Result: International Endurance Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Conway, Arkansas

Post Date: Feb 13, 2023

Submitted By: John Van Horn

International Endurance Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (from left): Judge Steve Messick, Rick Thone, Judge Jon Davis, Robby Robinson with Upfront's Southern Star, Ronnie Miller, John Van Horn, Teresa Robinson with Silver W Jill Z, Shawn Kinkelaar, Dr. Jeff Hale, and Roger Martin, dog wagon driver.

With the conclusion of the Texas and the Ed Beverly Memorial Derby, we changed judges. Steve Messick and Joyce Taylor were the advertised judges. Johnny Taylor called the night before our planned start date with horrible news. Joyce had a horse wreck training near their house. Joyce's on the way to the emergency room at that moment with what turned out to be a broken finger and arm. We were fortunate that Jon Davis could fill in for her and that Joyce's injuries were mendable. Joyce showed up at lunch the next day in a sling and on the way to recovery.

The International Endurance Open Shooting Dog Championship started after lunch and pictures of the derby winners were taken. Our winner emerged in the second brace of the third day of the trial. The previous brace on the morning course had picked up early. The second brace started just past the shooting range. Upfront's Southern Star handled by Shawn Kinkelaar and Sun's Out Guns Out were turned loose at the bottom of the hill. Guns Out made a left turn and went to the shooting range, scout, and handler in tow. Virgil Moore announced at lunch that fortunately the shooting at the Range was halted while they were gathering up the dog. Star had her first find at the 20-minute mark. Kinkelaar had just dispatched scout Robby Robinson to look for Star. Robby went thirty feet and a huge covey erupted flushed by the horse; Star was standing motionless where the birds lifted. Additional birds lifted when Shawn retrieved his charge. Star's second find came at the 75-minute mark, by the nursery pond. Everything in order for flush and shot. Start finished to front still digging exhibiting the qualities the stake was formed to show. Truly a solid Endurance performance.

Silver W Jill Z, managed by Shawn Kinkelaar, ran in the last brace of day two with White Way Anarchy, Taylor. Anarchy was gone at 30 leaving Jill Z with the same course she won the Championship on a couple of years back, the third course in the afternoon. Jill Z scored early with a find at 20. Everything about this dog says Endurance, always hunting, driving and to the front. Unfortunately, I did not get to watch it as I was with the other judge. Jill Z went on to score another find and finish strong. People that watched both efforts felt it was a toss-up on which was better. The Judges that watched every jump named Star.

Thanks to all the helpers without which this would not have happened. Greg Blair, Purina, Roger Martin, Ronnie Miller, Judges Steve Messick and Jon Davis, Sandy Van Horn for lunches, Gordon Hazelwood for bringing hay, as well as marshalling traffic at the road crossings. There are three things as Field Trailers that we all need to make a habit of doing moving forward--1.) Take the time to be a part of putting on a trial; the ones that usually do the work deserve a break. 2.) Judge at least one trial or stake per year; it will change your perspective. 3.) Bring a friend to ride in a trial. This is a wonderful way to introduce new people to the sport of field trials.
Conway, Ark., November 18
Judges: Jon Davis and Steve Messick
INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 23 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner-UPFRONT'S SOUTHERN STAR, 1662579, pointer female, by Ransom-Double Wild. Lance Schulz, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Runner-Up-SILVER W JILL Z, 1682062, pointer female, by Ransom-Double Wild. Debbie Ozner, owner and handler.