Result: West Kentucky NBHA Spring Trial

Location: Dixon, Kentucky

Post Date: May 15, 2025

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

Open Shooting Dog (l-r): A curious participant, Gary Vitali (owner/handler), Vitalis Grouse Ringer Pappy with Josh Griggs, Holly Linde, Andy Erne, Snyder's Hank with Mary Sue Schalk, Zach Erne, James Kleve (handler), Donnie Duckworth (judge), Tyler Vincent (judge), and Ryan Winka.

The West Kentucky Field Trial Club hosted a National Bird Hunters Association event the second weekend of April at Crouse Kennel in Dixon, Kentucky. The father-daughter team of Mike Crouse and Mary Sue Schalk is becoming regular hosts for walking events on their family farm. The venue serves as a great place for events for the seasoned competitors and those new to the sport of field trials. Drawing close to 50 dogs, there were six stakes run over the two days in Western Kentucky.

The Open stakes ran on Friday, April 11, in overcast conditions. Beginning with the Open Shooting Dog stake, eight dogs went to the line for the event. Besting the field was Vitali Grouseringer Pappy, owned and handled by Gary Vitali of Versailles, Kentucky. Pappy, a tri-color English Setter, had a nice ground race and a couple of pieces of birdwork in his half hour. James Kleve of Paris, Kentucky, handled Snyder's Hank to the second-place spot for Steve Snyder of Ellendale, Minnesota. An almost white English Setter, Hank was snappy on the ground and biddable for Kleve during his half hour. Unfortunately, the other competitors were not at their best on this day, and third place was withheld.

Seven dogs were drawn in the Open Derby stake that ran immediately following the Open Shooting Dog stake. James Kleve swept the stake, handling the top three dogs. First place went to the recently hot, Haneys Live Wire, owned by Ben Weddington of Brentwood, Tennessee. Live Wire, an orange and white Pointer male, covered the ground aggressively to the front. He also had a classy find to top off his performance. Earning second place was Outcast Achilles, a fancy tri-color English Setter male, owned by Ryan Hough of Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota. Achilles ran a strong, forward race and was biddable for Kleve. Rounding out the top three was tri-color English Setter female, Boatright's Audubon Outcast, owned by Terry Boatright of Richmond, Kentucky. The young female had the closest race of the three; however, her class and style were quite impressive. The Open Derby stake had a solid group of contenders for the judges to sort.

To conclude the day on Friday, six puppies ran in the Open Puppy stake. Besting the field was English Setter male Crouse's Grouse Feather, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky. Schalk also handled the second-place puppy, Crouse's Outcast, an English Setter female. Both young Setters were forward and handled well for Schalk. A newcomer to the sport handled Whiskey, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, to third. Ryan Winka of Corydon, Kentucky, brought his young dog to his first field trial and scored a spot in the winners' photo. A positive way to end the day for all involved.

Saturday morning was bright and sunny, but due to the flooding in the area, there was a slight delay to the start of the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. The stake drew 11 dogs from several states and was quite competitive, with more than half of the field having bird work. Tenacee Franklin, a liver and white Pointer male, topped the field. He is owned and handled by Greg Isenberg of Kingsport, Tennessee. A well-built dog, Franklin, handled well, hunted with intent, and forward. He demonstrated his bird-finding ability by pointing where birds had been flushed prior, with the handler producing a hawk kill. He also backed his bracemate over 100 yards away. He is a well-mannered, solid bird dog. Isenberg also owns Tenacee Shelby, a liver and white Pointer female, who earned second place in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. She, too, had a solid ground race and clean birdwork. Her range was tighter than that of the first-place dog; however, she still hunted aggressively during her 30 minutes on the ground. Taking the third-place spot was Brittany male, K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot, owned and handled by Kenny DeLong of Greenville, Michigan. Hotshot hunted enthusiastically for 30 minutes and had significant birdwork to display his bird-finding skills. The 11-dog stake proved to be enjoyable for all.

The Amateur Derby stake drew seven dogs, with Haneys Live Wire topping the podium for the second time in two days. Owned by Ben Weddington, Mary Sue Schalk handled the white and orange Pointer male. Live Wire ran a solid race and was more than eager to point birds. He had more than one bird contact in his 30 minutes. Dan Crunk of Walnut Hill, Illinois, handled his white and orange Pointer female Miss Grace to second place in the Amateur Derby stake. She is fancy and showed to the front, working well for her handler. Erin's Pancho Villa rounded out the field for owner/handler Chuck Leonard of Pinckneyville, Illinois. Pancho Villa is an orange and white Pointer male and has had a solid year in field trial competitions. His performance in Dixon, Kentucky, did not disappoint. He was easy on the eyes and biddable for the half hour.

To wrap up the weekend, eight puppies came to the line for the Amateur Puppy stake. Brian Stockram of Linton, Indiana, owns and handles the winner of the stake, PB John The Baptist. The white Pointer male ran the race of an all-age dog, showed to the front, and worked with his handler during his time on the ground. John the Baptist has had a great season; the reason for his success was evident in his performance in Dixon. Well done to Stockram and John for a great season. Earning second in the Amateur Puppy stake was Crouse's Outcast, an orange and white English Setter female. Outcast is owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky. She still exhibits the traits of a puppy, pointing all the butterflies, but she is strong on the ground, making some impressive moves to the front. Erin's Mich Ultra earned the third-place tie for owner/handler Chuck Leonard. The liver and white Pointer male handled well for Leonard and hunted diligently. He is a strong young dog with a bright future.

This event will be a staple in Western Kentucky for years to come. The father-daughter team of Mike Crouse and Mary Sue Schalk is honored to host events that grow the sport of field trials and that spread the knowledge of bird dogs. Special thanks to all who judged over the weekend: Donnie Duckworth, Ty Vincent, James Kleve, and Mike Crouse. The support of Purina and the National Bird Hunters Association is invaluable to clubs like the West Kentucky Field Trial Club hosting weekend trials. Also, thanks to Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Gun Dog Central, OnX Hunts, and Mule Brand Clothing. With 47 entries, the West Kentucky Field Trial Club would like to thank all participants and congratulate the winners! And last but not least, thank you to all volunteers who help keep field trial events running smoothly. Best of luck to all as the field trial season continues.

Dixon, Ky., April 11
Judges: Donnie Duckworth and Ty Vincent
NBHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-VITALI GROUSERINGER PAPPY, F1683688, setter male, by Vitali's Grouseringer Stogey-Vitali Grouseringer Purdy. Gary Vitali, owner and handler.
2d-SNYDER'S HANK, F1703517, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Shamrock's Tomoka Sally. Steven C. Snyder, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.

Open Derby (standing): Holly Linde, Alan Benson, Ryan Winka, a curious participant, Gary Vitali, Donnie Duckworth (judge), and Ty Vincent (judge). (Front): Haneys Live Wire with Mary Sue Schalk, Outcast Achilles with James Kleve (handler), and Boatright's Audubon Outcast with Josh Griggs.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-HANEYS LIVE WIRE, F1718923, pointer male, by Sam Houston's Image-Miss Turner Loose. Ben Weddington, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
2d-OUTCAST ACHILLES, F1709727, setter male, by Outcast Houston's Vision-Outcast Starburst. Ryan Hough, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHT'S AUDUBON OUTCAST, F1705038, setter female, by Audubon Americus-Circle B Burning Stardust. Terry Boatright, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.

Open Puppy: Crouse's Grouse Feather with James Kleve, Mike Crouse (judge), Crouse's Outcast with Mary Sue Schalk (owner/handler), Whiskey with Ryan Winka (owner/handler), and Ty Vincent (judge).

Judges: Mike Crouse and Ty Vincent
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 6 Entries
1st-CROUSE'S GROUSE FEATHER, F1713380, setter male, by Shagtime Max-GF Southern Belle. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
2d-CROUSE'S OUTCAST, F1710488, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Mary Sue Schalk, owner and handler.
3d-WHISKEY, unreg., Wirehaired Pointing Griffon male, breeding not given. Ryan Winka, owner and handler.

Amateur Shooting Dog (front row): Tenacee Franklin with Mary Sue Schalk, Tenacee Shelby with Greg Isenberg (owner/handler), K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot with Kenny Delong (owner/handler), Anna Katherine Schalk, Ruby Grissom, and Tammie Delong. (Standing): Kenny Haynes, Alan Benson, James Kleve (judge), Mike Crouse, Cindy and Chuck Leonard, Gary Vitali, Bryan Stockram, Donnie Duckworth (judge), Matt, Julie, and Grant Grissom, Jesse and Ann Montgomery, and Ty Vincent.

Judges: Donnie Duckworth and James Kleve
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 6 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-TENACEE FRANKLIN, F1686506, pointer male, by Elhew Moneymaker-Class Act Pretty Penny. Greg Isenberg, owner and handler.
2d-TENACEE SHELBY, F1683044, pointer female, by Elhew Moneymaker-Cantor's Coco. Greg Isenberg, owner and handler.
3d-K DEL'S EABLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, F1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance To Soar. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby (front row): Haneys Live Wire with Anna Katherine and Mary Sue Schalk, Miss Grace with Alan Benson (scout), and Erin's Pancho Villa with Chuck Leonard (owner/handler). (Standing): Dan Crunk, Kenny Haynes, James Kleve, Mike Crouse, Kenny and Tammy Delong, Donnie Duckworth (judge), Cindy Leonard, and Ty Vincent (judge).

Judges: Donnie Duckworth and Ty Vincent
NBHA AMATEUR DERBY - 5 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-HANEYS LIVE WIRE, F1718923, pointer male, by Sam Houston's Image-Miss Turner Loose. Ben Weddington, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
2d-MISS GRACE, F1704743, pointer female, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mounds Mainstreet. Dan Crunk, owner and handler.
3d-ERIN'S PANCHO VILLA, F1705859, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Justice-Erin's Miss Daisy. Chuck Leonard, owner and handler.

Judges: James Kleve and Ty Vincent
NBHA AMATEUR PUPPY - 8 Entries
1st-PB JOHN THE BAPTIST, F1708723, pointer male, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mound's Mainstreet. Brian Stockrahm, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S OUTCAST, F1710488, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Mary Sue Schalk, owner and handler.
3d-ERIN'S MICH ULTRA, F1718064, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erin's Sweet Sugar. Chuck Leonard, owner and handler.

Amateur Puppy: PB John The Baptist with Marla and John Stockram, James Kleve (judge), Crouse's Outcast with Anna Katherine and Mary Sue Schalk, Ty Vincent (judge), and Erin's Mich Ultra with Chuck and Cindy Leonard.