National Vizsla Association
Bill Gibbons
This article was written by Sonny Mortensen and appears in the Fall 1997 NVA newsletter along with lots of pictures showing Bill with the Vizsla's and people he's helped.
Bill Gibbons is a man and a teacher who has made great contributions to the Vizsla breed. I first met Bill about 15 years ago when I started traveling to Arizona field trials. I was really impressed with one of his foundation dogs, Magma's Samantha of Voros Tars. Before Bill started with Vizslas, the Western United States wasn't very competitive in the field. But as he trained and competed Vizslas, he made his mark and an impressive track record.
He has trained a large number of both field trial and personal hunting dogs and has championed more than 20 as well as winning 4 National Championships. He has also had National Derby wins as well as other National placements. I have seen Bill spend many hours helping the Amateurs train and break their dogs, most of the time this was done with no compensation; he was just reaching out to help the individual and the breed.
At one time the guys in the Utah Vizsla club were having a lot of trouble breaking dogs. I called Bill and he agreed to come to Utah and put on a seminar. People with other pointing breeds also attended this seminar. After this seminar, we were finally able to get some real broke dogs. We all benefited from this seminar and even though it has been several years, people still talk about it. When Bill comes to Utah trials, he always has plenty of visitors at his camp, guys and their dogs wanting to work with him and benefit from his knowledge.
It seems like everytime I see Bill and get a chance to work with him, there is something new to learn. He always has a new technique or two. When Bruce Hale decided to start the NVA in 1991, there was a lot of support from a lot of good people. Bill was one of the front runners in this category in more ways than one. He always had plenty of entries for the trials as well as monetary contributions; he was always there with a helping hand, suggestions and words of wisdom. I would hope that every time Bill looks at and hears about the NVA, he feels proud of his contributions.
The NVA's first Classic was held in California City in 1991. Bill won this Classic with Magma's Mentowin (Gabe) and also took Runner-up with Lone Survivor (Bit). In 1992, he took the Runner-up position with Calleto Cheyenne (Annie) in Porterville, California. In 1993, he again won the Classic with Magma's Mentowin in Kingman, Arizona. Shortly after this, Bill began to campaign English Pointers; he has done very well with this breed also and has some very competitive dogs. Bill still helps many people with Vizslas and would still be campaigning them if there hadn't been so much controversy and bickering among many Vizsla owners.
For some reason some Western Clubs began to have problems and trials couldn't be depended on. Training and campaigning dogs take a lot of time and traveling and in the midst of all that, he and his wife Tamra have raised two sons, Bill Jr and Robert. During the boys pre-teen and teenage years, they would spend the summers at Summer Training Camp helping Bill with the dogs. They are both grown and on their own now, busy with college and jobs. Bill and Tamra have owned Westside Pet Center for 15 plus years. They board dogs and Tamra does grooming. Besides her busy schedule at the pet center, you will find Tamra at a good portion of the trials, getting dogs ready for the line, helping run the trials, and generally keeping track of Bill.
There is one thing I know we can always count on, Bill Gibbons will always be there for the betterment of the Vizsla breed and in support of the National Vizsla Association. Thanks Bill for caring about the Vizsla and all of us who love to compete with them.
A few of the many Vizslas Championed by Bill Gibbons:
NFC/FC/AFC Magma's Samantha of Voros Tars
DC/AFC Papago Samsson
NFC/FC/AFC Rebel Rouser Starr
NFC/FC/AFC Voros Tars Dolly
FC/AFC Ripp Van Wrinkle
FC Rebel Rouser Duke
FC Shotgun Willie
FC/AFC 1995 NVA RU Shotgun Danny Dude
2X NVA CH FC/AFC Magma's Mentowin
1993 NVA RU DC/AFC Caletto Cheyenne
FC Mehagians Firestarter
DC/AFC Juliam's Gyorgy
FC/AFC Bakers Darlin Sportin Ginny
1991 NVA RU FC Lone Survivor
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Ingle & Mead created 9/13/97, updated 03/05/2002