Result: NBHA National Free-For-All Championship

Location: Cheyenne, Oklahoma

Post Date: May 13, 2025

Submitted By: Josh Pool and Tim Thornton

NBHA National Free-for-All Championship: Ch. Perfections Huckleberry with Jon Hann, and Uptown's West Mountain Boone with Jon Smith, joined by spectators.

The NBHA National Free-For-All Championship was held on the grounds of Croton Creek Guest Ranch and Wing Shooting Lodge near Cheyenne, Oklahoma. This was the second year in a row that the trial was held on this venue, and the action didn't disappoint. Thanks to generous sponsorships from Charger Systems, Mayfield Kennels, CUDD Pressure Control, and Croton Creek Ranch, the trial had an impressive payout of over $15,800. Security State Bank of Cheyenne sponsored the Ronnie Crawford Award for Enthusiasm. Croton Creek Ranch sponsored the Sportsman of the Year Award. Meals were served daily in the 7,200 sq ft. event center, called the Social Barn. Field trials can't take place without a lot of support and help, and a huge thank you goes out to the kitchen staff, bird planters, dog wagon drivers, reporters, photographers, spectators, and competitors for making this an awesome event. A big thank you goes out to Stan Wint and Ryan Mulcahy who expertly judged the Championship. Both were road warriors as Stan was just returning from a 21-day tour of duty at the National Championship at Ames Plantation and Ryan was returning home to Idaho after a season of guiding wild quail hunts in Texas. The drawing took place on Friday, March 7. The public was encouraged to attend, and six people took time out of their busy schedules to be in attendance.

The Free-For-All is a two-series trial. Thirty dogs competed in the one-hour first series. The judges narrowed the field to four callback dogs and two standby dogs for the second series. Due to our generous sponsors, every dog that made it to the callback received a payout. The top-qualifying dog received an additional $500.

First Series Running
As reported by Josh Pool
First Brace: The morning started cool but warmed up quickly. Mayfield Storm Charger started the trial off with a find at the base of the first ridge on the right side of the course at :05. On the other side of the ridge, A Horse With No Name was standing, and Mayfield Storm Charger backed. This ended up being an unproductive. After that, Mayfield Storm Charger went on to have another find, and another one after that, and then an unproductive. Later on, A Horse With No Name chased a bird, which ended up being a stop to flush for Mayfield Storm Charger, thus ending the brace for A Horse With No Name. Mayfield Storm Charger went on to have another unproductive, where a pile of feathers was displayed, and another find. He finished the one-hour brace.

Second Brace: Rendrag's Red Line Finnley and Webster's Elhew Dutton started out the brace with an unproductive each at the bottom of the first ridge. Handlers displayed feathers. Once over the ridge and through the first timbered draw, Webster's Elhew Dutton had a find, and Rendrag's Red Line Finnley backed. Further on across the same stretch of ground, Rendrag's Red Line Finley had a find, and Webster's Elhew Dutton backed. It was some time and a few more timbered draws, ridges, and turns before the next dog was on point. This was Webster's Elhew Dutton with another unproductive; the handler displayed feathers. After this, both dogs went on to have a split find at the top of a bald outcrop and another split find in the bottom of a brushy draw. Both dogs finished the full hour.

Third Brace: Deep Creek Mason and R R's Bluegrass Unbridled broke away with Mason making a strong move to Willie's Ridge, where he pointed on the left side of the course at the apron. At :05, a bird was produced and all in order. Next, Mason pointed on the left side of the course at :20 in a plumb thicket about halfway down the long grassy chute, again all in order. He would have one more find before the end of his hour. R R's Bluegrass Unbridled had her first find at about :40 right after crossing back over Willie's Ridge on the right side, of course. She finished with two finds.

Fourth Brace: Jane's Atlantic Way started out the brace with a find halfway up the first ridge. This ended up being a dead bird, and she was moved on. Once past this, the two dogs crested the first ridge, and Perfections Razzleberry was not seen for some time. Eventually, the handler asked for her tracker. Jane's Atlantic Way went on to have a find in open country, and then it was a little while before she stopped again. This ended up being a back, as Perfections Razzleberry was held up pointed, and it was assumed that she had been that way for quite some time. As Perfections Razzleberry's handler had already called for the tracker, Jane's Atlantic Way was taken on and released by herself. Jane's Atlantic Way went on to have an unproductive in a big pile of timber and brush, and another find. She finished the full hour.

Fifth Brace: The afternoon braces started at 80 degrees. Lady Lucks Revenge carried a bird back to its handler from halfway up the first ridge and was picked up. Uptown's West Mountain Boone was found standing in the general area of where Lady Lucks Revenge came from with the bird, and so his handler elected to take him on without flushing. Uptown's West Mountain Boone went on to have a stop to flush under a leafless tree and a find halfway up a ridge about halfway through his brace. He finished the full hour with a lot of run.

Sixth Brace: This brace started off with an early point by Erin's Gypsy Lady. This ended up being a dead bird. After that, both dogs opened up well, and there was a find by each dog before the first ridge. Once over the ridge and through the timbered draw, Charlies Perfect Angel had a find in a woody mott and then Erin's Gypsy Lady had a find at the top of a small rise. Both dogs went on to have another find, and then Erin's Gypsy Lady had a third find in the last few minutes of the brace. Both dogs finished the full hour.

Seventh Brace: This brace began with a find by Iron and Wine and a back by T D Sugar Show, well before the dogs reached the first ridge. Then the next find happened on the other side of the first ridge, and across the wooded draw, by Iron and Wine, with T D Sugar Show backing. T D Sugar Show had a find after this, and then both dogs moved over the country and held off into it with Iron and Wine disappearing over a ridge and not being seen for quite some time. The last bit of birdwork happened at the end of the brace, with both dogs breaking on the flush and both dogs being picked up.
Seventh Brace: The morning started cool. White Knuckle pointed well before the first ridge. He proceeded to pursue and catch his bird in a dogged display of athleticism and mouth-eye coordination. Flint Ridge Annie had a find well after the first ridge, and then another find after that. On down the course, on the backside, Flint Ridge Annie had an unproductive. Flint Ridge Annie finished the full hour.

Eighth Brace: Both dogs topped the first ridge early in the brace. Mayfield's Miss Kitty was picked up on birdwork further on into the run, and Rendrag's Lucky Piper was picked up without birdwork halfway through.

Ninth Brace: This brace started with the first bit of heat for the day. Reed's Super Spirit had a find in a thicket, and Haney's I. B. Fancy backed. Reed's Super Spirit followed this with another find and then a third find, where she was picked up on bird work. Haney's I. B. Fancy was picked up without birdwork.

10th Brace: With the heat in full swing, Bromance and Perfections Huckleberry split off in different directions before the first ridge, with a find each. Then, once over the ridge, Bromance had another find. In the meantime, Perfections Huckleberry had a stop-to-flush and another find before catching up with Bromance after the first ridge. Bromance went missing to the front, and the handler asked for the tracker. Perfections Huckleberry had an unproductive at 40 and another find soon after. He finished the full hour.

11th Brace: K C's Next Gen ran alone. He had a find before the first ridge and an unproductive after that. He went on to have another find just before the end of the brace. The heat seemed to take a toll on the dog. He finished the full hour.

13th Brace: One Eyed Willy ran big and finished strong. Pointed feathers at the end and finished the full hour. Flint Ridge Oakley ran nice with three finds, and then had an unproductive and another unproductive. She was picked up by her owner.

14th Brace: Shadow's Bootlegger and Ty One On went a long time without birdwork. Then Ty was called on point, and the handler opted to flush. It ended up being an unproductive, and most agreed that the dog was backing a piece of equipment. After this, Ty caught the front and both dogs were standing on a divided find next to a water tank and the gravel road. Both dogs stood through the flush. After this, Ty One On had a find and Shadow's Bootlegger backed. Both dogs went on to finish the full hour.

15th Brace: Travelin In Perfect Style had a find after the first ridge. She had a lot of race and another find about halfway through the run. Travelin in Perfect Style went missing in the last 10 minutes and showed up shortly before the end. She finished the full hour. Flint Ridge Ranger finished the full hour with no finds but one unproductive.

Callback dogs:
Uptown's West Mountain Boone (Jon Smith; Top Qualifying Dog)
Rendrag's Redline Finnley (Weldon Gardner); Perfections Huckleberry (Jon Hann); Mayfield Storm Charger (Josh Pool);
Standby Dogs:
Charlies Perfect Angel (Jon Hann); Erin's Gypsy Lady (Mathew Puckett).

The Callback
As reported by Tim Thornton
At the conclusion of the first series, the field trial schedule had to be adjusted slightly as the Oklahoma wind decided to make its presence known. It was decided to run the Derby as scheduled on Friday morning before the windstorm was predicted to start. The Puppy stake was moved to Saturday afternoon following the callbacks.

The plan seemed solid, but the storm had other ideas, and with two braces left in the Derby, the storm started with sustained winds of 30 mph and gusts over 50 mph. In the afternoon, gusts would reach over 80 mph. After our windy morning, we were happy to be back in the social barn before the sky turned completely red from the blowing dust!

In spite of the wind, the Derby stake was very competitive. A huge thanks to Mathew Puckett and Jake Davis for stepping in to judge the Derby stake, flipping their hats around backwards, and attentively enduring the conditions! And also a huge thanks to Jon Smith and Weldon Gardner for judging the puppies.

One of the benefits of running at Croton Creek Ranch is the likelihood of pointing wild coveys of Bobwhite quail. During the fall trial, eight wild coveys were pointed on a single 30-minute course! Curiously absent during the first series of the Free-For-All was a wild covey find. The first brace of the callbacks would change that trend.
First Brace: Uptown's West Mountain Boone, owned/handled by Jon Smith, was braced with Perfections Huckleberry (Jon Hann). Both dogs broke away well, each dog going about their business in their unique way. Boone had been named the Top Callback Dog for Jon Smith, who was handling in only his second field trial and his first walking trial ever! Jon Hann and Huck are an experienced team and very familiar with being in the winners' photo.
As both dogs crested Willie's Ridge, both dogs were running well. Hann, who had kept Huck in and ran a more conservative first series strategy, was letting his charge have his head in the second series. Huck was happy to oblige, chewing up large chunks of country in his bid to be named Champion.

Callbacks:
One of the benefits of running at Croton Creek Ranch is the likelihood of pointing wild coveys of Bobwhite quail. During the fall trial, eight wild coveys were pointed on a single 30-minute course! Curiously absent during the first series of the Free-For-All was a wild covey find. The first brace of the callbacks would change that trend.

First Brace: Uptown's West Mountain Boone, owned/handled by Jon Smith, was braced with Perfections Huckleberry (Jon Hann). Both dogs broke away well, each dog going about their business in their unique way. Boone had been named the Top Callback Dog for Jon Smith, who was handling in only his second field trial and his first walking trial ever! Jon Hann and Huck are an experienced team and very familiar with being in the winners' photo.

As both dogs crested Willie's Ridge, both dogs were running well. Hann, who had kept Huck in and ran a more conservative first series strategy, was letting his charge have his head in the second series. Huck was happy to oblige, chewing up large chunks of country in his bid to be named Champion.

Boone has been wild bird hunted all over the western United States, and he was showing his abilities and talents to look for birds in all the likely places. Both dogs got their first real taste of field trialing in Western Oklahoma when, at :15, a wild covey of Bobwhite quail was seen flushing wild as Boone worked the left side of the course. Boone stopped to flush as the birds lifted well out in front. As judges and handlers arrived, Huck was also seen standing about 20 yards left of Boone and a safe distance from where the birds flushed. The work was scored as a stop to flush by both dogs, and all was in order after the shot.

Both dogs continued their strong ground performances down the grassy chute, making the dog leg right and past the water tank. Huck, nearing the top of the next ridge, pointed on the left side of the course in some shinery. Hann had an extended flushing effort as Huck stood solid. The murmurs in the gallery were that the birds had run off, as this is a known feeding area for wild coveys in the area. Hann trusted his dog and continued to flush. His efforts were rewarded as a single wild quail flushed near the horses, and then three more in popcorn fashion in the area of the dog. Huck had scored a wild covey feeding and stood with impeccable manners through the shot. This piece of work was approximately :25 into the brace. Energized by his second encounter with wild birds in 10 minutes, Huck went deep into the country, last seen crossing Willie's Ridge to the right of the course and angling right. Boone had watered at the blue water tub prior to Willie's Ridge and had disappeared over the ridge to the left. Scouts were sent in different directions to look for both dogs. The course had turned away from Huck's last known location, while Boone was assumed to be to the left of course somewhere along Willie's Ridge. Jon Smith called point for his dog. Boone was pointed in a tough-to-get-to spot in a known wild covey location. Flushing efforts commenced but without success. Smith took his dog on. Huck had found the front on his own, and now both he and Boone had 15 minutes to show the judges what they had left. Jon Smith, knowing he needed to make something happen, informed the judge he was sending his dog into the red cliffs, though it was a bit left of course. He surmised that he needed a bird, and this area was his best shot as it is known to produce wild coveys. Boone made good on Jon's gamble, and point was called well left of course. Initial extended flushing efforts were futile with Boone standing high and tight. Boone was relocated and reestablished point. More efforts were made to flush. Birds were seen lifting well to the front as the running covey had finally had enough and lifted. Boone was solid, and all was in order at the shot.

Huck, staying on course and several hundred yards to the right of where Boone had his find, pointed in a little wash filled with grass and plumb thickets. Hann walked in and flushed a single liberated quail, Huck standing with his signature style and composure. Both dogs finished strong and to the front, concluding an exciting first brace of the callbacks. The standby dogs were notified that their services wouldn't be needed.

Brace 2: The standard had been set as Weldon Gardner with Rendrag's Red Line Finnley and Josh Pool with Mayfield Storm Charger walked to the starting line. Finnley and Gardner are no strangers to the Free-For-All callbacks. This was Gardner's third year in a row making the callback. He placed Rendrag's Lucky Piper runner-up two years ago; he had two dogs, including Finnley, in the callbacks last year, and they were back to try to win the Championship this season.
Mayfield Storm Charger was coming off of an excellent bird finding first hour at the All-Age National Championship at Ames Plantation just a week prior. He had shown his bird-finding talents and range in the first series for his handler, Josh Pool. Josh and his wife Rilee have become regulars on the NBHA circuit. Coming into the sport a year ago, they, like many of the new arrivals in the Oklahoma/Texas areas, have shown that though they may be new to trialing, they definitely know their way around a dog. They've hunted wild birds all over the western United States, and their dogs show it. Josh handling Mayfield Storm Charger was a natural fit as the dog, owned by Jake Davis, has been in the all-age string of Allen Vincent. Josh, wishing to gain more knowledge and experience, spent much of summer camp in Allen's camp and was very familiar with Storm Charger.

Both dogs broke away well, finally staying to the left front and reaching out to Willie's Ridge. Storm Charger made a strong move, showing his all-age roots, and went deep into the right front of the course, ending up where the course comes back over Willie's Ridge on the back half of the course. He then swung to the front on the backside of the ridge and was seen standing pointed to the right of the course as handlers and judges crested the ridge. Pool caught some bad luck as he flushed when the bird flew back into and over Storm Charger's head. It was too much for the amped up dog, and he made an effort to catch the bird as it cleared him. Storm Chargers' electric start to his callback performance ended at :10.

Finnley continued on course, watering just below where Storm Charger had his mishap. She was picked up at :35 after her second unproductive. Bringing the gutsy little Vizla's chances at the Championship to an end.

Thanks to the NBHA and all of our National Sponsors for supporting this event.

Cheyenne, Okla., March 12
Judges: Ryan Mulcany and Dr. Stan Wint
NBHA NATIONAL FREE-FOR-ALL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals] - 22 Pointers, 1 Setter, 6 German Shorthairs, and 1 Vizsla
Winner-PERFECTIONS HUCKLEBERRY, F1672078, German Shorthair male, by Odyssey's Perfect Traveler-H's Double A Flagship. Chase M. Benton, owner; Jon Hann, handler.
Runner-Up-UPTOWN'S WEST MOUNTAIN BOONE, F1706402, pointer male, by West Mountain Lucky Luke-M H Rockford

NBHA Open Derby Stake (l-r): Webster's Texas Ranger with Phillip Webster, Mathew Puckett (judge), Bandit Hill Bess with Klaus Schmidt, Jake Davis (judge), and Rendrags Hide and Seek with Weldon Gardner.

Judges: Jake Davis and Matthew Puckett
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers and 7 Setters
1st-WEBSTER'S TEXAS RANGER, F1718880, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Wynona's High Finance Rita. Phillip Webster, owner and handler.
2d-BANDIT HILL BESS, F1706165, pointer female, by Touch's Smooth Rider-West's Lucy. Klaus Schmidt, owner and handler.
3d-RENDGRAGS HIDE AND SEEK, unreg., pointer female, by Wahoo's Big Bull-RR Easter Lily. Weldon Gardner, owner and handler.
Judges: Weldon Gardner and Jon Smith
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 15 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-CCR'S OKLAHOMA SMOKE SHOW, F1719953, pointer female, by Wahoo's Black Rail-T D Sugar Show. Tim Thornton, owner and handler.
2d-ZEKE, unreg., pointer breeding not given. Chris Craighead, owner and handler.
3d-LIL ELHEW CHIEF SNAKEFEATHER, F1709748, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee. Mike Taylor, owner and handler.

NBHA Open Puppy (l-r): Meadow Thornton, Tim Thornton with Oklahoma Smoke Show, Weldon Gardner (judge), Chris Craighead with Zeke, Jon Smith (judge), Ken Sauer, and Mike Taylor with Lil Chief Snake Feather.

Callback & Standby Dogs (front, l-r): Elliot Smith and Emory Gardner. (Behind): Uptown's West Mountain Boone with Jon Smith, Rendrag's Redline Finnley with Weldon Gardner, Perfections Huckleberry with Jon Hann, Mayfield Storm Charger with Josh Pool, Charlies Perfect Angel with Jessica Hann, and Erin's Gypsy Lady with Mathew Puckett.