Result: NGSPA Region 8 Championships

Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Post Date: Nov 10, 2026

Submitted By: Keith Richardson

NGSPA Region 8 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship. Back row (l-r) Keith Richardson, Larry Metter, Rich Robertson Jr., Bobbi Richardson, Diane Vater. Front row Brandon Blum with Nike's Frozen Arrow, Kirk Loftin with Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee.

The Region 8 Championship was a success, with a good entry in all stakes and with participants coming from all over. Many of the competitors also attended the NGSPA Hungarian Partridge Championship held previously.

The venue is not only scenic but provides great objectives for dogs to hunt and display their ability to find and handle difficult game birds. The course is unlike any other in the country.

The cast off is over several hundred yards of prairie to Suicide Hill, named for the large number of birds inhabiting it, and the fact that most infractions may be seen mile away. Then following around the hill's base we enter Derby Cove defined by a steep escarpment holding large rocks, and dense shrub cover. We pass through a shallow decline holding birds called Derby Basin and then cross Derby Draw which cuts through the high bench, passing the base of Chukar Hill, and we continue along the bottom of the escarpment until we round Shooting Dog Corner and head up Shooting Dog Draw. We climb to the Upper Rim and spend 15 to 20 minutes hunting the brushy edges of this steep chukar habitat anchored by the extensive rim ending at Derby Bench. The next leg offers a run through the prairie on the left or a steep series of draws on the right known as the Badlands, which tend to draw the dogs into a backwards move. The High Gate is often reached and the dog finishes on the Richardson prairie, sometimes rimming the ridge starting at Cathy's Bench. The finish allows the judges to clearly observe the stamina and range of the dogs.

During their run the dogs will experience running coveys, large explosive covey flushes sometimes with 20 or more chukar, with birds flying back over their heads, and concentrations of "old" scent left by recent coveys which have flown off. The birds are healthy, young, and strong fliers. Any dog that completes this course is ready for Eureka, a few weeks away!
We welcomed two pros: Dan DiMambro and Rich Robertson. We were also happy to welcome a number of local amateurs: Keith Bryant (CO), Brandon Blum (CO), and Mike Patrick (CO).

Others came from a long ways to support us: Larry Metter (CA), Kirk Loftin (TX), Hank Lewis (OH), Dr. Fred Ryan (OH), and Abe Macke (IL). Adolfo Gamboa (CA) was the official wrangler and he brought some excellent steeds. We were happy to see Ziggy show up for a bit to entertain us.

We were able to start a day early but we had some issues getting judges and we thank our judges for their flexibility allowing us to pull this off. Our Amateur Shooting Dog judges: Sheldon Rogers (SK), stayed a few days over from the Hun, and is eminently qualified as noted in our Hun Write-Up, and Diane Vater was able to come a day earlier. Diane is well known for her fair evaluations and is a highly sought after judge throughout our sport. Diane also judged our Open All-Age with John Bonner (CO) who has a lot of experience judging many breeds including their National Championships. Diane Vater was also kind enough to judge our Open Shooting Dog with Rich Burgi (UT) who has judged many of our western NGSPA Championships as well as many American Field trials.

We are grateful to our sponsors. Purina provided financial support and a pallet of Pro Plan for the winning dogs. Their support of the Purina Handler of the Year program is also very important as contenders often travel to Championships hoping to earn points. We encouraged all contestants to feed Purina. We all want to thank Greg Blair for his many years of support and want to congratulate him on his promotion (see the Hun write-up for details). We also welcome the sponsorship of Sport Dog with training collars and bark collars. Cash purses, gift certificates, Purina food, and Sport Dog collars made up the prize offerings.

A special thanks to the organizational abilities and hard work of Keith and Bobbi Richardson and Brittiny Haberkorn. A big thanks also to the other folks who helped: Joe Frauendienst, Japheth Frauendienst, Gary and Chris Kercher (bird planter and paperwork). Kaitlin Gaukel and Sadie Estavillo booted dogs and ran the dog wagon. Brittiny Haberkorn also helped many with dog health related questions and lots of tasks behind the scenes. Marya Kircher prepared outstanding meals.

NGSPA Region 8 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Nike's Frozen Arrow (Arrow), owned and handled by Letter Metter was named Champion.
Arrow had 8 finds at 5, 13, 16, 22, 40, 43, 47, and 59. She was fast, snappy, forward and consistent. Hunting in cover all the time. She always pinned her birds right in front of her for quick flushing and no relocations. Her style was good with no forward movement. Arrow handled well and required very little scouting except to find her on point at the very end when she had her last find at time in a steep, long draw past the High Gate where she was only visible from a limited view area, and the handler had no idea where she was. Her scout, Brandon Blum, saw a chukar on a rock and went down to investigate surprised to see Arrow hidden in the depths and saving the day! Her finds were abundant and nicely spaced, showing her speed and power between them, and all were on coveys. It was a beautiful Shooting Dog Performance worthy of her Championship.

Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee (Dee), handled and owned by Kirk and Larry Loftin was named Runner-Up. Dee had four finds at 6,12,16, and 26. She was consistently to the front and had very nice style on her birds. She had good range and power with some impressive moves. Dee handled kindly with very little scouting required. She did an excellent job but didn't match the ground speed of the Champion.

Cheyenne, Wyo., September 21
Judges: Rich Robertson Jr. and Diane Vater
NGSPA REGION 8 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 20 German Shorthairs
Winner-NIKE'S FROZEN ARROW, F1702898, German Shorthair female, by B M B's Freeloader-Aunt Troji's Dirty Nike. Larry Metter, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-STONEY HILL'S PINNACLE DEE, F1694168, German Shorthair female, by Twin Creeks Running Ruger-P J Wildfire's Little Lexi. Kirk & Larry Loftin, owner and handler.

NGSPA Region 8 Open All-Age Championship

General Comments by the Judges
The judges said both these dogs were exciting to watch and were what they were looking for. The two dogs both ran the Habitat line vs. the normal hillside run of the Region 8 course, but they liked this move because it was a natural draw as a place holding birds, and required a big running dog with birds on their mind to look good on it. Neither dog broke off the line or backtracked working it perfectly until stopped by birds. It was a pretty move and the dogs were visible the length of the move. There was no guesswork about their power, speed and desire.
Macke's Jim Bob (Jim), handled by Dan DiMambro and owned by Abe and Katelyn Macke was named Champion. Jim had five finds at 17, 22, 24 (divided), 34, and 59. Jim was consistently to the front making All-Age moves. He was smooth with a strong finish and required no hard riding or hacking. His bird work was stylish and excellent. On his cast off move he went around the base of Suicide Hill and was seen rolling quickly along the Habitat willow line to the left. He was seen in the distance and was found pointed at 17 at the very end. He was released at the gate and powered across the prairie to Shooting Dog Corner where he pointed at 22. He had a divided find at the top of the Draw at 24 and a find at the far end of Derby Bench at 34. He made a big move taking him through the High Gate and onto the Prairie where he was last seen in the distance. He was found standing at 59 at the east end of the Richardson Habitat where he had a single chukar pinned in some dense shrubs. This find capped a beautiful All-Age performance earning Jim the Championship.

P W Lightening Bolt (Bolt), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson, was named Runner-Up. Bolt had four finds at 16, 29, 35 and 40. Bolt's entire run was full-on All Age. He was always front running and hunting spending no time on the roads. Bolt ran the Habitat hugging the willow line to near the end where he pointed at 16. He then headed to Shooting Dog Corner where he worked the face before heading on up the Draw where he was found pointed on the Upper Rim at 29. He next powered along the rim to the top of Chukar Hill for a find at 35. His last find was on Derby Bench at 40 at the end of the right side. From there he made a strong move into the Badlands where he coursed up and down the draws heading forward until he saw a herd of a dozen antelope in the bottom and gave chase, which cost him. The scout, Adolfo, got him returned to the front quickly where Rich gathered him up and Bolt finished in the prairie with five minutes remaining. He made a powerful run using up the course and was a dot on the horizon when time was called. The handler did not need to hack on or push him and he looked terrific on his birds.

NGSPA Region 8 Open All-Age Championship. Back row (l-r). Mike Patrick, Dan DiMambro, John Bonner, Diane Vater, Bobbi Richardson, Keith Richardson, Rich Robertson Jr. Front row Fred Ryan Macke's Jim Bob, Adolfo Gamboa with P W Lightening Bolt.

Judges: John Bonner and Diane Vater
NGSPA REGION 8 OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 18 German Shorthairs
Winner-MACKE'S JIM BOB, F1703274, German Shorthair male, by Riden High Rudy-Cuttin Wilds Space Cowgirl. Abe Macke, owner; Dan DiMambro, handler.
Runner-Up-P W LIGHTENING BOLT, F1702025, German Shorthair male, by P W Ben There Done That-P W Penny Singing The Blues. Keith & Bobbi Richardson, owners; Rich Robertson Jr., handler.

NGSPA Region 8 Open Shooting Dog Championship

P W The Real Deal (Deal), handled by Rich Robertson and owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson was named Champion. Deal had five finds at 4, 12, 21, 35 and 52. He had a powerful, forward race with a strong Shooting Dog range. His power and range built as the hour went on. He had his first find on Suicide Hill and his next was in Derby Basin at 12. He worked the hillside quickly and efficiently until reaching Shooting Dog Corner and pointing a covey at 21. His next find was at 35 on Derby Bench Corner. He then worked through the Badlands strongly and always forward which is not easy for a dog to do because they all flow backwards. He went through the High Gate and worked the edges all around until cresting the hill at Cathy's Bench and disappearing. When handler reached the spot he soon found him on point in one of the draws at 52. He had five minutes to show a finish and he simply turned him loose on the hill and stood with the judges watching him run straight as an arrow until he was about to disappear at time. Deal had an impressive run with a good handle, forward, and good style. It was smooth and flowing yet powerful. It was a big, classic Shooting Dog performance.

In-Country's Ain't Misbehavin (Jazz), handled by Dan DiMambro, owned by Chris Young was named Runner-Up. Jazz had 7 finds at 10, 25, 30, 36 (divided), 42, 55, 58. Jazz did everything in classic shooting dog style. On birds she was super stylish, her performance was smooth and effortless staying in the pocket "like a little drone". She required no handling or scouting. It was like she was on auto-pilot going from find to find, but she did not have any eye catching moves like the Champion and her range was less. She finished at Derby Bench.

Judges: Rich Burgi and Diane Vater
NGSPA REGION 8 OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP - 15 German Shorthairs
Winner-P W THE REAL DEAL, F1672528, German Shorthair male, by PW Bert's Joke On Us-P W Jim Kath's Kate. Keith & Bobbi Richardson, owners; Rich Robertson Jr., handler.
Runner-Up-IN-COUNTRY'S AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, F1705269, German Shorthair female, by Keg Creek Mc's Big Lick-In Country's Hurricane Jane. Chris Young, owner; Dan DiMambro, handler.

NGSPA Region 8 Open Shooting Dog Championship. Back row (l-r). Gary Kercher, Rich Robertson Jr., Keith Richardson, Bobbi Richardson, Kaitlin Gaukel, Chuck Vater, Diane Vater, Rich Burgi, Jeanne Burgi. Front row Adolfo Gamboa with P W The Real Deal, Terry Zygalinski, Dan DiMambro with In-Country's Ain't Misbehavin.