2023 Easter Egg Trial

Apr. 15th-16th, 2023

Cedar Fort, UT

It finally happened; we can’t believe it. We had a trial with some amazing weather, no snow, mud, wind, or cold. The weather was almost too good to be true. I think our spirits were lifted and it was just what we needed; sunshine is indeed good for the soul. This trial would be run at a new venue for us. It is traditionally used for AKC and American Field horseback trials, however it would turn out to be a perfect spot to hold a NSTRA trial. The fields were big, and most handlers could let their big running dogs run the country in search of birds. I think I can speak for everyone that it felt nice to be able to run dogs in a short sleeve shirt and enjoy the sunshine.

It would turn out to be what we call a “Wonnacott Weekend” where long time handler Bret Wonnacott would put on a clinic and take home 7 of 12 placements on the weekend. He would champion his dog Snaps for the first time and would just flat out show us how it is done. Tracy Neilson and his young pointer Weed collected their first win with a great run. Newcomer Trent Lazenby showed up in his first trial and took home a 2nd place with his dog Tess. As well as veterans Art Trujillo and Ryan Taylor joining them on the podium with great runs. Lynn Jeffers and his amazing dog Oakley would again find the podium. And we want to recognize Cade Allen and his dog Annie on getting the high retrieve score of the weekend and taking home the golden egg trophy with a retrieve score of 98. Congrats to everyone on a great weekend of running dogs.

We would like to thank everyone that worked so hard to make this trial happen, Maureen, Angie, and Diane for always running the show and keeping us all in line. Our judges Rich, Dennis, Barratt, Cade, Kelly, Josh, Bret, and Lance. Our bird planter Glenn for always keeping us guessing and the many other people working tirelessly behind the scenes. Thanks for making this such an amazing trial!

SATURDAY A FIELD

Judges:

Rich Lowe

Dennis Haggard

Brace 14 would have Bret Wonnacott and Snaps finding four birds and getting a back to give them a score of 894 which would take home 3rd place. Brace 11 is where newcomer Trent Lazenby and his dog Tess would find five birds and get a final score of 907.75 on their scorecard to take home second place and their first placement ever. Great job, I am sure we will be seeing more of them in the future. Brace 12 is where Tracy Neilson and his pointer Weed would have the run of the day and find 5 birds. They also got a back off their bracemate to give them a final score of 1062 to take home first place. Way to go Tracy and Weed.

SATURDAY B FIELD

Judges:

Cade Allen

Barratt Gorshe

Brace 4 would find 5X NSTRA Champion Sunnie and Bret Wonnacott put up a nice run of 668.5 to take home a third-place finish. Sunnie is now 1 point away from becoming a 6X champion. Brace 9 is where Art Trujillo and his dog Hank would find 3 birds and get amazing scores on a couple finds in the high 90’s and end his run with a score of 689 to take home second place. In brace 6 Bret Wonnacott and Snaps would make a nice run of 3/3 and a back to get the high score of the day in this field. They would take home first place and this win would give Snaps his final first place point he needed for his first championship. Congrats to Bret and Snaps.

SUNDAY A FIELD

Judges:

Josh Morris

Bret Ure

In brace 2 Lynn Jeffers and his dog Oakley would have a great run and find four birds to end with a final score of 713, this would be good enough to secure third place. In brace 6 Bret Wonnacott and Rox would make another statement by finding 3 birds and getting a back. With amazing scores on the card, they were able to finish in second place with a final score of 778. The run of the day in A field would come from Bret Wonnacott and Snaps. In the 4th brace they were able to find four birds and finish with a score of 823 to take home first place. What a weekend for them, great job.

SUNDAY B FIELD

Judges:

Kelly Irons

Lance Hansen

Brace 11 on the day was quite eventful. We would have both dogs running in the brace secure placements. Combined they would pull 9 birds out of the field. It was a fun brace to watch and see all the action taking place. Bret Wonnacott and Snaps were able to locate 4 of those 9 birds and take home third place with a score of 805.6. In that same brace they were running against Ryan Taylor and his dog Vox, they were able to find 5 birds and get a back to end with a score of 975. Great job Bret and Ryan on a fun, exciting brace together. The run of the day would come from Bret running Rox this time. They found 5 birds and ended with an amazing score of 1007 to take home first place. Awesome run!

Our newest NSTRA Champion:

SNAPS

Handled by:

Bret Wonnacott

The Golden Egg Trophy winner:

ANNIE

Handled by

Cade Allen

Retrieve Score = 98