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Many people wonder if field trial dogs are one dimensional. Do they only run in field trials? Are they only roaded and trained, roaded and trained, never getting to really hunt just for fun, to run with no pressure, to find wild birds wherever they might be and not at a particular designated feeder? Can they bring home the birds like they used to do a hundred years ago when a good bird dog would help put dinner on the table?
Can they do what they were actually bred to do before the sport of field trialing turned the sport of bird hunting into a game with rules and standards and specifics. Well, a couple of Rhode Island dogs are proving that they can live, work and play in both worlds. Chris Palmer, of Exeter, RI, was out early this morning with his pointer, Frankie, on the opening day of pheasant season.
Chris said there were only 50 cars in the parking lot. "My dog is going to have a fun time," said Chris.
Sure looks like Frankie did!
Chris Palmer's pointer, Frankie, on point.
Chris Palmer, Jess Dacones and Frankie with the morning's take.
And John Stolgitis, of Ashaway, RI, is far up north grouse hunting with his multiple champion pointer, Chasehill Little Bud. This is the time of year Bud gets to let his hair down and hunt just for fun. No more pressure of having to stay to the front, no worries about missing a bird spot. No nothing. Just a good time for this little pointer.
John Stolgitis with Chasehill Little Bud grouse hunting with friends Dean Reinke, left, and Mike Flewelling.
Can our field trial dogs do it all? They sure can!
New England Open Champion Great River Ice with Mark
McClain, and Runnerup Champion Klee's Handsome Hank with Stacey Goodie.
Rear from left, Chayton Scheuritzel, Bob Reed, Elias Richardson,
reporter/chairman Janice Gregory, Karen Reed, judge Dave O'Brien, Jim Hathaway,
Mike Tracy, judge Jeff Smith, Tom Gates and Dick Bembenek.
Full report, including pictures and video, for the New England Open Championship, and an update on Aidan Malone.
GREAT RIVER ICE
NAMED CHAMPION
AT 84TH
NEW ENGLAND
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Klee's Handsome Hank Named Runnerup
POMFRET, Conn. -- There were a number of “firsts” at
this year’s New England Open Championship.
It was the first time in the
84-year history of the championship that the winner and runnerup from the
previous year had a reversal of fortune and would wind up winning the opposite placements
the following year.
Harry Townshend, center, with Gene Casale, left, and Bruce Jacobs, at the 2011 New England Open Championship
It was the first year in 45
years of consecutive running of the trial at Ragged Hill Farm that host Harry
Townshend wasn’t in attendance. Harry passed away this past August and he
was sorely missed at this event.
And it was the first time the
New England Open Championship had received a gift of thousands of dollars with
the dual purpose of honoring the late Harry Townshend and to make sure that the
Championship would continue for at least the next 10 years at Ragged Hill Farm.
Judge Dave O'Brien
Judge Jeff Smith
The New England Open Championship
was held Oct. 15-16, 2012. Thirty-four dogs
were drawn for the two-day event. Field trial chairmen were Dick Bembenek and Janice Gregory. Judges were Jeff Smith of Loudon,
NH, and Dave O’Brien of Marlborough, CT.
Chairman Dick Bembenek
THE WINNER
Champion Great River Ice with scout Mark McClain. Rear from left, reporter/chairman Janice Gregory, judge Dave O'Brien, handler Mike Tracy, and judge Jeff Smith.
This year’s New England Open champion, with a race that judge Dave O’Brien said
he viewed as “a once in a lifetime” experience, was Great River Ice, handled by
Mike Tracy and owned by Great River Kennels. Ice was runnerup in the 2011 New
England Open Championship.
Ice, a pointer male, was
paired with Maple Valley Cowgirl, a pointer female, handled by Jeanette Tracy,
in the 10th brace on Day Two. The birds were plentiful and there couldn’t
have been many that Ice didn’t manage to point. [Cowgirl had her running shoes
on this day and wasn’t seen after the breakaway.]
Ice had 11 sharp-looking, well-spaced
finds, including a number of limb finds in far-off places where no dog had
looked at all the previous day. He hunted hard through the woods, a requirement
at Ragged Hill where the cover is thick and the birds are likely, and he rimmed
the edges of the old fields, always on the lookout. Ice was consistently to the
front and stood his birds with tremendous intensity.
THE RUNNERUP
Klee's Handsome Hank with Stacey Goodie, along with reporter/chairman Janice Gregory, judge Dave O'Brien, handler Mike Tracy, and judge Jeff Smith.
Klee’s Handsome Hank, also
handled by Mike Tracy, and owned by Susan and Roger Duerksen, was named
runnerup champion. Hank had been the winner of the 2011 New England Open event.
Hank ran in the fourth brace
with Covey Up Woodie, a pointer male handled by Jeanette Tracy. [Woodie had two
finds and one back. A flashy dog, he ran hard, searching the woods.
Unfortunately, the tracker was called for when he became lost.]
Hank logged six powerful
finds and exhibited exactly what judges were looking for -- a good shooting dog
race. He ran strong, could be seen hunting through the woods, and was always to
the front. He had good style on his birds.
Part of the course at Ragged Hill Farm
Judges were looking for a
good shooting dog race by a dog that could be seen hunting. They
wanted to be shown more than a dog pointing at each bird location. And they
were looking for a biddable dog, something that’s necessary at Ragged Hill, for
if the course goes to the right and the dog goes to the left, it’s often tough
to get them back. There are hills and hummocks, hundred-year-old stone walls,
pine trees, mountain laurel and rocky footing, all kinds of natural elements
that make it hard for a dog or handler or scout to hear or traverse in an
attempt to get back on course.
Ice caught the judges' eyes, they said, because of his quick ground race, flashy style and impeccable manners on his game. Both dogs stayed to the front with minimal handling, but Ice was the one pointing birds where no other dog had looked. And he had an impressive 11 finds when all was said and done.
The difference between the
champion and runner up, said the judges, was the intensity of the run, and
Ice's pointing style. “Clearly [Ice was] the better of the dogs
today,” said judge Jeff Smith.
“Both dogs were very good,”
said O’Brien, “but I thought [Ice’s] was a memorable performance.”
“On any other day, there were
lots of dogs that we liked that we could have used,” said Smith. But once Ice
ran and had 11 finds and a race that matched, he became impossible to beat.
Congratulating the winner, Mike Tracy, are, from left, Tom Gates, Elias Richardson, Jeff Smith, Jim Hathaway, Dave O'Brien and Mark McClain, seated.
THE RUNNING
Before the first brace on a beautiful warm October morning
where temperatures would reach the low 70s, a
moment of silence was held for Harry Townshend, "for what," Dick
Bembenek said, "Harry had done for us in the past and for what he's
doing for us now."
The breakaway.
Richfield Silver Belle (M. Tracy)
and White Spider (J. Tracy) broke away. Belle had three finds, one back, one
unproductive and a wide race. Spider had five finds, one back, one unproductive
and a fair race.
In the second brace, Tall River’s
Chico (M. Tracy)
was paired with Grand Heritage Motion (J. Tracy). Motion was just off his
championship win at the Northeastern, but the very close grounds at Ragged Hill
aren’t for every dog and while they both dogs had finds and looked pretty on
their game, they, overall, weren’t performing up to expectations.
Big ’N’ Rich (M. Tracy) and Land
Cruiser Scout (J. Tracy) comprised the third brace. Rich had one find. Scout
had five good finds but suffered an unproductive, all the while running a pace
that was somewhat slow for the judges.
The'Big House' at Ragged Hill
The fourth brace was Klee’s
Handsome Hank (M. Tracy) and Covey Up Woodie (J. Tracy). Previously described.
In the fifth brace, Southbound
Strech (Fino) and Octavio (M. Tracy) broke away together. A bold-running dog, Strech
had six well-spaced finds and stood them staunchly. He was handling well until
he disappeared at 50. Octavio had one find and one back.
Rockabull (M. Tracy) and
Sukara’s Grace (J. Tracy) made up the sixth brace. Bull had two finds; Grace
suffered an unproductive and was picked up.
The seventh brace paired Talisman
(M. Tracy) and Chiseled In Stone (J. Tracy). Talisman suffered an unproductive
and was lifted. Stone didn’t back and was leashed.
Runnymeade (M. Tracy) and Woodland’s Money Pit (J.
Tracy) comprised the eighth brace. Runnymeade didn’t back and was picked up.
Money Pit, a Brittany,
started nicely with two finds then got lost.
In the ninth brace, Serious
Investment (M. Tracy) was braced with Richfield Silver Lining (Stolgitis).
Investment had one find and two backs. Silver Lining had two finds and a fair
race.
The 10th brace
paired Great River Ice (M. Tracy) and Maple Valley Cowgirl (J. Tracy).
Previously described.
A view of Rhode Island from the top of the hill.
Shaula (Richardson) and
Buffalo Bull (M. Tracy) made up the 11th brace. Shaula did a nice
job with three good finds but her race was somewhat lateral and to the rear. Bull
had a good start but hung a right when the course went left and wound up on the
road where he was grazed by a car. He was taken to a local vet with bruising to
his left shoulder and hip but is expected to make a full recovery.
Heading back after a pickup.
The 12th brace
featured Mt. View Decision Maker (J.
Tracy) and Klee’s Shooting Star (M. Tracy). This was a fun brace to watch as both dogs
were out there hunting up a storm. Decision Maker, a flashy little dog, had
four nice finds. Star also had four finds of his own and a good race.
Jetsettin Jenny (M. Tracy)
and Chasehill Little Bud (Stolgitis) made up the 13th brace. Jenny
had two finds and a back. Bud hunted hard through the woods and had four finds.
Judges liked the way he handled his game and said at the rate he was going, he
could have won the championship on another day without the two top dogs they
already had. Bud was picked up at the 30 minute mark.
Short video clip from the big field, the second location for birds where dogs are required to head out of the thick woods, maneuver across a pond, head up a hill, hopefully hit a bird at the beginning of this field, then grab an edge and go. Commentary by Dick Bembenek.
Redgate Sassy Pants (J. Tracy) and Our Big
Bully (M. Tracy) were in the 14th brace. Working hard through the
woods, Sassy had three finds and Bully had two finds and a back. Both showed
good hunting ability and had nice races.
Short video clip of Brace 15, Iron Lady and Heritage. Commentary by Dick Bembenek.
In the 15th brace,
Iron Lady (Stolgitis) was paired with Heritage (M. Tracy). Bill Bonnetti was
riding to watch his dog, Iron Lady, who had one find. Heritage was picked up
for not pleasing his handler.
Owner Bob Reed, left, and birdplanter Tom Gates
The Lobbyist (J. Tracy) and Coosawhatchie
Chief (M. Tracy) made up the 16th brace. Bob Reed was riding to
watch his dog, The Lobbyist, who had a nice race and a single find. Chief had
two finds.
Video of the breakaway of the final brace of the championship.
In the final brace of the
championship, No. 17, Ironstone King’s Ransom (Richardson) was paired with Erin’s Box Car Willie (M. Tracy). Ransom had one find
then was picked up for a bird infraction. Willie wasn’t pleasing his handler
and was picked up.
THE HARRY TOWNSHEND AWARD
Deb Townshend presenting a $5,000 check to ANEFTC president Richard Giuliano.
On Monday night, marking the
passing of her husband Harry along with noting the 45th consecutive
running of the New England Open at Ragged Hill Farm, Harry’s widow, Deb
Townshend, made a presentation on behalf of herself and the Townshend family of
a gift of $5,000 to the Association of New England Field Trial Clubs. Mrs.
Townshend specified that each year for the next 10 years, the winning handler
of the championship will receive $500 from this fund. The donation stipulates
that “if the trial should ever be moved from [Ragged Hill Farm], arrangements
should be made as to the designation of this yearly award.”
As the field trialers looked
on, obviously touched by this thoughtful gift, Mrs. Townshend presented the
check, along with Harry’s gavel from when he was president of the ANEFTC, to current
ANEFTC president Richard Giuliano.
SIDELIGHTS
*Following the presentation was
a sumptuous cocktail party hosted by Susan and Roger Duerksen, owners of 2011
Champion Klee’s Handsome Hank.
Beer and wine were
overflowing and hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were served running the gamut from
a variety of crackers and aged cheeses, to red grapes, sweet meatballs, cheese
and basil wrapped prosciutto, vegetables and dip, to many, many pounds of
shrimp served over cracked ice. Field trial participants ate and drank their
fill and then started in on the 75 lobsters provided by the ANEFTC to make the
New England Open Championship what it is – a food fest!
*Bob and Karen Reed were in
attendance to watch their pointer, The Lobbyist. After a summer fraught with
medical concerns, Karen looked great and we were very happy to have a chance to
visit with them both.
From left, Stacey Goodie, Mike Tracy and Dillon Shaffer.
* Jeanette Tracy brought a
new scout with her this year, Dillon Shaffer. Anyone who has ridden a brace at
the New England Open knows how easy it can be to get lost in the thick woods.
Despite our concern about possibly losing Dillon in the woods forever, he did a
tremendous job, didn’t get lost and was in the truck and headed home with
Jeanette when we last saw him. Good job, Dillon! We’re quite sure he never saw
woods this thick in his life.
* Mike Tracy had affable scout
Mark McClain with him. It’s always great to be around Mark, with his big smile
and dry sense of humor. When Mike’s dog, Buffalo Bull, got hurt, Mark was first
on the scene and took care of the dog, rushing to the vet with driver, Stacey
Goodie. With that kind of care and concern, owners can rest easy having dogs
with these two men. Their dogs come first. Period.
The always-smiling Miss Stacey. :-)
* Helping out with the
championship were bird planters Dick Bembenek and Tom Gates, Tad Dorry served
again as top chef, horses were provided by Elias Richardson and Jeff Smith.
John Fino was anywhere and everywhere, always with a helping hand. Ragged Hill
Farm caretaker Keri Scheuritzel attended daily to keep an eye on the goings-on.
Lobsters, steamers and littlenecks were prepared by the amazing chefs from the
Thompson Rod & Gun Club, without whom we couldn’t run this gastronomical
extravaganza. In general, everyone who attends a field trial in New England is always available to help. If something
needed to be done, someone was there to step in, and for that we say thank you
to all.
* Many thanks also go out to
Purina for their sponsorship of this event, and to Nutrena for providing horse
feed.
Aidan Malone, on the mend and sending out a big Thank You to everyone who donated to his Heavy Equipment Operator Training School fund. ;-)
*A big shout out here to
every field trialer and friend who chipped in with a donation for 17-year-old
Aidan Malone, who is recuperating from a severely broken leg.
Aidan has been a friend and a
huge help to everyone involved in New England
field trialing and beyond since he’s been able to clamber up on a horse. He’s
the son of Connecticut
field trialer John Malone and his wife, Suzanne. Aidan cut his teeth on field
trialing thanks to his dad.
An accomplished rider and a tremendous
scout, Aidan doesn’t have “no” in his vocabulary. He’s always available to
scout, to plant birds, to wrangle horses, to help anyone who needs it.
Recently, Aidan found himself
trapped when the Bobcat he was using rolled and caught his leg between it and
his truck. Despite being in considerable pain after his leg broke when the
Bobcat hit it -- “I heard [the bone] crack,” he said. “It was gross.” -- Aidan
had the presence of mind to hit the control on the Bobcat and get it in reverse
to move it off him. After that, he fell to the ground and rolled under his truck
for protection should the Bobcat roll again.
He first called his mom, a
nurse, and then his dad, who we all know is not the best in situations like
this, and lay there writhing in pain for the 15 minutes that it took for help
to arrive. As EMTs were working on Aidan, Sue said that Life Star, Hartford
(CT) Hospital’s critical care helicopter, was hovering overhead. Just a little
disconcerting, to say the least.
EMTs determined Aidan’s injuries weren’t
life-threatening and called off the helicopter, much to everyone’s relief.
Aidan was transported to one Connecticut
hospital and then to another which had better care facilities for his
particular injuries.
After undergoing surgery,
Aidan was in the hospital for a considerable amount of time. When he first came
home, he was confined to his bed, but that was OK because Sue, who was staying
home with him, gave him a bell for him to ring if he needed her. Well, that got
old quick, and after a while the only one coming when the bell was run was the
dog!
Aidan was able to attend the handlers’
dinner at the New England Futurity. Looking a little pale and a bit thin, he
smiled through the pain-killers and seemed genuinely happy to be out of the
house for a bit.
The can. ;-)
When Aidan was first injured,
friend and fellow field trialer Dave O’Brien took it upon himself to take up a
collection for Aidan, so he got a yellow and black Chock Full O’Nuts coffee can
and inscribed it with “Aidan Malone Heavy Equipment Operator Training School
Fund.”
That can made its way to all
four New England championships -- the
Northeastern, the New England Futurity, the Region 1 All-Age and the New
England Open -- and the money piled up. At the end of two weeks, the can found
its way to the New England Open, the final New England
championship of the season.
When the count was finalized,
generous field trialers had donated $500 to Aidan. What better way to give back
to a young man who’s given his best for all of us. And on Aidan's behalf, we say
“thanks!”
All Age winners, from left, Ch. Great River Magnum with Brian Sanchez, and RU Ch. Chasehill Little Bud with Erin Stolgitis. Rear from left, chairman Richard Giuliano, judge Jason Smit, Christine Donabedian, judge Jim Isperduli, Jim Bush, John Stolgitis, Elizabeth and John Malone and Janice Gregory.
Full report for Region 1 All-Age Championship
GREAT RIVER MAGNUM WINS 2012 REGION 1 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
RUNNERUP IS CHASEHILL LITTLE BUD
EAST WINDSOR,
Conn. – The best and most
anticipated brace of the Region 1/AFTCA Amateur All-Age Championship turned out
to be No. 10. Going head-to-head were two well-known multiple champions, Great River
Magnum, owned and handled by Brian Sanchez, and Chasehill Little Bud, owned and
handled by John Stolgitis. Both dogs had more than the required stamina and drive for this all-age
competition. Both ran far to the front yet stayed in tune to their handlers.
Magnum had six well-spaced finds, including a number of
covey finds, and two backs. He was out of sight for about 10 minutes, but when
he was found, he was far to the front standing high and tight on his birds. Bud
had six finds, several on coveys, and two backs. A dog that is always staunch
and pretty on his game, Bud, who spends a lot of time competing in cover dog
events, showed his versatility as he also ran an impressively good, forward all-age
race.
When all was said and done, the nod for the championship
went to Great River Magnum. “Magnum was a little more of a rebel, just
gone a little bit more than [Chasehill Little Bud],” said judge Jim Isperduli.
Chasehill Little Bud received runnerup honors.
Judges Jason Smit, left, and Jim Isperduli
The Region 1 All-Age was held Oct. 13-14, 2012, at Flaherty
Field Trial Area in East Windsor,
Conn. Twenty-one pointers and
setters were entered in the two-day event. Judges were Jim Isperduli of Paxton, Mass., and Jason
Smit of Montgomery, NY.
Judges remarked that there were a number of very good dogs
in the stake and honorable mentions were given to Calico’s Touch of Class,
handled by Tiffani Henderson; Erin’s Stone Cutter, handled by Kevin Stuart;
Richfield Silver Belle, handled by Bill McNamee; and High Drive Casey, also handled
by Brian Sanchez.
THE RUNNING
Tiffani Henderson gets ready to run her dog, Calico's Catch and Release in the first brace of the Region 1 All-Age.
In the first brace of the first day, Waybetter Rex (Bishop)
was braced with Calico’s Catch And Release (Henderson). Rex had his running
shoes on and was soon lost, Catch And Release had one find and two
unproductives and was picked up.
John Fino, on horseback, and Southbound Strech.
Southbound Strech (Fino) and Ironstone Jungle King
(Richardson) were paired in the second brace of the day. Dogs shared a divided
find early on, then Strech took off for parts unknown. Jungle King went on to
have two more finds then was lost at 50.
In the third brace, Calico’s Touch of Class (Henderson) was
paired with Mac’s Silver Dollar (McClurg). Dollar was picked up early for a
bird infraction. Class went on to lay down a scorching ground race. The dog had
four well-spaced finds and was always far to the front, just a dot on the
horizon. Judges carried Class for the first day.
Sound Investment (C. McNamee) was paired with Moon Dancer
(Smith) in the fourth brace. After two finds, Dancer was lost. Investment had
somewhat of an erratic race. She suffered an unproductive early on, then went
on to have a covey find, a stop to flush, one back, another find, then an
unproductive at 52, at which point she was picked up.
Owner/handler Claudia McNamee, with husband, Bill, behind her.
The fifth and final brace of Saturday was Calico’s Tom Thumb
(C. McNamee) and Erin’s Stone Cutter (Stuart).
After somewhat of a rough start, Cutter straightened out and went on to have
six well-spaced, good finds. Tom Thumb also did a nice job with four nice
finds, including a covey find, and a back.
At the end of the first day, judges’ picks for top dogs were
Calico’s Touch of Class and Erin’s Stone
Cutter.
In the sixth brace, the first of Sunday morning, Thomas’
Adirondack Ringo (Thomas) was braced with Ironstone Clyde (Richardson). Both
dogs were picked up for too-long absences.
Owner/handler Jim Thomas
The seventh brace paired Richfield Silver Belle (B. McNamee)
and Porter Meadow Elwood (Bush). Judges were impressed with defending champion
Richfield Silver Belle’s ground race and the dog hunted the limits of the
course, scoring more than half a dozen finds in her hour on the ground. While
Elwood didn’t quite have the race judges were looking for, he did have the
birdwork and judges said it was some of the best of the championship. He had
three bang-up finds and one unproductive before getting lost at 50.
High Drive Casey (Sanchez) and Shaula (Richardson) were
paired in the eighth brace. Casey was a dog that had the judges sitting on the
edge of their saddles. He ran an outstanding race with five well-spaced finds,
always reaching to the front. Shaula was picked up for a bird infraction at
about the halfway mark.
The ninth brace featured Richfield Silver Lining (B.
McNamee) and Thomas’ Adirondack Mighty (Thomas). Silver Lining had his running
shoes on and wasn’t seen again after the breakaway. Mighty had one find and
then was picked up for a bird infraction.
Judges and gallery follow Great River Magnum and Chasehill Little Bud.
The 10th brace was the winning Great River Magnum
(Sanchez) and Chasehill Little Bud (Richardson), previously described.
The 11th and final brace had Porter Meadow Bette
(Bush) running as a bye. Bette suffered two unproductive and was picked up.
Chris and Heather Palmer
SIDELIGHTS
A cocktail party was hosted Saturday night by Bill and
Claudia McNamee, owners of 2011 Champion Richfield Silver Belle, handled by
Bill McNamee. The wine was flowing and all kinds of delicious hors d’oeuvres
were prepared by chef John Stolgitis and his wife, Jill. Making a special
appearance was Aidan Malone, on crutches after his recent unfortunate run-in
with a Bobcat (the four-wheel type). We know he’d rather be out scouting than
be sidelined, and we wish him a very speedy recovery!
Chairman of the championship was Richard Giuliano. Also
helping out were Bob Danna, Jeff Smith, John Bunker, and a host of other very
helpful friends of the club. We thank them all.
Once again, support from Purina was appreciated. They
provided field trialers with hats, both tan and pink, a new banner for the New England region, and dog food for the winners.
New England Open Champion Great River Ice with Mark McClain, and Runnerup Champion Klee's Handsome Hank with Stacey Goodie. Rear from left, Chayton Scheuritzel, Bob Reed, Elias Richardson, reporter Janice Gregory, Karen Reed, judge Dave O'Brien, Jim Hathaway, Mike Tracy, judge Jeff Smith, Tom Gates and Dick Bembenek.
GREAT RIVER ICE
NAMED CHAMPION
AT 84TH
NEW ENGLAND
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Klee's Handsome Hank Named Runnerup
POMFRET, Conn. -- With a race that blew away the competition, Great River Ice, a pointer male owned by Great River Kennels and handled by Mike Tracy, beat a field of 34 pointers and setters to be named champion at the 84th annual New England Open Championship held Oct. 15-16, 2012, at Ragged Hill Farm. With impeccable manners and form, Ice logged 11 finds -- many in places where no other dogs had gone -- during his hour. He ran hard and was tuned in completely to his handler. Runnerup honors went to last year's New England Open champion, Klee's Handsome Hank, a pointer male owned by Susan and Roger Duerksen and also handled by Mike Tracy. Hank logged six finds with a good shooting-dog race. He could clearly be seen hunting through the woods, was always to the front and ran strong. Judges were Jeff Smith of New Hampshire and Dave O'Brien of Connecticut.
Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship winners, front from left, Champion Grand Heritage Motion with scout Dillon Shaffer and handler Jeanette Tracy, and Runnerup Champion Great River Ice with scout Mark McClain and handler Mike Tracy. Rear from left, judges Kevin Stuart, Pat Casey, reporter Stacey Goodie, Bill McNamee, Brian Sanchez (owner of Great River Ice), Mary Tracy, Gene Casale, Tony Forte and George Tracy.
GRAND HERITAGE
MOTION WINS
2012 NORTHEASTERN
OPEN SHOOTING DOG
CHAMPIONSHIP
Runnerup Champion is Great River Ice
By STACEY GOODIE
EAST WINDSOR, Conn. -- The Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship, held Oct. 8-11 at Flaherty Field Trial Area, drew 55 dogs, with one scratch making a total of 54 starters.
Judges were Pat Casey from Virginia, and Kevin Stuart from New York. Champion was Grand Heritage Motion Champion, a setter male handled by Jeanette Tracy and owned by Bruce Cooper. Motion had five outstanding, beautiful finds and a big forward classy race, always hunting and to the front. Motion also had one heck of a finish with a big forward move down the big edge headed to the top of the hill; he went away fast a strong. He ran in the 13 the brace.
Runnerup Champion was Great River Ice, pointer male handled by Mike Tracy and owned by Brian Sanchez of Great River Kennels. Ice was in the 18th brace and had eight beautiful finds with a lot of style and intensity, two backs and a great forward race always hunting and to the front.
Judges said very little separated these two dogs as both dogs did an outstanding job and were exciting to watch.
POMFRET, Conn. -- Thirty-four birddogs have been drawn to compete in the 84th New England Open Championship, which will run from Monday, Oct. 15 to Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, at Ragged Hill Farm. Stakes start at 8 a.m. each day. Judges are Jeff Smith of Loudon, NH, and Dave O'Brien of Marlborough, Conn. Chairmen are Dick Bembenek and Janice Gregory.
