Result: NGSPA Region 12 Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Sonoita, Arizona

Post Date: Mar 5, 2022

Submitted By: Clint Matthews

NGSPA Region 12 Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners. From left: Aunt Troji's Dirty Nike with Larry Metter and Dunfur's Wings of An Angel with Dave Fowler. Behind are the judges and trial officials.

SONOITA, ARIZ. -- From January 27 through February 1, the Southern Arizona GSPC held its annual field trial at the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Airstrip Group site located near Sonoita, Ariz. Nick Besenick was chairman and Clint Matthews was the secretary.

The trial was dual sanctioned with both the AKC and the American Field. It was a well-attended event with 104 entries by over 22 different exhibitors showcasing their skills in this year's stakes. The trial culminated with a running of the NGSPA Region 12 Open Shooting Dog Championship that also served as an AKC Grand Open Limited Gun Dog Stake.

The club would like to thank the following judges: Rick Peterson, Norm Ahl, Terry Chandler, Terry Ahl, Curt Cress, AnnaMaria Marchionne, Ron Yospur, Steve Crabb, and Mick Cheshire.

The club would also like to thank the following pros for attending this year's event: Terry Chandler, Todd Yamamoto, and Dan Hoke. Without their participation, the trial could not happen.

Another thanks to bird man Dave Hackman (who provided 250 chukar and 150 quail). Lee Holsinger, Dan Hoke, and Clint Matthews acted as official gunners. Lee Holsinger and Nick Besenick were always on time, providing birds to the bird planters.

Purina supported the trial with 600 lbs. of Purina Pro-Plan dog food. This year Annamaria Marchionne, Clay and Jake Matthews, Nick Besenick, and Lee Holsinger were instrumental in planting birds. Pete Wagner was again maybe the most important person on the crew acting as the trial coordinator. This year he performed an exceptional job making up for "uh oh's" along the way, while still getting the trial done a day early.

The Region 12 Championship was the premier stake at this year's trial. Mick Cheshire and Terry Chandler happily rode in the judges' saddles and rendered their opinion of how a class shooting dog should perform. The winner also will be recognized on the Bob Deitering Memorial Trophy that is kept at Sandy Deitering's home in Elfrida, Ariz. Jim Morehouse donated SportDog training collars to this year's winners.

Sonoita, Ariz., January 31

Judges: Terry Chandler and Mick Cheshire

NGSPA REGION 12 OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 20 German Shorthairs

Winner--AUNT TROJI'S DIRTY NIKE, 1668620, female, by Hardcore High N Tight--DCR's White Sky. Larry Metter, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--DUNFUR'S WINGS OF AN ANGEL, 1686971, female, by Texas Tuff--Dunfur's Door Number Threeway. Joseph Fowner, owner and handler.