Result: NBHA National Breeders Invitational Championship

Location: Grovespring, Montana

Post Date: Mar 17, 2022

Submitted By: Christian Ogle

NBHA Breeders Invitational Championship Winners. At left, Erin's Deja Vu with scout Jillian Stuhr and handler Garry Malzone behind, and Indian Creek Bocephus with Andrea Wood Ward. Judges Jay Lewis and Jeremy Gulick and participants and well-wishers joined them in the winners' circle.

GROVESPRING, MO. -- This year's Breeders Invitational Championship, Futurity, and Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic were held on the Sportsman's Association grounds near Grovespring, Mo. We started on Wednesday, February 9, and ran through Sunday, February 13.

We had a total of 88 entries for all three classes. With the help of the Missouri Bird Hunters and NBHA officers and spouses, we had no issues getting through these dogs in a timely manner. The dogs were on the line and ready to go. Birds were planted. Gallery wagon full of spectators. Thank you all.

This year's handler dinner was catered by Dowds Catfish House. The meal was donated by last year's winners, Mr. Greg Blair and Mr. Garry Malzone. Thank you so much.

We also had a special guest Purina consultant Mr. Terry Trzinski. The raffle and auction items provided a little entertainment and funds to help support the Futurity.

Our sponsors have our backs with help not only on these Championships but with our weekend trials. Gundog Central, Gundog Supply, Garmin, Mule Brand Clothing, our newest sponsor On X, and our biggest sponsor Purina Pro Plan. Thank you all so much.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

We had three beautiful February days in Missouri for this stake. The weather can be a bit touchy in February, nice or ice, flip a coin. This trial would have coats shed as the handlers chased their chances for a Championship. The Missouri Bird Hunters would be right behind them planting birds, have snacks and coffee available, picking up and getting dogs on the line.

The judges, Mr. Jeremy Gulick of Kansas and Mr. Jay Lewis of Missouri, had 35 dogs to look at the next three days.

The second day would produce both the champion and runner-up. Congratulations to the winners. Champion Erin's Deja Vu, tri-colored setter female would run in the 14th brace. She is owned by Mr. Joseph Link, handled by Garry Malzone and scouted by Jillian Stuhr.

She was cut loose from the west side at 1:45 p.m. The west side has taller switch grass, smaller fields, rolling hills with timber. She handled this with ease. A smooth running girl with all the class and style to win. She would grab an edge and go. 20 minutes in she was locked up on a single in Little Vine Loop. Garry flushed a single and would send her on her way. Working her way through the course she reach to front in the bigger fields of Sycamore Bottoms. At the 32-minute mark she stood tall in the bottoms. With birds produced, and all in order she was sent out again. After crossing the road she would eat up the ground in the big fields ahead. The 44-minute mark would be her third find deep on the southwest corner along the creek, a single kicked up where she stood tall as the single bobwhite was on its way. Looking great and still hunting forward, Garry would call her and scout Jillian in to water with eight minutes to go. She finished the hour strong and still going forward.

After an early pickup of brace No. 9, we started over across the road from the clubhouse with No. 10. Congrats to Runner-up Indian Creek Bocephus. Bo is owned by Edward Marron of New Jersey. Handled by Garry Malzone and scouted by Jillian Stuhr. He is a white and liver pointer male.

Bo is a machine on a mission when released. Breakaway would be 8:36 a.m. Putting on a show he would hunt the country trying to locate game. Easy to watch work with a ton of style and class. Bo would have his first and only bird contact at the 50-minute mark. Garry put the birds in the air and continued on. Finishing with the strength he started with Bo would finish the hour.

Grovespring, Mo., February 9 - One Course

Judges: Jeremy Gulick and Jay Lewis

NBHA INVITATIONAL BREEDERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 21 Pointers and 14 Setters

Winner--ERIN'S DEJA VU, 1679292, setter female, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock--T T's Southern Miss. Joseph Link, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

Runner-Up--INDIAN CREEK BOCEPHUS, 1656742, pointer male, by Brown's Tom Tom--Indian Creek Riptide. Edward Marron, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

Erin's Deja Vu. Winner of the NBHA National Invitational Breeders' Championship.

NATIONAL BIRD HUNTERS FUTURITY

We had 35 entries for this year's Futurity. Our judges were Mr. Tim Penn from Missouri. Mr. Penn scratched his entry after the draw to step in and help judge. Mr. Andy Neria from Kansas was our other judge. These are two very capable and confident judges that know what they are looking at. They are looking for next year and Future years' champions.

We started the qualifying Friday after announcing our Championship and lunch. We ran Friday and completed our 17 braces Saturday.

Our callback dogs would run Sunday morning after a good rest. We had six callbacks: Foxy Lady Sadie, Irish setter female, Snow's Home Again Katie, KC'S Guitar Man, Sycamore Creek Cody, Warjams Big Mac Daddy, Glover's Pepper Shaker. Four were on standby: Indian Creek Sprout, Bundy's Buckeye Molly, Snow's Sea Dollar, My Buddy Brody.

Both judges were excited about the talent that was in this year's Derby class. They also said there were thirteen dogs that could have made the callback and they had to spilt hairs to make the final decision.

We cut the dogs loose at 9:32 a.m. We ran three hour braces for the callback. After a couple pick ups the 1st brace of the stand by dogs would be called to the line. After this brace the judges would have their four placements.

Judges: Andy Neria and Tim Penn

NBHA FUTURITY [Thirty-Minute Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Finals] --

17 Pointers and 13 Setters

1st--FOXY LADY SADIE, 1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red--Foxy's Little Red missy. Mike Fox, owner; Tom Waite, handler.

2d---INDIAN CREEK SPROUT, 1693330, pointer female, by Indian Creek Perfect Storm--Indian Creek Ramona. Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.

3d--BUNDY'S BUCKEYE MOLLY, 1694731, setter female, by Chaseaway Bondhu--Earlywine's Bomber Lynds. Chris Sellers, owner; Zach Erne, handler.

4th--GLOVER'S PEPPER SHAKER, 1695618, setter female, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way--C C Erin O'Shamrock. Jack Glover, owner and handler.

JERRY KILGORE PUPPY CLASSIC

This year's Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic drew sixteen entries. Mr. Andy Neria and Mr. Tim Penn occupied the judicial the saddle watching all the excitement we had a great time with these future prospects. This year's winners were outstanding with others knocking on the door.

JERRY KILGORE PUPPY CLASSIC -- 8 Pointers and 8 Setters

1st--BLAIR'S HOLY THUNDER, 1694985, pointer male, by Touch's Grey Street--Alliwood's Shady Shay. Greg Blair, owner; Tom Waite, handler.

2d--K C'S DOMINATOR PAT, 1695330, pointer female, by Bad Rebel A Risin--Bahama Mama. Ken Sauer, owner and handler.

3d--STARDUST OUTCAST COCO, 1695076, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius--Outcast Stardust. Sean Williams, owner; James Kleve, handler.

4th-GLOVER'S LIZA MENELLI, 1695569, pointer female, by Hirollins Gone and Doneit--Crimson River Emerald. Jack Glover, owner and handler.

Indian Creek Bocephus, Runner-Up in the NBHA National Invitational Breeders' Championship.