Result: Northwest Chukar Championships

Location: Payette, Idaho

Post Date: Dec 14, 2023

Submitted By: Jeremy Skousen

Northwest Chukar Open All-Age Championship Winners (back row, l-r): Terry Erickson, Jeremy Skousen (judge), Bill Owen (judge), Kristina Wall, and Jacquine Shippy. (Front): Sergio Velez, Jim Ledington (scout) with B K Pablo Escobar, and Alex Mauck with Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Jack.

Rain delay... what...in the high desert? This is not something we generally hear in this part of the world at the beginning of October. This series of trials used to be held a week earlier, and the weather was typically in the 90s with dry and dusty conditions. This year, many days were cool, overcast, and rainy, although the warm fall weather did show up for part of the trial. Wild and released birds were found and usually pointed, which adds to the excitement of every find since you don't always know what to expect. Prairie Wind Ranch sits about 20 miles outside Payette, Idaho, and the cover was particularly good this year. Boise Valley Pointing Dog Club would like to thank Keith and Bobbi Richardson for the use of the grounds and the many amenities and offer a thank you to all those involved for all the work before, during, and after the trial concluded. Especially Phil and Sharon Bowden for driving the dog truck and keeping water and refreshments available to all, Anita Robertson for the meals and hospitality, and Mark Kirkland for the dinner. An additional thank you to the multiple organizations and individuals who came together to put together the dog truck that proved to be just perfect for this venue. The BVPDC would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Purina and SportDOG for the continued sponsorship of these trials.

The 2023 All-Age Champion was B K Pablo Escobar, owned and handled by Sergio Velez, with a forward and consistent all-age race staying "in the pocket" the entire hour and a strong finish high up on a hill still searching for birds. The runner-up was Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Jack, owned by Steve Croy and handled by Alex Mauck, with a strong start and the most exciting find on chukars for the trial, and he also finished high on the hill. The judges for the All-Age Championship were Bill Owen and Jeremy Skousen, and were in complete agreement on the winners.
Sergio Velez's dog clearly loves running at Prairie Wind Ranch as B K Pablo Escobar was also named the shooting dog champion for 2023. The runner-up was also handled by Sergio with BK Locked N' Loaded. The champion had six finds throughout the hour with a consistent race. The runner-up had a couple of finds and an exciting race. The judges for this stake were Lori Steinshouer and Mike Wilkin.

The Larry McConnell Memorial Region 9 Amateur All-Age Championship was held over the weekend in combination with the Northwest Chukar Championships. The 2023 champion was Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Dallee, owned and handled by Alex Mauck. Dallee had three finds and ended her exciting hour pointed on chukar below the infamous "suicide tree." The runner-up champion was S B Always Dreamin, owned and handled by Bill Owen. She ran a forward-pleasing race and had her find right before time was called on the brace. The judges for the Amateur Championship were Sergio Velez and Rich Burgi.

The Larry Brech Memorial Open Derby was held first on a beautiful Friday morning. First place was Carbonado's Country Spectre, owned and handled by Austin Turley. Second place was Seranoa's Valley Below, owned and handled by Nick Shade. Third place was Far West Apollo, owned and handled by Mike Wilkin.
Jim Ledington chaired the trials, with a lot of help from others and even long-distance help from Bridget. The trials ran smoothly and efficiently like in previous years, and the effort is appreciated by all. The trial was well attended by field trialers from all around the western United States: California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Canada.

Payette, Ida., September 29
Judges: Bill Owen and Jeremy Skousen
NORTHWEST CHUKAR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 11 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-B K PABLO ESCOBAR, 1681052, pointer male, by Fastforward's B K Gunner-Wiggins Miss Stella. Sergio Velez, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-MAUCK'S WYEAST OWYHEE JACK, 1676973, setter male, by Tekoa Mountain Patriot-San Jac's Gypsy. Steve Croy, owner; Alex Mauck, handler.

Northwest Chukar Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (l-r): Kristina Wall, Alex Mauck, and Sergio Velez with B K Pablo Escobar. (Behind): Mike Wilkin (judge), Lori Steinshouer (judge), Jim Ledington (scout) with BK Locked N' Loaded, Bill Owen, Jacquine Shippy, and Phil Bowden.

Judges: Lori Steinshouer and Mike Wilkin
NORTHWEST CHUKAR OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 8 Entries
Winner-B K PABLO ESCOBAR, 1681052, pointer male, by Fastforward's B K Gunner-Wiggins Miss Stella. Sergio Velez, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-BK LOCKED N' LOADED, 1699229, pointer female, by B K Bonafide Stallion-B K Hirollins Wild. Sergio Velez, owner and handler.

Region 9 Amateur All-Age Championship Winners (l-r): Alex Mauck, Terry Erickson (scout) with Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Dallee, Kristina Wall, Ed Mayhew, Jim Ledington (scout) with S B Always Dreamin, Bill Owen, and Sergio Velez (judge). (Behind): Rich Burgi (judge) and Phil Bowden.

Judges: Rich Burgi and Sergio Velez
REGION 9 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Entries
Winner-MAUCK'S WYEAST OWYHEE DALLEE, 1687695, setter female, by T's Gunslinger-Hidden Jasmine. Alex Mauck, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-S B ALWAYS DREAMIN, 1679868, pointer female, by Rivertons Funseek'n Scooter-Touch's J Class. William Owen, owner and handler.

Judges: Jim Ledington and Bill Owen
LARRY BRECH OPEN DERBY CLASSIC - 9 Entries
1st-CARBONADO'S COUNTRY SPECTRE, 1705811, pointer male, by Brush Country Spectre-Empire On Line. Austin Turley, owner and handler.
2d-SERANOA'S VALLEY BELOW, 1700479, pointer male, by Touch's Malcolm Story-Seranoa's On Guard Annie. Nicholas Schade, owner and handler.
3d-FAR WEST APOLLO, 1702287, pointer male, by Skyfall-Phantom's Rebel Ransom. Mike Wilkin, owner and handler.

Larry Brech Memorial Open Derby Classic Winners (back row, l-r): Phil Bowden, Terry Erickson, Ed Mayhew, Jim Ledington (judge), Bill Owen (judge), Sergio Velez, and Rich Burgi, joined by two spectators. (Front row): Sharon Bowden, Austin Turley, Brian Gingrich, Nickolas Schade, Mike Wilkin, and Alex Mauck.