Result: Grand Valley Bird Dog Club

Location: Highland, Michigan

Post Date: Dec 14, 2023

Submitted By: Jim Cipponeri

The first fall trial of the Association of Michigan Field Trial Clubs was run on the beautifully manicured grounds at the popular Silo Course. Our local Octogenarian and famous writer for the American Field, Dave Fletcher, was in attendance. He informed us that trials have been conducted here since at least the early 1950s, and recently, there have been several walking championships and even a National English Setter event scheduled for later this fall.

Thanks to the efforts of Ron Sposita, Bill Darr, John Hall, and Tom Vanecek, the one-hour course was groomed to perfection. These individuals donated not only their time but also their farm equipment while grooming the courses after a ban on burning was initiated by the Department of Natural Resources this summer. Birds were picked up and delivered by Mike Brown, and lunches were provided by Maria Sposita to the liking of all those in attendance.
The club appreciates those amateurs who entered and judged. Also, a big thank you to professional handler R. J. Ecker Jr., who came all the way from Quakake, Pennsylvania. There were many fine performances in both the horseback and walking U. S. Complete stakes. Several newcomers to Highland showed their dogs, and the future looks bright.

Highland, Mich., September 22 - One Course
Judges: Tom Vanecek and Ron Williams
OPEN DERBY - 2 Pointers, 1 Setter, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-DUKE'S C C KATIE, 1699933, pointer female, by Knight's Light Chipster-Windfall Queen of Soul. Ron Sposita, owner and handler.
2d-HIGHWATERS BRUNO MAGLI, 1706777, German Shorthair male, by Wildfire's Royal Flush-Hi N's Allison Miranda. Blake Rizzo, owner and handler.

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-JACK'S ROCKIN ROCCO, 1669276, setter male, by Thornapple Hawk-Boondocks Karens Annie Girl. Jim & Connie Cipponeri, owners; Jim Cipponeri, handler.
2d-STELLER WIND, 1678050, pointer female, Easy Terms-Quickmarksman's Erin Penny. Jim & Connie Cipponeri, owners; Jim Cipponeri, handler.
3d-BAD RIVER BEAUREGARD, 1665144, setter male, by T's Nickleback-Straight Up Skydancing Lady. Tom Vanecek, owner and handler.

Judges: Bill Branham and Ron Williams
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 3 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-HIGHWATERS ARIAS, 1703634, pointer female, by Greypointe Nubarron-Drowning Creeks Tilda. Blake Rizzo, owner and handler.
2d-BAD RIVER RYLAND, 1687379, setter female, by T's Gunslinger-T's Unjaded. Tom Vanecek, owner and handler.
3d-HIGHWATERS LUIGI, 1703635, pointer male, by Greypointe Nubarron-Drowning Creeks Tilda. Blake Rizzo, owner and handler.

Judges: Jim Cipponeri and Ron Williams
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 1 Pointer and 5 Setters
1st-PONDEROSA'S COPPER PENNY, 1690593, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-Eldridge's Beauty And Beast. Robert Ellis, owner and handler.
2d-ROUGE RIVER PIG PEN, 1702926, setter male, by Chip's Charlie Brown-Rouge River Wing Nut. Michael Brown, owner and handler.
3d-GRACIE BALLROOM STAR, 1694839, setter female, by Sunrise Star-Lucy Two Star. George Najor, owner and handler.

Judges: Tom Vanecek and Ron Williams
OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers and 7 Setters
1st-ROCKLAND RIDGE ROCKY, 1700815, setter male, by Grouse Hill Bullet Proof-Spata Setters Sally. Gary Chlapaty, owner; R. J. Ecker Jr., handler.
2d-MIA STAR, 1702751, setter female, by Windstar-Hometown Queen. George Najor, owner; Steve McKalko, handler.
3d- ROGUE RIVER PIG PEN, 1702926, setter male, by Chip's Charlie Brown-Rogue River Wing Nut. Michael Brown, owner and handler.

Judges: Blake Rizzo and Tom Vanecek
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers, 6 Setters, 1 Brittany, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-KISSAMEE GROUSEWOODS TEA, 1672676, pointer female, by Daddy's Little Boy Butch-Porter Meadow Bette. Peter LaBella, owner; R. J. Ecker Jr., handler.
2d-SAMMY THE ROCK STAR, 1694825, setter male, by Sunrise Star-Lucy Two Star. George D. Najor, owner; R. J. Ecker Jr., handler.
3d-HIFIVES ROLLING STONE, 1701648, pointer male, by Titanium's Hammer-Hifive's Allisin. John Paul Jones, owner and handler.