2026 Regional Elimination Trial

THE DAY...May 16th, 2026, THE PLACE...Newton, UT...25 dogs would toe the starting line all competing for the coveted title of 2026 Utah Region Champion. 

The year-end regional championship is an elite trial as only qualified dogs are allowed to enter. Each dog has proven itself through 1 of 4 ways; is a NSTRA Champion (see UTAH CHAMPIONS), won the 2025 regional championship trial, placed in the top 3 of a weekend trial, or has accumulated (5) amateur points throughout the season.

Each brace of this trial is fun, but very competitive. Both dogs and handlers need to be on top of their game and very consistent to move through each round toward the title. This year the same 4-round format adopted in 2025 was used. Round 1, on Saturday, would include all dogs to determine the top 12 scores. Round 2 would determine the top 6 scores and Round 3 would determine the top 2 for the finals.  The finals would be an hour long brace and the field size would be doubled, while planting 10 birds.

Judges for this year's event would be Jim Wiitala and Dennis (Zeke) Zaremski from the Big Sky Region, marshals Angie Wonnacott and Jessica Cloward and birds planted by Glenn Smith. We cannot thank these people enough for thier work to facilite a smooth and exciting trial.

We also want to thank Trial Chairperson, Ryan Taylor and the rest of the Utah Region Presidency for thier hard work for not only this trial, but for the entire season, as it has been a great year, with a bunch of exciting events.

Delicious lunch was provided by Ernie Wakabayashi and Jessica Taylor. 

We also had the privilage of wishing Ernie Wakabayashi a very happy birthday...!!!

Round 1 

The morning braces of the trial proved to be challenging for the dogs, with scenting conditions being tough. Through the first (5) braces, only one dog found more than (2) birds. However, mid-morning the breeze picked up, the morning air warmed a bit and dogs began to find birds more consistently.  The cut line for the top -12 ended up being 2/2 with good scores at 455. In brace (6), Mike Workman and his dog Pepper would have a solid run finding 3 birds and a back to score 667.5 and solidify 3rd place for the opening round. In brace (7), Kelly Irons and his shorthair Ember, kept an absolutely outstanding year going by finding (4) birds and scoring 804.5 to finish in 2nd place. The run of the day would go to Lynn Jeffers and his "puppy" Winnie. She would find (5) birds in brace (9) and score 955.5 to take the top spot in the opening round. Congratulations to the podium finishers and all dogs that made the top 12. 

Round 1 - Top 12

Round 2

Sunday morning for round 2 would offer much different conditions than Saturday. There was a solid north breeze with temperatures being 20 degrees colder, affording favorable scenting conditions for the dogs. The pairings for round (2) included some of the best dogs in the region going head-to-head, including brace (3) where a matchup of 5X NSTRA CH Knox and 4X NSTRA CH Snaps would be followed by a brace (6) matchup of last year's finals particpants, 3X NSTRA CH Prince and 1X NSTRA CH Clancy. Even though these "heavy weights" would be trading blows in round 2, each and every one of the 12 dogs are extremely capable of putting together a solid run and advancing to Round 3. 

After (6) very exciting and competitive braces, the cut line for the top-6 was 3/3 and scoring 611.5.

Round 3

Round 3 would determine the final (2) dogs still standing for the 2026 championship. At this stage of the trial, the conditioning of the dog plays a major role as well as the mental toughness of handler. 

Brace (1) featured last year's region champion Clancy handled by Katie Willis and Bruce Swanson's shorthair Rip. The scenting conditions at a trial are continuously changing throughout the day and can sometimes make a difference brace-to-brace. Both Clancy and Rip had a hard time locating birds in the 1st brace as each dog found  just1 bird.

In Brace (2), Ryan Taylor's setter Prince and Sarah Bullock's pudelpointer Derby would take a run at the field.  Scenting conditions were a little more favorable and Derby found (2) birds, plus scored on a back , while Prince found (3) birds for a score of 572, setting the bar for for the final brace of round 3.

Little did we know, but Brace (3) would turn out to be a preview of what was to come...Joel Cartwright and his wirehair Knox would have a very solid run finding (3) birds, plus scoring on a back before he slowed Knox down to preserve the precious energy he had left. Meanwhile, Bruce Swanson and his wirehair Remi quickly found (2) birds before running into a 10-minute "dry spell". Knowing they need at least (1) more bird,  Bruce and Remi continued hunting into the wind until they hit the northern edge of the field where Remi locked up on point. With less then 4 minutes left in the brace, Bruce flushed their 3rd bird. After a solid retrieve, they would have enough points (634) to put them in the final round.

Round 3 - Final Pairing

1 - Knox - Joel Cartwright (676.5)

2 - Remi - Bruce Swanson (634)

Final Round

The final round to determine the 2026 Region Champion would include Bruce Swanson and his dog Remi. The whole weekend was very impressive for Bruce as both of his dogs made the Top -6. He would go against the 2024 Region Champion in Knox and Joel Cartwright. As fate would have it, these (2) dogs we're paired against each other in both Rounds 1 and 3. In Round 1, Remi and Bruce squeaked out a small victory in the brace (477.5 vs. 471.5). The rematch in Round 3 found Knox and Joel edging out a victory courtesy of a back (676.5 vs. 634), setting up the "rubber match" and a great final round between (2) very good dogs. 

Although the temperature had dropped and a cold north wind pushed against the many spectators that were present, the final hour was one with many twists and turns filled with a full range of emotions. Remi scored first with a solid find and retrieve to take a 1-0 lead.  After a brief search in the northwest corner, Knox quickly worked to the center of the field and followed suit with a find of his own and tied the bird count score at 1-1. As both dogs headed east across the field, Joel led Knox to the southeast corner where he had a great find on his 2nd bird. Remi was in the same area and took advantage of a scoring opportunity by backing his bracemate.  

With the score Knox 2 and Remi 1 + a back, the handlers led their dogs in different directions. Bruce and Remi headed to the southwest corner and hunted along the gulley edge where he had a gorgeous find for his 2nd bird to level up the match. Meanwhile, Joel and Knox worked the heavy cover in the east part of the field. This tactic paid off as they found their 3rd bird and regained the lead 3-2. They continued to work the east side until they reached the newly added northeast corner and Knox had a solid point on his 4th bird. After a snappy retrieve the score was now 4-2, with about 20 minutes left in the brace.

Bruce and Remi were hunting hard and working the wind. They headed back toward the middle of the field where Remi snapped around on point. After a solid retrieve the score was now as tight as ever, 4 birds for Knox and 3 birds + a back for Remi. 

With about 15 minutes left in the brace, both handlers (and everyone in the audience) knew where they needed to go for their best chance of finding a bird. The race was on as both dogs were led to the northwest corner. Knox got there first and started a crossing pattern on the north side just as Remi, using the wind to his advantage, worked the west boundary. Anticipation grew as everyone watching knew this could very well decide the championship. 

Who was going to find the bird first?

If Remi finds it, he would tie the bird score at 4, but also have a scoring back advantage. If Knox finds it, he would take a commanding 5-3 bird lead late in the brace. 

Both dogs and handlers continued to work the corner of the field until Knox worked up the small incline and whipped around on point, letting Joel know he found the bird.   You could hear the crowd gasp as Joel flushed the bird for the shot and retrieve. Bruce, who recognized the find, quickly led Remi out of the corner in hopes finding one of the few remaining birds in the waning minutes of the brace. They hunted the south ridge of the field where neither dog had worked previously, as this was his best bet for finding a bird. 

It is extremely difficult to come back from a (2) bird deficit with only a few minutes left in the brace and only (2) birds left in an 80-acre field. 

Both dogs continued to hunt until Knox spun around on point, right in front of the gallery, as time expired. Joel was granted the 1-minute bonus to try and produce the bird, but it didn't matter. Knox ran an outstanding brace, finding (5) birds to become the 2026 Utah Region Champion, 912.82 vs. 685.5.

Congratulations and much respect is due to both of these handlers...25 very good bird dogs started this trial and after 2 ½ hours across (4) braces of competing, these (2) dogs ran head-to-head until the final horn sounded. The Utah Region is known for having great dogs and it was on full display all weekend up through the final round. 

2026 Utah Region Champion - Knox / Joel Cartwright

Final Standings - Top 6