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Result: NGSPA Great Lakes Championships

Location: Ionia, Michigan

Post Date: Jan 10, 2024

Submitted By: Dan DiMambro

NGSPA Great Lakes OSD ChF23

NGSPA Great Lakes Open Shooting Dog Championship (front, l-r): Sherri Tangsrud with Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee. (Behind): Fred Ryan, J. P. Jones, Kirk Loftin, and Cliff Mesnard.

The Great Lakes Championship ran October 9-13, 2023, at Ionia State Recreational Area. The grounds were in the best shape thanks to the IFTGA, comprised of volunteers who groom the grounds during the summer months. Our hats are tipped to those who have donated their time to make these grounds some of the best in the country to watch our bird dogs perform. As always, the fall colors are brilliant and full during this event, and there are many magnificent views throughout the courses. As with many field trials, this trial isn't any different in that it has gone from many helping hands to only a few. Thanks to those who stepped up to help with various duties throughout the week, including Dan and April DiMambro, Marc McKinley, Tom Davis, Kirk Loftin, Sherri Tangsrud, Hank Lewis, Joe and Cindy Orndorff, Jesse and Christine Conroy, Gale and Cheryl Graves, Hank and Dina Lewis, Chris Young, and Jen Goodall, and Becky and Andy Dynkiewicz. Thanks to our judges, Cliff Mesnard, Fred Ryan, and J. P. Jones, for watching our dogs all week. Dick Lipski was there to lend a hand a planting bird for the week. The Great Lakes Championship would also like to thank our sponsors, Purina and SportDOG, for their long-time support. These two companies diligently support horseback field trials.

The Open Shooting Dog drew 23 entries, and the stake was filled with exceptional dogs. In the end, the judges could only name two winners. This year's winner was Hi N's Secret Society, owned and handled by Hank Lewis. "Stella" had a bold and forward race with four finds. The judges commented on her speed, style, and stamina. The runner-up champion was Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee, owned and handled by Kirk Loftin. Dee is no stranger to the winners' circle on these grounds. She had four finds and a great forward application.

Our Open All-Age stake drew 14 entries this year, and there were several great performances from the stake, which, with all-age dogs, is sometimes hard. Hi N's Allison Miranda, owned and handled by Kirk Loftin, was named the winner. Allie ran a big forward race, had three finds, and took the outer rim of these Ionia grounds. Twin Creeks Running Rocky, owned and handled by Kirk Loftin, was the runner-up champion. Rocky had a great race with several limb finds.

The Amateur Shooting Dog stake was won by In Country's Hurricane Jane, owned by Robert Reynolds and Chris Young and handled by Chris Young. Janie had four finds during the hour and was stuck to the tree lines of Ionia like glue. Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee, owned and handled by Kirk Loftin, had five well-spaced finds throughout the hour. She exemplified great style and was very classy about her way around the course.

Ionia, Mich., October 9
Judges: Cliff Mesnard and Fred Ryan
NGSPA GREAT LAKES OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 23 German Shorthairs
Winner-HI N'S SECRET SOCIETY, 1688000, female, by Hi N's Bodacious-Hi N's Hasty Matilda. Hank Lewis, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-STONEY HILL'S PINNACLE DEE, 1694168, female, by Simons Gunner-Shadowrocks Mighty Mouse. Dr. Kirk Loftin, owner and handler.

Judges: John Paul Jones and Cliff Mesnard
NGSPA OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 14 German Shorthairs
Winner-HI N'S ALLISON MIRANDA, 1676665, female, by Hi N's Feed Jake-Chicoree's Sparkle In Her Eye. Dr. Kirk Loftin, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-TWIN CREEKS RUNNING ROCKY, 1685652, male, by Twin Creeks Running Ruger-P J Wildfire's Little Lexi. Dr. Kirk Loftin, owner and handler.

NGSPA Great Lakes OAA ChF23

NGSPA Great Lakes Open All-Age Championship (front, l-r): Sherri Tangsrud with Hi N's Allison Miranda and Jesse Conroy with Twin Creeks Running Rocky. (Behind): J. P. Jones, Kirk Loftin, and Cliff Mesnard.

NGSPA GREAT LAKES AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 18 German Shorthairs
Winner-IN COUNTRY'S HURRICANE JANE, 1672744, female, by Hi N's Bodacious-Slaterock Mattie Clark. Dr. Robert Reynolds & Chris Young, owners; Chris Young, handler.
Runner-Up- STONEY HILL'S PINNACLE DEE, 1694168, female, by Simons Gunner-Shadowrocks Mighty Mouse. Dr. Kirk Loftin, owner and handler.

NGSPA Great Lakes ASD ChF23

NGSPA Great Lakes Amateur Shooting Dog Championship (front, l-r): Marc McKinley with In Country's Hurricane Jane and Sherri Tangsrud with Stoney Hill' s Pinnacle Dee. (Behind): Chris Young and Kirk Loftin.