Edwards with Bryant's Cold Rain, Anna Katherine Schalk, Mary Sue Schalk with Setter Ridge Power Play, and James Kleve.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 8 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-GRIFFS HACKBERRY'S ZACK, F1714352, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Mia Blackhawk. Mike Griffin, owner; Justin Crook, handler.
2d-BYANT'S COLD RAIN, F1715117, pointer female, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erin's Lone Star Amy. Kenton Bryant, owner; Michael Edwards, handler.
3d-SETTER RIDGE POWER PLAY, F1704698, setter male, by Cold Creek Hawk-Cold Creek Belle. Brad Peterson, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.

NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 8 Pointers, 5 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-BOATRIGHT'S RENEGADE, F1710486, setter male, Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Terry W. Boatright, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
2d-HACKBERRYS ZINNIA WARRIOR, F1709758, pointer female, by Elhew Sinbad-Hackberry's Addie Blackhawk. Brian Kennedy, owner and handler.
3d-WHITE RIVER CUTTER, F1709481, pointer male, by Wiggins Master Ronnie-Wiggins Tried Angel. Ron Russell, owner; Justin Crook, handler.

NBHA Open Puppy: James Kleve, Mary Sue Schalk with Boatright's Renegade, Korry Rinehart (judge), Brian Kennedy with Hackberry's Zinnia Warrior, Jay Lewis (judge), and Justin Crook with White River Cutter.