Result: NBHA National Open Championship

Location: Dancyville, Tennessee

Post Date: Apr 27, 2023

Submitted By: Greg Blair

Championship Winners (from left to right): Nancy Chadwell, Andy Erne, Zach Parsons (judge), Garry Malzone, Jillian Stuhr with Indian Creek Bocephus, Zach Erne, Klaus Schmidt, Chad Chadwell (judge), Margie Ridings with Georgia Born Windstorm, Sam Ridings, Becky Ridings, Dale Pool, Andrea Ward, Chris Mullen, Julia Currie, Ike Todd, Bill Currie, and Greg Blair.

The NBHA "Dance in Dancyville" returned to the beautiful grounds of West Tennessee for the 2022-23 renewal of our National Open Championship. The West Tennessee Field Trial Club has existed since the early 1900s, and some of the largest and most storied field trials in history have been run over these grounds. Not to mention a who's who of field trial royalty that grace the clubhouse walls and often are part of the crowd at happy hour. It is an honor to host our National Championship here. We hope this relationship adds to the history that is already present there.

There aren't enough words to express our gratitude to Bill Currie, Dr. Gene Spiotta, Gene Spiotta, Chris Mullen, Ross Callaway, Ike Todd, and the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for their generosity and help in providing such a quality venue. They went above and beyond every day and in every way to make it a great event. These extraordinary people go out of their way to provide everything we need. This year the West Tennessee Field Trial Club handled all the meals. The lunches were prepared on time daily, and the handlers' steak dinner and the Saturday night fish fry were perfectly prepared! Every participant raves about this Championship, the grounds, the people, and how it continues to be THE NBHA National Open Championship venue.

Special thanks also to our judges, Chad Chadwell and Zach Parsons. Chad and his lovely wife Nancy stopped on their way home from their winter camp in Georgia. Zach is from close by and judged this Championship in the past. Both men know a championship performance, were helpful to all participants, and rendered a decision respected by all. They are also the kind of people you enjoy having around--honest, straight, and fair. Big thanks also go out to our sponsors. We couldn't do what we do without the amazing support of Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Mule Brand Clothing, onX Hunt, and Gun Dog Central. Thanks to you all.

The Championship Running Wednesday, Day One
The weather gave us heavy air, with thunderstorms rolling in for the evening. The heavy air made scenting conditions very tough. We had seven dogs finish the hour and multiple dogs that needed the tracker due to them digging in to find birds. Thursday welcomed us to heavy thunderstorms, damaging winds, and highly saturated/unpassable grounds. Many buildings had roof damage, and there were trees/limbs down across the course. It was decided that the running for the second day would be postponed.

Friday, Day Two
The handlers added numerous dogs to the finished list, but the better weather also made the birds come out, and some were too much for dogs to handle.

Saturday, Day Three
Heavy thunderstorms rolled through and left the grounds in time to start on time. Cooler temps prevailed, and it was a great day to finish the initial series. We added another seven dogs to the list from which judges would select their callbacks. Due to the postponement, the callbacks were run on Monday morning.
After completing the initial series, the top six dogs were announced for the callback, and two additional were put on standby.

The Callback Braces
1a Indian Creek Bocephus - Malzone - Three finds, One unproductive, Finished hour
1b Southern Shadow Bootleg - Klaus - Five finds, Finished hour
2a Raintree Blue Moon - Waite - Requested tracker
2b Georgia Born Braveheart - M. Ridings - Handler picked up
3a Indian Creek Courageous Cat - Malzone - One back, Three finds, Finished hour
3b Georgia Born Windstorm - M. Ridings - Four finds, Finished hour
Stand By:
4a Pure Confidence - Malzone
4b Dave's Sho Me Motu - Erne

Callback brace No. 1 with Indian Creek Bocephus ("Bo"), Malzone, and Southern Shadow Bootleg ("Bob"), Klaus. The brace broke away at 7:30 a.m. with both dogs hunting to the front, Bob was handling nicely at a big walking race, and Bo was punching the front end. The first two finds (11 and 16) found both dogs standing, handlers flushed, and all was in order. Bob went on to have three more finds on his own, and his bracemate added another find and unproductive. After Bo was gathered up, and due to the race of both dogs, Bo and Bob finished the hour in the extended portion of the course.

Callback brace No. 2 with Raintree Blue Moon ("Friday"), Waite and Georgia Born Braveheart ("Luke"), M. Ridings. The brace broke away at 8:50. Friday punched the front with style and intensity but was last seen after the breakaway. His handler had his scout check all the known covey areas, and he sang with a purpose but was unsuccessful in getting Friday to be seen. He requested the tracker at 25. Luke was applying himself nicely and handling exceptionally well for M. Ridings. After crossing the first creek bottom and rolling up the edge of pines, Luke suffered a breach of manners, ending his bid for the championship.

Callback brace No. 3 with Indian Creek Courageous Cat ("Cat"), Malzone and Georgia Born Windstorm ("Jack"), M. Ridings. The brace broke away at 10:08. Both dogs started strong and handled kindly. Cat is light on her feet and was seen hitting the edges and all the right spots. She carded one back coupled with three stylish finds. Jack had probably one of the best finds in the qualifier (in the scribe's opinion)--an extreme limb find that took many minutes for the handler and judge to walk to. In this callback, Jack applied himself to the entire course. He had four well-spaced bold finds, and after each piece of bird work caught the front. Luke stayed to the front and, even a distance, keeping in tune with his handler.

The standby dogs were not requested by the judges.
After a short break, the winners were announced (pictured left to right). The 2023 NBHA National Open Championship winner is Indian Creek Bocephus, handled by Garry Malzone, scouted by Jillian Stuhr, and owned by Ed Marron. Bo laid down two bold back-to-back performances to win the trial. We believe this was Bo's 16th Championship title. He is truly a strong, strong competitor with an amazing career. Congratulations, Garry, Jillian, and Mr. Marron.

Runner-up Champion is Georgia Born Windstorm, with handler Margie Ridings and scout Sam Ridings. Margie owns Luke. As previously noted, Jack was pointed on an extreme limb find during the initial series and after a brief absence. He handled it flawlessly and probably secured his spot in this callback. Congratulations, Margie, Sam, and the entire Ridings family.
Working around the initial series and the Championship callback, the Open Derby stake was run. There were many fine performances and many great handlers. The juvenile stakes are always exciting and a great place for young and old handlers to participate in a trial.
We want to thank all the people of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club for the fabulous grounds, facilities, and assistance with making the trial a success. Also, thanks go out to the dog wagon driver Ken Millikin. We look forward to continuing to run championships at West Tennessee! If you are a bird dog fan, you will thoroughly enjoy the country and people of Dancyville and should make every effort to attend a trial there.
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Dancyville, Tenn., March 1 - One Course
Judges: Chad Chadwell and Zach Parsons
NBHA NATIONAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Callback] - 29 Pointers, 12 Setters and 4 Irish Setters
Winner--INDIAN CREEK BOCEPHUS, 1656742, pointer male, by Brown's Tom Tom-Indian Creek Riptide. Ed Marron, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
Runner-Up--GEORGIA BORN WINDSTORM, 1690185, pointer male, by Knight's White Light-Bone Collector. Margie Ridings, owner and handler.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 14 Pointers, 8 Setters and 1 Irish Setter
1st--SOUTHERN SHADOWS BOOTLEG, 1700852, pointer male, by Lester's Prime Poison Lane-Southern Ritz Lane. Lance Servais & Klaus Schmidt, owners; Klaus Schmidt, handler.
2d--GLOVER'S LIZA MENELLI, 1695569, pointer female, by Hirollins Gone And Doneit-Crimson River Emerald. Jack Glover, owner and handler.
3d--JIMFORK'S RIVER GIRL, 1697555, pointer female, by Jimfork's Black River-Jimfork's Sunny Hill Dot. Glenn Cumbie, owner; Kenny Snow, handler.

Derby Winners (from left to right): Bill Osborne, Chris Mullen, Ike Todd, Klaus Schmidt, Ryan Eichelberger with Southern Shadow Bootleg, Paul Cook, Zach Parsons (judge) and daughter, Andy Erne, Kenny Snow with Jimfork's River Girl, Zach Erne, Chad Chadwell (judge), Jerry Snow, Julia Currie, Bill Currie, and Katie Cook.