NW Regional Elimination Trial 2009

The 2009 NW Regional was held May 22-23 at Landt’s Farm near Spokane Washington. In all, thirty-four dogs competed, a small number compared to past Regionals, but none the less enjoyable for those in attendance. Region President, Mike Stotts serving as Trial Chairman, held a wonderful pretrial potluck dinner at his and Edie’s log house near the trial site. Food and drink were over flowing but the main dish of deep fried turkey with sides of deep fried corn on the cob and French fries, all expertly prepared by John Glenewinkel, were devoured. A wonderful get together reminding me of times years past when trials were small and dinners at member’s homes were the norm.

Judging the trial were Ron Park of the NW region and Doug Cartwright of the Big Sky Region who brought along his son Joel, who planted birds. Sharing field marshaling duties were Nance Ceccarelli and Davy Caven. Saturday consisted of seventeen qualifying braces on one field. Of the thirty-four dogs run, twelve would advance to Sunday elimination braces. The advancing dogs were:

1 st Diamond/Mike Stotts 925.5 points 7 th Tanner/Jerry Thiessen 698

2 nd Java/Ray Proctor 872.5 8 th Pacci/Tony Tohmeh 684

3 rd Reilly/Rob Proctor 861 9 th Tyson/George Clark 678

4 th Rudy/Ty Callicotte 820.1 10 th Nike/Ray Middleton 672.5

5 th Brick/Jim Shank 806.1 11 th Leon/Wild/Westbrook 651.5

6 th Rube/Ron Trask 705.5 12 th Jack/Mike Stotts 647.5

A dinner was held on site near the sporting clays course. John Glenewinkel with help from Rob Proctor and plenty of Rolling Rock prepared the main course of smoked beef brisket and barbecued chicken.

Special thanks to Chef John, Rob and Penny Jo Wagner for volunteering and helping with the dinner. Following dinner and too many desserts, (including some great apple in the bottle) awards were handed out by President Mike Stotts.

.2009 NW Regional top six with judges, field marshals and bird planter

After the semi-final braces were over, the annual membership meeting was held under the canopy giving the two finalists over an hour to rest. The two finalists, Mike Stotts with his English setter, Diamond ran against Ray Middleton and his GSP Nike. With shouts of encouragement from the gallery, both dogs left the line. Diamond quickly leads Nike with three or four birds before Nike would score on his first. At the end of the hour Nike finished with two birds for 497 points against Diamond’s six and 1143 points. In the end both owners were thankful just to be in the finals and happy with the performance their dogs gave to get them to this finish. Nike entered this year's Regional with a lifetime total of three points. He is a four-year-old GSP out of (Jim Shank’s) Brick and Huenenbrink’s Jasper. Diamond just turned five June 11, she has 97 points going into this years Regional. Diamond is out of Rising Sun Mike and Max’s Pride.

Congratulations to Ray and Mike for a superb performance.

The Region owes special thanks to a few individuals who have helped make this Regional a reality. President Mike Stotts who worked tirelessly in organizing this event. Bill and Jane Burgess, George Clark and Jerry Youmans who along with Mike set up the trial grounds and put water out. Nance Ceccarelli and Davy Caven who watched every brace as field marshals. Cooks John Glenewinkel, Phyllis Clark, Jan Peacock, Mirna Tohmeh and others thank you so very much. Linda Johnson (Schneider) who, for years has supplied the Region with top-notch hats and T-Shirts and other interesting merchandise for the Regionals and the Endurance trial, great job again this year.

Finally, thanks to everyone who attended the trial, contributed to the potluck dinner, auction and helped with the banquet and help pick up the trial grounds, we really value your participation.

President: Mike Stotts, Jr

Vice President: Ed Westbrook

Secretary: Mike Ouchida

Treasurer: Jack Richardson

Directors: Paul McCawley, Jerry Youman, Robert Proctor , Jeff Funke