Result: NBHA National Invitational Breeders' Championship and 39th NBHA Futurity

Location: Grovespring, Missouri

Post Date: Apr 3, 2025

Submitted By: Christian Ogle

NBHA National Invitational Breeders' Championship (front row): Kissamee Grousewoods Tea with Jill Stuhr and Indian Creek Bocephus with Garry Malzone. (Back row): Danny Draffen, Chuck Leonard, Brian Kennedy (judge), Howard Burbach (judge), Randy Zimmer, Jim Ogle, Tim Penn, and James Kleve.

This year's 2025 Breeders' Championship, Futurity, and Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic were held again at the Sportsman's Association grounds near Grovespring, Missouri. The cover was not as thick this year as in past years, but it was absolutely sufficient. These grounds are so nice to watch our dogs hit the lines and move forward. The grounds have plenty of outside kennels, horse stalls, and electric hookups. The bunkhouse has separate judging rooms, plenty of bunk beds, a fully functioning kitchen, restrooms, and hot showers. These things are more than adequate for a bird dog guy.

We drew a total of 118 dogs for all three classes. This is a record for me. I would like to thank our handlers for their consideration of the workers, judges, and other handlers on the line, ready to go. It is so important to get all these braces done in a timely manner.
This year's Breeders' Championship had 53 dogs entered. We had to start on Tuesday, planning seven braces a day with No. 8 on standby. Our judges Howard Burbach and Brian Kennedy endured many hours in the saddle and some very harsh weather. Thank you so much, gentlemen. This is also the first trial where I heard no complaints. So, I guess our judges get a pat on the back for this one.

This is never possible without volunteers and sponsors. Our Missouri Bird Hunters Association (Kevin Western, Randy Zimmer, Joe Zimmer, Jim Ogle) was running again on all cylinders, never missing a beat. Purina Pro Plan donated dog food to all the winners and some extra bags for advertising. Garmin sent collars, OnX Hunt sent memberships, and Mule Brand Clothing and Gun Dog Supply sent gift certificates. Gundog Central is always at our side, helping us with our websites. Hats were donated to the Futurity and Puppy Classic winners by Ann Lorea Designs. Thank you to Purina for all the extras to auction off, Jack Glover for the Flintstone breeding, Bob England for the guided hunt, Joe Zimmer for the Christie saddle, Rob Warner for the blank gun holster, Garry Malzone and Kevin Western for our handlers' dinner, and everyone who donated to our auction. You all made this a huge success.

This year's champion, Kissamee Grousewoods Tea ("Daisy"), a Pointer female owned by Black Meadow Kennels, was scouted by Jillian Stuhr and handled by Garry Malzone. She ran in the first brace of day two, breakaway 8:02 a.m., braced with Kenny Snow's Tinman. At 6, she was pointed behind the cemetery with a pair of quail produced. At 9, she would be seen backing Tinman in a small feeder strip. At 16, they were found standing on the hill in a briar patch before crossing the road. A divided find would be called. At 30, she was standing in Sycamore bottoms. Tinman would be picked up. At 42, she had a single near a ditch crossing. She would have her last find at 49 in a feeder strip near Little Vine loop. She finished the hour hunting hard and going forward.

The runner-up champion was Indian Creek Bocephus, a Pointer male owned by Mr. Ed Marron, scouted by Jillian Stuhr, and handled by Garry Malzone. Bo is now 11 years old and has won 16 championships. Bo ran in the fifth brace on day two. Bracemate Outcast Duststorm was handled by James Kleve. Breakaway was at 1:45 p.m. At the 12-minute mark, they were both standing for a divided find. Dusty was picked up. At 18, Bo was standing tall on the hillside near a briar patch, before the road crossing. Thirty minutes in, Bo was found standing at Sycamore bottom. Garry kicked up birds for him, and they moved on. Bo would have his last find at 45. He would have a pair pinned down in Little Vine loop. Some people commented that this was the best race they had seen Bo put down. You add that with perfect birdwork and end up with another win. Congrats to team Malzone for winning both champion and runner-up. Owners, scout, handler, and dogs--everything has to come together at the right time, and it was their day.

Grovespring, Mo., February 11
Judges: Howard Burbach and Brian Kennedy
NBHA NATIONAL INVITATIONAL BREEDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 31 Pointers and 22 Setters
Winner-KISSAMEE GROUSEWOODS TEA, F1672676, pointer female, by Daddy's Little Boy Butch-Porter Meadow Bette. Black Meadow Kennels, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
Runner-Up-INDIAN CREEK BOCEPHUS, F1656742, pointer male, by Brown's Tom Tom-Indian Creek Riptide. Ed Marron, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

39th NBHA Futurity
Every year, we hear questions regarding the National Bird Hunters Association having broke dogs to compete and win in this class. My answer every year is the same. We will place the very best four dogs. If these dogs show our judges the complete package, then yes, they are going to win. In the NBHA, per our rules, a derby is not required to back. But if that dog runs in and takes a bird out already pointed by another dog, that is interference. The dog WILL be picked up for that infraction. Some dogs are perfect on birds, and some dogs move. I have seen both placed in this trial since I have been running it. I hope this will help ease everyone's minds. Also, competing in the futurity qualifies dogs for a bonus if they win the Breeders' Championship. Our six-dog callback and four-dog standbys were Bandit Hill Bess, Bandit Hill Payem, Tenacee Stella, Hackberry's Bright Rose, Miss Grace, Alliwood's War Hero, Alliwood's Shady Street, Dale Creek Boogie, Hog Hill Fafo, and Haney's Big Country. We drew 37 dogs, and this was not easy for our judges. The competition was tough this year, and we saw some great dogs. It is not an easy task to win this trial. After a 30-minute qualifier, they have to come back and compete for an hour. The winner could be named a champion but that is not in our bylaws. This year's winners were under the watchful eyes of judges Mike Poehler and James Kleve. Thank you both for your dedication to our sport.

The first-place winner was Haney's Big Country (Haney Silver Dollar x Wiggins C Trace), owned by John Mathys. He was scouted by Jill Stuhr and handled by Garry Malzone.
In second place was Alliwood's Shady Street (Touch's Grey Street x Alliwood's Shady Shay), a Pointer male owned and handled by Adam Delude.
In third place was Alliwood's War Hero (Touch's Grey Street x Alliwood's Shady Shay), a Pointer female owned and handled by Adam Delude. She is a littermate to our second-place dog. Congrats, Adam; you did a great job breeding this litter.
In fourth place was Miss Grace (Small's White Charger x Blue Mounds Mainstreet), a Pointer female owned and handled by Dan Crunk.
I would like to say thank you to all the owners who entered their dogs this year. This was a great trial with awesome competition. Good luck next year as you all go into the shooting dog world.

Judges: James Kleve and Mike Poehler
39TH NBHA FUTURITY - 24 Pointers and 13 Setters
1st-HANEY'S BIG COUNTRY, F1715342, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Wiggins C Trace. John Mathys, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
2d-ALLIWOOD'S SHADY STREET, F1706020, pointer male, by Touch's Grey Street-Alliwood's Shady Shay. Adam DeLude, owner and handler.
3d-ALLIWOOD'S WAR HERO, F1706021, pointer female, by Touch's Grey Street-Alliwood's Shady Shay. Adam DeLude, owner and handler.
4th-MISS GRACE, F1704743, pointer female, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mound's Mainstreet. Dan Crunk, owner and handler.

Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic
The Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic will graduate to next year's 40th Futurity. This year, we drew 28 of the best puppies. Our judges were amazed at the number and quality of these dogs. Mike Poehler and Brent Hoehns were our awesome judges. Thank you, gentlemen, for giving back your precious time and judging our puppy stakes.
First place was Run To Wynn (Imagine x Cocklebur Dragon Tattoo), owned by Brett Eikenbary, handled by Zach Erne, and scouted by Andy Erne. Second place was Hackberry's Zinnia Warrior (Elhew Sinbad x Hackberry's Addie Blackhawk), a Pointer female owned and handled by Brian Kennedy.
Third place was White Rose Cutter (Wiggins Master Ronnie x Wiggins Tried Angel), a Pointer male owned by Ron Russell and handled by Justin Crook.
In fourth place was Little Elhew Chief Snakefeather (Hackberry's Elhew Chief x Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee), owned and handled by Mike Taylor.
I would like to say thank you to all the breeders out there. This starts with you nominating the litters all year. And to the owners, amateur and pro, for getting these dogs to the trial. It is because of you all that this was the second year in a row that we paid back 100%. Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with the National Bird Hunters Association, the Missouri Bird Hunters Association, and these great people I call my friends and family.

Judges: Brent Hoehns and Mike Poehler
NBHA JERRY D. KILGORE PUPPY CLASSIC - 17 Pointers and 11 Setters
1st-RUN TO WYNN, F1712002, pointer male, by Imagine-Cocklebur Dragon Tattoo. Bret Eikenbary, owner; Zach Erne, 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.
4th-LIL ELHEW CHIEF SNAKEFEATHER, F1709748, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee. Mike Taylor, owner and handler.

39th NBHA Futurity (front row): Haney's Big Country with Jill Stuhr, Alliwood's Shady Street with Bob Bakas, Alliwood's War Hero with Adam Delude, and Miss Grace with Dan Crunk. (Back row): Garry Malzone, Ken Chenoweth, Joe Zimmer, James Kleve (judge), Jim Ogle and Danny Draffen.