Result: Region 17 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Dexter, Kansas

Post Date: May 3, 2023

Submitted By: Diane K. Shoemaker

Region 17 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship Winner: Bromance with Austin Bryant, joined by participants.

The 2023 installment of the Region 17 Shooting Dog Championship was contested on the sprawling grounds that make up the Radcliff Ranch just north of Dexter, Kan., on March 10. When you plan a trial in March in Kansas, the weather is always a best guess, and this year, it decided to cooperate with us enough to get the running in with no delays.

This year's running saw a nice entry with 38 shooting dogs coming to the line. Dogs from Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Missouri made up a strong field representing the region. As with every trial, many people work behind the scenes to put the event together and make it run smoothly. Many good people came together to make this trial a great event. Everyone is appreciated, and a trial like this isn't possible without them.

The Wichita Bird Dog Club hosted this year's Championship, and the boys did a great job, as usual. Trial Chairman Paul Ott helped out everywhere he was needed. His wife, Ms. Rae Ott, was the head chef and did not disappoint. The food was amazing, as usual. Laura Miller hosted the Saturday evening banquet. She made a traditional Scottish dish that was well received; good job, Laura. Region President Rodney Shoemaker was present and available to everyone that needed anything. He even managed to run a few dogs as well. Region 17 Secretary Diane Shoemaker did a great job collecting and accounting entries, snapping pictures, and staying on top of all the action. Don Beauchamp manned his usual dog wagon post, and Frank Schoenborn was in the ranger to shuttle dogs as needed. A very special thank you to Paula Radcliffe for her continued support for the field trial community and the use of this fine ranch to run these dogs the way we all do. The Radcliffe Ranch is truly a unique place to show a dog in Kansas on the prairies. Without our landowners, none of this is possible. We are blessed to have access to such a great place.

We were blessed with quality judges for this renewal when John and Jessica Hann from Perfection Kennels in Gallatin, Mo., agreed to judge the event. They need no introduction. The pair brings years of professional bird dog knowledge to the saddle, and we were lucky to have them this year. Hopefully, the rocks won't keep them from coming back! Many thanks to them for many hours in tough country and sometimes harsh weather to look at every dog equally, which they indeed did.

The Winners

Judges John and Jessica Hann looked over the field very attentively. After the dust settled, Bromance was named champion out of brace No. 14. Jon Humphrey of Claremore, Okla., proudly owns the 7-year-old white and orange male pointer. Bromance is sired by Tallokas Lane Change, and his dam is Osceola Patty Cake. He is no stranger to the winners' circle. Drawn on course one, John was on a mission to win from the breakaway. He broke big to the front after being released and quickly made his way to the front. When the gallery reached the hilltop, John was nowhere to be seen. The scout was working hard, and Jon showed up several minutes later, well to the front. He rimmed the wheat field and continued. Humphrey called point for John at 21 in a large drainage. John was tall and mannerly through an extended flushing attempt, but no bird could be produced. The handler elected for a relocation, which proved smart as the dog handled it like an expert and pinned the bird for his handler to flush. The bird was produced, and we were on again. The gallery rode to the front to find John backing his bracemate. The bird was produced with everything in order, and John was gathered up at the road crossing and sent on. John continued his big going ways on the backside of the first hour and was with his handler well in touch at the second road crossing. Jon sent the dog down the bottom, and point was called again at 58. An extensive flushing attempt was made to no avail, and relocation was again requested. And again, John delivered with an expertly handled relocation with the wind blowing over his back and the birds downwind in the creek. Birds were produced, and all was in order. There was just enough time to cut loose and watch John head to the front, which he did as time was called. All in all, a championship-caliber performance.

Judges awarded runner-up to Warjam's Big Mac Daddy, owned and handled by Jim Corpening of Topeka, Kan. The long leggy black and white male pointer is sired by Boumeester's Duramax, and his dam is Oday Nation. Mac came out of brace No. 3 and drew the wide-open third hour to put on his show in this Championship. At just three years old, Mac has a very bright future in front of him. Having already secured two runner-up championship titles this spring alone, Mac is definitely on a roll.

Mac's bid started just below the red corrals on the third hour, where he made an impressive move to gain the front right off the breakaway. After a short absence, the gallery made their way around the ridge to find Mac standing well ahead to the front at the creek crossing. Mac's bracemate came in from the right for a stellar back, and Mac was undeterred and still standing tall for his handler. Birds were produced, and all was in order. Mac was watered and sent to the front. He moved through the country on a mission to find birds, and his forward, reaching race was awarded at 38 with another nice find. Once again, his bracemate came in to back, and both dogs stood nice and tall while Jim flushed for his dog. The bird was away, and Mac was taken on to the front. Once loosed, Mac found the far front immediately and was on the hunt again. He ran the draws and ran big in the open country. He finished the hour just like he started it, far to the front, looking for birds--a great performance for Mac.

The Running

Brace No. 1 featured Bye Bye G G (Bob Lais) and Traveler's Split Rail (Greg Sands). Split Rail took to the front right off the breakaway with a big, long cast up the hill and into the creek bottom. Point was called by the handler at 19. Birds were produced; unfortunately, Split Rail's bid ended with the contact. G G also broke to the front and was found pointed to the front at 12. Birds were produced, and things were in order. G G was pointed again at 19 with birds produced. G G continued and was on point again at 29. Birds were produced, which proved too much for G G, and her bid ended at 29.

Brace No. 2 brought H P Social Distancing (Rodney Shoemaker) and Stylish Miss Bell (Tom Curtsinger) to the line. Both dogs started well. Social Distancing ran the front well with finds at 27, again at 36, and a divided find at 58. The dog exhibited excellent manners on all three finds and was the early dog to beat at the pickup. Miss Bell would also start strong to the front. A find at 30 would split the handlers up, but Bell would not be denied the front. Bell and her handler made the front and had a divided find at 58 right before time--a good dog race by both dogs.

Brace No. 3 included Warjam's Big Mac Daddy (Jim Corpening), who has been covered already, and Bitterark's Top Dollar (Frank Schoenborn). Buck started the brace strong and well to the front. Buck hit the front and had a nice back at 7. He was mannerly and continued to the front looking for birds after he was released. He managed a back again at 38 with manners in order. Buck finished the hour strong to the front but with no birds.

Millstar's Lion Rampant and Aim High Elhew Hadley were drawn in brace No. 4 for handlers Laura Miller and Scott Hadley, respectively. Rampant had a bit of a slow start but found the front eventually. Rampant was handling kindly swung into a draw to point at 22. Birds were produced, and Rampant went with them and was up. Hadley had a nice forward-shooting dog race that was consistently forward. Hadley had two good finds, one at 45 and another at 58, with manners in order. Hadley finished her brace headed to the front.

Brace No. 5 was Magic Maggie Mae (Klaus Schmidt) and Ten Oaks Annie A (Jeanette Heise). Maggie was on a bird-finding mission early with a nice find at 10. All was in order, and Maggie was loosed to the front. Point was called again for Maggie at 29, and the handler indicated fresh feathers in front of the dog, and she was rounded up and sent on. Maggie got stronger as the hour went on and was well to the front at time. Annie broke the front for her handler and was headed toward the creek bottom in the first hour. Her cast was rewarded with a nice, wild covey find at 11, with birds lifting all around the dog as the gallery approached, with Annie showing great style and manners. Annie was released, found the front, and had a good back at 29. Annie made a nice move and was found by the scout pointing at 42, but no birds were produced. Annie made the front again and finished well to the front at time.

Brace No. 6 featured Cruise Rocket (Paul Roederer) and Nemaha Tap Water (Pat McInteer). Rocket was a rocket from the start and was lost at 20 when the handler asked for the tracker. Tap Water was also wide running and was out of pocket on more than one occasion, and the handler elected to pick it up at the road crossing.

Brace No. 7 was Fast Money (Bud Moore) and Hadley's Honky Tonk Song (Scott Hadley). Fast Money didn't fire the way her handler had hoped, so he elected to pick her up at 30. Song was lost early, and the handler elected for the tracker at 7.

Brace No. 8 was Iron And Wine for handler Jon Humphrey and H P Dirty Dancing for handler Rodney Shoemaker. Iron And Wine had a big break to the front and, after a short absence, was spotted in the bottom on point by the other handler. Birds were produced, and all was in order. Iron And Wine continued to the front and was found backing bracemate at 30 by the road crossing. Everything was good, and we continued into the wheat fields. Point was called again at 56 but was waved off. Iron And Wine had a nice finish to the front. Dirty Dancing had a good find at the road crossing at 30. All was in order, and the dog was loosed to the front. Handling became an issue for Dirty Dancing, and the tracker was finally requested at 45.

Brace No. 9 saw Ten Oaks Sophie's Jack (Lou Qualtiere) and Topp's First J R (Luke Topp). Sophie's Jack started well and was hunting to the front. Point was called at 30, and the bird was produced, which proved to be a bit much for Sophie. J R ran a far-reaching race that led him to the front and beyond multiple times.

Brace No. 10 had Fortius Nights A Blazin (Sean Anderson) and Whiteway Anarchy (Ray Roberts). Blaze started slowly but opened up quickly and found the front. He had a nice find at 18 while his bracemate was also pointed on his find. Everything was in order, and Blaze was released to the front. The handler made the road crossing to the oil well field, and Blaze was heading forward when he swapped ends to point at 45 in the wide-open prairie. The handler made an extensive flushing attempt, but no bird was produced. Blaze was asked to relocate, but he only took a step when sent on. The handler flushed again, but no bird was found. One final relocation produced a bird, and all was in order. He finished to the front at time. Anarchy was away to the front immediately. He had a good find at 10 with a mark to flight. He continued and had a good find on a wild covey at 17 while his bracemate was standing on a find of his own. The covey was flushed, and Anarchy was mannerly. He continued to the front with a good race finishing to the front.

Brace No. 11 brought Unfinished Business (Bud Moore) to the line with Aaron's Four Roses (Luke Topp). Unfinished Business was away to the front on a wide cast. He went into the creek bottom, and the handler called point. A bird was rode up by the judge but was unrelated. The dog carried on and went on to have a nice find at 30 with all in order. The handler eventually made the front and finished going away, down the start of the second hour. Four Roses had a good start and was hunting the front with purpose. She was awarded a nice find at 31. The dog showed good manners and was carried on from there. She hit the open country and opened up, finishing the hour to the front.

In brace No. 12, Griff's Express and Reed's Super Spirit were turned loose for handlers Mike Griffin and Jason Super, respectively. Both dogs headed to the front at the start of the second-hour course and took to the long draw heading away. Isla was pointed by the road at 17, but no bird was produced, and she was taken on. Isla was running the front and was pointed again at 47. This time a bird was produced, her manners were good, and she was taken on. She finished strong to the front, and shortly after time was called, she was discovered in the creek pointed on a wild covey. Griff's Express hunted the country hard and had a find at 41. After a good flushing attempt, a dead bird was found, and the handler shot his gun and took his dog on. The dog finished his hour hunting hard to the front at time.

Brace No. 13 featured Working Class (Steve Auxier) and Hale's High Flyer (Jeff Hale). Both dogs were away wide to the front and hunted the country well until point was called at 26 for High Flyer by the handler. Working Class came in for a nice back, and birds were produced with both dogs mannerly, and we continued. Point was called quickly again at 34 for Working Class by his handler. His bracemate was in the vicinity but not privy to the action and continued to the front. Birds were produced for Working Class in the third hour-long draw paralleling the road, and this proved too much and the dog collar for a breach of manners. High Flyer continued to search the country for the rest of the hour, but birds proved hard to come by.

Brace No. 14 comprised H P Shockwave and Bromance for handlers Rodney Shoemaker and Jon Humphrey, respectively. Bromance's winning performance has been covered. Shockwave went to the task at hand early and was pointed at 13. The handler flushed birds for his dog, and everything was in order. Shockwave struck again at 19 with a find in the open. After a good relocation, the bird was produced, and everything was in order. It is to be noted that the bracemate was also pointed at this time, approx. 80 yards and both dogs exhibited excellent manners and simultaneous relocations on their finds--nice work by both. Shockwave was at it again at 28 with a find near the first-hour road crossing. With his bracemate backing, the handler produced birds with both dogs mannerly. He continued with a forward race and rounded out his hour with a nicely located find at the end of the second-hour draw at 59.

Brace No. 15 was Greypointe Kilogramo (Doug Meyer) and H P Cottonmouth (Rodney Shoemaker). Kilogramo started fast to the front and was pointed shortly thereafter at 5. The handler made an extensive flushing attempt in the ditch leading to the hard left road crossing, but relocation was needed, and the dog delivered after a couple of tries. The handler was able to produce a bird. The dog observed a couple of untimely hops, thus ending his bid early. Cottonmouth continued across the hard left road crossing in the deep draw where another hard left is required. He made both turns and was observed pointed at 10 on the hillside. Relocation was needed, which was performed, and the birds were produced with everything in order. Point was called again in the silo field south of the third-hour gates at 24. Birds were produced, and all was in order. Cottonmouth suffered a nonproductive at 32 and was pointed again at 39, but point was waved off and the dog taken on. Rodney again called point below the big pond at 44, with a good find observed. The dog was collared and sent on. Point again was called at 49, with birds produced in the draw below the third-hour gates. The dog was sent on and finished to the front at time,

Brace No. 16 was Nemaha Magic Marker (Pat McInteer) and Southern Shadows Bootleg (Klaus Schmidt). Bootleg started short but warmed up in the open country in course three, heading to the low water crossing. He was observed making moves at 24, but the bird had other plans and took flight, not allowing the dog to handle it correctly. He was picked up as a result. Magic Marker was well to the front and had a find at 32 heading to the low water crossing. The dog was relocated, and the birds took flight as a result. The dog stopped to flush and was taken on. At 38, the dog was observed to the front, pointed in the draw below the T corner. Birds were produced, and the dog was mannerly and was taken on to T corner and across the last road crossing of the third hour. The dog was again pointed at 51. A relocation was performed with birds again being put aloft with a stop to flush. The handler picked up shortly thereafter.

Brace No. 17 was Topp's Ice Chip (Luke Topp) and Wreak Havok (Scott Hadley). Ice Chip broke well away to the front and was gone often. She was not with us at the first-hour road crossing, and the handler called on the tracker to get her gathered up. Wreak Havok did just that, to the front from the break, not to be returned to judgment. The tracker was called for at 17.

Brace No. 18 would see Bocomo Dutchman (Jay Lewis) and Hale's Smooth Touch (Jeff Hale) in the second hour. Both dogs were away quickly to the front from the break into the wheat fields at the first-hour road crossing. Dutchman was observed pointed in a likely spot in the long second-hour draw after the road crossing. Smooth Touch came in to back nicely, and after an extended flushing attempt, a pile of feathers was all that could be produced, and both dogs were sent to the front. Both dogs spent the remainder of the hour hunting hard to the front, but it was not to be on this day as no more bird contact was observed. Both dogs finished far to the front at time, the same way they started.

Brace No. 19 would bring Bitterark's Royal Hoz (Frank Schoenborn) and Roulette Rocket (Paul Roederer) to the line. Both dogs started fast in the silo pasture south of the third-hour gates. Hoz was found well ahead to the front, pointed in the deep draw leading to the big pond at 9. Rocket came in for a nice back, and after a quick flushing attempt, a dead bird was picked up in front of Hoz. The handler fired, and both dogs were led away to the front. At 15, Hoz was observed well to the front in the draw below the third-hour corals pointed. His bracemate came in to back. A hawk was actually in the ditch eating a bird. There's a first for everything, which was a first for me in my 25 years in this sport. However, both dogs were manner for the hawk flush, and we continued, on the third hour, now heading back into the long draw. Hoz was seen pointed again at 50 in a wood pile by the pond coming out of the silo pasture. Everything was in order as the bird was flushed and Hoz was taken on to the front. Both dogs showed well to the front at time. The Championship concluded in the draw at the low water crossing on the third hour.

Dexter, Kan., March 10
Judges: Jessica Hann and Jon Hann
REGION 17 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 38 Entries
Winner--BROMANCE, 1668193, pointer male, by Tallokas Lane Change-Osceola Patty Cake. Jon Humphrey, owner and handler.
Runner-Up--WARJAM'S BIG MAC DADDY, 1692715, pointer male, by Boumeester's Duramax-Oday Nation. James W. Corpening, owner and handler.