2011 NW Regional trial Written by Nance Ceccarelli

Aged along with youthful; fresh faced and experienced; it was an assembly of English setters and pointers, German shorthairs and wirehairs, Hungarian viszlas, and Brits. A collegial congregation of sires, dams, littermates, cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, granddams, grandsires joined husbands, wives, and siblings gathered for a life of “Riley” weekend; not in “Hunnington” England, but in Kennewick, WA. The NW 2011 Regional Elimination and Championship trial tracked a splendidly,“something old and something new” theme throughout the weekend.

Traditionally, this region hosts its season ending gala over the Memorial Day weekend, but the officers and members of the region opted for an earlier date that afforded trialers cooler weather and lush green grasses, often absent in this part of the world by the end of May. A new grower of birds for 2010-2011, Little Canyon Shooting of Peck Idaho, delivered top-flight chukar and bob-white quail to trials throughout the NW and provided birds for this event. Regardless of the price of gasoline or diesel and the distances to travel for frequently miserable weather this last year, the NW clubs experienced a robust return of regulars, the emergence of new handlers and young canine stars, and numerous opportunities for socializing while trialing – something we love to do!

Harkening back to ancient competitions, two “Samsons” and a “Spartacus” have many envisioning gladiators competing, but this is the wild wild west! From high on the “Thunderhill”, enjoying the “Hilltop’s Willow Breeze” while overlooking the “Horse Heaven,” handlers arrived loaded with “Little Copper Bullet(s)” for “Magnum Max Power” in the field as “Eastside’s Outlaw” and “Straight Creek Gunner” prepared for the wild-winged duels alongside “McGee” and “Lone Star Duke.” Fuller Ranch, owned and managed by Jim and Dona Fuller, provided the perfect setting; and Regional officers, aptly led by President Ed Westbrook, prepared for every need and contingency. Friday’s evening of “Stoli,” “babes-n-birddogs,” and spaghetti magically relaxed us all while a “Rough” old miner and “Vicki” danced ringside with “Tyson” and “Zoe.”

A longstanding tradition of Saturday night steaks and auction was augmented by the addition of two highly coveted items, “Apple Pie” and “Chocolate Cake”! (Both consumables are now NW trial rituals of recent origin). Thank you to the many sponsors, national and local, who contribute to the auction’s success.

In past years, many feared the “Sage O’Fire” or a vast “Range Fire” sparked by four-wheelers as braces ran through the heat of the day. The “Dramatude” building among all participants was palpable and as sharp as an “Arrow’s Jagged Edge.” A royal hand with a “Jack” and a “Diamond” might have bet on Kennewick’s western high temperature, but the morning air remained cool across the vista and viewing the “Wildrivers” three. The “True Sunrise” in the east “Aims High” as a “Myghtygh” red beacon starting the day, but the warmth on the “Windy Ridge” never became unendurable.

Visiting judges, back for a return engagement, Bruce Lyon (NCN) and Doug Cartwright (BS), gamely judged 18 braces in this first day’s round amidst “Mountain Sage” wafting on a “Mountain Breeze.” Returning field marshal, Cindy Lyon (NCN), kept this showdown moving along while supported by new scorekeeper, Kerri Ann Neuls.

Our region’s history of “Chasing dreams” was once again realized as new bird planter, Jeremy Lessmann, deftly dropped quail hither and yon and all around. By nightfall, three new leaders stood out among the field of 16 advancing dogs and handlers.

Winners and advancers from Saturday’s trial :

1 st Run True Sunrise, ES/M, Paul McCawley, 1043

2 nd Jim’s Horse Heaven Sandy, ES/M, Jim Fuller, 907

3 rd Rough’s Grouse Minor, ES/M, John Glenewinkel 901.5

4 th Moniteaus Chasing Dreams, Ptr./M Ed Westbrook 784.5

5 th SR Drexler Hunnington Robert, GWP/M Rod Robert 775.5

6 th Pepperpoint Samson, ES/M, Jack Richardson 718.5

7 th Magnum Max Power, Brit/M Mike Smith 710.5

8 th Wildriver V Audobon’s Fritz, GSP/M John Peacock 697

9 th Stotts Royal Diamond, ES/F, Mike Stotts 679

10 th Aims High Rudy, GSP/F Ty Callicotte 676.5

11 th Lone Star Duke, Brit/M Tom Medley 672