Results - 2010 Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship

Front from left, Tammy and Colton Eisenhart, Claudia McNamee (owner) and Luke Eisenhart (handler) with Ch. Richfield Silver Belle, and Matt Basilone with RU Ch. The Insider. Rear from left, Northeastern chairman Dave O'Brien, Bill Hyland, Gene Casale Jr., Tom Downs, judges Vicente Ballester and Richard Bembenek, Janice Gregory, Earl Drew, reporter Stacey Goodie, Tony Forte and Gene Casale Sr.

RICHFIELD SILVER BELLE

NAMED CHAMPION,

THE INSIDER

NAMED RUNNERUP

AT 2010 NORTHEASTERN

SHOOTING DOG

CHAMPIONSHIP

EAST WINDSOR, Conn. - Richfield Silver Belle, a pointer female owned by Claudia and Bill McNamee and handled by Luke Eisenhart, was named champion at the 2010 Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship held Oct. 11-14, 2010 at Flaherty Field Trial Area. Runnerup was The Insider, a setter male, owned by John Fort, and also handled by Eisenhart.

According to judges, very little separated the champion and runnerup. Silver Belle, who ran in the 23rd brace on Thursday morning, logged eight finds and had an "amazing'' race, said judge Vinnie Ballester. Her race was slightly quicker and she showed up in all the right spots. The Insider, who ran in the 19th brace on Wednesday afternoon, also logged eight finds, one being a divided find, and ran a strong race.

Judges were Vicente Ballester of Simpsonville, S.C., and Richard Bembenek of Webster, Mass.

Judges Vicente Ballester, above left, and Richard Bembenek.

Field trial chairman was Dave O'Brien of Marlborough, Conn.

Northeastern chairman Dave O'Brien making the announcments of champion and runnerup.

Next up is the 75th annual New England Futurity, chaired by Margaret Drew, which starts Saturday morning, Oct. 16, also at Flaherty then the New England Open Shooting Dog Championship at Ragged Hill Farm in Pomfret, Conn. Judges for the Futurity are Mike Husenits of West Lebanon, Pa., and Don Gustafson of Goshen, Conn. Judges for the New England Open are Pat Casey of South Hill, Va., and Vicente Ballester. Drawing for the New England Open will be held Sunday night, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. at Ragged Hill Farm.

Next up? The 75th New England Futurity, to be chaired by Margaret Drew, above left, seen chatting with Jennifer Braman.

A full writeup of the 2010 Northeastern Championship by Stacey Goodie will appear in The American Field.

The Thursday morning gallery at the Northeastern.