Shadow Oak Bo Captures Second National Championship

Unbelievable back-to-back National Championship wins were earned by Shadow Oak Bo, an orange-and-white ticked 8-year-old male English Setter handled by Robin Gates of Leesburg, Ga., and scouted by Luke Eisenhart of Tiskilwa, Ill., in February at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, Tenn. This Purina® Pro Plan®-fueled setter ended a 43-year streak of Pointers winning the event in 2013, and then returned with a strong performance that included seven quail finds to win this year’s stake.

During the three-hour endurance horseback stake, “Bo” had seven quail finds, standing out against many dogs that went birdless. Described by Gates as “a great setter, a complete setter,” Bo performed with beautiful ground coverage and patterning in the prestigious event. His intelligence and style was consistent throughout.  

Co-owners are N.G. “Butch” Housten of Nashville, Ga., and Dr. John Dorminy of Fitzgerald, Ga. Housten, who has placed dogs with Gates for 40 years, says, “Robin has a unique talent, the way he gets close to a dog and builds a rapport.”

Although a few Pointers have won the National Championship in back-to-back years, the last time a setter did so was in 1901 and 1902 when a female named Sioux accomplished the feat. Bo gave Gates his third and fourth National Championship wins, having won in 2010 with 4XCH In The Shadow and in 1985 with 5XCH/5XRUCH Flatwood Hank, both Pointers.

The 115th running of the American Field National Championship for Field Trialing Bird Dogs was held Feb. 10 to 21. Thirty-nine dogs were nominated to compete, and 38 dogs ran in the event.

Bo is the winner of six Championships and six Runner-Up Championships. In 2010, he won another famous championship, the Continental at Dixie Plantation in Greenville, Fla. He was the first setter to win this event in 53 years.

Bo is fueled by Purina® Pro Plan® SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula.