Result: NGSPA Pheasant Championships

Location: Wye Island, Maryland

Post Date: Mar 4, 2024

Submitted By: Anthony Rusciano

NGSPA Pheasant Derby Classic Winners (l-r): Mick Monica, Anthony Rusciano, Mike Mullineaux, Steve Zozzaro with Monica's Quail Point Sheba, Fred Ryan (judge), Dan DiMambro, April DiMambro with RN's High Riden Lizie, Wayne Horner, Nancy Huyser (judge), and Lance Fargo with Toots Toots Tootsie.

The NGSPA Pheasant Championship started on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the NRMA on Wye Island, Maryland. This was a milestone for the Pheasant Championship, as it was the 50th anniversary of this Championship and the 30th year running on Wye Island. We were honored that some of the past board members who brought this event to the island could join us, and for those unable to make the trip, you were certainly in our thoughts. This year was the largest group of attendees that this event has had to date. We could not have asked for better weather, and the grounds were in excellent condition, with ample areas of switch grass to hold our 300+ pheasants. Many attendees travel thousands of miles to compete with their dogs and try to pin down a few pheasant finds. While the competition against some of the top GSPs is worth the trip alone, you cannot overlook the great company, the beautiful scenery on the island, some of the best seafood that Maryland has to offer, or the hospitality and social events held by the Pheasant Championship at the clubhouse. A lot of planning and time goes into running the Pheasant Championship, and we appreciate all of the professional handlers and amateurs who selected this championship to attend and support.

Purina Pro Plan has sponsored the NGSPA Pheasant championship for many years, and we want to let Purina and Greg Blair know that we are extremely grateful for all they do for our sport. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make this championship an enjoyable one for all of our attendees. Whether it was taking entries, planting birds, driving the dog wagon, assisting in the kitchen, being a stake manager, or jumping in where needed, this championship would not be a successful event without a team effort. A special thanks goes to our judges for taking the time out of their busy schedules and away from their families to sit in the saddle and watch our dogs. We would also like to thank the Wye Island NRMA employees, especially Martin Callahan, who helped run the event smoothly. Lastly, we would like to thank the NGSPA board of directors for trusting us to run this event.

We are not certain how long we may be allowed to continue to hold our championships on these grounds, and we were reminded of this at this event when ranger Martin Callahan informed us that one of our main fields may be eliminated as early as next year. The state is planning to extend its wildlife area and remove the field from crop to allow foliage to develop. Currently, the championship plans on running on these grounds in 2024 but is actively seeking new grounds to call home. If you have not had the opportunity to enjoy the island, please consider joining us in 2024, as it may be our last.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 champions and runners-up. The Pheasant Championship would like to sincerely thank all those who participated in each stake.

NGSPA Pheasant Derby Classic
On the afternoon of Friday, November 3, 2023, the Pheasant Championship kicked off the event with Fred Ryan and Nancy Huyser judging the Derby Classic. The course we ran was an out-and-back, starting at the Boy Scout camp area and only using the left-hand side of the island. There was plenty of excitement watching the 17 derby dogs run and handle the open grounds, some encountering their first-ever pheasant find.
First place went to Monicas Quail Point Sheba, owned by Mick Monica and handled by Mike Mullineaux. Sheba had some nice casts and ran a forward race. The judges stated Sheba demonstrated that she has the potential to be a nice running, forward-moving dog as she matures.
Second place went to RN's High Riden Lizie, owned by Ray Nelson and handled by Dan DiMambro. Lizie ran a strong forward race. As a young dog, she made some immature moves but handled kindly and required little scouting by April DiMambro.
Third place went to Toots Toots Tootsie, owned and handled by Wayne Horner. This young dog had a solid shooting dog range while jumping in and out of cover. She demonstrated excellent potential, and this snappy little dog caught the judges' attention.
Congratulations to all the derby owners and handlers on your up-and-coming dogs. These juvenile dogs are on track to have an outstanding field trial career, and we look forward to reading about all of their accomplishments in the future.

Wye Island, Md., November 3
Judges: Nancy Huyser and Fred Ryan
NGSPA PHEASANT DERBY CLASSIC - 17 German Shorthairs
1st-MONICA'S QUAIL POINT SHEBA, 1701615, female, by Keg Creek Mc's Big Lick-Monica's Q P B R Duchess. Charles Monica, owner; Mike Mullineaux, handler.
2d-RN'S HIGH RIDEN LIZIE, 1705394, female, by Riden High Rudy-Weideland's High Riden Bella. Ray Nelson, owner; Dan DiMambro, handler.
3d-TOOTS TOOTS TOOTSIE, 1703565, female, by Keg Creek Mc's Big Lick-Monica's Q P B R Duchess. Wayne Horner, owner and handler.

NGSPA Pheasant Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
The judges for the running of the 2023 NGSPA Pheasant Amateur Shooting Dog Championship were Rich Robertson and Dave McKay. Rich is a professional trainer/handler who has joined us for many years at the Pheasant Championship running dogs, so we were honored to have him judge this year. Dave is a seasoned amateur handler and has judged numerous pointing dog championships. He joined us for the first time this year. The weather for the three-day stake was warm, but the sun was shining, so we couldn't complain. The majority of the 30 dogs entered in this stake were able to find and produce a good number of pheasants, making it a very competitive and exciting stake to watch.
Champion In Country's Hurricane Jane ("Janie") is owned by Robert Reynolds and Chris Young and was handled by owner Chris Young. Janie ran on the morning of the first day of the stake in brace 3B. Janie ran a strong forward race and required little handling. She was found standing with exceptional style on all of her pheasant finds. Janie is a seasoned shooting dog and has great style and manners on her birds. It was Janie's stake as she outshined the competition and was awarded the Amateur Shooting Dog Champion title.
Hickory Acres All Out Blitz ("Blitz"), owned and handled by Scott Weslow, was awarded 2023 Amateur Shooting Dog Runner-Up Champion. Blitz came out of the first brace 7A on day two of the stake. Scott and Blitz have both been to the Wye Island grounds numerous times. It was an emotional runner-up champion placement for Scott and his family, and watching them receive it brought a smile to everyone's face. Blitz and Scott did a great job navigating the island grounds and pinning down a few pheasant finds. Blitz stayed forward and handled kindly for Scott.
Owners Doc Reynolds, Chris Young, Scott Weslow, and family have been attending and supporting the Pheasant Championship for many years, and it was a pleasure to see these gentlemen awarded with placements.

Sportsmanship Award
Each year, the Amateur Shooting Dog judges name an amateur to award the Jerry Albanese Sportsmanship Award. This award is for the amateur who goes above and beyond just showing up and running their dog. They help others by scouting for them or assisting with running the championship more efficiently, all with an outstanding attitude and as a true sportsman. This year's recipient is Dayna Rusciano. Congratulations, Dayna, on being named this year's recipient; we cannot thank you enough for your overwhelming support of the Pheasant Championship.

NGSPA Pheasant Amateur Shooting Dog Championship Winners (l-r): Chris Goegan, Giovani Goegan, Stacy Goegan, Rich Robertson (judge), Robert Reynolds, Joe Amatulli, Chris Young, Steve Zozzaro with In Country's Hurricane Jane, Scott Weslow with Hickory Acres All Out Blitz, Scott's grandchildren, Dave McKay (judge), and Anthony Rusciano.

Judges: Dave McKay and Ritchie Robertson
NGSPA PHEASANT AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 30 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-HICKORY ACRES ALL OUT BLITZ, 1673650, male, by M S R's Lord of Dragon Stone-Franco's Flying Freebird. Scott Weslow, owner and handler.

NGSPA Pheasant Open All-Age Championship
The judges for the running of the 2023 NGSPA Pheasant All-Age Championship were Jeanette Tracy and Jeff Currier. Jeanette is a professional trainer/handler and a veteran on these grounds and has done her share of winning throughout the years. Jeff has won his share of championships over his years of field trialing with his string of Brittanys. The weather for the entire two-and-a-half days was ideal for running dogs; it was cool, but the sun was shining. There were 26 dogs entered in this stake, making it a very competitive one.
Champion Hi N's Dirty Secret ("Badger"), owned and handled by Hank Lewis, was in the first brace, 1B. Badger was scouted by Dina Lewis. Badger broke away strong to the front. As we made our way towards the back of the island, Hank pointed Badger out to the judges running the edges of the fields. Badger was found standing towards the back corner of the island before the gated back fields on the right side. A pheasant was produced as Badger stood with manners in order. Badger had another pheasant find shortly after the first one, then finished the hour strong and forward running the edge of the field. This performance earned Badger the 2023 Pheasant Open All-Age Champion title.
Quailpoint Blackriver Rusty has done some winning here on the island, and it was no different for this stake as he was named the 2023 Pheasant All-Age Runner-up Champion. Rusty is owned by Ken and Nancy Huyser and handled by Mike Mullineaux. Rusty ran in the second to last brace, 12A. Rusty wasted no time gaining ground and was pointed out by Mike running forward. Rusty had strong ground speed and great style on his game. The judges stated that the placements were close, and between Badger and Rusty, it could have gone either way. Rusty finished as strong as he started.

NGSPA Pheasant Open All-Age Championship Winners (l-r): Anthony Rusciano, Jeanette Tracy (judge), Hank Lewis, Dina Lewis with Hi N's Dirty Secret, Mike Mullineaux, Kirk Loftin with Quailpoint Blackriver Rusty, Jeff Currier (judge), Nancy Huyser, and Ken Huyser.

Judges: Jeff Currier and Jeanette Tracy
NGSPA PHEASANT OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 26 German Shorthairs
Winner-HI N'S DIRTY SECRET, 1687997, female, by Hi N's Bodacious-Hi N's Hasty Matilda. Hank Lewis, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-QUAILPOINT BLACKRIVER RUSTY, 1672636, male, by K J's Hightailing Saddle-West Wind's Sky Rockets. Kenneth & Nancy Huyser, owners; Mike Mullineaux, handler.

NGSPA Pheasant Open Shooting Dog Championship
We were honored to have Greg Strausbaugh and Jeff Currier judge the Open Shooting Dog stake this year. Greg and Jeff are both amateur pointing dog handlers who actively competed in American field championships. The weather made for excellent conditions to run bird dogs. This large stake had 40 dogs and was run over three-and-a-half days.
The Open Shooting Dog champion came from the second day. On brace 11A ran Uodibar's Robbi Jo ("Robbi"), and she caught the judges' attention with her application on the ground and her style and intensity on birds. Robbi is owned by Sherri Tangsrud and handled by Kirk Loftin. Robbi was all business as she rimmed the edges in search of game. Robbi was rewarded with three finds, all pointed with style. Robbi completed the hour, moving forward like she had started it. Sherri and Kirk are strong supporters of the Pheasant Championship, and both put a lot of time into field trialing, so it's no surprise that their dog's performance earned her the 2023 Open Shooting Dog Pheasant Championship title.
Earlier in the stake on day one, in brace 3A, Hi N's Curtain Call ("Charlie"), owned and handled by Hank Lewis, ran. Charlie had two beautiful pheasant finds and a back. Charlie was always forward and stayed consistent for the entire hour brace. Charlie handled kindly with little need of direction from the handler and required no scouting by Dina Lewis. His performance earned him the Open Shooting Dog Runner-up Champion placement.

Judges: Jeff Currier and Greg Strausbaugh
NGSPA PHEASANT OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 40 German Shorthairs
Winner-UODIBAR'S ROBBI JO, 1662507, female, by Uodibar's Against All Odds-B D K's Sin City Casino. Sherri Tangsrud, owner; Kirk Loftin, handler.
Runner-Up-HI N'S CURTAIN CALL, 1687995, male, by Hi N's Bodacious-Hi N's Hasty Matilda. Hank Lewis, owner and handler.

NGSPA Pheasant Open Shooting Dog Championship Winner (l-r): Greg Strausbaugh (judge), Stacy Goodie, Jeff Currier (judge), Kirk Loftin, Sherri Tangsrud with Uodibar's Robbi Jo, Christine Conroy, Jesse Conroy, and Anthony Rusciano.