Result: NBHA National Free-For-All Championship

Location: Booneville, Arkansas

Post Date: Apr 10, 2026

Submitted By: Tim Penn

NBHA National Free-for-All Championship (front, l-r): Matthew Puckett (owner/handler) with Texas Frostbite and Andy Erne with Cates Rocket Girl. (Behind): Zach Erne (handler).

The NBHA Open Free-For-All Championship was held at Booneville, Arkansas, and was hosted by the Westark Field Trial Club, with Kenny Snow handling the chairman duties for this event. The NBHA extends our sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this event a success. Our appreciation goes to the Westark Field Trial Club for their hospitality and dedication, and to the judges, Mr. Eddie Smith and Mr. Dickie Sorrell, for their time in the saddle evaluating each dog's performance, which was greatly appreciated. And all the handlers and participants who traveled and competed. In addition, the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes.

The NBHA would also like to thank all of our sponsors: Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, OnX Hunt, Mule Brand Gear and Apparel, Gun Dog Supply, and Gundog Central. And a special thanks to bird dog training and industry leaders, Smith Kennels, the exclusive sponsor of the Champion's Choice Buckles for the National Free-For-All Championship winners.

Free-For-All Callbacks
In the first brace were Texas Frostbite (Matthew Puckett, owner/handler) with Cates Rocket Girl (David Cates, owner; Zach Erne, handler).
In the second brace were Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior (Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler) with T S Blindside Ransom (Mark Dunlap, owner/handler).
The standby brace saw Doc's Second Wind (Jim Smith, owner/handler) with Hey Mr. Tin Man (Kenny Snow, owner/handler).
After the two callback braces were run, the judges made their selection by naming Texas Frostbite as champion and Cates Rocket Girl as runner-up champion. Their performances were pleasing to the eye and met the standards that the judges were looking for. They were forward in their application, strong in their race, and they displayed broke manners on their game.

Booneville, Ark., March 7
Judges: Eddie Smith and Dickie Sorrell
NBHA NATIONAL FREE-FOR-ALL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats; One-Hour Callback] - 13 Pointers and 8 Setters
Winner-TEXAS FROSTBITE, F1713341, pointer female, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Rester's Maybe Baby. Matthew Puckett, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-CATES ROCKET GIRL, F1690282, setter female, by Swift Rock Iced Cash-Swift Rock Splash. David Cates, owner; Zach Erne, handler.

Judges: Ronnie Miller and Jerry Oswalt
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 9 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-RUN TO WYNN, F1712002, pointer male, by Imagine-Cocklebur Dragon Tattoo. Bret Eikenbary, owner; Zach Erne, handler.
2d-LIL ELHEW CHIEF SNAKEFEATHER, F1709748, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Hackberry's Elhew Ashlee. Michial Taylor, owner and handler.
3d-RTK REBEL GUNSLINGER, F1711748, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erin's Little Faye. Taylore Sartain, owner and handler.

NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 17 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-INDIAN CREEK BRANZINO, F1724723, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior-Indian Creek Sprout. Julian Stuhr, owner; Gary Malzone, handler.
2d-RAPID FIRE DENALI, unreg., pointer male, by Jett Quest-Rapid Five Ellie. Charles Eads, owner and handler.
3d-DUBLIN DOWN, F1720080, setter female, by Skyview Black Onyx-Erin's Crossroads. Brady Elmore, owner and handler.