Result: NBHA Sharptail Open Championship

Location: Danbury, Wisconsin

Post Date: Nov 13, 2025

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

NBHA Sharptail Open Championship (l-r): Mike Taylor, Brad Peterson, John McKellop with Grouse Trails Little Bud, Scott Hadley (judge), Justin Crook (judge), Paul Cook with Bandit Hill Bess, Katie Cook, James Kleve (trial chairman), and Jim Kleve.

The NBHA Sharptail Championship is a highly contested championship held on one of the toughest venues in the sport of field trials. For the fourth year in a row, the trial drew over 40 dogs, with a total of 42 coming to the line vying for the title of champion. The Namekagon Barrens provides a unique challenge to both dog and handler, with both the openness of the prairie and the cover of the grouse woods. Justin Crook of Jasper, Missouri, and Scott Hadley of Sayre, Oklahoma, took time out of their schedules to judge the championship. Both Crook and Hadley are no strangers to quality dogs. They both compete across the country with their own string of dogs. They were attentive, as well as helpful, during their time in the saddle.
Those earning top laurels this year were handled by two men who are no strangers to the podium. Pointer male Grouse Trails Little Bud was named champion, owned and handled by John McKellop. Bandit Hill Bess, a pointer female, earned the runner-up title for handler Paul Cook and owner Klaus Schmidt.

With birds being at a premium this year, the top two dogs covered the ground well, were biddable, and handled their bird work with style and class. Bud ran in the 14th brace on Friday morning, while Bess drew the ninth brace, which ran on Thursday morning. During his time on the ground, Bud ran strong to the front. His stylish bird work included a find at 10. The birds were not interested in lifting, and he was able to withstand birds running. McKellop was able to lift the birds after a noteworthy relocation. Bud also had another clean piece of bird work at 40. Bess was biddable during her hour and had a find at 30. She continued to hunt diligently during the hour and had an unproductive around 40.

Dogs' performances worth noting include Cates Rocket Girl, who ran the first brace of the championship and carded a woodcock find for handler Zach Erne. The English setter female is owned by David Cates. English setter male Boatrights Iron Eagle, handled by James Kleve and owned by Terry Boatright, also turned in a solid performance but was unable to point any birds during his hour. Crouse's Comeback Kid, a pointer male, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk, had an unproductive, forward ground race and a breach of manners at the end of the hour, thus ending his bid.

Outcast Siren Song, an English setter female, was fancy on the ground and had a forward ground race. She, too, was unable to produce a bird during the hour for handler James Kleve and owner John Clough. Tom Waite handled Foxy Lady Sadie, an Irish setter female, owned by Mike Fox. Sadie was another dog the judges wanted to commend for her efforts over the course of her hour.

The companion Jeff Hintz Derby Classic drew and ran 24 young competitors. Scott Hadley returned to the judicial saddle, joined by Steve Snyder, who previously judged this championship in 2022. A trio of pointer males took the table. John McKellop once again rang the bell, taking first with Grouse Trails Chippewa Warrior and second with Grouse Trails Legend. Finishing out the placements was Mike Taylor with Lil Elhew Chief Snakefeather.

The Open Puppy stake completed the event. Todd Manns and Brad Peterson filled the judicial role for the final stake. First place went to Jennifer Taylor's Hackberry's Snake Lady McGee, a snappy liver and white pointer female. Littermates took the second and third place spots, bred by John Clough. Second place went to Clough's Mischief Brew, an English setter female, owned and handled by John Clough. Braden Persinger owns and handled the third-place puppy, also an English setter female, Persinger's Five Roses.

The championship continues to provide memorable performances for all. This event would not be possible without club members who dedicate their energy to flagging courses, driving the dog wagon, providing lunches, and helping all who come to participate.

A big thanks to all our sponsors--Purina, Garmin, OnX, Gun Dog Supply, Mule Brand Clothing, Gun Dog Central, and Setter Ridge Collective.

Also, thank you to Nancy Christel and her team at the Wisconsin DNR, who keep the grounds at the Namekagon Barrens well-maintained and ready for events such as this championship.
To all those who take the time to put on championships and support others who do the same, best of luck as the season continues.

Danbury, Wis., September 24
Judges: Justin Crook and Scott Hadley
NBHA SHARPTAIL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 22 Pointers, 13 Setters, 1 German Shorthair, and 6 Irish Setters
Winner-GROUSE TRAILS LITTLE BUD, F1701061, pointer male, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. John McKellop III, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-BANDIT HILL BESS, F1706165, pointer female, by Touch's Smooth Rider-West's Lucy. Klaus Schmidt, owner; Paul Cook, handler.

NBHA Jeff Hintz Open Derby Classic (l-r): John McKellop with Grouse Trails Chippewa Warrior, Steve Snyder (judge), Katie Cook with Grouse Trail Legend, and Mike Taylor with Lil Elhew Chief Snakefeather.

Judges: Scott Hadley and Steve Snyder
NBHA JEFF HINTZ OPEN DERBY CLASSIC - 14 Pointers, 8 Setters, 1 German Shorthair, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-GROUSE TRAILS CHIPPEWA WARRIOR, F1710623, pointer male, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. John McKellop, owner and handler.
2d-GROUSE TRAILS LEGEND, F1710621, pointer male, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. John McKellop, owner and handler.
3d-LIL ELHEW CHIEF SNAKEFEATHER, F1709748, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee. Michial Taylor, owner and handler.

Judges: Todd Manns and Brad Peterson
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 2 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-HACKBERRY'S SNAKE LADY MCGEE, F1721939, pointer female, by Elhew Snakemaster-Hackberry's Elhew Leve. Michial Taylor, owner; Jennifer Taylor, handler.
2d-CLOUGH'S MISCHIEF BREW, F1721342, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Outcast Siren Song. John Clough, owner and handler.
3d-PERSINGER'S FIVE ROSES, F1721344, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Outcast Siren Song. Braden Persinger, owner and handler.

NBHA Open Puppy (l-r): Jennifer Taylor with Hackberry's Snake Lady McGee, Brad Peterson (judge), John Clough with Clough's Mischief Brew, Todd Manns (judge), and Braden Persinger with Persinger's Five Roses.