Event: NBHA Bob Catlett Open Shooting Dog Classic
Result: North Missouri Field Trial Association
Location: Grovespring, Missouri
Post Date: Jan 26, 2024
Submitted By: Kevin Western
Bob Catlett Open Shooting Dog Classic Winners (l-r): Rod Lein with Over The Hill Merry, Kenny Snow with Snow's Rhiannon, and David Gates with River City Hit Man. (Standing): Bud Moore, Randy Zimmer, Dan Draffen (judge), Joe Zimmer, Ken Sauer (NBHA president), Kevin Western, Tim Penn (NBHA secretary and judge), John Holt, Andrew Erne, and Zach Erne.
The North Missouri Field Trial Association with the help of the Missouri Bird Hunters Association held the Bob Catlett Open Shooting Dog Classic on November 30, concluding on December 2. This event was held in conjunction with the NBHA National Amateur Invitational Championship. The event this year was held at the Sportsman's Field Trial grounds near Grovespring, Missouri. The grounds were in excellent condition, as always, with milo strips, an abundance of birds, and many objectives to make for a very competitive trial.
As stated earlier, this year's event was hosted by the North Missouri Field Trial Association with the help of the Missouri Bird Hunters. Helping out was Tim Penn, Joe Zimmer, Randy Zimmer, Jack Glover, and Kevin Western. This is a hard-working bunch of guys that are willing to help out wherever is needed. This year's judging duties were handled by Dan Draffen of Bunceton, Missouri, and Tim Penn of Edina, Missouri. These two are seasoned veterans to the field trial game and rode attentively and evaluated the field of top contenders. Their decisions were well received.
The Missouri State Classic Bob Catlett Open Shooting Dog winner was Over The Hill Merry (PF) for Ron Lein. Merry ran in the 5th brace; she accumulated four finds and had stopped to flush. Merry started her hour with a find at 4, she backed her bracemate at 11, 20, and 24. Merry went on to have finds at 29, and 32 all in order. She had a stop-to-flush at 35 and an unproductive at 54. Merry's final find came at 56. She was very staunch in her birdwork throughout all of her birdwork. She had a good forward range, hunted hard and was pleasing to watch, earning her first place.
The second-place dog was Snow's Rhiannon (PF), handled by Kenny Snow. Rhiannon ran in the 6th brace, she had one find at 27, all in order. She finished the hour as she started always to the front working the cover as a shooting dog should.
Third place came in the eighth brace with River City Hit Man (ESM), handled by Zach Ernie. "Roy" had a single find at 29 with excellent manners. Roy was very strong in the first half of his hour, but he started to show some stress towards the end of his hour. It appeared that he had injured himself and had swelling in his front leg, but he still muscled out a good finish and was rewarded with third place.
The Open Derby had both of John Holt's young derbies taking first and second. Bridgers Insane Bolt (PM) was the first-place derby, and Bridgers Open For Business (PM) was the second-place winner. Both of these derbies are showing a promising future.
Rounding out the amateur stakes was Ken Sauer winning the Amateur Shooting Dog with K C's Tye Oneon (PM). Tye finished the hour with two finds and a good forward race.
The Amateur Shooting Dog (JC@F) was won by Penrosa Behrdevil (PM), owned and handled by Tim Penn.
The National Bird Hunters Association is blessed to have such generous sponsors. Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, OnX Hunt, and Mule Brand Gear are valued and much-appreciated sponsors. Their participation and sponsorship of the NBHA is much appreciated.
Again, we would like to thank all our sponsors, the judges, the helpers, and all our participants. It is the work and participation of all that help make up a great event. The participation and dedication of the good folks who come to these trials make the future look great for the National Bird Hunters.
Grovespring, Mo., November 30 - One Course
Judges: Danny Draffen and Tim Penn
NBHA BOB CATLETT OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 13 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-OVER THE HILL MERRY, 1678045, pointer female, by Grouse Trails Cracker Jack-Diva Dot. Rod Lein, owner and handler.
2d-SNOW'S RHIANNON, 1690447, pointer female, by Jimfork's Sunny Hill Jack-Jimfork's Katie Hawk. Kenny Snow, owner and handler.
3d-RIVER CITY HIT MAN, 1697155, setter male, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way-Wynona's Gunslinger Jewel. David Cates, owner; Zach Erne, handler.
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 5 Pointers
1st-BRIDGER'S INSANE BOLT, 1702589, male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. John Holt, owner and handler.
2d-BRIDGERS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, 1702420, male, by Miller's Unfinished Business-Phantom's Santo Sun. John Holt, owner and handler.
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 4 Pointers
1st-K C'S TYEONEON, 1692606, male, by Valiant-Cypress Church Junebug. Ken Sauer & K C's Kennels, owners; Ken Sauer, handler.
Judges: Danny Draffen and Zach Erne
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 2 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-PENROSA BEHRDEVIL, 1676392, pointer male, by Lester's Sunny Hill Jo-Miss Kitty Russell. Tim Penn, owner and handler.