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2001
Kasco Endurance Classic Championship
Article by Don Lee Photos by Pat Lee Flagstaff,
Arizona was the site for the 2001 Kasco Endurance Classic, and, as in 1997 when
the 11th renewal of this event was also held there, this beautiful and majestic
area once again proved perfect for the running of fine bird dogs. This year the
site was Kendrick Park, located about 20 miles north of the city of Flagstaff,
and directly on the route to Grand Canyon National Park. The beautiful San
Francisco Peaks elevate to over 12,000 feet to the south and Kendrick Peak tops
11,000 feet to the west. The grounds themselves were at 8,000 ft. elevation and
even during the warmest part of the day, temperatures were comfortably found in
the 70’s. Nights saw the low 40’s. The elevation took a little getting used
to, but there were no complaints as the handlers gladly accepted a little heavy
breathing in favor of the coolness. Trial Chairman, C.L. Mitchell commented: “
You have a beautiful state, I had no idea that there was country like this out
here. When I thought of Arizona, all I ever pictured was desert and cactus.”
This inaccurate notion is shared by many. Those of us that live in Arizona do
our best to keep our beautiful mountains a secret, but since Arizona continues
to lead the nation in growth, obviously the word is getting out that we have a
lot more to offer than deserts, cactus, rattlesnakes and sand. This includes
some of the nicest summer field trial grounds in the nation. In all
eighteen regions were represented at this years event, and those making the long
trip from as far away as South Carolina and Washington were treated to a very
memorable time. The host Arizona region held a “pre-trial” on the weekend
before the Championship and several members came out for that and then spent the
week in between seeing some of the many attractions in our state. Don Pyrah,
wife Tammy and their two sons spent one evening down in Phoenix and attended
their first major league baseball game watching the Arizona Diamondbacks defeat
the San Francisco Giants at Bank One Ballpark. Others spent the week at places
like the Grand Canyon, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. A few, stretched out in
their lounge chairs and enjoyed a restful week just hanging out at the trial
grounds and scouting for elk and deer in the early morning and evening. At this
time of the year the bull elk are bugling and many were thrilled by their noble
and piercing calls. The winner
of the 2001 Kasco Endurance Classic was Grappe’s Ramblin’ Rip (Rip), a very
fine male English Pointer owned by Mary Lu Grappe and handled by husband Ray.
The Grappe’s are members of the West Texas Region. Rip won the dramatic final
hour by out pointing his bracemate, First Runner-up, Teton’s Sport, my very
own high energy male German
Shorthaired Pointer. While I have written several of these Championship trial
stories, this is the first time I have been able to mention one of my own dogs
and the finals in the same sentence. It has proved to be quite a challenge but
one that I am truly grateful for. The 2nd Runner-up was Elk Fork’s
Angel, a female English Pointer owned by Gary Yohe and Milton Sharp and handled
by a rising and bright young star of the Championship trials, Chad Calicott from
the Missouri Show-Me Region. The 3rd Runner-up was Nolan’s Last
Bullet, the well known Brittany, owned and handled by Nolan Huffman from the
South Carolina Region. The
Endurance Classic originated thirteen years ago and is the only NSTRA
Championship Trial with the unique "Beat your Bracemate" format for
advancement. This was the inspiration of Mr. Leon Swift from Amarillo, Texas,
who first presented the idea back in 1987. This format is very simple and
tremendously exciting. From the beginning, when 64 dogs are paired in 32 braces
on 2 fields, until the final hour, when the "surviving" 2 finalists
compete for an hour championship, beating the dog you are braced against is the
only way to advance. This seems to bring out the best in all the handlers, and
also seems to add a step or two to the gaits of some of the old-timers, yours
truly very much included. To win this marathon, a dog must win six consecutive
braces and make it through 4 braces that total two and one-half hours on the
final day. That is why we call it the Endurance Classic, and we are not just
talking about the dogs. Handlers too must be in good shape if they are to give
it their best effort. The conditions are also a major factor, and once again the
mountain meadow of the Arizona high country made it almost perfect, with
temperatures peaking in the low 70's and each day starting out around 40
degrees. This is ideal for our hard working dogs, and it is clear that the
officers knew what they were doing by selecting this marvelous site. This
Championship trial went extremely well and that was no accident, given the
skills and tremendous effort of a great crew of judges, marshal, bird handler
and helpers. We were very fortunate to have some of the finest in our
organization to assist us in all of these tasks and we thank each of them for
their contribution to the success of the Kasco Endurance Classic. Judging the
event were Harold Goodman, Dave Hackman and Jay Jantzen all from the Arizona
Region, along with Ted Dewey from the Mid-West region. These four gentlemen did
a fantastic job and are applauded for their tremendous effort. Our Chairman was
C.L. Mitchell from the Kentucky Region. Our field marshal was Brenda Barr, wife
of President and Trial Co-Chairman, Wes Barr, from the West Texas Region. Our
bird handler was Brad Monell from the Arizona Region who planted both fields
from horseback. Ron Horn provided the birds and was a great help throughout the
event. Tammy Pyrah pitched in to help Brenda with the score keeping and posting
while Lonnie Jones, (along with his kids), James Wilham, Gary Yohe, C.L.
Mitchell, Don Pyrah, Brad Christensen, Randy Dombrowski, Chad Calicott and Ron
Hackman all worked very hard setting up the fields and keeping water in the
water barrels. The Arizona Region, led by president, Brad Christensen did a
fantastic job of preparation and Brad’s wife Sue made every participant smile
with the goodie bags she made up with items she and Brad donated. They all
contained some items of local origin like “Kick-Ass Hot Peanuts” and a jar
of authentic salsa that brought tears to our eyes. Thanks to all of these great
folks for a job done extremely well. Normally the
monsoon is still in full swing at this time of year and that would have meant
almost daily thundershowers building each afternoon. This year the monsoon took
a break and only on Monday during the first part of the hour-long finals did
showers dampen the fields. It did rain a little Sunday night and this was very
welcome as it did a great job of settling the dust, and not much more. The only way
to advance in this trial is to beat your bracemate and that ultimately
determines the winners, but on Saturday and Sunday each field is also a full 32
dog qualifying trial complete with NSTRA championship points. On Saturday
morning, after a meeting of the judges, marshal, bird handler and trial
officials where the boundaries, special safety considerations and no-shooting
zones were reviewed, the trial got under way with beautiful conditions and
bright blue skies. Now, after nearly a year of preparation it was time to “get
it on”. Judging on
“A” field were Ted Dewey and Harold Goodman. These two guys did a great job
in their saddles extending diligent attention to their assignment and utmost
consideration to the handlers. Finishing in first place on the “A” field was
Elk Fork Angel, female English Pointer, owned by Gary Yohe and Milton Sharp and
handled by Chad Calicott from the MSM Region. Angel scored 863.5 points on 4
finds and 4 retrieves. In second place was Eagle Nugget, male English Pointer,
owned by Bill Hickey and handled by Tom McBartlett from the Rocky Mountain
Region. Nugget scored 856.6 points on 4 finds and 4 retrieves. Finishing in
third place was Bearden’s Classy Booger, male English Setter, owned and
handled by Ken Bearden from the South Carolina Region. Booger scored 834.6
points, also on 4 finds and 4 retrieves. Fourth place honors went to Si-Pac
Blaze, male English Pointer, owned and handled by Zac Deits from the Northern
California-Nevada Region. The other brace winners from the “A” Field were as
follows: Region
Dog
Breed/Sex
Owner/Handler MSM
Moniteau’s Jessie James
P/M
Lonnie Jones GA
Gamble’s Rip ‘N Logan
GSP/M
Brenda Roe MW
Spud Lake Pete
S/M Bill
Brown KY
Wilma’s Pebbles
S/F Fred
Mitchell/C.L. Mitchell GA
Gamble’s Low Country Miss GSP/F
Rick Hopkins SC
Map’s Hope for Dottie
GSP/F
Michael Porter OK
Elm Creek Andy
P/M
Richard Williams SC
Mein Kleiner Jaeger SH
GSP/F
Paul Stoeffler SCR
Nolan’s Last Bullet
B/M Nolan
Huffman AZ
Gambel’s Stormin’ Mad Dakota
GSP/M
Jim Ellis/Randy Dombrowski NI
Jafkens Movin Mac
S/M Jeff
Bumsted/Brian Rick OK
Elm Creek Max
S/M Richard
Williams Judging on
the “B” field were Jay Jantzen and Dave Hackman. Like their counterparts on
the “A” field, these gentlemen did an outstanding job and are to be
complimented for their excellent work. Finishing in first place scoring 1216
points with 6 finds, 6 retrieves and a back was Grappe’s Ramblin’ Rip, male
English Pointer, owned by Mary Lu Grappe and handled by Ray Grappe from the West
Texas Region. In second place with 1081.75 points on 6 finds and 5 retrieves was
Mahoney’s Tekoa Sunrise, female English Setter, owned and handled by Mike
Ouchida from the Northwest Region. Although Mike’s dog finished in second
place in the trial, she did not advance as she did not beat her bracemate.
Finishing in third place with 994.5 points on 5 finds and 5 retrieves was
Butcher’s Gold, male English Pointer, owned and handled by Ron Horn from the
Arizona Region. Completing the placements in fourth place was Magnum’s
Gunsmoke, male German Shorthaired Pointer who scored 781.3 points on 4 finds and
4 retrieves. Gunner is owned and handled by Pat McCrory from the Southern
California Region. The other brace winners from the “B” Field were as
follows: Region
Dog
Breed/Sex
Owner/Handler OK
Elm Creek Charger
P/M Richard
Williams AZ
Henson’s Tiffy
S/F
Bob Henson NCN
Si-Pac Sheldon
P/M
Jim Capis NCN
Hawk’s Vintage Taylor
P/M
Bruce Lyon MN
Resa’s Black Jake
P/M Brian
Rick AZ
Patches Grand Ellemae
P/F Keith
Caryl/Mike Fleming BSR
Hydrophilic
P/M
Don Pyrah BSR
Jack’s Backseat Regina
S/F
Jack Bell & Mike McElvain/ Jack Bell MSM
Billie Sue’s Express
S/M James
Wilham SCR
Crow’s Fiddlin Zeke
P/M Ken
Bearden RM
Ponderosa Fancy Hank
GSP/M
Serafin Barayazarra AZ
Teton’s Sport
GSP/M
Don Lee OH
Pete’s Second Chance
S/M C.
L. Mitchell Upon
completion of the days braces, the trial Chairman C.L. Mitchell and Co-chairman
Wes Barr, assisted by Brenda Barr, our field marshal, conducted the drawings for
the continuation of the Kasco Endurance Classic on the "A" field on
Sunday as well as the Filson Region Challenge trial on the "B" field.
When the drawing was completed, the day was adjourned to a delicious barbecue
beef and chicken dinner hosted by NSTRA. The presentation of trophies and awards
was put off until Sunday evening. On Sunday
morning several members conducted “sunrise services” and we thank these
members very much for taking time from their busy day to honor our Lord Jesus. The day
began with temperatures once again ideal for the 30 minute “battles” that
were to follow with temperatures in the 40’s and bright blue skies. The
judging assignments remained the same as on Saturday with Harold and Ted on the
“A” field to judge the continuation of the Kasco Endurance Classic. On this
second day, only the 16 brace winners would advance to run again on Monday.
Since it was a full 32 dog trial, NSTRA Championship Points were awarded.
Finishing first and proving his win on Saturday was no fluke was Grappe’s
Ramblin Rip. Rip scored 1034.5 points in the 3rd brace on 5 finds
and 5 retrieves. Finishing in second place was Elm Creek Andy who scored 980 points in the 16th brace on
5 finds and 5 retrieves. In third place was my own dog, Teton’s Sport who scored 954.2 points in the 10th brace
with 5 finds and 5 retrieves. In 4th place was Nolan’s Last Bullet, who
scored 916 points for owner/handler Nolan Huffman on 4 finds, 4 retrieves and a
back. The other dogs advancing were: Tiffy,
Bob Henson, Angel, Chad Calicott, Heike,
Paul Stoeffler, Butch, Ron Horn, Jessie, Lonnie Jones, Taylor,
Bruce Lyon, Zeke, Ken Bearden, Pebbles,
C.L. Mitchell, Hope, Mike Porter, Holly, Don Pyrah, Max,
Richard Williams and Miss, Rick
Hopkins. While the
Kasco Endurance Classic was being run on the “A” field, the 2001 Filson
Region Challenge trial was being judged on the “B” field by Dave Hackman and
Jay Jantzen. This prestigious trial pairs those who did not advance on Saturday.
They compete in a 32 dog trial with regular Championship points awarded, along
with some very nice hunting gear from the Filson Company. Taking first place, 3
championship points and a pair of Upland Chukka Boots from Filson was Davy Caven
from the Northwest Region, handling his DKE Liberty Arista, female German
Wirehaired Pointer. Libby scored an impressive 1204 points in the 15th
brace. Finishing in second place was Conn’s Foxy Lady, B/F from the Gulf Coast
Texas Region who scored 945.75 for owner/handler Pat Conn. Pat was rewarded with
two championship points and a sweater vest from the Filson Company. In third
place was another Northwest Region member, Ron Park who scored 944 points with
his fine GSP Hilltop’s Gewitter Stormy. Ron received 1 championship point and
a pair of Tin chaps from the Filson Company. The drawing
for the final 16 was conducted immediately upon completion of the days running
and after that the Arizona Region hosted everyone at a Mexican Fiesta, complete
with delicious fajitas and authentic music performed by a very capable trio of
Mariachi’s who serenaded in traditional costume, you know, those tight little
pants and big sombreros. They were great as was the evening. A silent auction
was conducted to help the Arizona region with some of their expenses and the
shotgun raffle winner was drawn. C.L. Mitchell was the lucky winner. On Monday
morning we were once again very fortunate to have ideal conditions for bird dog
work. The morning began in the low 40’s and stayed below 75 all day long. Two
fields were used for the round and the pairings and results were as follows: A FIELD
(JUDGES: GOODMAN/DEWEY) 1ST
BRACE Holly
Don Pyrah 331
points Taylor
Bruce Lyon
397 points
2nd
BRACE Zeke
Ken Bearden
583.5 points Andy
Richard Williams
740.5 points
3rd
BRACE Jessie
Lonnie Jones 739.5
points
Hope
Mike Porter
301 points 4th
BRACE Max
Richard Williams 332.5 points Angel
Chad Calicott
840 points
B FIELD
(JUDGES: HACKMAN/JANTZEN) 1st
BRACE Rip
Ray Grappe
399 points
Tiffy
Bob Henson
373 points 2nd
BRACE Butch
Ron Horn
733.5 points Buddy
Nolan Huffman 735 points
3rd
BRACE Heike
Paul Stoeffler
529 points
Dakota
Randy Dombrowski 493.5 points 4th
BRACE Sport
Don Lee
680 points
Miss
Rick Hopkins
367.5 points While the
handlers and dogs caught their breath, the drawing for the next round was
conducted and after a short break the competition resumed with the same judging
assignments as earlier. We were now down to 8 dogs. At the completion of this
round we would know who the final four would be and the excitement built for the
crowd as the tension mounted for the handlers. The dogs, on the other hand
seemed to take it all in stride. The round of 8 was as follows: A FIELD
(JUDGES: GOODMAN/DEWEY) 1ST
BRACE Jessie
Lonnie Jones
572 points Buddy
Nolan Huffman 852 points
2nd
BRACE Angel
Chad Calicott
627.5 points
Andy
Richard Williams 496 points B FIELD
(JUDGES HACKMAN/JANTZEN) 1st
BRACE Rip
Ray Grappe
1106 points
Heike
Paul Stoeffler
710 points 2nd
BRACE Sport
Don Lee
820 points
Taylor
Bruce Lyon
491.5 points Now we were
down to the final four handlers and their dogs. Since the 3rd and 4th
place dogs would be determined by points scored in the round, both braces would
be conducted in the same field. A coin toss determined that the “B” field
would be used and the judging for this round was assigned to Jay and Dave.
Harold and Ted would complete the Classic by judging the championship round
afterward. A short break allowed the dogs to rest and the handlers to revel in
the exciting moment, each assured of winning a Championship buckle. For Chad and
myself, this was our first trip to the final four and I can speak first hand to
the true thrill of it. All four handlers were in the blind as the birds were
planted for the first of the final two braces. The handlers made small talk and
mugged for the cameras. In what seemed like about a minute and a half, the sound
of “Bring em out” was heard and the first brace bolted from the line. In
this brace Grappe’s Ramblin Rip was braced against Elk Fork Angel and Ray
Grappe outscored his younger counterpart four birds to two and won the brace 916
points to 507.5. In the second brace Teton’s Sport, my guy, was braced against
Nolan’s Last Bullet and the tremendous handling of Nolan Huffman. I had been
braced once before against Nolan, the 1999 Grand National, in the round of 16
with my dog Slick. That was a great battle, but it turned on a marked bird that
Nolan and Buddy found about a second before Slick did. I always said
“skill”, Nolan always said “Luck”. Before our brace began I joked with
Nolan, telling him Sport was about to change his “Luck”. When it was
over Sport outscored Buddy 4 birds to one and won the brace 647.5 points to
387.5 points. Indeed it was luck. Now it was time for the final Championship
Hour, and it would be Sport and Rip, two dogs that had been finding birds all
weekend, two dogs with lots of go and great noses. It promised to be very
exciting. The scores
of this round determined the 2nd and 3rd runners-up. Chad
Calicott, handling in his first Championship trial was 2nd Runner up
with Elk Fork’s Angel scoring 507.5 points to 387.5 points for Nolan
Huffman’s Buddy who became the 3rd Runner-up. Angel, a 1X NSTRA
Champion, is a very classy female pointer out of Ed Earl by Bocomo Fearless
Tina. She is owned by Gary Yohe and Milton Sharp. Chad has been a member since
1999 and lives in Moberly, Missouri. 21X Champion, Nolan’s Last Bullet, is one
of the winningest dogs in NSTRA history and is owned and handled so very well by
Nolan Huffman. Nolan’s Last Bullet, male Brittany, is out of Ruff and Ready
Zack by Brook’s BB. Nolan lives in Connelly Springs, North Carolina and is a
member of the South Carolina Region. Nolan has been a member of NSTRA since
1994. Congratulations to these fine dogs and their handlers and owners. The final
two dogs and handlers were given an hour to rest and then the fields were
combined into one monster of a course easily totaling over 100 acres. It was a
butterfly in shape with a narrow strip connecting the two. Once again the
handlers were called to the blind. More small talk. More pictures. Little
outside the zone for Ray or Don. Both were tremendously focused but both were in
great spirits. Don to Ray: “Hey Ray, remember that “butt whuppin” Slick
put on Rip down in Georgia a couple years ago?” Ray: “You mean the time
Slick beat Rip and managed to advance with a single find and no retrieve?”
Don: “Yeah, that’s the one.” “Well, I just wanted you to know I was
kinda sorry about that”. Laughter all around, then once again, warm hand
shakes, sincere best wishes to their opponents and the hour began. I can’t
honestly say how the hour went. I know it was fast, the fastest hour I can ever
recall. Both dogs broke away strong and headed for the back on the north end of
the former “A” field. Rip turned first and headed back and had his first
find about 50 yards from the north boundary, a solid find and one that I knew
would score well. Sport continued out and made his turn back in 150 yards behind
the find by Rip. He made a big cast back down south, then headed north and had a
find, easily 400 yards from where I was. I got the old bones in motion, flushed
and made a clean shot, Sport retrieved, but not without dropping the bird. I
knew I was behind and would stay there on even work. My only hope was to find at
least one more bird than Ray did and then pray. We all had noticed the t-shirt
Ray was wearing. A classic, showing the front legs of a cowboy in boots, thighs
down, with the knees worn out of his jeans. The caption -- “Pray Hard”. I
was thinking about that shirt a lot as I spent the next 55 minutes praying and
struggling to get that bird ahead of Ray. Just as soon as I did, he always would
find another bird and then it happened. Sport had a find near the north boundary
on his way back in bounds from a quick little visit out in the north prairie. I
got there quickly, but the bird was out of bounds by at least 20 feet. Darn!
After about 20 minutes we had each found and scored 4 birds and both of us had
backs. One bird had been pointed after being marked but before 3 minutes allowed
it to be scored, so that meant there was one more planted bird out there plus
what might have been left over. Both dogs had a ton of energy and they hunted
hard from one field to the next and back again. On my way to an area where a
bird had been marked early in front of the gallery, I walked up a bird that was
sitting out in the open not 10 feet in front of me. Had I not been so focused on
where Ray was headed up towards the marked bird, chances are good I would have
seen it, but it was not to be. The bird flew straight into the woods out of
bounds. When it was over both dogs had scored 4 finds and 4 retrieves and both
had backs. Rip easily out-pointed Sport, 921.5 points to 753.5 points, and
earned the Championship. There was not a single disappointed bone in my body as
I walked over to congratulate Ray. I can’t think of a more deserving guy and
Rip did a tremendous job. I was just as proud of Rip as I was of Sport. We shook
hands in the field and I had the high honor to be the first to congratulate the
2001 Endurance Champion, Grappe’s Ramblin Rip. And now again, congratulations
to Rip and to a handler that I admire greatly, Ray Grappe. Ray is a tremendous
example of good sportsmanship, preparation, hard work and dedication. He is
truly an asset to NSTRA and I am sure we will be seeing lots of him at
Championship trials in the future. Grappe’s
Ramblin Rip is owned by Ray’s wife Mary Lu and is a 7X Champion. He is out of
Crow’s Little Joe by Grappe’s Sunrise Sue. Ray has been a member since 1988.
He is a professional dog trainer and makes his home in Levelland, Texas. Ray is
a member of the West Texas Region where he has served his region actively. Teton’s
Sport is owned by myself, Don Lee, and is out of All-Age FC Sporty V. Rip Traff
by An Illusion by Design (Annie). Sport is a 1X NSTRA Champion. I have been a
member of NSTRA since 1983 and am a member of the Arizona Region. I have served
NSTRA for two terms as the Secretary and currently assist NSTRA as the Webmaster
of our web site. My wife Pat and I make our home in Dewey, Arizona. At the end
of the trial, Chairman C.L. Mitchell and Co-Chairman Wes Barr presented the
winners with a great selection of gifts and rewards from our sponsors including
the prestigious Kasco Winners Carhartt Jackets and supplies of Kasco brand dog
food. The winner, Ray Grappe, in addition to a years supply of Kasco Hi-Energy
dog food and a Kasco Winners Carhartt Jacket received a Redlion semi-auto 12
gauge shotgun from Heckler & Koch, a training collar from Tri-Tronics, Inc.,
a silver belt buckle from NSTRA, $100 gift certificate from Foster & Smith,
a game bird bag, lumey check cord, leather collar and lanyard from Dogs
Unlimited, a Deluxe Gun Dog Bag from Boyt Harness, a subscription to American
Field, a t-shirt from Walnut Hill Designs and a Belt lead, checkcord and bottle
of Tufpads from Hunters Ridge Kennels. The 1st
Runner-up, yours truly, with Teton’s Sport also received a lot of very nice
gifts. They included a 9 month supply of Kasco Hi-Energy dog food, and a Kasco
Winners Carhartt Jacket from Kasco, a 35% discount coupon from Tri-Tronics,
Inc., a mounted quail under glass from NSTRA, a silver belt buckle from NSTRA, a
$100 gift certificate from Foster and Smith, a game bird bag, lumey check cord,
leather collar and lanyard from Dogs Unlimited, a gun case from Boyt Harness, a
subscription from American Field Magazine, a t-shirt from Walnut Hill Designs
and a belt lead, checkcord, bottle of Tufpads from Hunters Ridge Kennels. The 2nd
Runner-up, Chad Calicott with Elk Fork Angel received a 6 month supply of Kasco
Hi-Energy Dog food from Kasco, a Kasco Winners Carhartt Jacket, a 35% discount
coupon from Tri-Tronics, a pair of Birdshooter hunting boots from W.C. Russell
Moccasin Co., a silver belt buckle from NSTRA, a $50 gift certificate from
Foster and Smith, a game bird bag, lumey check cord, leather collar and lanyard
from Dogs Unlimited, a hat from Boyt Harness, a subscription from American Field
Magazine, a t-shirt from Walnut Hill Designs, a Belt lead, checkcord and bottle
of Tufpads from Hunters Ridge Kennels and a trap shooter from the Trius Company. The 3rd
Runner-up, Nolan Huffman with Nolan’s Last Bullet received a Kasco Winners
Carhartt Jacket and a 3 month supply of Kasco Hi-Energy Dog food from Kasco, a
35% discount coupon from Tri-Tronics, silver belt buckle from NSTRA, a free ad
for 1 year from Bird Dog News, a $50 gift certificate from Foster and Smith, a
game bird bag, lumey check cord, leather collar and lanyard from Dogs Unlimited,
a subscription from American Field Magazine, a t-shirt from Walnut Hill Designs,
a belt lead, checkcord and bottle of Tufpads from Hunters Ridge Kennels and a
trap shooter from the Trius Company. Every
participant also received some great gifts in the “goody bags” provided by
Brad and Sue Christensen. They included a commemorative pin and commemorative
hat from NSTRA/Kasco and a 20 lb. Bag of Kasco Hi-Energy dog food. Our sponsors
are the life blood of our organization and we encourage all our members to use
their products. They make some great items and you will be supporting NSTRA at
the same time. This was yet
another very successful event and there were many very talented and generous
members that helped make it all possible. NSTRA wishes to thank all the
sponsors, judges, marshal, bird handler, horse wranglers, water carriers and so
on. A very special note of thanks to Brad Christensen and the Arizona Region who
all worked so hard to set up a first class event. We recognize that conducting a
Championship Trial so far from a town is no small challenge. Thank you Randy
Dombrowski, Ron Hackman, Jeff Saville and all the others who helped set up the
grounds and take it all down. The Arizona Region is to be applauded for allowing
us to visit their beautiful area and sharing with them some wonderful moments.
Thank you Ron Horn for providing some great flying birds. Thank you Brad Monell
for not only doing an excellent job of planting birds on both fields, but
supplying some fine horses as well. A special note of thanks to my wife Pat who
once again did a great job of photographing this event. It has been
our pleasure to once again welcome you to the “other” Arizona. We have
enjoyed your visit and we hope you enjoyed your stay. We look forward to your
return. All we ask is that you let our secret be yours.
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