By Robert Tomczak

CUTLER, ILL. — What a great year it has been for the National Vizsla Association (NVA). It is great to be part of an organization that has been open to ideas and allowed new events.

First, we had our first ever all wild bird trial in the form of a Sharptail Classic (see January 25 issue).

Second, this year marked the 15th anniversary of the NVA National Quail Championships.

Fifteen years ago Dustin Ochs and I pitched the idea for a Quail Championship to our other board members and they unanimously voted to let us hold the first National Quail Classic in southern Iowa in 2005. Subsequently, the American Field approved championship status for the stake and it continued to grow over the next few years.

Now fifteen years later, with the addition of an Amateur Championship and at its now permanent home in Pyramid State Park in southern Illinois, it has grown to this year being the largest entry of an event in history for the NVA. We had 40 entries in the Open Championship, 34 in the Amateur Championship, and 19 in the Derby.

Thank you to all the people in the Vizsla community who came to support the event this year and in the past, and to all the other people inside and outside the field trial community who have played a part in its growth.

We had entrants from the East Coast, Midwest and West along with pros Brian Gingrich of New Mexico, Diane Vater and Chuck Cooper of Pennsylvania, and Robert Tomczak of Wisconsin.

It truly takes a team of people all working together to run a big event. I would like to thank my Co-Chair Justin Hess, Paul Howard, Chad Chadwell, Nancy Browne, Elsa Gallagher, Todd Meyer, Ryan Martin, Brian Gingrich, Damon Daniels, Janice Branham, Karen Concilio, and to anyone I missed, my apologies.  Each of these folks helped in some capacity with bird care and planting, food preparation, dog wagon, and marshalling. Thanks to Jarrett Bell and Chad for the use of their four-wheelers.

Special thanks to Cha Hill, Pyramid Parks site manager, and his crew for the great work they do each year in mowing and maintaining this amazing property.  Lastly, to Peter Coppens and Diane Rakers for picture taking, help with the dog wagon, and Calcutta auctioneer.

As always, thank you to our corporate sponsors: Purina Pro Plan and company rep Terry Trzcinski for coming out and always supporting the NVA over many years. Thanks to Alan Davidson, owner of Dogs Unlimited, with their support with a great line of products to care for your hunting and trial dogs. To Garmin/Tri-Tronics for their support for many years with great training and tracking collars.

Open Championship

NVA National Quail Championship Winners. From left: Jarrett Bell, Robert Tomczak, Allison Bell with B G K’s Blinged Up Rossi, Judge Rich Boumeester, Judge John Mathys, Jim Gingrich with Ramblin Rivers Rolling Stone, Justin Hess and Brian Gingrich.

We drew a record 40 entries with 38 coming to the line in the National Quail Open Championship.

Judges were Rich Boumeester of Minnesota and John Mathys of Wisconsin. Both men have had successful careers on the amateur pointer circuit and have been very involved over the years in competing and running regional championships, and the Open and Amateur Prairie Chicken Championships. Their jovial demeanor is always fun even in some rainy weather and fog. They were very consistent in their pace and gave each dog their full attention. Both were very willing to talk and answer questions and share experiences with all competitors who cared to.

Ramblin Rivers Rolling Stone was named winner for owner Bill Stapleton of Wisconsin with pro handler Brian Gingrich and father Jim Gingrich scouting. Stone is starting to come into his own now as a seasoned dog and had a great year placing runner-up at this spring’s NVA National Amateur Championship for Bill.

Stone ran in the last brace of the morning on the second day. He made several nice casts with one coming at the 18-minute mark to the far right of the pasture coming out of the crop fields. Point was called by Gingrich as Stone was seen standing under a small group of olive trees. All was in order on a pair of quail that was difficult to flush.

Ramblin Rivers Rolling Stone continued with some nice casts, disappearing for short periods, always showing to the front, and finished his hour strong.

Runner-up was B G K’s Blinged Up Rossi for owner-handler Jarrett Bell of Missouri with wife Allison scouting.  Rossi ran in the last brace of the morning on the third day. She had a very consistent hour, not as powerful and far reaching as the winner, but was always in the right places making some nice casts.  She carded a find on a pair of quail with all in order, and had a find but with a dead bird being produced. Rossi finished her hour strong.

Cutler, Ill., October 26 — One Course

Judges: Rich Boumeester and John Mathys

NATIONAL VIZSLA ASSOCIATION NATIONAL QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] — 40 Vizslas

Winner—RAMBLIN RIVERS ROLLING STONE, 1658745, male, by Kick Em Up Bullet—Ramblin Rivers Crimson Rayne. William Stapleton, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.

Runner-Up—B G K’S BLINGED UP ROSSI, 1659351, female, by J B’s Pistol—Bling Bling. Jarrett Bell, owner and handler.

Debry Classic

NVA Quail Derby  Winners. From left: Michelle Hess, Natalie Howard with Hess Farms Pyromaniac, Justin Hess, Allison Bell with B G K’s Lone Gunman, Judge Doug Meyer, Jarrett Bell, Judge Dennis Sullivan, Robert Tomczak, Jim Gingrich with C K Guy’s Angel, Purina rep Terry Trzcinski, Brian Gingrich and Ron Chenoweth

The Derby Classic was judged by Doug Meyer of Kansas who has had a successful career on the amateur pointer circuit and judged many championships. Rich Boumeester was unable to stay for the Derby. We were thankful that Dennis Sullivan, longtime Brittany man from Illinois, filled in as he was here early from his new place in Wyoming for a judging assignment of another championship that was to follow.

We had promising young dogs entered and the judges commented that is was a  quality Derby Stake. All placed dogs had finds but we also had some commendable performances that went birdless.

The winner was Hess Farms Pyromaniac, callname Pyro, for owner-handler Justin Hess and wife Michelle. Pyro had a very strong and fast edge running race that racked up four finds; he stood very well and stylish for a young dog. Pyro stayed very consistent throughout his run earning the winner’s spot.

Second went to B G K’s Lone Gunman, callname Wyatt, for owner-handler Jarrett Bell and wife and scout Allison. Wyatt is a very young dog and showed a nice forward race with a nice find. He looks to have a promising career.

C K Guy’s Angel, callname Tess, was handled to third by pro Brian Gingrich for owner and recent newcomer to the sport Cody Engebretson of Iowa. Tess had a nice run with an attractive gait and good ground speed that resembled the other winners. Tess also had two finds but bird work resembled more puppy than Derby. She had a good finish.

The judges noted that Roo (Gingrich), Lacy (Tomczak), Flame (Chenoweth), Danny (Gingrich), Remi (Gingrich) and Roscoe (Tomczak) also had nice

performances.

Judges: Douglas Meyer and Dennis Sullivan

NATIONAL VIZSLA ASSOCIATION NATIONAL QUAIL DERBY CLASSIC — 19 Vizslas

1st—HESS FARMS PYROMANIAC, 1680213, male, by Kick Em Up Bullet—Spreadin Like Wild Fire. Justin Hess, owner and handler.

2d—B G K’S LONE GUNMAN, 1687409, male, by Kick Em Up Bullet—B G K’s Blinged Up Rossi. Jarrett Bell, owner and handler.

3d—C K GUY’S ANGEL, 1686481, female, by C K Touchdown Guy—Vanguard’s Make Her Mark. Cody Engebretson, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.

Amateur Championship

NVA National Amateur Quail Championship Winners. From lefft; Bill Stapleton, Chad Chadwell with Ramblin Rivers Fire Women. Judge Mike Patrick, Judge Doug Meyer,, Sean Anderson with Burr Oaks Bam Bam, Jim Gingrich, and Justin Hess

The Amateur Championship was judged by Doug Meyer. His partner was Mike Patrick of Colorado who is very involved with the NGSPA German Shorthair community. The judges and competitors had to brave some foul weather, cold and wet with a stiff wind rolling through for part of the stake.

The winner, Burr Oak’s Bam Bam, was in the last brace of the second day for owner-handler Jim Gingrich of Illinois, the father of pro Brian Gingrich who won the Open Championship. Bam Bam had a very strong far-reaching race and a find at 46 that required a relocation with all in order. She had a strong finish, and not only did she look like she was having fun doing it, but big Jim, as we call him, looked like he was having a lot of fun running her.

Runner-up went to Ramblin Rivers Fire Woman, callname Cinder, for owner-handler Bill Stapleton. What an event for Bill. His dog Stone won the Open, now Cinder with the Amateur runner-up.

Cinder ran in the last brace of the final day with Meyer’s Bella (Todd Meyer).  Bella was found by the scout at 12 with Cinder backing. Bella was picked up for manners on the flush. Ramblin Rivers Fire Woman went on and had a find at 29, and a nice covey find along a field edge at 33. Cinder made some good casts and had a solid front running effort with a decent finish.

Judges: Douglas Meyer and Mike Patrick

NATIONAL VIZSLA ASSOCIATION NATIONAL AMATEUR QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] — 34 Vizslas

Winner—BURR OAK’S BAM BAM, 1651702, female, by C K Touchdown Guy—Vanguard’s Make Her Mark. Jim Gingrich, owner and handler.

Runner-Up—RAMBLIN RIVERS FIRE WOMAN, 1665249, female, by Kick Em Up Bullet—Kick Em Up Kimber. William Stapleton, owner and handler.