Central Connecticut Bird Dog Club holds its annual fall field trial

Winners of the Eugene Casale National Amateur Shooting Dog Stake

Above, rear from left, Gene Casale Sr., John Malone with 1st place winner East Coast Pete, Gene Casale Jr. (judge), Toby Tobiassen with 2nd place winner Richfield Amy, Steve Merton (judge), Amilko, John Fino, and Ed Marin with 3rd place winner Silver Hill Suzie Q.
Seated from left, Aidan Malone, Elizabeth Malone and Anna Casale.

CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

BIRD DOG CLUB

2009 FALL FIELD TRIAL

By Edward F. Marin

On Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, 2009, Central Connecticut Bird Dog Club held its annual fall field trial with 89-years-young Eugene Casale Sr. at the helm.

The Dr. John Flaherty Field Trial Area, in East Windsor, Conn., was the site of the competition.

A total of 33 dogs competed during the weekend event. Open stakes were held Saturday. On Sunday, the Eugene Casale National Amateur Shooting Dog Stake was held. This stake is a one-hour National Amateur points event. Sixteen area amateur shooting dogs vied for top honors.

It was a gorgeous New England day with temperatures in the high 70s and sunny skies. The first brace was at the start line and off at 7:15 a.m. and the last brace finished up at approximately 3:45 p.m.

I would like to thank our judges Steve Merton of Manchester, Conn., and Gene Casale Jr. of Marlborough, Conn., for their time and diligence while in the saddle.

I would like to also thank all the handlers for their participation and everyone who helped in the running of this event. This was a group effort and it went quite well.

Thanks to Tony Forte for cooking Saturday's dinner.