Result: New England Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Jul 9, 2021

Submitted By: John W Olfson II

EAST WINDSOR, CONN. -- The ninety-second New England Open Championship commenced Monday, April 26, at 8;00 a.m. in cool, overcast conditions.

The Championship is hosted by the New Britain Field Trial Club and Association of New England Field Trial Clubs. It is the first leg of three consecutive events which we promoted as "New England's Spring Fling Triple Header".

Roots of the trial date back to the late 1920s when the Championship was held in the Concord-Carlisle, Mass., area. The first couple of runnings did not produced a champion.

In 1930 the first champion was named, Miss Maggie of Ware, pointer bitch by Master Robert ex Dot of Stagmount. Then, beginning in 1933, and for the next seventeen years the Championship was held at Hall-of-Famer (1959) Lee White's farm in Scotland, Conn., which held grouse, woodcock, wild pheasant, and wild quail.

Eventually, after those grounds were no longer available, the trial struggled to find a suitable location and for a while became a walking then a horseback quail championship when the event settled in at Hall-of-Famer (1987) Harry H. Townshend's Ragged Hill Farm in Pomfret, Conn., where it thrived for many years under the chairmanship of Dick Bembenek. After Harry's passing the event moved to its present-day location, the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area.

This year's trial was chaired by Bill Bonetti and myself.. It is Bill who deserves all the credit. Bill is very detail oriented, always puts on a fine event, and was on top of the bird shortage which developed this spring. The cost was up significantly; however, Bill held our primary supplier to his original commitment as to number of birds, and with the large entry we procured additional birds. No one could complain about a shortage at this series of events.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association, and its devoted President Dick Frawley, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Eastern District Wildlife Biologist Ann Kilpatrick, the grounds were in as good of condition as could be expected with several spots having improved drainage, and stability. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort.

THE WINNERS

Judges Gary Winall and Ellen Clements of Powhatan, Va., named Miller's Heat Seeker, white and orange pointer female coming five (June 1), champion. She ran in the first brace, handled by Hall-of-Famer (2011) George Tracy. She ran a spectacular nine-find race, always forward and very classy on birds.

When she took the far right property edge as we entered Dearborn, I said to myself, "Man, does this guy know how to show a dog!" George first won this Championship in 1975, which was the 47th running!

Heat Seeker is owned by Bill and Muriel Primm of Crean Ridge, N.J., and Dennis Hood of Lanett, Ala., and Fran and Jack Miller of Barwick Ga. Muriel rode the brace, witnessed a fine performance that I'm sure she is quite proud of. We thank her for her ever-present support and generosity.

Miller's Extreme Heat, white and orange pointer female turning three on. May 1, was handled by Mike Tracy and named runner-up. She ran in the 15th brace, and put on a very classy performance to earn her laurels.

Special thanks to professionals Matt Basilone, Doug Ray, Mike Martino, Bo Brewer, and Hall of Famer (2013) Mr. Tony Gibson for sending Bo with his fine entries.

We thank Greg Blair and Purina for their continued support. We are proud to award ProPlan Sport to the winners. We all appreciate Purina's effort and support of all sporting breeds. Purina is far and away second to none.

Thanks to all who helped, and supported the trial. Special thanks to our longtime Chairman Dick Bembenek who attended after having driven his travel trailer from Arizona, and helped plant birds for most of the trial.

Many thanks to Jane Fogarty for preparing all the delicious meals.

The source of event history mentioned came from a publication Gene Casale provided, 50th Golden Anniversary New England Bird Dog Championship which was written by Frank E. Foss.

East Windsor, Conn., April 26

Judges: Ellen Clements and Gary Winall

NEW ENGLAND OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 54 Entries

Winner--MILLER'S HEAT SEEKER, 1674886, pointer male, by Just Irresistible--Miller's Bring The Heat. Dennis Hood, Bill & Muriel Primm, Jack & Fran Miller, owners; George Tracy, handler.

Runner-Up--MILLER'S EXTREME HEAT, 1685698, pointer female, by Just Irresistible--Miller's Bring The Heat. Joseph McHugh, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.