Region1/ANEFTC annual summer meeting

New England Groups Gather
For Annual Summer Meetings

THOMPSON, Conn. - Top dog awards were presented and topics up for discussion ranged from holding a field trial seminar in conjunction with Bass Pro Shops to the acceptance of Garmin use in field trials at the Sunday, July 12 meeting of Region 1 AFTCA and the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs.

The groups gathered for their annual summer meetings and a barbecued chicken lunch at the Thompson Rod & Gun Club in Thompson, Conn.

Keeping an eye on things were, from left,
John Fino, John Stolgitis Sr. and George Doyle

At the Region 1 meeting, Elias Richardson, Region 1 AFTCA trustee, reported on the trustees meeting held in June in Pittsburgh. He discussed the rules and regulations of using a Garmin during a trial, as prescribed by the AFTCA, and announced that the amateur status of Rhode Island field trialer Richard Frisella had been rescinded by the AFTCA.

It was also announced that Region 1 will hold a field trial seminar in conjunction with Bass Pro Shops at their Foxboro, Mass., store on Aug. 8. (Watch this blogsite for more information.)

Also in attendance were, from left, Bob Braman,
Gene Casale, Tony Forte and Jim Kilrain

Championships for 2010 and their chairmen were named. They are: Region 1 Amateur All-Age, April 2-4, Glastonbury Meadows, Glastonbury, Conn., sponsored by the New England Bird Dog Club, Elias Richardson, chairman; Region 1 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog, April 9-11, Arcadia Management Area, Exeter, RI, sponsored by the Arcadia Field Trial Club, Richard Giuliano, chairman; Region 1 Amateur Horseback Shooting Dog, April 16-18, Flaherty Field Trial Area, East Windsor, CT, sponsored by Associated Field Trial Clubs of Connecticut, John Malone, chairman.

John Stolgitis, owner of Chasehill Little Bud,
top points winner in the Amateur All Age division,
is joined by Jeff Smith and Jennifer Braman

At the ANEFTC meeting which followed, the membership accepted with regret a letter of resignation from longtime futurity chairman Margaret Drew of Hoffman, N.C.

Margaret took over the running of the Futurity from Truman Cowles in December 1998 and has, since then, held a very successful trial each fall at Flaherty.

Margaret's resignation takes effect on Dec. 1, 2010, at which time her job will be taken over by Jennifer Braman of Monson, Mass. Jennifer, current points chairman for the ANEFTC - a tough job in itself - has big shoes to fill following Margaret but we have every confidence she'll shine in this role.

From left, Jennifer Braman and Pat and Charles Thomas,
owners of Erin's Boxcar Willie, top points winner
in the New England Open Derby category.

Other winners were Brown's Tom Tom (Open All Age), NYPD
(Amateur Shooting Dog) and Stone Free (Open Shooting D0g)

Dates were chosen for the Spring and Fall 2010 seasons and will be posted in the right-hand column on this blog.

Awards were presented for dogs of the year and their handlers.

After the meeting, members enjoyed an excellent barbecued chicken lunch prepared by Thompson Rod & Gun's great crew of cooks.

Points chairman Jennifer Braman and John Fino,
owner and handler of Southbound Strech,
points winner in the Amateur Derby

Discussing the dogs: From left, Elias Richardson, John Malone,
John Fino, Dick Bembenek and John Stolgitis