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Rolling Hills Field Trial Club
September 20, 2014
The Rolling Hills Field Trial Club held its
fall trial on the Dude Hoehns farm near Knoxville, Iowa on Saturday
Sept 20th. Entries were light and all stakes were held
on Saturday. Mild rain overnight left the course moist. Morning
temps started out in the low 60’s, but raised to 83 by midafternoon.
A moderate southwest breeze made the temperature bearable for the
handlers and their charges.
As the name suggests, this is a single course
trial run on the “rolling hills” of south central Iowa. The
season’s crop of soybeans is still present on the hilltops. The
side hills and bottom grounds are in CRP which has been mowed for
the trial course. There’s a nice combination of occasional tight
loops which require a dog to handle, but also some larger stretches
of river bottom that allow for great views of wider running dogs.
Wild birds are making a slight comeback in Iowa this year. Two
coveys of wild quail and 3 wild pheasant were noted during the days
running.
Advertised judge Chuck Davis had an unfortunate
illness (from which he’s completely recovered) and was unable to
fulfill his judicial duties. Kendal Brown of Knoxville, IA
graciously filled in and judged the shooting dog stakes with the
knowledgeable Kevin Western of Queen City, Mo. The derby stakes
were judged by Penrosa Kennel founder Tim Penn of Edina, MO and
successful German Shorthair breeder Jeff Wallace of Knoxville, IA.
Many thanks to all of the judges for their time and attention to the
dogs.
The Open Stakes were won by Greg Blair,
friendly traveler from the Northern climes of Wisconsin. Greg won
the Shooting Dog stake with Dale Creek Peanut. She had the most
aggressive race of the stake along with three well-handled finds.
Her bracemate, Love Biscuit was second with one find, two backs and
a snappy, but shorter race. Third was Tim Penn’s champion setter,
Penrosa Stoneyox.
Blair also won the Open Derby with his young
setter Blair’s Wingman. Jet is a handsome dog moving and stood
nicely on a bird with derby manners near the end of his 30 minutes.
Sadie, setter female, placed second for handler Jim Ogle on her
race.
The amateur shooting dog stake was won by this
scribes pointer female, Love Biscuit. Cassie paired a nice forward
race with 2 finds, one requiring her to show good manners in the
face of bracemate interference for the win. Larry Carpenter’s two
setter stylists, Southern Grace and Barker’s Leer Jet, placed second
and third respectively.
The amateur derby was won by Kevin Western’s
pointer female, Western’s Emma Sue. Last year’s NBHA amateur puppy
of the year garnered first with a nice forward race coupled with two
derby broke finds. Greg Blair’s setter Jet placed second.
Special thanks to Dude Hoehns for mowing the
course and allowing us to run on his property. Lunch was prepared
by my son, grill master Kyle Hoehns assisted by his wife Allison and
my wife Kim. No one left hungry. We all enjoyed the presence of
visitors Jim Giles and Rich Thorton. Special thanks to Maddie
Blair, 12 year old assistant scout on her new mount “Blue”. Special
thanks to Purina Pro Plan for sponsoring these trials. Thanks to Gun
Dog Supply for gift certificates that were raffled off. Also thanks
to NBHA sponsors Garmin and Christie Enterprises.
Brent Hoehns
Blair's
Wingman |