Result: Lake States Field Trial Club

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: May 21, 2024

Submitted By: Denise Peters

John Hadaway Cover Dog Classic (top row, l-r): Bryan Wood (stake manager), Dave Heavlin (judge), Leeann Parnell (owner), Springpond Rockin Sidney with Tammy Chaffee (handler), Will Langley (judge), and Norma and Roger Johnson. (Bottom row): Tammy Savage and Brent Peters with Purina sign, Flambeau River Annie with Joe Colglazier (owner/handler), and K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot with Ken DeLong (owner/handler).

On April 23-25, the Lake States Field Trial Club hosted its 2024 spring trial. This event, sponsored by Purina, kicked off Tuesday morning with tolerable weather most of the time, with some rain and cool temperatures. We drew 97 dogs this year, resulting in a very successful event.

Tuesday was tough for us here at Gladwin as our long-time patron of the grouse woods, Wayne Fruchey, was laid to rest. Many of our community were missing from the woods this morning to honor a man who will always be remembered for his great stories and kind friendship.
The John Hadaway Cover Dog Classic was judged by Will Langley and Dave Heavlin, looking at 50 of the grouse woods best. Conditions were tough this year, as nesting season began a bit early here in the North. First place was awarded to Springpond Rockin Sidney, handled by Tammy Chaffee. Sidney spent her 30 minutes forward and hunting on Course 13. She was rewarded with a well-located woodcock. She remained high and tight until her handler released her.
Second place went to Flambeau River Annie, owned and handled by Joe Colglazier. Annie ran a closer race, hunting the heavy cover on Course 16. She was rewarded with a well-located grouse 15 feet off her side that flew next to her, heading to her front. She stood the pressure.
Third place was awarded to K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot. "Shooter" ran a moderate race and was whoa'ed on a running grouse about 10 yards off the trail. Congratulations to all on a tough day for birdwork.

Wednesday afternoon, at the conclusion of the Open Shooting Dog, we kicked off the Dell Todd Open Derby Classic. We ran two braces and concluded at the end of the day on Thursday. Joe Wohlfert and Chris Wasserman took pleasure in watching these 32 fine young contenders. Conditions were dry, considering the rain we had on Day One. Springpond's Addy's Boy, with his owner/handler, took first place honors. "Otto" ran in the first brace on Course 6. Otto stood broke on a challenging pair of grouse. He ran a great race and set the bar (and kept it) for the remainder of the stake.
Second place went to Snyder's Big Nose Kate, handled by Tammy Chaffee. Kate scored on a nice grouse find at time. It was noted that she stood broke through the flush and shot.
Third place, handled by Richard Hollister, was Grouse Feather Tilly. She also scored on a nice grouse find, not being a stranger to the podium this spring here in Gladwin. It was reported that nine grouse were sighted, and five of those were pointed--a great performance by this great group of derbies.

We had the pleasure to run the inaugural Bryan Wood Open Puppy Classic on Wednesday morning. As we retired the Bob Doran Open Puppy Classic trophy, we felt none other than our own Bryan Wood be honored to take up the gauntlet. Judging this iconic event were Bruce Minard and Lonnie Rademacher. The judges shared with me that they were looking for the pups who ran the biggest forward-running race. With that information, they honored first place to Neff's Catch Me Get Me ("Gabe"), handled by Marc Forman. Second place was awarded to Twilight's Problem Child (Joey), also handled by Marc Forman. Third place went to Dunrovens Rolling Stone, handled by Richard Hollister.

As I stood as stake manager for this event and announced the winners, it was with tears that I realized that the first winner of the original Bob Doran Open Puppy Classic was our own Wayne Fruchey.

Thank you to everyone who helped us keep the wheels on this week. All participants helped us marshal, move cars, and get it done. Thanks to Purina for being our sponsor; Leeann Parnell and Mike Brown, who particularly made the trip on Tuesday to make sure I had help; to the Hollisters, who again, wrangled the best horses in the grouse woods; to the Singletons, who make sure we have snacks and food for lunches; and to Bryan Wood who is always our stake manager! We here at Gladwin are truly blessed to have such a great field trial community!

Thursday did not end without something very special. Our field trial community was honored to be part of an event that takes precedence over any event previously held here at the Alibi (that I know of). Thomas Butler and Rachel VanEyk were joined in matrimony with family and many of our field trial community witnessing. Thomas and Rachel were newcomers to us last spring and have continued to participate (and win) and contribute ever since. They are from Traunik, Michigan, on the Upper Peninsula. We wish them the best!

Meredith, Mich., April 23
Judges: Dave Heavlin and William Langley
JOHN HARDAWAY COVER DOG CLASSIC - 13 Pointers, 34 Setters, 1 Brittany, and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-SPRINIGPOND ROCKIN SIDNEY, 1689212, setter female, by Springpond Rockin Autumn-Tailsup Olive. Leeann Parnell, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler.
2d-FLAMBEAU RIVER ANNIE, 1670685, setter female, by Grouse Busters Zeke-Cornerwood Mya Storm. Joe Colglazier, owner and handler.
3d-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, 1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance To Soar. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.

The Bryan Wood Open Puppy Classic (l-r): Denise Peters (stake manager), Bryan Wood, Bruce Minard (judge), Neff's Catch Me Get Me with Marc Forman (handler), Twilight's Problem Child with Deb Nihart, Dunrovens Rolling Stone with Richard Hollister (handler), and Lonnie Rademacher (judge).

Judges: Bruce Minard and Lonnie Rademacher
BRYAN WOOD OPEN PUPPY CLASSIC - 3 Pointers and 12 Setters
1st-NEFF'S CATCH ME GET ME, 1705378, setter male, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Twilight's Echoed Promise. Virginia S. Neff, owner; Marc L. Forman, handler.
2d-TWILIGHT'S PROBLEM CHILD, 1706124, setter female, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Twilight's Echoed Promise. Mark Deneka, owner; Marc L. Forman, handler.
3d-DUNROVENS ROLLING STONE, 1705028, pointer male, by Crosswind Jim-Highbank's Down'n'dirty. Mark & Tom Fernandez, owners; Richard Hollister, handler.

Judges: Chris Wasserman and Joe Wohlfert
DELL TODD OPEN DERBY CLASSIC - 11 Pointers, 20 Setters and 1 Irish Setter
1st-SPRINGPOND'S ADDY'S BOY, 1699904, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Springpond's Autumn Adeline. Lonnie Rademacher, owner and handler.
2d-SNYDER'S BIG NOSE KATE, 1702168, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-Eldridge's Beauty And Beast. Steven C. Snyder, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler.
3d-GROUSE FEATHER TILLY, 1703250, setter female, by Grouse Feather Hawk-GF Southern Belle. Custis Coleman Jr., owner; Richard Hollister, handler.

Dell Todd Open Derby Classic (l-r): Bryan Wood (stake manager), Chris Wasserman (judge), Springpond's Addy's Boy with Lonnie Rademacher (owner/handler), Snyder's Big Nose Kate with Tammy Chaffee (handler), Grouse Feather Tilly with Jennifer Hollister, and Joe Wohlfert (judge).

Wedding: The new Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (and Rachel) Butler with their wedding party--Wyatt, Kelly, Shady, Paint, Cletus, and Fritz at the Alibi Hall on House Lake in Meredith, Michigan.