Event: Indian Creek Courageous Cat named Champion
Result: NBHA Midwest Regional Championship

Location: Williamsburg, Missouri

Post Date: Jul 5, 2022

Submitted By: Kevin Western

The NBHA Midwest Regional Championship and companion stakes were held at the Whetstone Creek Conservation Area near Williamsburg, Mo., on March 18th - 20th. This year we had a smaller than normal entry due to some scheduling conflicts, but the field was made up of many champions and the competition was fierce. Following the conclusion of this Championship a companion Open Derby, Open Puppy, and Amateur Shooting Dog Stakes were held.
As with any successful event it takes a dedicated team to carry out the task of achieving a quality run trial. In addition to the fine judges, Tim Penn, Kevin Western, and Randy Zimmer rounded out the hard-working team for this year's event.

We can't say enough for the opportunity to host a trial and run dogs on the grounds at the Whetstone Creek Conservation Area. New area manager Ben Dikeman and his team of dedicated workers had the grounds looking great. They continue to improve the area for quail habitat, thus making for some excellent grounds to run dogs on. Those in attendance would agree that these grounds will allow a dog to naturally hunt the cover and show the good qualities that judges are looking for in their winners. We are very thankful to the Missouri Department of Conservation and Whetstone Creek CA for this opportunity.

The National Bird Hunters Association is blessed to have such generous sponsors. Purina Pro Plan provides dog food to the winners as well as samples and hats to all the trial participants. Garmin provided a new tracking collar to the winner of the Championship. Gun Dog Supply provided gift certificates for this event. We could not have a successful trial without the support of these great sponsors. Their participation and sponsorship of the NBHA is much appreciated.
Judges for this year's event was Dan Draffin of Bunceton, Mo., and Wayne Nierman of Sedalia, Mo. These experienced field trial veterans have successfully campaigned dogs in the Midwest for years. Rain made the going tough for this trial and I can't emphasis enough about how these men worked to get the job done. Their knowledge and dedication to the task was not without notice. Both gentlemen's knowledge and credentials serve them well as their decision was well received.

This year's Champion was Indian Creek Courageous Cat. Cat is owned by Edward W. Marron, Jr. Cat is one of the more stylish dogs that a person will have the pleasure to witness and she run in the fourth brace and logged four class finds to go with a strong forward race. Runner - up Champion went to Erin's Deja Vu. Deja Vu is owned by Joseph Link and ran an equally strong race with three well-spaced finds. Both dogs were capably handled by Gary Malzone and scouted by Jillian Sturr. Several other dogs went through and put down good performances but did not meet the standard that these two dogs set for the trial.

Jack Glover's nice young derby, Glover's Flintstone, took home the first-place honors with a strong three find performance showing good manners for a young derby. Zach Erne capably handled Chippewa's Dog of War to the second-place spot with five well-spaced finds. Zach and his, "foot scout" brother Andy, were great to have around and have some nice young dogs. We will be seeing more of them in the future. Third place went to Klaus Schmidt's very nice derby Touch's Mac Daddy. Klaus has some nice dogs that always come to compete
Jack Glover took home the first-place puppy with his super snappy young dog Glover's Liza Menelli. She is going to be one to recon within the future. Dr. Bill Wright ran a hard charging Gordon Setter, Milomix Blaze, to the second-place spot. It was good to see Dr. Wright again.

Third place went to Steve Burrus and his fancy pup Dark Rum Jasmine. This young dog has racked up a lot of wins this year and seemed poised to take the next step.

The Amateur Shooting dog saw father and son compete with each other. Emert's Sho Me Mo beat out his son Emert's Sho Me Motu. Both dogs are very strong on the ground and have amazing style. Mo is owned by Dave Emert and Motu is owned by David Cates. David capably handled both dogs in this stake. These two are extremely fun to watch and are always capable of winning any trial. Dr. Bill Wright was back in the winner's circle with a third-place finish with his stylish and beautiful setter female Milomix Paddy.

Again, we would like to thank all our sponsors, the judges, helpers, and all our participants. It is the work and participation of all that helps make up a great event. The participation and dedication by the good folks that come to these trials make the future look great for the National Bird Hunters.
Williamsburg, Mo., March 18 - One Course
Judges: Dan Draffin and Wayne Nierman
NBHA MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 8 Pointers and 4 Setters
Winner-INDIAN CREEK COURAGEOUS CAT, 1670105, pointer female, by South Bound Strech-Indian Creek Sugar. Edward Marron, Jr., owner' Gary Malzone, handler.
Runner-Up-ERIN'S DEJA VU, 1679292, setter female, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-T T's Southern Miss. Joseph Link, owner; Gary Malzone, handler.
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st--GLOVERS FLINTSTONE, 1691597, pointer male, by Islander-Kodiak Island Bird Dog. Jack Glover, owner and handler.
2d-CHIPPEWA'S DOG OF WAR, 1691401, pointer male, by Miller's Speed Dial-Bonner's Snow Angel. Geoff Johnson, owner; Zach Erne, handler.
3d-TOUCH'S MAC DADDY, 1688945, pointer male, by Touch's Dynamite-Emmalita. Klaus Schmidt, owner and handler.
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 3 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st--GLOVER'S LIZA MENELLI, 1695569, pointer female, by Hirollins Gone and Doneit-Crimson River Emerald. Jack Glover, owner and handler.
2d-MILOMIX BLAZE, 1696952, Gordon Setter male, by Milomix Chukar-Milomix Rocky. Dr. William Wright, owner and handler.
3d-DARK RUM JASMINE, 1695411, pointer female, by Rawhide's Aces High-Dark Rum Erin's Matty. Steven Burrus, owner and handler.
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 2 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st--EMERT'S SHOW ME MO, 1668349, setter male, by Brannigan's Last Straw-Hytest Horizon. David Emert, owner; David Cates, handler.
2d-EMERT'S SHOW ME MOTU, 1687047, setter male, by Emert's Show Me Mo-Emert's Drivin Miss Daisy. David Cates, owner and handler.
3d-MILOMIX PADDY, 1671254, setter female, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-Milomix Sunny. Dr. William B. Wright, owner and handler.

From left to right: Tim Penn, Zach Erne, Klause Schmidt, Randy Zimmer, Jill Stuhr with Indian Creek Courageous Cat, Jack Glover, Gary Malzone with Erin's Deja Vu, Kevin Western, Judge Wayne Nierman, David Cates, Judge Dan Draffin, Craig Hiatt, Steve Burris.