Result: North Dakota Pointing Dog Club

Location: Hankinson, North Dakota

Post Date: Jun 10, 2026

Submitted By: Lance Schulz

Amateur Shooting Dog & Open Shooting Dog (front row): Ramblin Rivers Natural, Bill Stapleton, Ready or Not, Bruce Mueller, Upfront's County Seat, Lance Schulz. (Back row): Mary Sue Schalk (ASD judge), Nik Zewers, Keith Anderson, Dan Tang (OSD judge), Scott Hadley (ASD judge), L. J. Lundstrom (OSD judge), Scottie Schulz, Mason Schulz, and Tessa Schulz.

The North Dakota Pointing Dog Club proudly hosted the second running of the Dakota Shooting Dog Classics from May 8-10 on the picturesque Dakota Prairie National Grasslands near Hankinson, North Dakota. This event featured both Amateur and Open Shooting Dog stakes and marked the 10th consecutive year the NDPDC has held spring trials on these grounds.
We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, whose generous support made this event possible. Purina supplied dog food for all placements, and SportDOG contributed training collars for the placing dog's owners.

The Hankinson Hills offer an exceptional setting for field trials. Originally shaped by an ancient river that once emptied into glacial Lake Agassiz, the landscape has been sculpted over time by wind and rain into a diverse and challenging course. Handlers and dogs navigated open prairie adjacent to rolling sand dunes, followed by shaded groves of oak, poplar, and cottonwood. Ferns softened the scenery as the course opened again into an expansive prairie, framed by distinct tree-lined edges. This terrain provides a unique and rewarding experience, allowing dogs to stretch out and search for objectives while handlers work the course's natural boundaries.

We would also like to recognize the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and judges. Field trials would not be possible without their time and commitment. Special thanks go to Keith Anderson, Paul Cook, Scott Hadley, James Kleve, L. J. Lundstrom, Todd Manns, Bruce Mueller, Mark Pfeifer, Lance Schulz, Bill Stapleton, Mary Sue Schalk, and Nik Zewers for their contributions.

The weather was very accommodating for watching the dogs hunt in this unique topography. On Friday, the Amateur Shooting Dog stake was completed. Ramblin Rivers Natural, handled by Bill Stapleton, claimed first place with a powerful forward ground race that included five well-earned finds. Ready or Not, handled by Keith Anderson, had a strong four-find performance, earning second place. Upfront's County Seat, handled by Lance Schulz, was awarded third place with her range at the edge of shooting dog distance and stylish manners around her game. That evening, participants gathered for a judge recognition dinner at The Black Pelican, a well-known local bar located near Wyndmere, North Dakota.

Saturday began with the Open Derby stake, where River Cane, handled by Nick Zewers, secured first place. Cold Creek Wild Rose, with Bruce Mueller, earned second, and L. J. Lundstrom's Sioux Wind Jammer finished in third. Following the Derby, we proceeded to run three braces of the Open Shooting Dog.

The Open Shooting Dog stake was completed Sunday afternoon. When the placements were announced, we questioned whether the judges' paper had been mistaken for the Amateur Shooting Dog placements, as the winners were identical! It is good to see four different people agree on the same dogs at different times of the day and in different course directions. Placements were Ramblin Rivers Natural, handled by Bill Stapleton; Ready or Not, handled by Keith Anderson; and Upfront's County Seat, handled by Lance Schulz. This stake was a National Open Shooting Dog qualifier and an Amateur Shooting Dog Invitational Points Trial. Congratulations to Ready or Not for qualifying for the 2027 and 2028 National Open Shooting Dog Championship.

In closing, congratulations to all participants and winners. The success of this event reflects the hard work of the handlers, volunteers, judges, and sponsors who make it all possible. We look forward to many more successful events on these outstanding grounds.

Hankinson, N. D., May 8
Judges: Scott Hadley and Mary Sue Schalk
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 12 Pointers
1st-RAMBLIN RIVERS NATURAL, F1688693, pointer male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. William Stapleton, owner and handler.
2d-READY OR NOT, F1708651, pointer female, by Seranoa's Valley Below-Affinity. Keith Anderson, owner and handler.
3d-UPFRONT'S COUNTY SEAT, F1705554, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. Lance & Marcie Schulz, owners; Lance Schulz, handler.

Judges: Scott Hadley and Daniel Tang
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-RIVER CANE, F1709513, pointer male, by Northern Confidence-Red Sunshine. Nik Zewers, owner and handler.
2d-COLD CREEK WILD ROSE, F1720408, pointer female, by Nomads Uncle Sam-Cold Creek Spectacle. Bruce Mueller, owner and handler.
3d-JAMMER SIOUX WIND JAMMER, F???????, setter male, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way-Stumbo's Scarlett. L. J. Lundstrom, owner and handler.

Judges: L. J. Lundstrom and Daniel Tang
OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 14 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-RAMBLIN RIVERS NATURAL, F1688693, pointer male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. William Stapleton, owner and handler.
2d-READY OR NOT, F1708651, pointer female, by Seranoa's Valley Below-Affinity. Keith Anderson, owner and handler.
3d-UPFRONT'S COUNTY SEAT, F1705554, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Upfront's Southern Star. Lance & Marcie Schulz, owners; Lance Schulz, handler.

Open Derby (front row): River Cane with Nik Zewers, Cold Creek Wild Rose with Keith Anderson, and Sioux Wind Jammer with L. J. Lundstrom. (Back row): Tessa Schulz, Scottie Schulz, Mason Schulz, Lance Schulz, Scott Hadley (judge), Bruce Mueller, Dan Tang (judge), and Bill Stapleton.