Result: Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Elk City, Kansas

Post Date: May 6, 2025

Submitted By: David Taylor

Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship (front): Virgil Moore with Upfront's Southern Star. (Behind): Harold Gearhart, Shawn Kinkelaar, Curtis Tear, Jon Humphrey (judge), Luke Topp, and Austin Bryant (judge).

The Midwest trial kicked off March 12, with the running of the Derby stake. A strong field of 10 juveniles challenged for placement. Lex She's A Doozy, a white and orange pointer female, topped the field. She ran a strong forward race, handling with ease. Her response to her handler was excellent. Doozy pointed a wild covey and displayed finished manners while Virgil Moore put her birds to flight. Doozy is owned by Tom Kliebert Jr. Haneys Juggernaut, a white and orange pointer male, placed second in the stake. Zach Hilton is the owner of Juggernaut, and he was handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Juggernaut ran an excellent race and backed his bracemate mannerly. He pointed a single from a covey that had been flushed during an earlier brace and was trying to reunite. Juggernaut stood with perfect manners for the birds to be flushed. High Line Drive, a white and orange pointer male, placed third based on his outstanding ground performance. Drive was handled by his owner of record, Scott Hadley.
Many dogs placed in the Midwest Derby have won championships during their adult careers.

The championship running began the afternoon of March 12 and was completed on March 14, after 20 braces had been run. Those in attendance met at headquarters for the announcement. Judges Humphrey and Bryant rendered a popular decision naming Upfront's Southern Star the 2025 Champion. Star was handled by Shawn Kinkelaar and scouted by Virgil Moore for owner Lance Schulz. Star has amassed a remarkable record at this championship, winning four championships and one runner-up. The last four titles, three championships and one runner-up, have come in successive years, 2022-2025. Although Star is nearing the end of her career, her performances do not show any less brilliance. Her ground speed, application, style, and perfect birdwork remain consistent. All of these qualities were on display in this performance. Star ran a dazzling race coupled with flawless finds at 12 and 55.

Touch's Shameless, a pointer male owned by Dr. Richard Steckley and handled by Chuck Stretz, was named runner-up. Shameless stood at 15, but no birds were produced. At 35, Shameless pointed, and birds were flushed with everything in order. Running a good shooting dog race, Shameless cast to the next hill where he was found pointed. After an extended relocation, birds were flushed with Shameless standing mannerly.

The judges made special mention of three dogs that impressed them with their performances: Ramblin Rivers Natural, handled by Bill Stapleton (Upfront's Southern Star is Natural's dam), and Thunder Bolt's Storm and Chelsea's Mae West, both handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Each of the special mention dogs is listed in the order that they ran.

The Westfall Ranch, near Elk City, Kansas, has become home to the Midwest Championship. The officers of the association appreciate Mr. Westfall's support. He provides the grounds, facilities, and equipment needed to host the trial. Ranch manager Wally Olson, his wife Jennifer, and son Trip joined the group for several trial activities. Wally checked each day to see if we needed anything. Jennifer joined the gallery one afternoon on her favorite mount. Trip opened gates for the dog wagon during the running and helped Garvin release and feed birds after the day's running.

Thanks are extended to Purina for providing product to those handlers who handled dogs that won placements in the trial. Greg Blair's work at the local and national levels is outstanding, and we thank him.
Jon Humphrey and Austin Bryant from Oklahoma filled the judicial saddles. They have participated at all levels of field trials in their home state. Both of these gentlemen were congenial, attentive, with positive attitudes. Their decisions were well received.
Shawn Kinkelaar and Lance Schulz provided steaks for the annual Champions Dinner in honor of the 2024 champion, Upfront's Southern Star. Virgil Moore, Star's scout, manned the grill. Randy Wilson provided delicious sides to go with the steaks. A festive evening was enjoyed by those in attendance.
Garvin Collins has served the Midwest in many positions and now serves as president and field trial chairman. He put together an excellent group of workers in order to host this event. Randy Wilson was responsible for the headquarters and prepared three meals a day. Garvin and Harold Gearhart released birds the night before the trial began. Garvin and Trip supplemented the coveys and fed them each evening. Jay McKenzie provided an ATV for putting out and feeding birds. Scott Hadley opened the gates and marshaled. Handlers were quick to pitch in and help.

The championship committee appreciates the owners and handlers for supporting this event with their entries.

Elk City, Kan., March 12
Judges: Austin Bryant and Jon Humphrey
MIDWEST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 29 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-UPFRONT'S SOUTHERN STAR, F1662579, pointer female, by Ransom-Double Wild. Lance Schulz, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Runner-Up-TOUCH'S SHAMELESS, F1692246, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Touch's Conference Call. Dr. Richard Steckley & John C. Stretz, owners; John C. Stretz, handler.

OPEN DERBY - 10 Pointers
1st-LEX SHE'S A DONZY, F1706284, pointer female, by Certified Sam-Brighter Days. Tom Kliebert Jr., owner; Virgil Moore, handler.
2d-HANEYS JUGGERNAUT, F1716275, pointer male, by Pleasant Run Samuel-Pleasant Run Sally. Zach Hilton, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
3d-HIGH LINE DRIVE, F1711512, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Hadley's Honky Tonk Song. Scott Hadley, owner and handler.

Open Derby (front row): Shawn Kinkelaar with Lex She's A Doozy, Curtis Tear with Haneys Juggernaut, and Harold Gearhart with High Line Drive. (Behind): Randy Wilson (our great chef), Jon Humphrey (judge), Virgil Moore, Scott Hadley, and Austin Bryant (judge).