2025 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

JUNE 7TH - 8TH, 2025 - NEWTON, UT

For our 2024-25' season we had 32 qualified dogs that were able to run in our end of season regional elimination trial.  Out of the 32 qualified dogs we would have 26 register to run in the trial.  This trial would cap off an unforgettable year for our region.  Like we have traditionally done in the past, we would hold this end of season trial at our famous Newton trial grounds.  We have used these grounds for years and it is such a beautiful time of year to be able to spend time with our Utah NSTRA family in Cache Valley.  

The format for this year would be a 2 day elimination style event where we would start with 26 dogs, from there it would be cut down to 12 dogs which would then run in six more braces.  Once those braces were finished the top 6 dogs would move on and run again, from there it would be decided who would have the opportunity to run in our final hour championship brace.  The conditions this year were tough as the forecast would call for warm temperatures which can make for super difficult scenting conditions.  Dogs need to be in peak physical condition to run at this high level and find birds under these tough conditions.

THANK YOU

We need to take a minute and thank all those that helped make this trial happen.  This trial is only possible with the help of so many amazing trial workers, so thank you for making it happen.  

They are as follows:

Trial Chairman - Ryan Taylor, Lynn Jeffers

Marshalls - Angie Wonnacott, Kris Hamby

Judges - Bret Ure, Layne Peterson

Bird Planter - Parker Stewart

Lunches - Lee & Julie Jacobson and family, Ryan & Jessica Taylor and family

OPENING ROUND

SATURDAY JUNE 7TH

We needed to start early and so we needed the first brace dogs and handlers in the blind at 6:30 ready to go.  We would have 13 braces scheduled for the day.  We would then take the top 12 scores and those dogs would move on to the next round scheduled for the next day.  There were many awesome braces throughout the day resulting in great scores.  When the day was done this is how the top 12 scores would end up, these dogs would be moving on to our next round.

ROUND 2

SUNDAY JUNE 8TH

The top 12 dogs were re-drawn in a six brace format.  Here is how the draw would shake out and how scores for the second round would go with the top 6 scores moving on.

ROUND 3

SUNDAY JUNE 8TH

Brace 1 - SAGE - Tracy Neilson - 448

Brace 1 - GRAVY - Katie Willis - 483

Brace 2 - PRINCE - Ryan Taylor - 536

Brace 2 - JET - Brent Jacobson - 153

Brace 3 - WEED - Tracy Neilson - 301

Brace 3 - CLANCY - Katie Willis - 974.5

ROUND 4 

FINAL HOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

SUNDAY JUNE 8TH

It would all come down to the final hour championship brace between Ryan Taylor and his dog PRINCE and Katie Willis and here dog CLANCY.  In this final hour brace we would open the field up to about a 50-60 acre field, we would also be planting 10 birds in the field for the final hour.  It was going to be an awesome run off to decide the champion.  

At this point in the day, both dogs and handlers are absolutely spent, they have ran 3 times up to this point and your endurance is being put to the test.  

Katie and Ryan both came to the line when the Marshall said we were ready, the timers were set, and away they went.  Both dogs headed to the back end of the field first and it wasn't long before both dogs had their first find in the far corners of the field.  First it was Prince and Ryan, then shortly after Katie and Clancy.  This continued as Clancy headed up to the other top corner of the field and was able to have another find.  Ryan was not far away at this point and was able to get Prince to come in and get a back.  To be crowned the winner you have to have a back at some point in the competition.  At this point Prince already had a back in a previous round but Clancy was yet to have a back on the scorecard.

Both dogs and handlers headed down to the southwest corner of the field knowing there had to be a bird in that area.  It wasn't long before Prince was able to find that bird and go on point.  Katie was close by and knowing that she needed to get Clancy an opportunity for a back, Katie was able to handle Clancy in where he had a beautiful honor to Prince's find.

At this point both dogs had two finds and each had a back, the competition was close and both handlers knew it.   Ryan headed up to the Northwest corner of the field and Prince was able to find another bird.  After this it would put him ahead with three finds.  

Katie would then head towards the middle of the field and was able to find another bird, she made quick work on this find and retrieve and knew that time was running out on the brace.  With only 5-7 minutes left in the brace Clancy made a move back across the newly opened up portion of the field, as he came across heading southwest towards what we all know as the gravel pit he caught scent and slammed on point.  Katie hustled up and began looking for the bird, it seemed from the galleries view that she was having a hard time locating the bird.  After looking around for 30 seconds or so the bird was finally located, flushed, and produced.  Shortly after time would expire and both handlers would make their way back towards the gallery.  

We knew it would be close but when the dust settled our new champion would be crowned.  Here are the final scores of the championship brace.

CLANCY - Katie Willis - 4/4 and a back for a score of 878.17

PRINCE - Ryan Taylor - 3/3 and a back for a score of 723

2025 UTAH REGION CHAMPIONS

BONE POINT'S VISIONS SPLENDID

"CLANCY"

OWNED AND HANDLED BY 

KATIE WILLIS

We as a region would like to congratulate Katie and CLANCY on an amazing weekend and an amazing season.  This was so well deserved and earned.  If you know Katie or have taken the time to get to know her then you will understand how passionate she is and how much time is put into her dogs, she dedicates countless hours to training, working, loving, and caring for her amazing dogs.  She has worked so hard to get here and it shows, CONGRATS!!!

We are so proud as a region to crown our first women handler region champion.  We have so many women competing in the sport now, and there have been so many influential women in our region, it is so amazing to see the impact they have on our sport.  Katie is no different, she is so passionate and is such an ambassador for the upland community.  We are truly grateful and humbled to have Katie and so many other women helping shape our region.  We love it, and are grateful for it.

2025 HIGH POINT DOG

NEW CHAMPIONSHIPS

We would like to take the time to say "THANK YOU", thanks to all those that helped make this such a memorable year and season.   Thanks to our amazing presidency and all those that have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make things happen.  Thanks to all the judges, marshalls, bird planters, people providing lunches, setting up and taking down fields, going to get birds and all the other things that have to happen to make these events work.  We are so grateful for all the new members and people that came out to play, we hope you will come back next year and play the game we all love so much, it has been so great to have such an amazing NSTRA family.  We all genuinely love, support, and root for each other.  

It is an election year so please look out for information regarding upcoming elections, feel free to nominate any new potential members by sending an email to utahnstra@gmail.com.

Thank you again to everyone for making this region what it is and what it has become, we truly are one of the greatest regions in NSTRA.

Until next season we bid farewell and wish all of you the very best!