The National Vizsla Association held its 2002 National Championship Field Trial at Grovesprings, MO. on the Sportsmen’s Association Field Trial Grounds. The trial was conducted March 25 – 29. The slate of stakes included the Open and Amateur National Championships as well as a National Derby Classic.

Onpoint’s Tuff Stuff was named Champion in the open stake. She is owned and was handled by John Reid of Mallorytown, Ontario, Canada. Runner-up was Fieldway’s Entertainer, owned and handled by John Frayne of Medford, New Jersey. The open championship attracted 24 starters.

The Derby Classic was won by Obvious Conclusion, owned and handled by Mike Lundy of Gardner Kansas. Pointe Blanc’s Rusty Miracle was runner-up for owner-handler Carrie Syczylo of Greenwood, Indiana.

Desert Storm Desire claimed the title of National Amateur Champion. Barry Peterson, her proud owner handled her to the victory. Berry’s Viva Shotgun claimed the runner-up position. Dean Nelson handled her, while her pleased owner, Jim Blumentritt of Galveston, Texas observed from the gallery.

The drawing for all stakes was held on Sunday evening, March 24 in the clubhouse. Doug Rowse and Dean Nelson conducted the drawing. The open championship drew 24 entries. There were 20 dogs drawn for the Derby Classic. The National Amateur had a draw of 21 but only 19 competed. The entries came from all over the country and Canada as well. Areas represented were New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, California, Washington and Ontario, Canada. Few trials can boast such widespread following.
The goal of The National Vizsla Association is to promote the Vizsla as a field dog. This was the eighth renewal of the National Championship field trial, the second on this venue. This trial was formerly held in Eureka, Kansas. Plans are to continue holding it at Grovesprings.

The Sportsmen’s Association manages these grounds, the former Rudy Lehar Ranch, which was entrusted to them by Lee Cruse. The three one- hour courses that wind through 2700 acres of beautiful Missouri countryside are impressive; improvements in them since last year are apparent. The Sportsmen’s Association still has more plans in the works. They are getting some aid from the 20th Century Fund to do so. Please support the AFTCA and this wonderful fund. .
Attendees of the National Vizsla Championships fully appreciate the facilities at the Sportsmen’s grounds. The clubhouse comes complete with a kitchen, bunkroom and showers. Many in this group enjoy the convenience and savings of staying in the bunkroom. Their only complaint is of the loud snoring done by certain members! The kennels, corrals and barn make caring for the animals an easier task. The camper hook-ups available at headquarters were also put to good use at this event.

Everyone in this group is friendly and helpful; their enthusiasm is obvious. Mike Lundy of Gardner, Kansas serves as the organization’s President. Dean Nelson of Florence, WI handles the secretarial and financial duties. The club held its board meeting on Monday evening in the clubhouse already making plans for next year’s event.
On Tuesday evening the club held a Judges Dinner at Stonegate Station, a fine restaurant in Lebanon, MO. This dinner is to honor the judging staff, but also serves to thank the officers of the Sportsmen’s Association who were also in attendance.

Thursday night was the Banquet on the grounds; Joann Covey and her crew served delicious Pork tenderloin for dinner. Some introductions followed the meal and Don Arnold spoke of the area’s benefactor, Lee Cruse. The evening concluded with the raffle drawing.

Breakfast and lunch were served by Joann Covey and Patti Lindsay every day of the trial. No one went hungry!
The dog wagon was a truck supplied by Mike Lundy pulling the Sportsman’s Association’s dog trailer. Many club members took turns driving the dog wagon. Hank Rozanek did the honors during the amateur championship. Other drivers that come to mind are Barry Peterson, Darlene Lundy and Dean Nelson.

Grovesprings local, J.R. Jones assisted Doug Rowse and Dean Nelson with the bird planting. They.planted all the birds from 4 wheelers, and did an excellent job. Birds were found on all courses in likely spots. Roger Duncan was busy each morning, helping to catch the birds for planting.

A big “Thank You” is extended to all sponsors of this event. They are Purina, Tri-Tronics, Tucker Saddlery and Dresslers. Their donations were noted and appreciated by all in attendance. Their aid is invaluable in conducting a trial of this caliber.

The National Vizsla Association picked top quality judges for all stakes. The judges for the open championship were Sherry Ebert of Mott, N.D. and Jim Michaeletz of Decatur, AR. For the derby, Jim was joined by C.W. “Bud” Moore of Toronto, KS.. Bud Moore and Sherry Ebert judged the Amateur Championship.

Sherry Ebert is nationally known for her years of work with the Smith Setters. Her reputation as a judge is unsurpassed, her knowledge gained as a professional trainer and scout give her exceptional insight. Her keen eyesight and her ability to ride a horse keep her on top of the action. Sherry holds the honor of being the first woman to win an Open Shooting Dog Championship. She currently trains Amateur field trial dogs and hunting dogs for the public. Sherry has judged countless Championships. These include major Breed Championships for Shorthairs, Vizslas, Irish Setters, Wirehairs and Brittanies. Sherry has judged numerous American Field Championships including the Midwest Shooting Dog Championship, the National Amateur Derby Championship and the Continental Championship. Sherry was accompanied by her husband Kyle Ebert, his friendly nature and sense of humor make him a delightful asset to any trial.

Jim Michaletz is a former resident of Minnesota who began field trialing in earnest in the 1980’s. Since that time he moved to a climate more conducive to field trials. He has won numerous titles in Amateur Championships with pointers and setters. Jim has also had major placements in open stakes. He trains his own dogs with the help of his wife, Sherry. He is an attentive judge and knows what he is looking for. Jim has a contagious sense of humor and a positive attitude, which make him popular whether competing or judging.

C.W. “Bud” Moore has been involved in every facet of field trials for years. He works and successfully campaigns his own dogs. He has judged countless trials from the local level to major National Championships for pointers and setters. Bud is a return judge to this trial. He hosts field trials and is known for his major involvement with the Sunflower Championships in Kansas. Bud’s vast knowledge and cheerful personality make him a terrific judge.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

John Reid has owned Onpoint’s Tuff Stuff since she was a puppy. He has been her sole field trainer. Tuffy is an AKC field champion and is the result of the mating of FC Raany and Askim’s True Morgan. She was whelped May 15, 1998. She impressed with the consistency of her performance. Tuffy pointed with good style at 15 on the hill west of camp. She scored again at 28 on the hill overlooking Daugherty’s. This was a very nice piece of work with high style and intensity. Tuffy’s third find came at 44, near the cemetery. It was another superb find. Her race while not huge had a consistent flow. Smooth is a good word to describe her entire performance.

Fieldway’s Entertainer ran in the first brace on Tuesday afternoon. Entertainer or Kramer as he is called is a product of Rampages Top Contender and Berry’s Miss Melanie. Kramer turned in a nice race with four finds. The first came near the double gates at 13. Into Davis bottoms at 24 he shared a find with his bracemate. The bracemate repositioned himself, birds lifted, Kramer was steady throughout. At 43, just below Horse Killer Hill, Kramer pointed again. He was intent and mannerly. His fourth and final find came at 56. It was also of good quality. The judge wanted to see a finish but Frayne had difficulty in mounting, refusing to release the dog until he had. The hour expired with Kramer close at hand.

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNING

Weather delayed Monday’s start of this stake; three inches of rain fell on Sunday night bringing the creeks to near flood stage, the rushing waters were too treacherous for a horse to cross, much less a dog. By early afternoon the waters had receded enough to begin the trial. Two braces were run before thick fog cancelled the rest of the days running.

HOMEAGAIN SCARLET REBEL (Linnig) – COPPER CREEK LEXI (Lundy)
Scarlet pointed at 4 but was charged with a non-productive. She hunted well and at 14 she pointed again. Lexi came upon the scene and was taken up for failure to back. Scarlet was mannerly through flush and shot. Just into Davis Bottoms at 22, Scarlet scored a second nice find. She was consistent in application but not wide in range.

BK’S LIL’ RED GREASED LITNING (DeRoo) – TOMMY BOY (Lundy)
Grease pointed at 17 with intensity on the left edge of Melvin Cliff Bottoms. Tommy honored politely. Grease went with the birds and was picked up. Tommy continued a strong forward race, when the fog closed in not much could be seen of him. He went birdless.

FIELDWAY’S HARD CASH (Frayne) – BERRY’S VIVA SHOTGUN (Jagoda)
This brace was run on Tuesday morning but was turned loose on course 3, behind the clubhouse. This was done in an effort to run four braces that morning. It was a pleasant, sunny morning. Cash pointed at the grove of trees above Daugherty’s house at 19. Meetah backed. The work was successfully completed with both dogs looking good. At 45 Meetah found game. She looked good as the rider’s arrived. She then indicated loss of scent and was asked to relocate. She stopped with the bird directly in front of her but was steady for the flush. She began to tire late and was picked up just before the hour was done. Cash ran a big, strong race from start to finish.

NEW CONTENDER (Duncan) – ONPOINTS X RAYTED (Reid)
The former, Skeeter had an excellent find at 11. Dolly backed him nicely. She found birds of her own at 20 but took them out and was put on the wagon. Skeeter vanished in Davis bottoms, last seen on the right edge. He was not returned in a timely fashion.

BK’S REDLINE EXPRESS (DeRoo) – NITRO’S FLATLINE EXPRESS (Rozanek)
Redline, or Rex as he is called, pointed at 8, he corrected and reestablished his stance. No birds were produced. Husker scored a good find at ll in the Melvin Cliff bottoms. At 42 he carded a second well-mannered find. Both dogs hunted the entire hour.

ONPOINTS TUFF STUFF (Reid) – LAKESIDE WILLIE (Rozanek)
Willie showed too much interest in Tuffy and was picked up early. Tuffy’s entire performance is listed earlier.

FIELDWAY’S ENTERTAINER (Frayne) – TONKA’S REBEL ROUSER MANITOU (Rozanek)
This pair was released on course one on Tuesday afternoon. The former's hour is described in the Winner’s section. At 13, Manny backed impressively from great distance. At 24 Manny shared a divided find. He repositioned himself, birds lifted but Manny was stopped. Manny was forward for most of the hour and finished nicely.

ONPOINTS DEJAVOO (Reid) – KAL-CAM’S RED THUNDER (Burjan)
Both pointed at 7 but no birds were produced. Thunder suffered a second non-productive at 14. He was not suiting his handler and was picked up at 29. Deja was short and was taken up at 34.

SUN-UP MAGNUM FORTY-FOUR (Herz) – BERRY’S DOUBLESHOT SHOTGUN (Nelson)
Pistol ran a hard, forward race but found no birds. Shotgun did not have his running shoes on and was picked up early.

DRY CREEK PAPPOMATIC (Ochs) – BERRY’S SINGLESHOT SHOTGUN (Jagoda)
It was a frosty but sunny Wednesday morning when this brace turned loose. Pappy carded a good find at 14, near the double gates. He pointed birds in Davis bottoms at 20. Stryker came in and pointed but chased the birds out. Pappy behaved admirably. At 24, on the hillside to the left, Pappy pointed again. He was mannerly for the flush but was startled by his handler firing directly behind him. Pappy was forward at time although his final 17 minutes were shorter than the first 43.

DIAN JK SZEP CAPA (Fales) – DESERT STORM DESIRE (Peterson)
Zip was not running and was up at 15. Desire hunted but was not ranging well and was picked up at the twin barns at 44. No birds were moved.

REBEL ROUSER SACKETT (Burjan) – BERRY’S DIAMOND LUKE CLEOPATRA (Jagoda)
Sackett pointed at 23 with Cleo backing. Cleo released herself and was picked up. Sackett was required to relocate, ending the work with a stop to flush. At 27, Sackett pointed on the hillside in Horse Corral valley. She was asked to relocate and pinned the bird nicely. She was staunch for flush and shot. Her race was not consistent due to rough handling moments. She was taken up at 50.

THE DERBY CLASSIC

This stake commenced on Wednesday afternoon and was concluded on Thursday morning. The winner, Obvious Conclusion, appeared in the first brace of the 20 dog stake. She ran a very nice race. At 18 she shared a divided find, allowing the handlers to get in front before breaking. She had good style on her game.

Pointe Blanc’s Rusty Miracle ran an awesome race, a little more help from his handler and he may have placed higher. He went without bird contact but was certainly impressive with his hard hunting way of going.

THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS

The champion, Desert Storm Desire and runner-up Berry’s Shotgun Viva appeared together in the fourth brace. They were released on the hill above Daugherty’s place, the course finished out number three and hooked up with course one. Desire was the first to connect. She pointed at 15; the bird was walking in the short grass of the hay meadow. Meetah backed nicely. It was Meetah’s turn at 19; she handled her birds nicely. At 24, near the double gates, Desire locked into point. All was in order here. In Davis bottoms at 30, Meetah pointed again, this time with Desire backing. Both dogs were stylish and well mannered. Desire carded a third find just below Horse Killer hill. This was another quality piece of birdwork. Both dogs turned in flowing, consistent races. They hunted intelligently. Desire’s race was slightly stronger. It was a fun brace to watch.

THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP RUNNING

BK’S LIL RED GREASED LITNING (DeRoo) – COPPER CREEK LEXI (Lundy)
This stake started right after lunch on Thursday. It was a warm afternoon. Grease pointed with high intensity at 8 but helped flush the birds to end his bid. Lexi ran a beautiful race for the majority of her hour. She had no bird contact.

BK’S REDLINE EXPRESS (DeRoo) – FIELDWAY’S ENTERTAINER (Frayne)
Express ran a forward race with one clean find at 37. Kramer ran an excellent race for the entire hour. Everyone in the gallery knew they were seeing a championship race and was hoping he would find birds. Find them he did at 59; he couldn’t stand prosperity and ripped them out. An oh! No! was uttered by the gallery, no doubt silently shared by the judges.

KAL-CAM’S RED THUNDER (Long) – FIELDWAY’S HARD CASH (Frayne)
Thunder pointed at 25, Cash failed to back. No birds were produced. Thunder pointed again on the hill near Daugherty’s but once again it was barren.

DESERT STORM DESIRE (Peterson) – BERRY’S VIVA SHOTGUN (Nelson)
These were the winners, their performances have been previously reported.

HOMEAGAIN SCARLET REBEL (Linnig) – TOMMY BOY (Lundy)
This pair turned loose on course one, on Good Friday morning. Scarlet pointed on the left edge at 9, all was in good order. Tommy pointed at 14, this was an attractive find. Scarlet backed naturally. Tommy pointed again at 22, with Scarlet backing. This time Scarlet made a move at the flush. Tommy was not suiting his handler and was picked up at 35. Scarlet had shortened by then and was also picked up.

SUN-UP MAGNUM FORTY-FOUR (Herz) – LAKESIDE WILLIE (Rowse)
Pistol scored at 28 with nice style. Willie had a lengthy absence early, he appeared hot when he regained the front. He recovered to run a reasonable race. Both dogs pointed in the Melvin Cliff bottoms at 39; Willie on the left edge, Pistol on the right. Birds were produced in front of each dog. They both maintained high composure throughout. Pistol pointed again but after attempting to flush and realizing the wind was swirling, Herz opted to take him on without relocating. In Sycamore valley, just past the big tree, Pistol styled up nicely. Birds were flushed while he stood tight. A shared non-productive at time near the pond was the kiss of death for Pistol, he had turned in a very good hour on the ground.

NEW CONTENDER (Duncan) – DESERT STORM BILLIE (Peterson)
Billie was not going places and her handler opted to pick up at 7. Contender started strong but slowed early and was picked up at 26.

FIELDWAY’S AFTERNOON DELITE (Frayne) – DIAN JK SZEP CAPA (Fales)
Delite pointed birds at 10 on top of the hill to the west of the clubhouse. Zip pointed near a log at 14, relocating to pin the birds nicely. Zip’s birdwork was good but he was not running well and his handler picked up at 19. Delite scored another find at 23 in Horse Corral valley. This was a nice one. At 42 she pointed a third time but on relocation popped the bird out.

ARSLA N AUBURNS SUNNY BOY (Schmidt) – DRY CREEK PAPPOMATIC (Ochs)
Pappy carded a pretty find at 8, displaying style and intensity. At 38, he pointed but seemed unsure. Ochs decided to attempt the flush. Nothing was found except a turkey feather. Pappy’s race was one of the nicest in the stake. He put on an excellent demonstration of edge running. Sunny went without bird contact. He shortened and was picked up before the hour elapsed..

REBEL ROUSER SACKETT (Long)
Sackett ran as a bye dog. She had a find with a good relocation at 14. She had another nice find at 25. In Sycamore valley at 44, she pointed again but it was unproductive. Just down the line at 47 she slammed into point, birds were flushed while she stood high and tight. She handled kindly.