Event: Thunder Bolt's Storm Named Champion; Upfront's Southern Star, Runner-Up
Result: Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Elk City, Kansas

Post Date: May 8, 2023

Submitted By: David Taylor

Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (from left): Dennis Hidalgo (judge), Lynn Oxendine (judge), Virgil Moore with Thunder Bolt's Storm, Shawn Kinkelaar, Curtis Teare with Upfront's Southern Star, and Joe Stokely.

The 36th running of the Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship ended with the completion of running on March 17. Those in attendance gathered at the headquarters for the announcement. Field Trial Chairman Garvin Collins thanked everyone for their contributions and announced judges Lynn Oxendine and Dennis Hidalgo's popular decision.

Thunder Bolt's Storm, a lemon and white female owned by Dr. Thomas Jackson of Columbus, Ind., and handled by Shawn Kinkelaar, was named champion. Storm ran brace No. 9 and established a standard that was not challenged. Storm had finds at 12, 21, and 35, all on wild birds. Her style and location were noteworthy. Storm's race was smooth and consistently forward, reaching objectives like the class shooting dog that she is. Kinkelaar pointed Storm out as she put on a show with an impressive final cast. Observers praised the performance after she was picked up.

Upfront's Southern Star, owned by Lance Schulz from Bismarck, N. D., and handled by Kinkelaar, was named runner-up. In a draw near the thirty-minute gate, Star first contacted game, wild birds. Star's style and manners were excellent. Taken on, she reached through the expansive pastures going to likely objectives. She stood at 58 at a known release site, but no birds could be produced. This talented female ran a race similar to the champion. Star's record at this championship now stands at two championships plus this runner-up.

The Derby stake was won by The Defender, a setter male in the ownership of Ron Prewitt and handled by Kinkelaar. Second place was awarded to Creative Lady, owned by Bob and Catherine Reynolds and handled by Chuck Stretz. The third place was Georgian, owned by John Fort, and was handled by Kinkelaar. Each of the juveniles was placed based on pleasing race.

The Running
In brace No. 1, Dominator's Mae Belle, handled by Scott Hadley, established an early standard. She ran a forward race and had a stylish find at 56. Kinkelaar was not pleased with Hale's Smooth Touch and took her up at 40.

In brace No. 2, Justin Crook took Griff's Big Ransom up at 40. J N Bolt Action was making impressive casts in the first 30 minutes. Owner Joe Stokely was present to support Bolt. Just before the thirty-minute gate, Bolt reached the top of the high hills boarding the course and did not return.

In brace No. 3, Thunderbolts Wild Again was released by Virgil Moore after waiting for Kinkelaar to return from his search for Bolt Action. Wild Again made some excellent casts but suffered unproductive stands at 20 and 31 near release sites. Griff's Express made strong casts and stood at 41, but no birds were produced. Express was taken up at 41 when his pattern was not to the front.

Brace No. 4 ended early when Aim High Elhew Hadley's performance didn't please Scott, and Aim was taken up at 47. Touch's Grand Finali's effort ended when Stretz took the tracker at 10.

Brace No. 5 matched Luke Warm Whiskey and Levi Express. Whiskey stood at 12, Gearhart couldn't produce birds, and requested the tracker at 22 when he was missing. Express ran a snappy race making some excellent casts. He backed his bracemate at 12 but could not produce a find for Moore.

In brace No. 6, Upfront's McQuade ran a forward, solid race. He backed Ranger at 23 but did not contact game for Kinkelaar. Ninnescah Ranger ran a well-applied race, always to the front. He stood at 23, but Gearhart could not produce birds.

Erin's Thunder Backus, the 2022 Midwest Derby winner, and Touch's Shameless ran into a strong wind in brace No. 7. Kinkelaar took Backus up at 23. Shameless pointed at 58, and Stretz flushed birds for a stylish and mannerly pointer. Shameless had battled the wind for the entire hour.

In brace No. 8, Virgil Moore released Silver W Carson on course one, and she made some solid forward casts. She recorded a mannerly stop to flush at 40. Silver and Chelsea's Mae West stood at a release site at 48, but neither Kinkelaar nor Moore could produce birds. Both dogs were taken on after an extensive flushing attempt.

Thunder Bolt's Storm was reported as champion in brace No. 9. After running a solid race, Topp's Ice Chip was missing at 50, and Gearhart requested the tracker.

The armadillo came out during brace No. 10 and impacted the performances of both dogs. Kinkelaar took Lester's Another Shockwave up at 30, and Moore picked up Resolution at 48.

Rester's Cowboy Bill and Ninnescah Cooper made big opening casts in brace No. 11. Both reached well into the country. Kinkelaar picked Bill up at 21, and Gearhart followed suit at 40.

During brace No. 12, Big Man On Campus mounted a serious challenge for recognition in the first twenty minutes. Man pointed a wild covey near the top of the hill boarding course one. Curtis Teare, filling in for Kinkelaar, flushed the birds after a steep ride to reach the pointed dog. Teare flushed birds a second time for Man with everything in order. Unfortunately, Man chased deer at 19 and was not returned. Game Sport stood twice, but birds were not produced either time, and Gearhart put him on the dog wagon.

Touch's Big Whiskey ran a solid forward race but had not contacted game, and Stretz took him up at 35. Topp's First J R was missing, and Gearhart asked for the tracker at 22, ending brace No. 13.

Upfront's Southern Star ran in brace No. 14 and was reported as runner-up. Jacks R Better was missing at 18, and Gearhart asked for the tracker.

In brace No. 15, Purple Line Casper delivered a strong ground effort but suffered a blank stand at 12 and was gone at 30 when Stretz took the tracker. Kinkelaar picked up Tug O'War after he backed Casper at 12.

In brace No. 16, Anchor Down Sunny Mike ran as a bye and did not mount a challenge to the placed dogs.

Elk City, Kan., March 17
Judges: Dennis Hidalgo and Lynn Oxendine
MIDWEST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 30 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner--THUNDER BOLT'S STORM, 1684304, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Lacey Underall. Dr. Tom Jackson, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Runner-Up--UPFRONT'S SOUTHERN STAR, 1662579, pointer female, by Ransom-Double Wild. Lance Schulz, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.

Open Derby Winners (from left): Dennis Hidalgo (judge), Virgil Moore with The Defender, Bob Reynolds, Harold Gearhart with Creative Lady, Chuck Stretz, Curtis Teare with Georgian, Shawn Kinkelaar, and Lynn Oxendine (judge).

OPEN DERBY - 4 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st--THE DEFENDER, 1695049, setter male, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way-Quickmarksman's Silky. Ron Prewitt, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
2d--CREATIVE LADY, 1701680, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Buche's Elhew Rebel. Bob & Catherine Reynolds, owners; Chuck Stretz, handler.
3d--GEORGIAN, 1695040, setter male, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way-Quickmarksman's Silky. John Fort, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.

Acknowledgments
The championship committee wishes to thank Lynn Oxendine and Dennis Hidalgo, experienced dogmen, for judging both stakes. Both gentlemen have been active and successful at the club and competitive levels. Their decisions were well received. Dennis was willing to step in on short notice when Greg Gibson, the advertised judge, was injured in a horse accident.

The trial officials appreciate the continued support of Purina and the company's representative, Mr. Greg Blair, helping to make this championship a reality.

The traditional championship dinner was provided by Lance Schulz and Shawn Kinkelaar, owner and handler, respectively, of the 2022 champion, Upfront's Southern Star. Everyone enjoyed the delicious steak dinner.

Randy Wilson was in charge of meals. He provided three meals a day throughout the trial featuring wonderful comfort foods. If anyone left hungry, it was their fault. Great job. T. J. Hadley and Marla Stretz pitched in to help.

A special thanks to Bob Reynolds, longtime trial chairman, for taking care of the dog wagon duties. His continued effort to make the championship a success was appreciated.

Ranch manager Chuck Campfield will be retiring this year. Club officials wish to thank him for how he has helped to make this event a success for many years. Chuck will be missed.

Thanks to each of the owners and handlers for their entries.

Trial Chairman Garvin Collins presented plaques to Bob and Catherine Reynolds, and Bill Westfall in recognition of their dedication and service to the championship.

It takes many individuals to organize and host a successful trial. In addition, thanks are extended to Scott and T. J. Hadley, the association's newest members, Curtis Teare, Luke Topp, and Harold Gearhart. The Hadleys made a family trip from Colorado to participate in area trials and were a big help at this championship. Welcome to the association. Hadley's daughter, Kiowa, rode at her first trial. She was mounted on Preacher, one of Hidalgo's horses, and had a great time. While traveling with Shawn Kinkelaar, Curtis Teare was quick to help in many ways. Luke Topp provided his side-byside to plant birds. Harold Gearhart, a trial committee member, helps Garvin plant birds and, as he says, does the heavy lifting to make everything work.

The trial officials are indebted to Bill Westfall for providing his ranch at Browning, Mo., and Elk City, Kan., as a home for the Midwest Championship for over two decades. Bill also provides ranch facilities and equipment, making the running of this event possible.

Garvin Collins has attended each renewal of the Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship. He has served in many capacities over the years. Now as field trial chairman, he will provide optimistic and positive leadership for the future.

Bob Reynolds receives a plaque for him and his wife, Cathy, in appreciation for hosting the Midwest Open Shooting Dog trial for several years.