US Complete Shooting Dog Association - NW Region

Northwest Region Champion

2010-11-09T11:12:00.001-08:00

November 6-7

US Complete Regional Walking SD Championship

Host: Santa Clara BDC

Grounds: K-Arrow Ranch, Jamestown, CA

Judges: Tom Griffin, Sheldon Twer

Champion - Horizon's Brutus - SM - Terry Erickson, Owner/Handler

No Runner-up named

CH Horizon's Brutus

The Northwest Region Championship was held November 6th at K-Arrow Ranch in the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. We had rain nonstop for the whole weekend, which dampened participants, judges, staff and entries.

Six dogs started and judges Tom Griffin and Sheldon Twer liked the two find effort of Terry Erickson's Horizon's Brutus, naming him champion, with no runner-up. Brutus is by High Definition X Kiku. We greatly appreciate the effort of all involved, and hope for better weather and a much bigger turn out next year.

2010 NW Region Championship!

2010-10-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

Click on the image below for an expanded view of our ad from the American Field.

2010 - 2011 NW Region Schedule

2010-07-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here is the schedule of US Complete walking stakes to be run this season. Please contact the club for details and entries. Check back here for changes and additions to the schedule.

August 6-8

Walnut Classic

Host: Oakdale BDC

Grounds: Stadler Ranch, Oakdale, CA 
Walking Shooting Dog Derby (US Complete) Judges, Justin Reis/ Nard Bailey  1st - Wells Fargo Tess - PF - Paul Wells  2nd - DW Cal Tex - PM - Dave Winters  3rd - Lostak's Liberty Bell - PF - Jeff Lostak

Walking Shooting Dog (US Complete)

Judges, Bob Tenant/Nard Bailey 1st - Super Express Nash Begone - PF - Jim and Cami Wolthuis  2nd - Super Express Belle - PF - Bernie Daviner  3rd - Sonny Orange Blossom - PM - Justin & Andrea Reis

October 8-10

Open Shooting Dog

Host: Nevada BDC

Grounds: Red Rock Valley, Reno, NV

Judges: paul Wells, Mike Wilkin

1st - Indian Head Air Cargo - PF - Jared Taperro

November 6-7

Northwest Region Walking SD Championship

Host: Santa Clara BDC

Grounds: K-Arrow Ranch, Jamestown, CA

Judges: Tom Griffin, Sheldon Twer

CH - Horizon's Brutus - SM - Terry Erickson

November 12-14

Host: West Valley BDC

Grounds: Moonlight Ranch, Valley Springs, CA

Open Walking Shooting Dog

Judges: Ron Bader, Mike Irwin

1st - Zeigend Superhund Gus - GSP M - K. Boyd

2nd - Lostak's K9 Jedi - PM - J Lostak

3rd - Elhew Dancing Daisy - PF - J Lostak

December 2-5

Open Shooting dog

Cancelled due to weather

Host: Fresno BDC

Contact: Hal Meyer 209-897-7245

Grounds: Setter Springs Ranch, Maricopa, CA

February 4-6

Twer Open Walking Shooting Dog Classic
Cancelled due to schedule problems

Host: Santa Clara Valley BDC

Contact: Mike Spies 650-856-9060

Grounds: TBD

February 11-13

Open Shooting Dog
Cancelled due to weather

Host: Fresno BDC

Contact: Hal Meyer 209-897-7245

Grounds: Searles Ranch Raymond, CA

March 18-20

Open Shooting Dog

Host: Setter Springs FTC

Contact: Jerry Erickson 714-838-1039

Grounds: Setter Springs Ranch, Maricopa, CA

NW Region Dog of the Year Awards

2010-06-16T10:11:00.000-07:00

Cache Creek Bully, winner of the NW Region CH with owner Ron Shuman and Judges Rich Heaton and Tom Griffin

After tabulating all the placements for US Complete trials in the NW Region over the past season, the Region Dog of the Year and Runner-up Dog of the Year are:

Dog of the Year - Cache Creek Bully - PM - Owner/Handler Ron Shuman

R-U Dog of the Year - Super Express Nash Begone - PF - Owner/Handler Jim & Cami Wolthuis

Congratulations to these two excellent bird dogs and their owners! Each will receive a placque honoring their accomplishment.

Twer Classic concluded

2010-03-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jerry Erickson and winner Misty's Golden Star

The Twer Walking Classic was run Saturday, March 27th at the Narbaitz Ranch in Little Panoche, CA. Vince Teofilo and Kathy Shockey handled the judging duties as 10 dogs competed in 45 minute braces in the second annual Twer Walking Classic. The stake was presented by the Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club and marshalled by club president Leif Lendrop.

Recent rains had made the country bloom with plenty of cover for native quail and released bobwhites. The weather was fair, but a bit warm on the ground. Scenting conditions were variable during the running, but good numbers of birds made for a number of competitive performances.

Named winner was Misty's Golden Star (Sandy) a setter female owned and handled by veteran Jerry Erickson of Santa Ana, CA with a fast, reaching, race hunting objectives and producing multiple stylish finds. Second was Right On Rooster (Rooster), pointer male, owned and handled by Jeff Lostak of Vacaville, CA. Third was Indian Head Air Cargo (Reba), pointer female, owned and handled by Jared Tappero of Chester, CA.

We would like to thank everyone who supported this classic, which we expect will continue on as an annual event.

Last two trials of the season

2010-03-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

The last two US Complete stakes of the season are:

March 20th, Setter Springs Ranch near Maricopa, CA - Call Jerry Erickson for entries at 714-393-7124

March 27th, the Twer Walking Shooting Dog Classic Narbaitz Ranch near Little Panoche WLA in central California - call Mike Spies with entries at 650-856-9060

These will be great fun on nice grounds and the last US Complete NW Region trials until August. Plan to attend!

First NW Regional Championship

2009-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Rear - Judges Rich Heaton of Boise, ID and Tom Griffin of Watsonvile, CA, Reporter Ron Pray, and stakes manager Mike Spies - Front Ron Shuman with CH Cache Creek Bully and Bernie Daviner with RU-CH Super Express Belle

A respected team of judges - Rich Heaton and Tom Griffin

Cache Creek Bully

Vince Teofilo and Gary Roverino prepare to break away

Cammi Wolthuis with Nash backing Smoke while Ron Shuman flushes

US COMPLETE SHOOTING DOG NORTHWEST

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

By Ron Pray

The Inaugural Championship for the Northwest Region was held on a beautiful, cool and sunny day in the California Foothills in November. A beautiful Fall day. Thirteen hopeful qualifiers were entered to be judged by the outstanding team of Tom Griffin of Watsonville, California and Rich Heaton of Boise, Idaho. Both men are deeply involved in the sport and each has won two National Amateur Championships. Suffice to say that this judging team was up to the task and we were fortunate and grateful to have them in the judicial saddles. The venue was outstanding and although there are several AKC trials held here each year it was the first time this scribe had seen it. The scenery is incredibly beautiful with sweeping meadows, groves of Oak trees and piles of fallen timber. Specifically, this is the K-Arrow Ranch owned by Steve Kistler. This is a fabulous Sierra Foothill property, which Steve’s grandfather bought in 1955. The Kistlers were the people with the first telephone in Tuolumne County. The place is a 3000-acre cow calf operation raising natural grass fed beef that are bred, born and raised and harvested on this property. This is the livestock equivalent of an estate bottled cabernet. We thank the Kistler family for the use of this awesome place.

THE RUNNING

Seven braces were run taking most of this wonderful day. Our winner came from the third and runner-up ran in the first. In that first brace ran Super Express “Belle” (Bernie Daviner) and Wenaha High Ryder a Setter male run by Mike Spies. The course was a loop taking off right outside of camp heading east up a grade paralleling Highway 120. At the top of that grade there was a drop to the east end of a large pond where contenders made a long right turn around it, back up through a saddle in the hill and down through heavy Oak groves back to camp. The course was open in spots, dotted with Oak groves and rock outcroppings, bordered on both sides by stone fences built by workers over a hundred years ago.

At nine minutes “Belle” went on point under a broad Oak tree that was so low to the ground her handler had to get on his hands and knees and crawl under to attempt flush. This would be a difficult situation for most but “Belle” held her position high and tight at both ends. At the top of the hill “Ted” went on point at a woodpile backed by “Belle” and at twenty minutes “Ted” went on point again backed by “Belle”; however, this time proved too much temptation and he went with the flush. Picked-up. From this point “Belle” put on a show. She had seven more finds in her remaining hour and one non-productive. As always she looked pretty on her birds; however, she has such a good nose that she would point at a great distance from her quarry. This would prompt relocation and she would slowly creep on those relocations, which is the only negative thing that could be said for this fine contender and could have made the difference in her placement.

Leif Lendrop, marshal for the day, had assigned times to each brace and sure enough he had the second brace ready to go at 9:20 a.m. with Sharkey’s “Rheo” (Tim Keohane) and Riverrun Super Deception “Jessie” (Cami Wolthuis). “Rheo”, the Red Setter joyfully left the line and went on point at five minutes. A single bird was flushed and all was in order. At about twelve minutes he had his second find and again the temptation was too great, he broke at flush. “Jessie” forged on and at twenty-five had a find in a downed tree. All was in order and at thirty she had a stop to flush in an open field. At forty on the backside of the course she had a non-productive in a heavy rock pile where birds had been found all day. However, it was a difficult flush and after a long attempt Cami took the non-productive.

In the third brace came our winner, the Pointer male Cache Creek “Bully” (Ron Shuman) running with Cache Creek “Shawna” (Rudy Difuntorum). “Shawna” was lost on the front side and was later seen by the gallery, across the course on point, however, she had already been timed out. “Bully”, however, had finds at ten, twenty-one, thirty-eight, fifty, and fifty-five. This was a strong and well-handled brace with perfect form on all finds. “Bully” hit every objective on the course it seemed. Shuman grew up in the dog business and has had some impressive placements of late and this performance was right up there with a victory in this Region’s Inaugural Championship.

Brace four saw Sunset's Madonna “Maddie” (Vince Teofilo) and Outrages’ “Ruby” Jo (Gary Rovarino) run. “Ruby” had a back and at her first find broke at flush at twenty-five minutes. “Maddie” had three finds but seemed to finish tired and short. In the fifth brace we saw superwoman Cami Wolthuis walk her second hour with Super Express “Nash” Begone. Running with “Nash” ran Deception’s “Smoke” (Ron Shuman) and although both had activity in the early running, both were ultimately picked-up. Brace six ensued, still on time, with Sunset’s Assured (Teofilo) and Horizon’s “Brutus” (Terry Erickson). Both dogs left the starting line strong with “Clint” having a find at twenty. From there he shortened up through the course having two more finds but he finished virtually at his handler’s heels. “Brutus” showed fine English-Setter style and at twenty-five had a find out in an open field, which seemingly surprised him. At about this time handler pulled a stick from the dog’s nose resulting in multiple sneezes. His next find required incredible patience and by the time of flush the dog was probably a little impatient. He chased at flush and was picked up. Vince Teofilo ran Sunset’s Vindicator “Quirt” as a bye dog in the seventh brace and was picked up early.

The Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club was our host and put on this Inaugural US Complete Walking Championship. They received sponsorship from Purina and worked very hard to put on this trial. They provided belt buckles to the winner and the runner-up and Purina dog food. Mike Spies and Leif Lendrop took over the Santa Clara Club from Vince Teofilo about four years ago. Mike Spies came to a Region 11 Annual Meeting three seasons ago to ask the various Region 11 Clubs to sponsor more walking stakes at their various trials. He needed seven walking stakes in a season to be in the position to have a US Complete Championship approved in the Region. These gentlemen are to be congratulated for their endurance in arranging this Inaugural event. They provided lunches and an excellent tri-tip dinner on Saturday night. Additionally, a thanks is given to Kristyn Spies, who helped her father, Mike Spies, with the event.

COMPANION STAKE

Although the walking championship entry was lower than management thought it would be the companion horseback shooting dog stake had a whopping 27 entries. This was run essentially on the same course within a thirty-minute time frame. It was judged by Rich Heaton and our own barrister, Bob Tennant. The winner of the stake was Waygoing Hoot, run by stalwart trialer Mike Stephens, with three finds in his thirty minutes. The second and third places were taken by the handler Ron Shuman who handled the winner of the walking stake. Specifically, second in the horseback shooting dog stake was Cache Creek Bully and third was Deception’s Smoke who carded two finds and a back.

As always a good time was had by all and the Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club did an outstanding job. We hope that this US Complete Walking Shooting Dog Championship for the Northwest Region becomes a fixture in the future.

NW Regional Championship Nov. 6th, 7th, & 8th

2009-07-15T11:15:00.000-07:00

The US Complete Northwest Regional Championship has been scheduled for November 6th, 7th & 8th, 2009.

Hosts: The trial will be hosted by US Complete NW Region, and co-hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club.

Venue: It will be held at the Kiestler K-Arrow Ranch off Highway 120 near Jamestown, California.

This is a truly beautiful venue in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and is typical of the rolling, oak studded savanna that once covered the lower elevations between the Central Valley and the Sierras. The one hour course includes edges, broken cover, open meadows and ridge lines. There are native valley quail on the course, which will be supplemented with planted bobwhite or chukars.

Judges: Tom Griffin of Watsonville, CA and Rich Heaton, Jr. of Boise, Idaho. The stake will be reported by Ron Pray of Gilroy, CA. Our thanks to these stalwart gentlemen.

Stake: This is a one hour open walking championship stake - the only AF Open Walking Championship on the West Coast. This Championship is sanctioned by US Complete Shooting Dog Association and the AFTCA/American Field. As such, it is open to both professionals and amateurs.

Placements and awards: A Champion and Runner-up Champion will be named.

The winner will receive a trophy, 12 (37.5 lb.) bags of ProPlan Performance dog food, and an embroidered garment. Runner up will receive a plaque, 6 bags of ProPlan Performance dog food and an embroidered garment.

Qualification: Open to any pointing breed dog registered with the FDSB and holding a valid placement certificate from any open Derby, Shooting Dog, or All-Age stake sanctioned by the American Field. There is no specific requirement for a US Complete placement to enter.

Accommodations: Camping will be available on the grounds, and accommodations are available in nearby Jamestown, and in Oakdale.

Hosted meals: Lunch and dinner will be served on Saturday, Lunch on Sunday, refreshments and snacks will also be served.

Sponsor: Purina Pet foods.

As plans are advanced, details and an ad will appear here, and in the American Field.

Trial Results for 2008-2009 season

2009-06-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Member clubs ran eight US Complete sanctioned stakes this year. Here are the results:

Oakdale Bird Dog Club

Aug. 2-3, Sadler Ranch, Oakdale, CA

Derby - 9 entries

1st - Cache Creek Bully, Ron Shuman owner/handler

2nd - Perfect Game, Jim Rose owner/handler

3rd - Cache Creek Shawna, Rudy Difuntorum owner/handler

Open Shooting Dog - 13 entries

1st - Super Express Belle, Bernie Daviner Owner/handler

2nd - Super Express Chief, Lynn Stinson owner/handler

3rd - Cache Creek Kate, Ron Shuman owner/handler

Fat Toads Unlimited BDC

Sept 12-14, Mendota WLA, Mendota, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 8 entries

1st - Super Express George Reis, Justin Reis owner/handler

2nd - Super Express Nash, Jim Wolthuis owner/handler

3rd - Horizon's Brutus, Terry Erickson owner/handler

Santa Clara Valley BDC - Twer Classic

Nov. 8-9, Narbaitz Ranch, Little Panoche, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 16 entries

1st - Super Express Belle, Bernie Daviner owner/handler

2nd - Super Express George Reis, Justin Reis owner/handler

3rd - Elite Pokerface, Ivaylo Gotzev owner/handler

Fresno BDC

Dec. 13-14, Little Panoche WLA, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 10 entries

1st - Misty;s Golden Star, Jerry Erickson Owner/T. Nannsi handler

2nd - George Super Express Reis, Justin Reis owner/handler

3rd - With held

Fat Toads Unlimited BDC

January 17, Searles Ranch, Raymond, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 7 entries

1st - Semper Fi Top Brass, Jim Searles owner/handler

2nd - Outrage's Ruby Jo, Gary Rovarino owner/handler

3rd - Wenaha High Ryder, Mike Spies owner/handler

West Valley BDC

Feb. 1, Moonlight Ranch, Valley Springs, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 14 entries

1st - Stinson's Pay Back, Ron Bader owner/Lynn Stinson handler

2nd - Outrage's Ruby Jo, Gary Rovarino owner/handler

3rd - Elite Aces High, Ivaylo Gotzev owner/handler

Setter Springs FTC

March 14, Carrizo Plains, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 10 entries

1st - Chuckie Cheese. Dr. Hal Meyer owner/handler

2nd - Lucy Goosey Lhew, Chris SHaver owner/handler

3rd - Misty's Golden Star, Jerry Erickson owner/handler

Santa Clara Valley BDC

March 29, Narbaitz Ranch, Little Panoche, CA

Open Shooting Dog - 6 entries

1st - Super Express Belle, Bernie Daviner owner/handler

2nd - Outrage's Ruby Jo, Gary Rovarino owner/handler

3rd - Wenaha High Ryder, Mike Spies owner/handler

Thanks to all who presented and supported these trials. We hope to see you all at the NW Region Championship in November.

US Complete NW Region Dog of the Year

2009-06-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

Bernie Daviner's Super Express Belle (pointer female) is winner of this year's NW Region Dog of the Year Award with 111 award points.

Runner up is Justin Reis' George Super Express Reis (pointer male) with 79 award points.

Bernie and Justin will each receive a plaque honoring their dog's accomplishment.

Congratulations to both of you!

Help Defeat California Senate Bill 250

2009-05-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

In a nutshell, the current SB 250 - introduced by Senate Majority Leader Senator Dean Flores of Bakersfield - is an ugly piece of legislation. This is a "One Strike" law that would require the spaying or neutering (at the owners expense) of any intact dog for any infraction of the dog or owner, except excessive barking. It would also require that any OTHER intact dogs of that owner also be spayed or neutered.

So, if your dog is unlicensed, gets loose for any reason, or is the subject of any complaint, you are guilty, and your dog(s) will have to be altered - and you must pay for the surgery - before you get them back from the animal control agency.

There is no legal recourse, as the only appeal provided in SB250 is the animal control people who are charged with enforcing the law!

This is a Draconian piece of legislation that has the finger prints of the HSUS over over it, and reeks of politics, as the sponsor is leveling his sights on a run for Lt. Governor in the next election.

Write a letter (not an e-mail) and fax it to every politico in Sacramento, starting with your own state Senator. It is time to deal another defeat to HSUS.

The US Complete handicap rule

2009-05-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

In consideration of those who are not physically able to walk the course, but who wish to compete, the US Complete rules allow for a handicapped person to ride an ATV or horse in sanctioned stakes. This creates an opportunity for those who would otherwise be unable to compete, but also opens a door to abuse.

Here are the relevant rules, directly from the USCSDA Handbook:

10. Handicapped -- US Complete provides for the handicapped handler.

A. The stake manager determines the eligibility of a handicapped handler

B. As always, the judges set the pace. A handicapped handler's transportation must be a four-wheeler or a horse in cases where the four-wheeler is not allowed on state grounds. The horse or four-wheeler must be provided by the handler.

C. The handicapped handler should remain behind their brace-mate so as not to crowd or place their brace-mate at a disadvantage by height that a horse may create, or noise that the four-wheeler would create.

While we encourage handicapped handler to participate, abuse of this privilege or failure to comply with the simple rules above will not be tolerated by the judges, marshals, or stake manager. Complaints of abuse may be filed with the US Complete regional officer.

Of course, all handlers and other participants should exhibit the highest possible level of sportsmanship at all times.

NW Regional Championship

2009-03-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

The Northwest Region has been awarded a Regional Championship by the US Complete championship committee.

We are determined to have a successful Championship stake on excellent grounds. The host club, the Santa Clara Valley BDC, has been working on a co-operatiive arrangement with the West Valley BDC at securing the Moonlight Ranch, owned by Lynn Stinson and home grounds of the West Valley club. The Championship will be judged by two respected Shooting Dog judges, Tom Griffin of Watsonville, CA and Rich Heaton of Boise, ID.

Since Region 11 offers the Region 11 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship in the Spring, it was decided to run our Championship in the Fall. The Championship will be held in November, 2009 and the exact date will be known after the Region 11 annual meeting in June. Please watch for an announcement here, and in the American Field Magazine.

Setting a Fall date will allow us to prepare for the event, and to assure strong attendance at the stake.

This championship stake will be open to amateurs and professionals with dogs of any pointing breed, registered by the FDSB and qualified by a open placement in an AF sanctioned derby, Shooting Dog, or All Age stake. The Championship will feature one hour braces.

For more Information contact Mike Spies, USCSDA Regional President, at 650-856-9060

Twer Walking Shooting Dog Classic

2008-11-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

From left to right, front row – winner Super Express Belle with owner /handler Bernie Daviner, George Super Express Reis (2nd) with owner/handler Justin Reis, Elite Poker Face (3rd) with owner/handler Ivaylo Gotzev. Standing – Judge Terry Erickson, Judge Tom Griffin, Trial Chairman Mike Spies.

November 8, 2008 – The Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club hosted the inaugural running of the Twer Walking Shooting Dog Classic at the Narbaitz Ranch in Little Panoche, California under the banner of the US Complete Shooting Dog Association, sponsored by Precise Pet Foods.

This event was named in honor of Sheldon Twer, of Oakdale, CA, an accomplished professional trainer and field trialer, who has, among his other considerable accomplishments, championed walking shooting dog stakes on the West Coast for many years and brought many people into the sport of field trialing. His success, hard work, and support of our sport clearly deserves this recognition. We expect to make this an annual event and look forward to even more participation as US Complete grows in the Western states. This is the second year of US Complete walking trials in the Far West, and it has been very well received by established clubs and newcomers alike.

The Narbaitz Ranch comprises over 14,000 acres of mountains and rolling, oak-studded grasslands on the Eastern Side of California's coastal mountains, and is well populated with valley quail and chukars. The club wishes to thank Ray and Al Narbaitz for making this excellent venue available.

No trial happens without some effort, and the trial committee wishes to thank all the participants, and especially Tom Griffin of Watsonville, California, and Terry Erickson of Laguna Hills, California for their fine job of judging this stake. They are universally liked and respected by all who know and trial with them. The committee would also like to thank Karin Spies, professional chef, for getting up very early in the morning to come to the trial to spend the day preparing and serving a terrific dinner. Of course, she also got to ride the 4-wheeler, play with puppies, and see some dogs run.

Securing grounds for a suitable course is a trade-off between convenience and quality. Due to the drought in California, ranch owner Ray Narbaitz was forced to move cattle to a pasture where they could be feed from a truck – exactly the pasture that had originally been planned for this event. So the trial committee scouted across the 14,000 acres of ranch for ground that met the criteria and settled on an excellent area. The area required driving three miles on well maintained but twisting ranch roads that challenged some participants pulling longer horse trailers. Nevertheless, attendance was good.

Sixteen dogs were drawn to compete on a 45 minute course that began with a fifteen minute walk up a ridge with quail cover on both sides and scattered small trees along the ridge. At the end of the ridge was a knob that, once topped, overlooked a bowl with steep sides at the back and both high and low objectives, this gave the handlers a good chance to show their dogs. The course then turned left across the bowl and entered the head of a draw with oaks, junipers, and low brush, continued down the draw and crossed onto another ridge and then dropped into a canyon leading back to the starting point. Planted bobwhite augmented the very wild valley quail, polar extremes in behavior and a test for any dog. The wild quail made each brace an unknown for the handler and dog alike.

The grounds at the Narbaitz Ranch were ideal for testing bird dogs with good valley quail cover and coveys of wild birds that stayed on the course after multiple flushes. Wild birds were augmented by planted bobwhites.

The winner, Bernie Daviner of Manteca, CA running his fine pointer female, Belle, ran in the second brace. She moved up the ridge and had a find at 12 minutes – very stylish and high on both ends. Sent on she crossed the bowl and cast up the side hill a good distance, coming down for a find near the large oak at 22 minutes. Continuing on she hunted hard and was rewarded with a find on the lower ridge before time. This was handler Bernie Daviner's second trial and he has placed Belle first in both stakes.

In second place was Justin Reis of Brookdale, CA with his pointer male, George – running in the first brace. George cast from the start and went up the ridge for a find under a juniper tree at 13 minutes, all in order. Sent on, George crossed the bowl and hit the side hill objectives, returning to the road below the bowl for a find in deadwood under the big oak. George showed well, looked good on the ground, and was responsive to his handler. He finished slightly short, but was forward and hunting well.

Third was Ivaylo Gotzev of North Hollywood, CA running his pointer male, Poker, in the fifth brace. Poker's first find came at 19 minutes as he approached the bowl, and all was in order. Sent on he scored a second find at the deadwood near the big oak, where he first pointed, then moved to re-establish point, and stood awaiting his handler. He made a slight move at the flush, but took no steps. Sent on, he finished strong to the front. A very nice looking dog on the ground.

The judges also noted the work of Leif Lendrop's Keen – pointer male – who had a perfect find on a covey of wild valley quail, and maintained his manners throughout. Those of you who have hunted or trialed on valley quail know how hard they are for dogs to handle properly. All but one dog in the stake had bird work, and the dogs placed were all close in their performances.

The day closed with announcement of the winning dogs, award of plaques, photos, handshakes, fellowship, and a terrific dinner of of country-style ribs, Karin's special Kentucky whisky BBQ sauce, BBQ beans, salad, slaw, sourdough garlic bread, and all the trimmings for the hungry crew. We will definitely make this an annual event, and anticipate even more participation next year.

Companion stakes were run on Sunday, after a night of high wind and a little rain, which cleared off by morning.

Little Panoche, California, November 8, 2008
Judges: Tom Griffin & Terry Erickson
Twer Walking Shooting Dog Classic (Open stake - 45 minute heats)
11 pointers and 5 setters

!st – SUPER EXPRESS BELLE, 1580888, pointer female
by Super Express William – Amazon Express Bullett.
Bernard Daviner, owner and handler

2nd – GEORGE SUPER EXPRESS REIS, 1588953, pointer male
by Super Express William – Miss Jazz Express
Justin Reis, owner and handler

3rd – ELITE POKER FACE, 1585793, pointer male
by Super Express William – Bullett's Elhew Awesome
Ivaylo Gotzev, owner and handler

Running Order:

1a. J. Reis - George - Pointer Male

1b. I. Gotzev/J. Gilbertson - Marko - Pointer Male

2a. S. Twer/J, Gilbertson - Chief - Pointer Male

2b. B. Daviner = Belle - Pointer Female

3a. R. Shuman - Smoke - Setter Male

3b. J Gilbertson - Evie - Pointer Female

4a. L. Lendrop - Keen - Pointer male

4b. V. Teofilo - Clint - Pointer Male

5a. I. Gotzev - Poker - Pointer Male

5b. J. Tappero - Jane - Pointer Female

6a. J. Erickson - Jo - Setter Female

6b. L. Lendrop - T-Bird - Pointer Male

7a. I. Gotzev - Sunny - Pointer Male

7b. V. Teofilo - Maddie - Setter Female

8a. J. Erickson - Sandy - Setter Female

8b. M. Spies - Ted - Setter Male

Twer Classic - November 8th

2008-09-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

The Santa Clara Valley Bird Dog Club is presenting the Twer Walking Shooting Dog Classic on November 8th at the Narbaitz Ranch in Little Panoche, CA. The trial is named for Sheldon Twer, who has consistently contributed to Walking Shooting Dog trials in AFTCA Region 11, and who, through the Oakdale Bird Dog Club, held the first US Complete trial on the West Coast. Thank you Sheldon!

Central California Trial - September 13th - 14th

2008-08-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Open Walking Shooting Dog

Hosted by: Fat Toads Unlimited BDC

Grounds: Mendota WIldlfife Area, Mendota, California

Entry Fees - $ 25 per dog

Contact: Dr. Hal Meyer - (559) 897-7245 or (559) 269-4857

This has always been a fun trial. If you would like to get your feet wet, call Hal for entries, directions, etc.

First Trial of the Year - WINNERS

2008-07-24T21:56:00.000-07:00

Oakdale Bird Dog Club hosted the first US Complete trial of the year on Sunday, August 3rd.

Grounds: Stadler Ranch, Oakdale, CA

Open Walking Shooting Dog

1st Place - Super Express Belle - PF - Bernie Daviner, owner/handler

2nd Place - Super Express Chief - PM - Lynn Stinson, 0wner/Handler

3rd Place - Cache Creek Kate - PF - Ron Shuman, owner/handler

Open Walking SD Derby

1st Place - Cache Creek Bully - PM - Ron Shuman, owner/handler

2nd Place - Perfect Game - PM - Jim Rose, owner - Jim Wolthuis, Handler

3rd Place - Cache Creek Shawna - PF - Rudy Difuntorum. owner/handler

Judges: Billy Odom, Oakdale, CA & Bob Tennant, San Jose, CA

NW Region Dog of the Year

2008-06-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

The results of the eight trials held in the region in the 2007 - 2008 season have been tabulated and...

Dog of the Year - Deception's Smoke - Ron Shuman, owner and handler with 33 points

Congratulations, Ron. We have a plaque coming to you.

First Runner-up - See Jo Go - Jerry Erickson, owner and handler with 24 points

Second Runner-up - Wenaha High Ryder - Mike Spies, owner and handler with 22 points

Points are awarded based on placement and the number of dogs in the stake. We expect to have more intense competition next year, and look forward to an expanded Dog of the Year program. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Precise Dog of the Year Award winner

2008-06-02T14:46:00.000-07:00

The totals for US Complete qualifying trials have been totaled and the Winner of the Precise Dog of the Year Award with 832 points is Zumbro's Ace, a pointer male by Wynot Ace X Vanidestine's Pearl. Ace is owned by Dale Windorst and handled by Travis Gelhaus. Congratulations to all involved and thanks to Precise Pet Foods for their sponsorship of this award.

'07 to '08 season results

2008-04-15T19:22:00.000-07:00

August 5, 2007

Open Shooting Dog

Oakdale BDC

Stadler Ranch, Oakdale, CA

6 Pointers, 4 Setters, 2 Britannies

First - Deception's Smoke - ESM - Ron Shuman - Owner/Handler

Second - Stinson's Rebel Star - ESM - Ron Bader - Owner/Handler

Third - See Jo Go - ESF - Jerry Erickson - Owner/Handler

September 8 & 9, 2008

Open Shooting Dog
Fat Toads Unlimited BDC
Mendota WMA, Mendota, CA

First - Tucalota's Abby - Brittany F - Ed Mayhew - Owner/Handler

Second - Tough Nut - PM - Jim Rose - Owner/Handler

Third - Idaho's Clean Sweep - P - Steve Jones - Owner/ Jim Wolthuis - Handler

September 29, 2007

Open Shooting Dog

Sacramento BDC

Oroville, CA

5 Pointers, 1 Setter

First - Idaho's Clean Sweep, PM - Steve Jones - Owner, Jim Wolthuis -Handler

Second - Lindley's Keen Onquail - PM - Leif Lendrop Owner/Handler

November 10, 2007

Open Shooting Dog

Santa Clara Valley BDC

Setter Springs Ranch, Maricopa, CA

5 Setters, 2 Brittanies

First - Horizon's Buddy, ESM - Terry Erickson - Owner/Handler

Second - Bitter Creek Roxy, ESF - Bill Owen - Owner/Handler

Third - Wenaha High Ryder - ESM - Mike Spies - Owner/Handler

December 1, 2007

Open Shooting Dog

Fresno BDC

Setter Springs Ranch, Maricopa, CA

4 Pointers, 2 Setters

First - See Jo Go - ESF - Jerry Erickson - Owner/Handler

Second - Chuckie Cheese - ESM - Dr. Harold Meyer - Owner/Handler

December 15, 2008

Open Shooting Dog

West Valley BDC

Moonlight Ranch, Valley Springs, CA

8 dogs drawn

First - Right On Rooster - PM - Jeff Lostak - Owner/Handler

Second - Moonlight's Cruiser - ESM - Lynn Stinson/Ron Bader - Owners, Sheldon Twer - Handler

Third - See Jo Go - ESF - Jerry Erickson - Owner/Handler

January 5 & 6, 2008

Open Shooting Dog

Fresno BDC

Cancelled due to weather

January 26 & 27, 2008

Open Shooting Dog

High Desert BDC

Cancelled due to weather

March 15, 2008

Open Shooting Dog

Setter Springs BDC

Setter Springs Ranch, Maricopa, CA

8 dogs drawn

First - George Super Express - PM - Justin Reis - Owner/Handler

Second - Wenaha High Ryder - ESM - Mike Spies - Owner Handler

Third - Lucy Goosie Lehew - PM - Chris Shaber - Owner/Handler

May 24, 2008

Open Shooting Dog

Santa Clara Valley BDC

Narbaitz Ranch, Little Panoche, CA

4 dogs drawn

First- Wenaha High Ryder - ESM - Mike Spies - Owner/Handler

Second - Lindley's Keen Onquail - PM - Leif Lendrop - Owner/Handler

Precise Dog of the Year and Handler of the Year Awards Program

2008-03-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

US Complete's sponsor, Precise Dog Food, has worked with a group of USCSDA members to create a recognition program for US Complete dogs and handlers. Here are the details.

Prizes:

TOP SHOOTING DOG AND TOP HANDLER WINS 1,000 Llbs of Precise Dog Food
TOP HANDLER Awarded a John Wills marble placque
TOP SHOOTING DOG Awarded an oil painting by Bob Channell

1. Club Requirements:
A. CLUBS must promote Precise dog food
B. CLUBS must include the Precise Logo in Their ads in The American Field, and include the following text:
Precise Top Shooting Dog and Handler of the Year points stake
. C. CLUBS must hold the trials under US Complete trial guidelines
D. ALL CLUBS must be in good standing with USCSDA

2. Dog requirements:
A. DOGS must be registered with the Field Dog Stud Book (FDSB) to be eligible for points in the Program

3. Precise US Complete Top Shooting Dog of the year points awarded for OPEN Shooting Dog stakes only.

Points are awarded based on placement and the number of dogs in the stake

30-Minute Trial:
1st --- 3 points X the number of dogs (less the winner)
2nd ---2 points X the number of dogs (less the winner and second place dog)
3rd ---1 point X the number of dogs (less the winner, second and third place dogs)

45-Minute Trial:
1st --- 4 points X the number of dogs (less the winner)
2nd ---3 points X the number of dogs (less the winner and second place dog)
3rd ---2 points X the number of dogs (less the winner, second and third place dogs)

1-Hour Trial:
1st --- 8 points X the number of dogs (less the winner)
2nd ---6 points X the number of dogs (less the winner and second place dog)
3rd ---4 points X the number of dogs (less the winner, second and third place dogs)

4. PRECISE US COMPLETE OPEN SHOOTING DOG HANDLER OF THE YEAR

30-Minute Trial:
1st ----3 points
2nd ---2 points
3rd ----1 point

45-Minute Trial:
1st --- 4 points
2nd ---3 points
3rd --- 2 points

1-Hour Trial:
1st --- 8 points
2nd ---6 points
3rd --- 4 points

5. PRECISE TRIAL ESSENTIAL DATA FORMS .

The Forms (available from Region President) maybe e-mailed. They must be submitted (or post marked) no later than 30 days following the trial. THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD!!!!

Factors to be considered when evaluating a bird dog’s performance

2008-03-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

By: Brad Harter

There are many factors to consider when judging a birddog field trial stake. All of these factors need to be considered and put into a reasonable perspective with each other to the degree that this can be accomplished.

In each type of stake on each set of grounds, certain factors in a dog’s performance may become more dominant than others.

In puppy stakes the future potential of the youngster should be the primary consideration. Enthusiasm, willingness to hunt cover, natural ability to go to the front and athleticism should be of major importance when selecting puppies for placement. Natural qualities that can be enhanced with proper training should be paramount in consideration when placing puppies.

The focus in derby stakes should continue to be on potential, just as it is in puppy stakes, with more emphasis on the ability of the youngsters to find and begin to handle game. Polished manners of the all-age or shooting dog should not be a factor in placing derby contenders. A willingness to accept training and the inherent natural abilities which will make training and polishing of the youngster easy in the coming year should be evident in derby age dog considered for placement.

The all-age dog, as defined by William Brown and others of an earlier era, may indeed be one of the more difficult performances to evaluate. Little is often seen of the true all-age dog, yet enough of that dog must be observed to make any form of judgment as to the winners in a given stake. Today all-age dogs are being run on many different types of grounds. Consider the piney woods of South Georgia, the expansive prairies of the Dakotas and Canada, the rolling hills and twisting courses of northern Kentucky, the mile long cotton bottoms of southern Mississippi, and the rocky, spacious mountain sides in Idaho. This terrain factor alone dictates that all-age dogs must have the intelligence to adjust to the country and to the conditions which they are running in. Whatever the terrain, the major factor separating the all-age dog from the shooting dog or gun dog becomes the simple fact that the all-age dog must use their country to the fullest extent. They should show boldness, initiative, independence and a willingness to explore the country to the front that pushes the limits of the land. Yet they must still demonstrate an intense interest in their handler and acknowledge both the location and presence of this partner.

In derby, all-age and shooting dog stakes, a dog’s performance can be divided into three main parts as defined by Dr. P.R. Bolton in years past. These same standards are as applicable today as when they were written so many years ago.

#1. Ground work: The dog under judgment should demonstrate intelligence, speed, range and stamina. Speed, range and stamina are evident to most individual’s observation. Intelligence is best demonstrated in sound, productive application. Asking the simple question as to whether the dog is going to cover likely to hold birds is often the best way to evaluate intelligent application.

#2. Bird work: The dog under judgment should find and locate his game accurately with intensity, staunchness and class. Poor location, a lack of intensity or sloppiness in handling game should not be tolerated.

#3. Training: The dog under judgment should hunt to the course, respond to his handler and show steadiness and polished manners both when pointing game and when backing his brace mate.

Next USCSDA Walking Shooting Dog trial is...

2008-03-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

DATE: 15-16 Mar

HOSTED BY: Setter Springs BDC
CONTACT: Jerry Erickson, 1702 La Colina Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92705 -- (714)838-1039
LOCATION: Setter Springs Ranch, Carrizo Nat Mon. near Maricopa, CA

The Setter Springs Bird Dog Club runs trials at Setter Springs Ranch, owned by Jerry Erickson. This beautiful piece of property is located within the Carrizo Plains National Monument, near Maricopa, CA. There will be both planted and wild quail on the course. Contact Jerry for full details.