Event: Game Sport Named Champion; Aim High Elhew Hadley, Runner-Up
Result: Oklahoma Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Inola, Oklahoma

Post Date: Mar 22, 2023

Submitted By: Mike Griffin

Oklahoma Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (from left): Harold Gearhart, Bud Moore, Luke Topp with Game Sport, Judges Barry Moore and Bob Barker, Justin Crook with Aim High Elhew Hadley, Scott Hadley, and Mike Griffin.

We were blessed with nice weather and the incredible support of Purina, whom we want to thank very much, and Greg Blair, who does a great job taking care of the field trial world.

We drew a respectable 32 dogs for the Championship. And as I said, we had good weather and got started on time with only one problem. Judge Barry Ward broke down coming to the trial. Bob Barker gratefully stepped in and joined Barry Moore in judging the Championship. They did great work, and we thank them.

Champion Game Sport (Gearhart) came out of brace No. 9. Sport searched all the birdy spots, handled well, and stayed to the front. He was rewarded with two well-mannered finds as he worked his way to the front and stayed there, finishing strong. It was a great race and fun to watch.

Runner-up Aim High Elhew Hadley (Hadley) also came from brace No. 9. She was also very pleasing to watch, easy to handle, searched all the birdy spots, and was rewarded with one find while staying to the front. She responded well to the handler and seemed to enjoy her work, easily finishing to the front.
Inola, Okla., January 3
Judges: Bob Barker and Barry Moore
OKLAHOMA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 30 Pointers and 2 Setters
Winner--GAME SPORT, 1673797, pointer male, by Cole Train-Game Bee. Bart Hicklin, owner; Harold Gearhart, handler.
Runner-Up--AIM HIGH ELHEW HADLEY, 1683609, pointer female, by Striking Elhew Zorro-Elhew Epitome. Tierra, Scott & Kiowa Hadley, owners.
Open Derby
We were lucky enough to draw eight very good derbies. All put on a good show, running on the last day.

First was Touch's Ledecky (Stretz), who had a very nice race and handled well, hunting all the objectives. She had an excellent rapport with the handler.

Second place was Creative Lady (Stretz), who also ran a very attractive race searching hard for birds staying to the front. She responded well to the handler, very biddable.

Third place was Stylish Hot Chic (Curtsinger), who also did an excellent job handling with good range and rapport with the handler. She also had bird work; it looks like she is well on her way.
Judges: Harold Gearhart and Virgil Moore
OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st--TOUCH'S LEDECKY, 1698429, pointer female, by Touch's Diamante-Empire On Line. Chad Maupin, owner; Chuck Stretz, handler.
2d--CREATIVE LADY, 1701680, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Buche's Elhew Rebel. Bob & Catherine Reynolds, owners; Chuck Stretz, handler.
3d--STYLISH HOT CHIC, 1698303, pointer female, by Ransom-Haney's North Star. Tom Curtsinger, owner and handler.

Open Derby Winners (from left): Luke Topp with Touch's Ledecky, Judge Harold Gearhart, Marla Stretz, Chuck Stretz with Creative Lady, Judge Virgil Moore, Tom Curtsinger with Stylish
Hot Chick, Barry Moore, and Bob Barker.