NGSPA Quail Championship
Presented by the Lone Star GSP Club

2008 NGSPA Quail Championship By Andy Gerdes  

The 2008 NGSPA Quail Championships were held at the Lake Murray Field Trial 
Grounds near Ardmore, Oklahoma starting January 24 concluding on January 30.  We 
were blessed with great weather and beautiful grounds and for those of you who have not 
been to the field trial ground at Lake Murray recently, you need to make a trip there to
witness the improvement in the facilities and the development of the grounds
themselves.  With the continued effort of the State of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Field
Trial Association, all of the participating clubs and now with the contribution of the
habitat development by the regional Quail Unlimited, Lake Murray has a chance to 
become one of the premier bird dog event venues in the country.

We all want to give a special thanks to our sponsors; Purina for all the support that they
give to the individual events, to the NGSPA and all sporting dogs. Purina has generously
provided products for the winner as well as sponsoring our Amateur night get-together.

We also appreciate BassPro for their contribution of Judge’s gifts.
We want to thank all those from the Lone Star Club that help put this event on including
Gene Mason our chairman who always finds a way to pull it together, Grant Stanfill and
Ronnie Sales for their wisdom and guidance, Will Barbie, Kevin Temple, our hospitality
Director David Vogelsang and a host of others.  A special thanks goes out to Ron Hudson
who came up from San Antonio to help – not run dogs, not to rest and relax but to work
his rear off - thanks Ron we could not have done it without you.

Saturday night dinner was provided by Gene Mason and hosted by the Regional Quail
Unlimited Director, Chris Cowlbeck who was accompanied by Mike Porter, Wildlife and
Fisheries Specialist with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc.  Chris and Mike
explained the history of each of their group and the relationship to the Field Trial Ground
at Lake Murray.  Chris laid out the objective and the strategies that Quails Unlimited
were using with the help of the Noble foundation to improve the habitat at the 2500 acre
facility that would encourage the repopulation of native Quail. The development of
proper vegetation, the clearing of non-native trees and cover, and thinning the remaining
canopy to provide the proper amount of cover are the immediate efforts taking place.

Their goals are lofty but with hard work and lots of donations from interested parties,
one day we might not have to release as many birds as we do for each event.

2008 NGSPA Open All Age, Ardmore, OK.  Sponsored by the Lone Star German Shorthaired Pointer Club, January 24, 2008

Now on to the running – the Quail started with the Open All Age presenting 12 of the
finest, grittiest All Age Dogs in the country.  Watching over these challengers were
James Messer from Sugar Land, Texas and long time NGSPA Quail veteran and
supporter Charlie Barbaree.  The weather was cool and crisp in the morning warming to a
mild beautiful sunny day, great for watching the dogs run. Ronnie Sale with TH 
Monkee’s Silver, (Silver), and Keith Gulledge with BDK’s Play Something  Country (Kix)
started the battle with many otheroutstanding performances turned in by such dogs as Harvey Franco’s 
Tonelli’s Little Stinker, (Dixie) and Will Barbee’s Bar-B’s Slick Rebel, (Hoss), both handled 
superbly by Ronnie Sale.  Keith Gulledge had a fleet of fine dogs in arsenal to fire at the competition including Joker and MRT's Bingo Buck, (Buck). 

When all the dust had settled Keith and Robbi Gulledge stood on the podium with both
the top dogs, Champion Chisholm Creek Cuttin Loose (Cutter) and Runner Up MRT’s Bingo Buck (Buck).
Both dogs showed superior forward runs with plenty of bird work and the impressive style that is always delivered by the work of Blue Dawn Kennels.

Open All Age : Standing – Gene Mason, James Messer (Judge), Charlie Barbaree (Judge) and Grant Stanfill.

 Kneeling – Keith Gullege with the AA Champion Chisholm Creek Cuttin Loose - Cutter, and Robbi Gullege with the Runner Up MRT’s Bingo Buck - Buck

 2008 NGSPA Amateur Shooting Dog, Ardmore, OK.  Sponsored by the Lone Star

German Shorthaired Pointer Club, January 26-27, 2008 – by Blake Biggs

 The 2,083 acres of the Lake Murray Field Trial Grounds in Ardmore, OK was once again
 the site for the running of the 2008 NGSPA Quail Championship Amateur Shooting Dog.
 This property has been adopted as a pet project of the OFTCA, the Noble Foundation, the
Arbuckle Mountain Area Quail Unlimited chapter, and the Oklahoma  Department of Wildlife
Conservation. Seems that field trialing as a sport has come under attack in many parts of the United States.  However, in some areas, sportsmen are considered quite important to the economy and to the heritage
of this great country.  In Oklahoma, this could never be truer.  With the past construction of horse barns
and dog kennels, and now the construction of the Dub Emde Clubhouse, the building facilities couldn’t be 
more appealing.  However, the grounds make the difference in most venues. 

 Lake Murray should soon be some of the best grounds for running dogs in the US.  With extensive tree
trimming and cutting, prescribed burns to encourage prairie diversity that includes the stimulation of native fobs, legumes, and native grasses, these organizations are taking an active roll in wildlife conservation.  With cut fields, quarter mile edges, and some relatively thick draws, Lake Murray’s grounds allow bigger running dogs the opportunity to stretch, while forcing them to hunt enough cover to show how much birddog is in them.  This year’s field consisted of 24 German Shorthairs with approximately 50-hour championships among them.  Handlers came from Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Georgia, and Montana to run their best with some of the countries best.

Saturday, January 26 began with high hopes for the faithful.  Heavy fog and cold temperatures delayed the start of the championship until 9am.  The judges for this year’s championship were two well known dog men with over 50 years experience in shorthairs between them, Grant Stanfill, from Red Oak, Texas, a true gentleman of the sport, and Dan Schoenfelder, from Cave Creek Arizona, with 25 years experience handling and judging both AKC and American Field events.  Their time in the saddle was greatly appreciated.

 The first brace of the championship offered some foreshadowing of what was to come. 

 Carriage Hill St. Thomas Breeze, (Breeze) (Franco) and Keg Creek Rising Cooper (Cooper)(Loftin) were away and rolling.  At 11, Loftin called point on a far edge.  Cooper stood with breathtaking style as a pair of native bobs lifted from the thick cover.  At 18, Franco called point after Breeze was found on an edge to the front. After an extended flushing attempt, birds were produced, manners in order.  With a find at 23 and a non-productive at 47, Cooper appeared to have made a statement early in the running.  Breeze, with additional finds at 26 and 31, and a big Shooting Dog race, appeared to be the dog to beat.  If not for an extended absence by Cooper and a little immaturity from Breeze, either dog could have changed the outcome.

Brace two had GK's Ramblin Kewitt (Kewitt) (Loftin) and Gitser Done (Gister) (Hauser) breaking away at the same point the fog completely lifted.  Kewitt backed Gister at 8 with eye-popping style, and had finds at 48,55, and 58.  Gister was lost at 15, not to be seen for 30 minutes.

Sin City Redemption (Demi) (Hauser) and Timberland Savanna Chip (Chip)(Kidd) ran in brace 3.  Demi had finds at 25, 30, and 50, ran a nice Shooting Dog race throughout, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank.  Chip had a find at 5 with amazing style and perfect manners, and subsequent finds at 25, 30, and 33, with a non-productive at 47.  Although the typical immature race of a 3 year old dog, this is a dog to watch in the near future.

MSR’s Crystal Blue Persuasion, (Crystal) (Messer) and Khawk’s Live Wire (Sparky)(Alden) were braced together in the 4^th.  At 18, Messer called point, birds were produced with the dog being somewhat loose.  At 36, Crystal pointed again in a hedgerow.  Messer produced a single, manners in order.  Alden called point to the front at 38, but when the birds went so did the dog.

Brace five consisted of Slick’s Cajun Desire (Callie) (Biggs) and Rockin Ruby (Ruby) (Kooima).  These two girls broke away strong, but Ruby was lost from the onset.  Callie made two big Shooting dog edge moves and was found pointing to the front.  Handler couldn’t locate game, and went on.  At 9, Biggs, with Callie pointing with style to the front, called point.  Bird was flushed, flew nearly into the dog’s face, the dog and the bird went together.

In brace 6, BDK’s War Emblem (Emmie) (Nutt) and TH Monkee’s Silver, (Silver), (Hudson) broke away with strong moves.  Both dogs hung on the edges with powerful moves to the front.  With three finds each, both dogs gave the judges something to talk about.

Sunday morning broke with heavier fog than the day before.  With 6 more braces to run there was a concern about finishing the championship at the end of the day.  But, with most of us knowing Grant Stanfill’s modus operandi, we knew he would certainly press on and do everything in his power to get it in.

Brace 7 broke away after the fog delay at 10am. K-Hawk's Nemo Sepremo (Nemo) (Kooima) and Rexx’s Maximum Scoop, (Max), (Hudson) were paired.  Both of these dogs have reputations as track stars so we knew this would be one to watch.  Both dogs tore to the front.   Kooima called point with Nemo at 8.  A covey was produced with Nemo holding great style.  Max took the far right edge; got birdy, and decided chasing was in his future.  At 10, Nemo got a little close and was leashed.

Brace 8 included Sin City Slick Nickel (Nick) (Davis) and MSR’s Gone With The Wind (Windy)(Messer).  Nick had his own agenda this day and Davis decided the Tracker should be pulled.  Windy broke away, hardly took ten steps and pointed.  Messer flushed birds, with the dog maintaining tremendous style.  Finds at 8, 15, 16, and 17 became the undoing of Windy.  Just too many finds for a young dog.

Tonelli’s Little Stinker, (Dixie) (Franco) and Vogelsang’s Toby Von Blitzkrieg, (Toby) (Messer) were paired in the 9^th.  Messer called point at 5, with Dixie backing, however, no bird could be produced.  At 8, Messer called point again, Toby pointing with his usual high style.  A pair of native bobs was flushed with manners in order.    At 27, Toby pointed again, Messer flushed a small covey of bobs while the dog held steady and stylish.  At 30, Dixie pointed, but went at the flush.  Being a 2-year-old dog, Dixie showed she is one to watch in the future.  With a consistent Shooting Dog race Toby(Vogelsang’s Toby von Blitz) would be named the Runner Up in this championship.  The dog lost a little steam at the end or placements might have been reversed.

In the 10^th was Trees Panhandle Sam, (Sam), (Baum) and Duchess Cassidy’s Sundance Kid (Dance)(Gerdes).  At 11, Baum called point with Sam sticking a covey on a far tree row.  At 13, Gerdes called point with Dance well to the front.  A small covey was flushed.  At 17, both handlers called point on separate edges of a cut hayfield.  Birds were produced by both handlers, manners in order for both dogs.  Dogs were sent on, in different directions, Dance taking the more independent course, with Sam hunting hard to the front at slightly less range.  At 29, Dance pointed in a large hedgerow, Sam failed to back and was leashed.  Gerdes produced a covey of hard flying bobs.  Dance’s manners were perfect.  At 41, another small covey was seen in the air, with Dance stopping to flush.  Dance was sent on with only a non-productive at 49 to mar his performance.  The judges commented that Dance hunted consistently during his hour on the ground, pressed on like a veteran, and showed he truly is a birddog.  Dance (Duchess Cassidy’s Sundance Kid) would be named the winner of the 2008 NGSPA Quail Amateur Shooting Dog Championship.

The 11^th brace consisted of G&N's Beau's Cold Struddle (Struddle) (Mason) and BDK's Robbin The Bank (Bob) (Kooima).  Both dogs broke away with big moves forward down a cut hayfield edge.  Bob was found pointing at 12, but no birds could be produced by Kooima.  At 23 both dogs made big independent edge moves and pointed nearly in unison in separate places.  Manners in order for both dogs.  Struddle continued to fly around the course with a little too much independence.  At 33, Struddle pointed but decided being broke was an option, and was leashed.  Bob had additional finds at 47, 49, and 52 in one large hayfield.  Bob couldn’t get going, at the end, for finding birds.  Heaven forbid!

The last brace paired two dogs that were far too much for this stake, MRT's Bingo Buck, (Buck) (Kooima) and Bitter Sweets Hunting Buddy,  (Buddy), (Gerdes).  Both dogs were loosed and could best be compared to rockets.  At 11, Buck was found pointing way to the front.  Kooima flushed, manners in order.  Buck could have used three scouts.  This scribe was given the daunting task of scouting this dog.  Both dogs were headed to the front, but were several fields from the intended route.  Both dogs were going with the handler’s, at extreme range.  After riding hard for 45 minutes, both handler’s decided that neither dog was going to run near to a Shooting Dog race and scouts were sent to corral both dogs.

Riding all 12 braces showed that our breed has some dogs with wheels that still maintain their innate desire to hunt and find birds.  This stake contained some fine animals that will be seen in championships for years to come.

Where we always thank those who make our events go off seamlessly, we never give enough credit to those who truly work tirelessly to allow us to enjoy events such as these.  The Quail Championship committee consists of Gene Mason, Chairman, Will Barbee, Secretary, Andy Gerdes, and Ronnie Sale.  These four men do the work of ten to make this event happen.  From ordering birds and hats, to planting birds, to finding qualified quality dog men to adjudicate the event, having trophies built, winner’s saddles constructed, to arranging for food and libations, they do it all.  Guys, your efforts are truly appreciated by those of us who show up and run our dogs.  In addition, thanks to Quail Unlimited, the Noble Foundation, the OFTCA, and the OK Department of Wildlife for your efforts to ensure these facilities and grounds are truly some of the finest in the country.  Be assured, your financial support and labor is much appreciated by the many organizations who have the pleasure of running events at Lake Murray.  Last, but not least, thanks to the Lone Star German Shorthaired Pointer Club for sponsoring this event.  Anyone who has not taken the time to run dogs at Lake Murray is missing a truly special opportunity.

 Amateur Shooting Dog – Standing from left to Right – Grant Stanfill (Judge), James Messer, Dan Shoenfelder (Judge).  
Kneeling from left to right– Andy and Debbie Gerdes with ASD Champion Duchess Cassidy’s Sundance Kid - Dance, ASD Runner Up David Voglesang with Voglesang’s Toby Von Blitzkrieg

2008 NGSPA Open Shooting Dog, Ardmore, OK.  Sponsored by the Lone Star German Shorthaired Pointer Club, January 28-29, 2008 – by Dick Wilber

The Open Shooting Dog Started Monday morning with go turn of 25 eager contestants being watched by the venerable Grant Stanfill and Dick Wilber to insure that only the deserving would prevail.

Brace 1  - Breaking away at 8 A.M. was top dog Sm Queen High Flush  (Abby) handled by Keith Gulledge and bottom dog Trees Panhandle Sam, (Sam) handled by Ronnie Sale in a brisk cool breeze morning with the temperature in the upper 30’s, partly cloudy which turned into a wonderful for the dogs,  Abby was up at 6 minutes for few to many steps on a find while Sam had an off day  working the edges but lacking the speed and range and was picked up at 20.

 Brace 2 – Featured Tom Davis with his Sin City Slick Nickel (Nick) dog matched up with James Messer and
MSR’s Mr. Ed (Ed).  Nick ran with nice speed, but lacked good course application.  After two non productives he was picked up at 22.  Ed took the edges and hit the cover showing nice ground speed.  He was rewarded with 4 stylish finds, however on his 5^th find he decided to do some self-relocation and was picked up at 36.

Brace 3 – Showed Ronnie Sale and Free Flights Bosefus, (Hank, Jr.), paired with Tim Heiner and Sparky.  Hank started strong and seemed to get stronger as the brace progressed.  He took the edges with speed, dug into the cover and made some outstanding casts.  He was rewarded with 4 excellent finds to go with one non productive.  A real pleasure to watch.  Sparky had 2 finds and a stop to flush, but lacked consistency today.

Brace 4 – Included Ray Dohse and his Snips Midwest Maverick (Maverick) dog against James Messer and .  MSR’s Crystal Blue Persuasion, (Crystal).  Maverick started strong but shortened as the brace progressed.  He had 4 nice finds along the edge and very stylish back to brace mate.  Crystal showed the great ground speed and strong forward run, however after one classy find was seen chasing at 36 and ordered up.

Brace 5 -  Tim Heiner with Gitser Done (Gitser) were up with James Messer and Vogelsang’s Toby Von Blitzkrieg, (Toby) in the first brace after the lunch break and the winds were beginning to pick up.  Gitzer had an off day and was picked up by he handler.   Toby started well, but after 30 minutes shortened up.  His 3 finds were all stylish and in order.

Brace 6 –Ray Dohse with Ricochet's Arrieta (Sid) and Kirk Lofin with GK's Ramblin Kewitt (Kewitt) were the pairing for the 6^th brace.  Sid did not get a chance to show much on the ground as she was up at 6 for chasing.  Kewitt started slow but strengthened as the brace continued. She ran at a nice medium range and had 5 stylish finds along the edges as well as off into the cover. A nice overall performance.

Brace 7 – Ray Dohse ran alone in the 7^th brace at the end of the day with FC Ike’s Eshod Delight (Dee) ran as an in season bye dog.  Dixie gave it a good try but never quite got into the game and picked up at 13.

Brace 8  - The start of day 2 was 50 degrees and windy with brace 8 off at 8 A.M.  Keith Gulledge and FC BDK's Robbin The Bank (Bob) were up with Ray Dohse and Eshod's Arkansas Lady (Lady).  Bob had 4 solid finds while running well at medium range.  He looked great until seen chasing at 55.  Lady had 5 stylish finds and a beautiful back to go with on non productive. She started strong and finished strong with no let down in her performance.  She showed excellent ground speed and dug hard in the cover while always moving forward.  A very nice performance.

Brace 9  - Kirk Loftin with Keg Creek Rising Cooper (Cooper) and Jerry Johnson with Cadens Ruger Weltmeister (Ruger) were matched in this brace with the weather turning cooler and the wind picking up and changing to the north.  Cooper had one find and a Non Productive, while Ruger had 2 finds and a nice back, both were picked up by their handlers at 50 as neither seemed to show much bid ability or course application today.

Brace 10 – James Messer in charge of MSR’s Gone With The Wind (Windy) and Ray Dohse running FC Eshod's Revolution (Mason) in the 10^th found Windy up in a little over a minute with a mouth full of feathers and the bird still attached.  Mason had 3 stylish finds and a stop to flush, but just never got it in gear and was picked up at 45.

Brace 11 – Keith Gulledge and BDK’s War Emblem (Emmie) were teamed with Ray Dohse and Anozira's Full of Brandi Brice (Brice).  Both dogs hunted, Emmie having 2 finds a back and a Non Productive while Brice had 3 finds and a back.  However the wind – now at 45 MPH and gusting to 60 seemed to affect them and both were picked up by 40.

Brace 12 – Featured Keith Gulledge and Chisholm Creek Riptide (Rip) with Kirk Loftin and Hi-Tailyn Mighty Isis Isis.  Rip was credited with 4 finds and a Non Productive, while Isis had 1 find and 2 backs.  Both lacked forward movement today and were picked up at 45.

Brace 13 – Tim Heiner and Sin City Redemption (Demi) were matched up to Ray Dohse and FC Ike's Eshod Delight (Dee) with both dogs starting well but Dee was up at 13 for failing to stand her birds.  Demi showed excellent ground speed and 4 stylish finds, but was very erratic in his course application.

The winners were clear and the Champion Hank Jr. handled by Ronnie Sale turned in the superior performances with the Runner Up Lady handled by Ray Dohse followed closely with her own spectacular effort.

Open Shooting Dog – Standing from left to right – Grant Stanfill, Ronnie Sale, Bob Rankin (Judge), Ron Hudson, Dick Wilber (Judge), and Ray Dohse,
Kneeling – From left to right – James Messer with OSD Champion Free Flights Bosefus – Hank Jr., and Scott Bodenstab with OSD Runner Up Eshod’s Arkansas Lady - Lady

2008 NGSPA Derby Classic, Ardmore, OK.  Sponsored by the Lone Star German Shorthaired Pointer Club, January 30, 2008 – by Dick Wilber

We want to thank the Derby Classic Judges, which were the same as the Open Shooting Dog - Grant Stanfill and Dick Wilber.  We kept them in the saddle a long time and want them to know we really appreciate their effort.

Brace 1 – Ray Dohse running with Rodie’s Hi-Tailyn Jackson (Jackson) and Robbi Gulledge running Chisholm Creek’s Sassy One (Sassy) started the derby with Jackson having an excellent find and nicely running the edges, while Sassy showed excellent ground speed only being hamper with 8 finds.  The plentiful bird work never gave her to chance to really stretch out, ending as a very nice shooting dog.

Brace 2 – Gene Mason with G&n's Shelter Belt Echo (Echo) and Tim Heiner with Addy took to the field with dogs showing great run good speed but lacking in application and both went birdless.

Brace 3 – Tim Heiner and Poor Boys Satin Doll (Sadie) were matched with Robbie Gulledge and CCK's High Plains Panzer (Tank) in the 3^rd brace.  Sadie had a couple of finds, but it really was not her day. Tank had 3 finds with medium range and acceptable ground speed.

Brace 4 – This brace paired James Messer and MSR’s Timeless Glow (Amber) with Gene Mason and Free Flights Bubba (Bubba). Range and speed were there with both dogs but application and bird finding were lacking for each.

Brace 5 – Ray Dohse and Eshod’s Family Tradition (Hank) were teamed up with James Messer and MSR’s Opalescence, (Opal),.  A very enjoyable brace with both dogs showing speed and range, Opal made some excellent casts and was rewarded with 3 nice finds. Hank was a little shorter but had 2 nice finds.

Brace 6 – Tim Heiner and Poor Boys Heavy Hitter (Hammer) were pitted against Robbi Gulledge and Bingo Bucks Toast to Slick (Slick) in the 6^th Brace with both dogs having nice runs but neither ever really caught fire.  Each one had stylish bird and show encouragement for the future.

Brace 7 – Ray Dohse handling Eshod’s Annie Oakley (Annie) were paired with Robbi Gulledge and On Points Son Od (Sunny).  Both dogs had off days and were not in contention.

At the end of the day it was clear that James Messer and Opal would take home the prize of First Place, closely followed by Robbi Gulledge and Sassy for 2^nd and Ray Dohse and Hank for 3^rd.

Well, the building is swept, the dogs are in the crates, the horses are in the trailers, good byes are exchanged and we are all off to the next adventure.  We had a great time and hope that everyone enjoyed them selves and will want to return next year.  And as we do every year we would like to end this report with a special thanks to Don Kidd for all he does for us and for the NGSPA. Without people like Don, we would not have the opportunities to perform with our dogs and enjoy the company we keep.  Thank you.

Derby Classic Champion – Standing from left to right – James Messer, Chad Baum, Grant Stanfill (judge), Dick Wilber (judge), and Ray Dohse.

Kneeling – From left to Right – Gene Mason with Derby Classic Champion MSR’s Opalescence, Opal, Keith Gulledge with 2^nd place Chisholm Creek’s Sassy One - Sassy and Scott Bodenstab with 3^rd place Eshod’s Family Tradition, Hank

End