Result: NGSPA Region 3 Championships

Location: Wye Island, Maryland

Post Date: Mar 4, 2024

Submitted By: Anthony Rusciano

NGSPA Region 3 Open All-Age Championship Winners (l-r): Cory Roy (judge), Dan DiMambro with High Standing Cuttin Edge, Dayna Rusciano, Anthony Rusciano, April DiMambro with Chicoree's Riden High Trixie, and Bo Mamounis (judge).

The NGSPA Region 3 Championships started on Saturday, November 11, 2023, after the conclusion of the NGSPA Pheasant Championship Open Shooting Dog stake. The championship was run on the scenic grounds of Wye Island, Maryland. Region 3 is a fun but challenging championship because although we transition to quail, there are still 300+ pheasants running around the island grounds. With an abundance of pheasant still on the grounds from the prior championship and over 300 quail utilized throughout the event, the dogs had plenty of opportunities to point game.

Although the NGSPA Pheasant Championship is a tough act to follow, and many participants need to leave to return to work obligations, it is necessary for us to make the sacrifice and run this championship because of the lack of NGSPA events we have available on the East Coast. Pulling off two NGSPA back-to-back events with a very small handful of volunteers is draining, but the reward is to see that the attendees are thankful for the efforts. Region 3 is grateful to those who were able to stay and support the event.

To our sponsor, Purina Pro Plan and Greg Blair, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and huge "Thank You" for your years of sponsorship; it is greatly appreciated. Through your generous donation, Purina Pro Plan dog food was awarded to all dogs that placed as well as to our judges.

Special thanks to Dayna Rusciano and Dina Lewis for helping behind the scenes and making sure we were fed. To our judges, thank you for taking time away from your busy schedules to watch our dogs; we appreciate your time.

Although this year was our largest turnout of participation, unfortunate incidents happen, and this year was not without our own challenges. Two judges dropped out at the last minute, and we were unable to replace them, so we had to cancel the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. The amateur participants were relieved because many of the same dogs, handlers, and horses participated throughout both events, and they did not want to overdo it and wanted to avoid injuries.

NGSPA Region 3 Open All-Age Championship
A total of 26 dogs competed in the All-Age stake that started on Saturday afternoon, November 11, 2023. Our judges were Bo Mamounis from New Jersey and Cory Roy from Connecticut. Both gentlemen have spent time in the saddle judging and handling pointing dogs. Bo is an English Pointer owner/handler, and Cory is a GSP/Vizsla owner/handler. Both judges actively campaign their dogs in American Field events.
High Standing Cuttin Edge ("Woody"), owned by Anthony and Dayna Rusciano, ran mid-morning on day two in brace 7B. Handler Dan DiMambro broke Woody away as he stretched out strong, forward, and to the front. Woody disappeared and was found standing at 12. Quail were produced as they flew directly over his head; he stood with style. Woody was sent on and was found standing at 17 in the far back-reaching corner of the large back field on the property past the gates. A pheasant was produced. Woody was once again rewarded with a find at 40, with style and manners. Woody made a huge finishing cast to time around the entire edge of the tree line of the large Boy Scout field. Woody was an all-around powerful dog for the hour; he handled kindly, earning him the 2023 Region 3 All-Age Champion title.
Runner-up Champion Chicoree's Riden High Trixie was in brace 6B on the second day. Trixie is owned by Rondal Alexander and handled by Dan DiMambro. Trixie is a true all-age competitor and has done plenty of winning throughout the years. Trixie started the hour with a strong forward cast down the tree line as far as the eye could see. She ran a strong all-age race around the island in search of game. She was found to the front, standing on all of her finds. Trixie had three evenly spaced finds: two small quail coveys and a Pheasant. She stood her birds with great style and manners and was able to pin down a moving Pheasant. Trixie's ground speed and style complemented this year's champion.
The judges complimented that there was some great competition and appreciated watching these strong running dogs navigate the grounds. They said that all dogs pointed game unless the handler called for the tracker due to a lost dog. The judges noted that they were splitting hairs with a few dogs but that the champion and runner-up had no flaws and stood out for this stake.
Thank you to all participants in this year's Region 3 All-Age Championship.

Wye Island, Md., November 11
Judges: Bo Mamounis and Cory Roy
NGSPA REGION 3 OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 26 German Shorthairs
Winner-HIGH STANDING CUTTIN EDGE, 1675198, male, by Slicks Cuttin Wild-C L K's Point Me The Way. Anthony & Dayna Rusciano, owners; Dan DiMambro, handler.
Runner-Up-CHICOREE'S RIDEN HIGH TRIXIE, 1685125, female, by Riden High Rudy-Chicoree's Sparkle In Her Eye. Rondal Alexander, owner; Dan DiMambro, handler.

NGSPA Region 3 Open Shooting Dog Championship
Our Open Shooting Dog had 30 dogs, judged by Mike Mullineaux and Cory Roy. Mike is a seasoned professional trainer/handler who has won many times at Wye Island. The added cover this year increased our quail planting areas, thus providing extra opportunities for the dogs to encounter game.
Champion was awarded to Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee ("Dee"), owned and handled by Kirk Loftin and scouted by Sherri Tangsrud. The saying, "Save the best for last," applies here as Dee was in the last brace, 15A. Dee was the 2022 Region 3 Open Shooting Dog runner-up champion. As always, Dee started with a strong forward race to the front. Dee had two small quail covey finds, one within the first 10 minutes on course and the second in the last 10 minutes. She had impeccable style and manners on her game. Throughout the stake, Dee hunted hard, seeking game, but handled kindly when needed. Dee finished the hour strong and had no letdown. Dee's performance rewarded her with the 2023 Region 3 Open Shooting Dog Champion title.
Out of brace 8A came this year's runner-up champion, Hunt'em Up's Aim To Impress ("Blaser"). Blaser is owned by Kaj Larson and handled by Barry Bollinger. This was a big win for Barry and Blaser and was his first at Wye Island. Blaser had three quail finds, all with great style and manners. She ran a good shooting dog race and stayed to the front. Barry handled kindly, and Blaser required little to no scouting as she took to the edges and was all business. She finished the hour with plenty of fuel left in her tank. A first-rate shooting dog performance earned Blaser the championship win.
Congratulations to all the dogs that placed. Thank you to all who attended Region 3; we appreciate your support.

Judges: Mike Mullineaux and Cory Roy
NGSPA REGION 3 OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 30 German Shorthairs
Winner-STONEY HILL'S PINNACLE DEE, 1694168, female, by Simons Gunner-Shadowrocks Mighty Mouse. Larry & Kirk Loftin, owners; Kirk Loftin, handler.
Runner-Up-HUNT'EM UP'S AIM TO IMPRESS, 1687305, female, by Friedelsheim Freight Train-Hunt'em Up's Fancy Black Pearl. Kaj Larson, owner; Barry Bollinger, handler.

NGSPA Region 3 Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (l-r): Mike Mullineaux (judge), Kirk Loft, Sherri Tangsrud with Stoney Hill's Pinnacle Dee, Cory Roy (judge), Barry Bollinger, and Jesse Conroy with Hunt'em Up's Aim To Impress.