2015 Regional Elimination Trial
The pinnacle of our trial season is always the Regional Elimination trial at the end of the season. All the best dogs in the region get together to crown a champion. This year the mosquitoes were thick but we soaked ourselves in repellant and went forward. In the elimination round Tracy Neilson's Cheeto had the run of the morning winning the round and getting into the final 6, Rhett Collins' dog Maggie finished second and Angie Wonnacott's Sunnie went into the round of six in third place. Maureen goodrich's ageless dog Mini, Brad Jenkins' young dog Deuce, and Rhett Collin's favorite dog Gunner filled in the round of six.
THE ELIMINATION ROUND WINNERS
1st place Tracy Neilson/Cheeto
2nd Place Rhett Collins/Maggie
3rd Place Bret Wonnacott/Sunnie
4th Place Maureen Goodrich/Mini
5th Place Rhett Collins /Gunner
6th Place Brad Jenkins/ Deuce
In the round of six Gunner and Mini battled it out in the first brace. Gunner went 3-3 to Mini's 1-1. In the second brace Deuce and Sunnie would grind it out against each other. Sunnie had a find in the last seconds to go 3-3 to deuces 1-1, and in the final brace Cheeto and Maggie would compete. Cheeto went 1/1 to Maggie's 2/2 sending Bret Wonnacott with Sunnie and a score of 649.5 along with Rhett Collins' and his favorite dog Gunner with a score of 563.5 through to the final hour.
The two dogs were release for the final hour and Sunnie would slam the gallery bird and Gunner would get the necessary back that would be needed for either dog to win. Gunner would get his first find shortly after, and the race was on. The two dogs and handlers Rhett Collins and Bret Wonnacott would work hard for the entire hour, and do their best to find birds. With less than five minutes left Sunnie had 5 on the card and Gunner had two, but Sunnie did not have the required back to win. Finally Gunner had an unproductive point and Sunnie was finally able to produce a back to seal the win. The trial finished out with Maureen Goodrich and Mini as third runner up, Rhett Collins' with Maggie a Second Runner up, Rhett Collins and Gunner as First runner up, And Angie Wonnacott's Sunnie as Region Champion. Sunnie would also gain enough points to earn her NSTRA Championship and when you add 2015 high point dog to the list the 2014/2015 trial season was quite a year for young Sunnie. Congratulations Angie and Sunnie.
REGION CHAMPION
BRET WONNACOTT/ANGIE'S MAE SUNRISE (SUNNIE)
RUNNER UP
RHETT COLLINS/ GUNNER
2ND RUNNER UP
RHETT COLLINS/ MAGGIE
THIRD RUNNER UP
MAUREEN GOODRICH/ MINI
This trial season was another great one. We have such a wonderful group of people in this region and on a personal level I am proud to call you all friends. It has been fun to watch some young dogs grow up and some older dogs come into their own. Dan Felter's dog Billie was able to get that coveted NSTRA CH by her name and make a strong run at high point dog finishing 2nd. Shane Neilsons dog Ben made a heck of a run at High point dog also Championing in the process and finishing third in the overall region standings. Tracy Neilson and Cheeto had a great run at the Endurance National Trial in Montana finishing third. Bret Wonnacott's Tic earned his 2nd CH. We saw the first weimaraner to ever champion in NSTRA do so in our region. Nice job Mat and Boomer. We saw Rhett Collins take his dogs from good to extraordinary finishing as Regional Elimination 1st and 2nd runner up. Amazing! And too many more stories to mention in one summary. Virtually every trial had a story and someones dog that stepped up big. In hindsight I think you will agree that it was a heck of a year. We want to thank everyone for the work that they do to keep the region going. No one more so than Maureen. Thanks everyone.
Elections will be happening soon.
