Result: 46th Missouri Shooting Dog Championship/38th Midwestern States Shooting Futurity

Location: Grovespring, Missouri

Post Date: Jun 25, 2026

Submitted By: Tony King

46th Missouri Open Shooting Dog Championship. Front row: Tony King with Alliwood's Eleventh Hour and Harold Gearhart with Touch's Steely Dan. Middle row: Tim Penn (judge), Adam Delude, Virgil Moore, Mike Poehler (judge), Kristen Moisson, and Jerry Moisson. Back Row: Jim Santerelli, Bill Stapleton, and Debbie Ozner.

46th Missouri Open Shooting Dog Championship
Once again, a great team of field trial club members, ample bird work, a quality judicial panel, coupled with a competitive consortium of field trial handlers and dogs made for a successful championship and futurity. As in years past the quality of the event was top shelf but this year's running was shortened due to a lighter entry as the running conflicted with the Masters championship in Georgia.

The weather in early March always seems to play into the opportunity for performance. Throughout the event, temps varied with cool mornings along with some unseasonably warm afternoons. As always, the Missouri Sportsmen's Association facilities and grounds were in great shape. This year's cover was challenging, due to snow and icy conditions in January and February. During this year's running, it seemed the early season pre-release coveys had vanished to thicker cover. Each morning, a supplemental bird release played a crucial role throughout the trial.

As with tradition, this year's events were sponsored by two of the sporting dog industries' best companies. Purina and SportDOG once again continued their commitment to the sport of field trialing by providing both dog food and e-collars for the winners. Special thanks to Greg Blair with Purina and Jim Morehouse with SportDOG for continued support. The Board of Directors of Missouri Open Shooting Dog Association and Midwestern States Shooting Dog Club would like to thank these great sponsors and look forward to a lasting partnership.

No field trial event is successful without the commitment of its host club members. This was a year in which schedules worked out, and we had a great team of club members throughout the event. This year Jerry Hailey, Adam DeLude, and Bob Bakas stepped up in a big way making the trial run smoothly. Also, Andy Daugherty filled in when needed. This year's winner's dinner was a great success with Andy and Sharleen Daugherty hosting this year's festivities in honor of last year's winner, Westfall's Mandalay. It was an outstanding evening of fellowship and camaraderie thus providing a reminder of what field trials are truly about.

One of the goals for the Missouri Shooting Dog Association and Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity is acquiring a quality judicial panel. Anybody that hosts field trials understands how hard it is to acquire judges that aren't always familiar with the dogs competing or have no affiliations with the handlers participating. It has and will always be a goal of this field trial group to provide an environment that offers a level playing field. Retuning this year for his second term in the saddle was Mike Poehler from Strafford, Missouri. His partner throughout the event was the ever-cheerful Tim Penn from Edina, Missouri. For both the Championship and Futurity, these gentlemen maintained a consistent pace and a open minded approach while giving each handler and dog a fair opportunity. Special thanks to these gentlemen for their time in the saddle and consideration throughout this event.

The Winners
The 46th Missouri Open Shooting Dog Champion appeared in Brace 2 of the running. It was apparent from breakaway that Adam DeLude's snappy and intelligent female, Alliwood's Never Say Never was in complete control of her pursuit. Throughout her hour, Never Say Never or June Bug had 5 finds at :26, :30, :41, :45 and :50 all the while rhythmically flowing throughout Course 2. June Bug's independence and pursuit could be best described as the quintessential shooting dog race. She was not extreme or bullish but was the opposite requiring very little scouting while still reaching throughout. During the hour, her bird work was crisp showing eloquent style and grace. June Bug exuded confidence at each stand as her finds were well located and never crowding. Also, she demonstrated not one, but two stylish backs in the hour. It was apparent to all that were riding that when this hour was over, that Alliwood's Never Say Never had set the bar high and would be tough to beat. It was the type performance that one dreams about.

The Runner-up in this year's event came under the whistle of professional handler Virgil Moore for owner Johnny Vanhorn of Dardanelle, Arkansas. In the 5th brace of the championship, Touch's Steely Dan took charge and put in his bid for the title. Throughout the hour, the tandem of Moore and Dan worked in unison, having two dug up finds at :20 and :34 along with a stylish back at :27. Dan's charge was similar to the Champion as he cruised from birdy objective to birdy objective in pursuit of his quarry. Dan's approach was forward and complete with his bird work executed to precision. During the brace, one thing that stood out was Dan's utilization of the wind all the while maintaining contact with Moore and bending as the course changed direction. His pursuit was independent and his finish was as strong as his start. An excellent display during Dan's 60 minutes.

The Running
Brace 1 brought to the line LMD's Can't Touch This, a setter male, for handler Virgil Moore and owner Donna Markey along with Wild Covey Strikezone for owners Bill and Ryan Westfall and handler Andy Daugherty. Can't Touch This finished his hour with 3 finds and a forward presentation. Throughout the hour, Can't Touch This made some real nice moves but showed some inconsistency on the long edges of Course 1. Strikezone's bid ended early due to an infraction on game.

As earlier reported, this year's Champion, Alliwood's Never Say Never was away with the veteran competitor Topp's First Junior for owner Luke Topp and handler Harold Gearhart. Although not as complete as Never Say Never, Topp's First Junior, presented his own case having 3 nice finds and a back. Junior's hunt was thorough, intelligent and reaching but the aging veteran seemed to run out of steam towards the end of his hour.

Brace 3 brought forward Outer Edge Jack, a stylish pointer male, for handler Moore and owner J. D. Smith with Dezasterous Silver Bandit for the handler/owner duo of Brian Gingrich and Robbie Thompson. Both competitors' bids ended prematurely as Jack was up for an infraction on game while Bandit 's quest was not pleasing by the 45-minute mark.

Lampost's Cooper Hawk for owner Garvin Collins and handler Gearhart was down in Brace 4 with Ramblim Rivers Natural for the team of Gingrich and Stapleton. Both competitors finished their hour, with Cooper's Hawk tallying a woodcock at :45 and well located find at :47. Ramblin Rivers Natural provided his usual strong, forward presentation, but his efforts were all for not as he did not produce game.

The Runner-Up (Touch's Steely Dan) was away in Brace 5 with the attractive Setter male Erin's Ikon for Jerry Moisson and handler Brian Gingrich. Like the Runner-Up, Erin's Ikon, was fast and forward throughout. His biddability was on display as he intelligently covered ground. Ikon suffered an unproductive at :27 in a birdy location and demonstrated a nice back at :34.
Alliwood's Eleventh Hour for Adam Delude was on display with Creative Lady for handler Gearhart and owner Bob Reynolds in Brace 6. Lady had a very nice find at :24 showing a good nose and demonstrating expressive style while on point. Eleventh Hour on the other hand was strong on the ground but did not produce game.

In Brace 7, Gamesport for Hicklin and Gearhart was away with Alliwood's Shady Street for Delude. This early morning pair started with enthusiasm and vigor. Shady Street's fast and forward bid ended early as he failed to handle birds at :14. Gamesport, on the other hand, had 2 nice finds and an exquisite back. His charge was adequate, showing to be a handful early but settling into a consistent and sensible forward pattern. Gamesport finished his hour.

Two veteran competitors in Westfall's Mandalay for Santarelli/Daugherty and Anchor Down Sunny Mike for Hicklin/Gearhart took charge in Brace 7. Both dogs demonstrated their abilities with each having two independent finds. Both dogs were forward and fast with Mandalay getting out of pocket on top of Lil Vine and Daugherty requesting the tracker. Mike finished his hour with 2 finds and 2 backs. He was a handful early but settled in as the brace went along and finished his hour.

Brace 9 brought Delude's final entrant in Alliwood's War Hero to the line with Ramblin River's Unplugged for owner's Bill Stapleton and Mike Northwood and handler Brian Gingrich. Alliwood's War Hero or Judy put her talents on full display as she tallied 7 finds in her hour. Her quest was not as reaching throughout and less mature as the winners but her bid admirable. Unplugged's bid was ambitious, scoring two nice finds and 2 nice backs. As the brace progressed though, this young competitor became a handful and Gingrich elected to pick him up at :48.

Joho's High Point Breeze for owner John Hott and handler Gearhart was the final in Brace 10. His day ended early as High Point Breeze suffered an unproductive early.

Grovesprings, Mo., March 2
Judges: Tim Penn and Mike Poehler
46TH-MISSOURI OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers and 2 Setters
Winner-ALLIWOOD'S NEVER SAY NEVER, F1695564, pointer female, by Touch's Grey Street-Alliwood's Shady Shay. Adam DeLude, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-TOUCH'S STEELY DAN, F1694320, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Touch's White Assault. Johnny VanHorn Jr., owner; Virgil Moore, handler.

38th Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity
Thirteen of the country's top derbies were entered to compete in this year's running of the Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity. This year's running was hotly contested as it brought several of the top Purina points contenders vying to earn more points to the trial to potentially earn that coveted Shooting Dog Derby of the Year Purina award.

As in years past, weather and time constraints played important roles in the logistics of the trial process and completing the Futurity stake. Unseasonably warm conditions and potential rainfall played factors in the running but the performances of the competitors. It was important that the integrity of the stake in regard to the 30-minute qualifier and 1 hour call back was maintained. The Futurity format is an endurance stake and helps the judges evaluate the competitors in different conditions. As it turned out, both processes were completed and the judicial panel was able to call back enough dogs and had adequate performances to name the winners.

Tim Penn and Mike Poehler remained in the judicial saddles for the completion of the trial. As they did in the Shooting Dog Championship, they openly and honestly allowed all the participants an equal chance to win a spot in the winner's circle. They maintained a steady pace, rode hard some and all decisions were cut and dry. Their decisions were well received and the Futurity Board cannot thank them enough for their hard work.
30 Minute Qualifier

Brace 1 featured Red Mesa's Urban Legend for owner Bart Hicklin and handler Brian Gingrich with Hale's Southern Rock owned by Dr. Jeff Hale and handled by Virgil Moore. Both dogs were fast and snappy throughout and finished the 30 minutes with gas in the tank. Southern Rock had 1 find at :13 with Urban Legend showing a stylish back. Southern Rock hunted well and quartered when necessary while Urban Legend reached more of the pair. Both dogs showed well with Southern Rock being extremely attractive.

Upfront's Pastime for Lance and Marcie Schulz handled Virgil Moore was loosed with Bill and Ryan Westfall's derby, Westfall's Georgia Line, being handled by Andy Daugherty. Upfront's Pastime showed a nice consistent approach while handling well for Moore. Georgia Line was forward and gone early with Daugherty electing to ask for the tracker at :18. Pastime finished the brace with no bird work.

Two of the countries' top points earning derbies were away together in Brace 3. Ramblim River's Double Dot for co-owners Bill Stapleton and Jerry Moisson with Gingrich handling was away in Brace 3 with Debbie Ozner's Silver W Hot Pink. Hot Pink was scheduled with a bye dog in the 7th brace but was moved up due to a Silver W Ride being scratched. On this day, Debbie was doing the handling while Stapleton and Moisson were eagerly watching their contender from the gallery. Both dogs went to work aptly applying their search over portions of Course 2. Both dogs applied themselves maturely and systematically during the 30-minute pursuit. They were both strong and forward all the while maintaining contact with their respective handlers. Double Dot was on the board first, with a nice find at :19 while Hot Pink exhibited a nice back. At :24 both dogs were on the board with a nicely handled divided find. From there both dogs finished well all the while hunting appropriately.

Brace 4 brought another Ozner contender, in Silver W Cowgirl Candy, with Ryan Eichelberger's Ms. Elhew Big Cabin for owner Peggy Eichelberger to the line. Cowgirl Candy went to work early, scoring on a tight sitting pair at :6. Big Cabin worked hard but was unable to figure out the Ozark countryside with her handler calling it quits at :25. Candy showed well applying herself forwardly with animation and purpose. She had no let down in this brace showing a youthful exuberance while purposefully making some nice swings.

Another Eichelberger entrant, Bluegrass Two Point Oh was away with Westfall's Florida Line for the Westfall team and handler Andy Daugherty. Florida Line and Two Point Oh struggled to get separated early but as the brace evolved the pair got lined out with Florida Line scoring on a nice find at :25 then having a pile of feathers at :28. During the back half of the brace Florida Line showed well, being fast and forward all the while bending to Andy's beckoning. He finished well after crossing the road.

Red Mesa's Second Line for Hicklin/Gingrich broke away with Airstrips Game Over for owner John Vanhorn and handler Virgil Moore. Second Line's day ended early as he was not pleasing. Airstrip applied himself nicely for 30 minutes. He hunted with purpose and maturity, being fast and forward but did not produce birds.

Callbacks - 1Hour
Weather, bracemate pairing, time of day, bird movement, scenting conditions, etc. play a huge role in how the performances shake out. In years past the judges had clear cut winners and other years' derby performances, during the hour, were subpar, making it difficult on the judges. This year though brought a talented group of derbies that competed well and sorted themselves out respectively making the judges decisions straightforward.

With several solid :30 minute performances to choose from, the judges called back 6 top canine competitors. In Brace 1, the judges paired Silver W Cowgirl Candy and Ramblin Rivers Double Dot. Brace 2 would feature Westfall's Florida Line and Upfront's Pastime with the final brace being Silver W Hot Pink and Airstrips Game Over.

Silver W Cowgirl Candy and Ramblin Rivers Double Dot were away bright and early at 7:30 am. Both dogs were away with purpose and enthusiasm as they went out of site in Breakaway Bottom. Although seemingly on her way to a solid hour, Cowgirl Candy was lifted at :24 for an infraction. It was a sad end to what started as an exciting hour. On the flip side, it was apparent early that Double Dot was here to win. She scored four times during her hour (:15, :24, :27, and :45) exuding style and grace for handler Gingrich and owner's Moissan and Stapleton. Double Dot was fast, forward and seemed to always be reaching for new country. Just when you thought she may get out of pocket, Dot would show to the front for Gingrich. Throughout the hour, Dot made it look easy, applying herself nicely and always seeming to be in the right spot. Her application was strong from start to finish and her manners around game impeccable. To top off her performance she was found standing at time but at that point she didn't need anymore. It was truly a brilliant performance that would earn her top honors in this year's futurity.

Westfall's Florida Line was away for Daugherty against Upfront's Pastime handled by Virgil Moore. Both dogs were applying themselves nicely when Pastime scored his only find at :16 below. Throughout his hour, Pastime showed well early, slowed some in the middle but finished his hour well. He applied himself appropriately and was biddable for Moore earning 3rd place honors. Florida Line scored four times in his hour (:19, :26, :37, and :48). His performance started well and got stronger throughout. Although reaching, Florida Line and Andy put a masterful show, with a strong finish, to earn 2nd place.

Fourth place honors went to Silver W Hot Pink as she was loosed for Ozner in final brace with Airstrips Gameover for Moore. Airstrips Gameover was strong early as he rolled through portions on Course 3. As the temperatures climbed, he shortened some but still managed to show a big finish. Gameover was unable to produce birds but backed nicely at :53. Hot Pink really handled the heat well. She worked hard for Ozner and consistently built a solid hour. She too struggled to find game in the warm weather but produced a dead bird in Davis Bottom at :53. From there, with time to spare, Hot Pink showed a tremendous finish. Silver W Hot Pink's gritty performance, in the heat, solidifying her position in the winners' circle.

Members of the Missouri Open Shooting and Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity Board would like to once again thank all the participants, owners, breeders, judges, sponsors and trial officials that helped make this a successful event. We look forward to next year as we continue to make these two prestigious trials and their venue a special event!

38TH-MIDWESTERN STATES SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY [Thirty-Minute Qualifying Heats; One-Hour Callback] - 13 Pointers
1st-RAMBLIN RIVERS DOUBLE DOT, F1709252, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-True Grace. Bill Stapleton & Jerry Moisson, owners; Brian Gingrich, handler.
2d-WESTFALLS FLORIDA LINE, F1720656, pointer male, by Westfall's Black Ice-Westfalls World Class. Ryan Westfall, owner; Andy Daugheryt, handler.
3d-UPFRONT'S PASTIME, F1710498, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Upfront's Sadie. Lance & Marcie Schulz, owners; Virgil Moore, handler.
4th-SILVER W HOT PINK, F1719740, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W's Thunderbolt's Boom. Debbie Ozner, owner and handler.

38th Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity. Front row: Bill Stapleton with Ramblin Rivers Double Dot, Tony King with Westfall's Florida Line, Virgil Moore with Upfront's Pastime, and Debbie Ozner with Silver W Hot Pink. Backrow: Jerry Moisson, Brian Gingrich, Tim Penn and Mike Poehler (judges), Andy and Sharleen Daugherty.