Result: NGSPA Region 12 Championships

Location: Sonoita, Arizona

Post Date: Feb 12, 2026

Submitted By: Anthony Rusciano

NGSPA Open All-Age Championship: Derrick Olsen (judge), Clint Matthews (judge), Todd Yamamoto with B M B's Freeloader, and Brandon Blum with BMB's Supernova.

The 2026 renewal of the NGSPA Region 12 Championships was a great success. Professionals and amateurs competed in the two Championships run at the beautiful Empire Ranch in Sonoita, Arizona. With great weather and camaraderie, everyone had a great time. Special thanks to Nick Besnick and Larry Metter for helping put on the trial, as well as Bob Williams and Mike Van Zomeren for assisting the committee with planting birds. Aaron Davis cooked everyone lunch and was greatly appreciated.

The days started off chilly in the 30s but rose to the low 60s later in the day--great dog weather. Birds are always at a premium on the expansive grounds as we battle coyotes, crows, and wide-open areas for the birds to be.

Special thanks to Purina and SportDOG for sponsoring the event; without their support, this trial would not be possible. Thank you to our judges, Clint Matthews, Derrick Olsen, Mick Cheshire, and John Beauchamp. The judges commented on what nice style and intensity the dogs had, all standing high and tight on their birds.

NGSPA Region 12 Open All-Age Championship
The trial started with 12 dogs in the Open All-Age. Competing were Josh Nieman, Todd Yamamoto, Dan Hoke, and Brandon Blum.

The champion was B M B's Freeloader ("Hewey"), handled by Brandon Blum. He started his run by being seen going over the far hill, reconnected with the handler about 10 minutes later, and was watered. He made a big move down the tree line at the back of the course and was gathered up for the hard U-turn and sent on his way back down the other side of the course. He was seen several minutes later, far ahead, and went over a tiny rise. As the handler reached the spot where he had last seen the dog, he looked over the rise and saw the dog standing about 50 yards over the hill. A chukar was flushed, and all was in order. Healed across the road, crossing Hewey was set loose and seen far to the front. After several minutes, we found him standing on the right side, and a pair of quail were flushed. Let loose again, he was seen at the end of the course and, as we approached, was found on point with a small covey of quail pinned. He finished up a very smooth, yet big, all-age run to the front.

The runner-up was BMB's Supernova ("Nova"), handled by Brandon Blum and owned by Tim Heydorff and Karen Bravender--their first GSP! She was let loose and seen once going over the middle hill. As we approached the hill, we had last seen her and got on top, and we could see her about a mile out at the end of the course. She was called in and watered for the difficult U-turn. After being let loose, she was spotted a few minutes later on point with a single quail being flushed. She continued with her range throughout the hour, and as we crossed the road, she was out of sight. We continued to ride for about 15 minutes until we got to the end of the course. Nowhere in sight, the scout saw her on point in a little ravine. After an extensive search, no bird could be located; most likely, a chukar had run off into the thick grass. She was let go for the final two minutes, and time was called with her out to the front--a very nice all-age run in the books.

Sonoita, Ariz., January 26
Judges: Clint Matthews and Derrick Olsen
NGSPA REGION 12 OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats]- 12 German Shorthairs
Winner-B M B'S FREELOADER, F1678664, German Shorthair male, by B M B's Free Ride-Hightailing Saddle's Mandolin. Jennifer & Brandon Blum, owners; Brandon Blum, handler.
Runner-Up-BMB'S SUPERNOVA, F1705662, German Shorthair female, by B M B's Freeloader-All N's Southern Comfort. Karen Bravender & Tim Heydorff, owners; Brandon Blum, handler.

NGSPA Region 12 Open Shooting Dog Championship
Our champion, Keg Creek Enforcer ("Rip"), owned by Keith Bryant, was handled expertly by Josh Nieman. He had a very attractive gait and was exactly where you would want a classy shooting dog to be. Hunting the objectives in a mature manner and cruising the hillsides, yet responding to his handler kindly. Rip was rewarded with a quail find towards the back of the course with perfect manners and intensity. Let go, he continued to hunt in a mature fashion, hitting the objectives as one should. When time was called, Rip was gathered up with a great run carded.

Runner-up was P P P's Hammerin Hollywood, again handled by Josh Nieman. He ran a mature race, hunting the objectives as well, although not quite as independently as the winner. He notched a find at 25 with a high head and tail. His handling was smooth and easy as we made it around the back of the course U-turn. Sent on the other side of the ravine, he continued to hunt nicely to the front. As we crossed the road, he made a big move out into the flats and reconnected with the handler with a few minutes left on top of the far hill. Sent forward to finish his brace, he locked up on point. After a couple of minutes searching for birds, a large covey of chukar exploded out of the grass well in front of the dog--a nice ending to a great run.

Judges: John Beauchamp and Mick Cheshire
NGSPA REGION 12 OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 21 German Shorthairs
Winner-KEG CREEK ENFORCER, F1698331, German Shorthair male, by Reba Ranch Shake's Bank On Rising Sun-Covey Up's Princess Sophia. Keith Bryant, owner; Josh Nieman, handler.
Runner-Up-P P P'S HAMMERIN HOLLYWOOD, F1696961, German Shorthair male, by Riden High Rudy-Hi N's Family Ties. Jake Phipps, owner; Josh Nieman, handler.

NGSPA Region 12 Open Shooting Dog Championship: John Beauchamp (judge) and Mick Cheshire with handler Josh Nieman, Brandon Blum with Keg Creek Enforcer, and Mike Van Zomeren with P P P's Hammerin Hollywood.