Result: Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Elk City, Kansas

Post Date: Apr 27, 2026

Submitted By: David Taylor

Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Luke Topp with Topp's First J R and Ryan Eichelberger with Rob's Edge. (Standing): Garvin Collins, David Taylor, Harold Gearhart, Lynn Oxendine (judge), Scott Thielen (judge), Bob Davidson, and Ryan's mother holding the trophy.

The Midwest Open Shooting Dog Championship concluded on March 13. The trial was held on the Westfall Ranch near Elk City, Kansas. The Championship Association is grateful to Bill Westfall for generously providing the venue for this championship. He also made facilities and equipment available to assist the club in hosting the trial. Bill has provided grounds for this championship for nearly three decades.

Ken Chenoweth had been scheduled to judge but suffered an injury and was unable to ride. Lynn Oxendine, an area veteran, agreed to fill the void on 24 hours' notice. He joined Scott Thielen to judge the Championship. Virgil Moore and Scott judged the Derby. Thanks to each of these gentlemen for helping the club during a difficult situation.

Topp's First J R was named the 2026 Midwest Champion. The 10-year-old white and black pointer male ran a commendable race and pointed a wild covey. His style on point and his manners at flush were beyond reproach. Harold Gearhart handled J R for owners Luke and Rita Topp. The runner-up in the championship was Rob's Edge, a white, liver and ticked pointer male. Edge was handled by his owner, Ryan Eichelberger. Edge pointed birds three times, with one stand being on a wild covey. Edge displayed finished manners on each occasion when his birds were flushed.

A strong field of juveniles was entered in the Derby stake. The winner was Hale's Southern Flyer. Flyer ran a strong forward race and pointed a wild covey. She stood with polished manners for Shawn Kinkelaar to flush her birds. Dr. Jeff Hale owns Flyer. Touch's Maximus, owned and handled by Klaus Schmidt, placed second. Maximus ran a forward race and shared a find on a wild covey with his bracemate, with everything in order. Silver W Ringafire placed third. Sunny ran a forward race, shared a find with Maximus and stopped to flush mannerly as a covey lifted. Shawn Kinkelaar handled Sunny for owners Mike Blanton and David Taylor.
Thanks to Purina for its continued support of the Midwest Championship by providing product to the winners. A special thanks to Greg Blair for his work promoting field trials and helping clubs stay active.

Thanks to each owner and handler for supporting the trial with their entries.
Lance Schulz and Shawn Kinkelaar provided steaks for the traditional champions' dinner honoring Upfront's Southern Star's 2025 Championship. Virgil Moore manned the grill, and the steaks were cooked to perfection.

The club appreciated the use of ATVs provided by Luke Topp, Jay McKenzie, and Walley Olson. The ATVs served as the dog wagon and in releasing birds each evening.
Ranch manager Olson and his family are on hand to lend a hand if needed. Trip Olson opens the gates and checks the release sites each evening. The family often joins the group for evening meals.

Others not already mentioned who should be commended for their efforts in making the trial a success are: Club President and Trial Chairmen Garvin Collins, Harold Gearhart, and Randy Wilson. Garvin coordinates the entire trial; Harold sees that no job is left undone; and Randy provides great meals for those in attendance.

Come join us in 2027!

Elk City, Kan., March 11
Judges: Lynn Oxendine and Scott Thielen
MIDWEST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 27 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-TOPPS FIRST J R, F1672426, pointer male, by Merrihill's Bravo-Aaron's Mae Be Good. Luke & Rita Topp, owners; Harold Gearhart, handler.
Runner-Up-ROB'S EDGE, F1703302, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Little Faye. Ryan Eichelberger, owner and handler.

Judges: Virgil Moore and Scott Thielen
OPEN DERBY - 12 Pointers
1st-HALE'S SOUTHERN FLYER, F1727725, pointer female, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Hale's High Flyer. Dr. Jeffrey Hale & Rick Thone, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
2d-TOUCH'S MAXIMUS, F1710169, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Bandit's Hill Pazzo. Klaus Schmidt, owner and handler.
3d-SILVER W RINGAFIRE, F1719739, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. David Taylor & Mike Blanton, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.

Open Derby (front row, l-r): Curtis Teare with Hale's Southern Flyer, Klaus Schmidt with Touch's Maximus, and Mike Blanton with Silver W Ringafire. (Standing): Scott Thielen (judge), Shawn Kinkelaar, Garvin Collins, Virgil Moore (judge), and David Taylor.