Result: 95th New England Open Shooting Dog Championship and Region 1 Championships

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Jul 24, 2024

Submitted By: John Olfson

New England Open Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Bill Bonetti, Tom Tracy (judge), Darrell & Payton Gunby, Doug Ray with Waybetter Rebel, Ronnie Rogers (judge), Mike Tracy with Miller's Heat Seeker, John Olfson, Gene Casale, and John Stolgitis.

The 95th New England Open Championship commenced Monday, April 24, at 8 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."

Beginning in 1934 and through 1949, the New England Bird Dog Championship was held on Hall of Famer (1959) W. Lee White's farm, also known as Championship Game Preserve on the White's Pinch Street homestead in Scotland, Connecticut. The grounds held grouse, woodcock, wild quail, and pheasant. In the early years, there seemed to have been a division between the traditional close-hunting New England grouse dog and the more wide-ranging Southern-type dog. Initially, qualifying stakes were held for the respective different type dogs. Eventually, a compromise was reached stabilizing standards. Then, beginning in 1967, the event settled in at Hall of Famer (1987), Harry Townshend's Ragged Hill Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut, where it thrived for 47 years. In 1972, for the first time in the event history, the Directors conceded to allow the limited use of horses by the handlers, and this move brought in a record entry at that time of 51 dogs. Hall of Famer Harold Ray (2006) won with Hall of Fame Setter Tomoka (1974). After Harry's passing, the event moved to its present-day location, the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area in East Windsor, Connecticut.

Judges Tom Tracy, Lebanon, Connecticut, and Ronnie Rogers, New Market, Tennessee, named Pointer male Waybetter Rebel champion and Pointer male Miller's Heat Seeker runner-up champion. Both dogs were handled by Mike Tracy. Rebel ran a big forward race with four finds and a back. Always classy on point, exhibiting snappy moves while taking edges, and always hunting. Heat Seeker ran an extreme forward race while still handling nicely for Mike, producing three finds.

Many thanks to 2023 Champion Absolute Dominator owners Johnny and Joyce Taylor for hosting the handlers' dinner.
We thank Greg Blair and Purina for their continued support. We are proud to award Pro Plan Sport to the winners. We all appreciate Purina's effort and support of all sporting breeds; they are far away second to none.
The source of event history mentioned came from a publication Gene Casale provided, 50th Golden Anniversary New England Bird Dog Championship written by Frank E. Foss.

Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship
The Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship commenced Saturday, April 27, in East Windsor, Connecticut, at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area with judges Doug Ray and Tim Cavanaugh mounted and ready for action. Doug and Tim are experienced pointing dog handlers and trainers with many championships under their belt. We are most appreciative that they accepted the assignment.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association and its President, Rich Murph, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Eastern District Wildlife Biologist Ann Kilpatrick, the grounds were in as good of condition as could be expected. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort.
Pointer male Spitfire's Diamond Dude was named champion. He is owned and handled by Darrell Gunby of Roswell, Georgia. Spitfire ran an exceptional all-age race. When entering the Dearborn section, most dogs take the inside edge; Spitfire made a bold move along the outer edge and hunted his way to the top to be found on point with his bracemate backing. When turned loose after this spectacular birdwork, he took the back edge and continued to rim the outer edge on his way out of Dearborn to be found on point in the Pines.
Running in the same brace, Pointer female Jolene Jolene was named runner-up champion. She is owned and handled by Dave McKay of Hellertown, Pennsylvania. She ran a true all-age race, making snappy moves, hunting, taking edges, and was very classy on point.
Greg Blair and Purina provided Pro Plan Sport to the winners as well. Thanks again, and we appreciate the ongoing support.
Many thanks to Jane Fogerty for taking care of the clubhouse and putting on all the delicious meals throughout the entire Spring Fling Triple Header. Many thanks to our association president, Eli Richardson, for providing his three fine walking horses for the entire time. They were very helpful. Thanks to all participants, and we look forward to seeing everyone next year.

East Windsor, Conn., April 22 - One Course
Judges: Ronnie Rogers and Tom Tracy
39 Pointers and 7 Setters
Winner-WAYBETTER REBEL, 1689139, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Calico's Country Strong. William & Muriel Primm & Allen Linder, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
Runner-Up-MILLER'S HEAT SEEKER, 1674886, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. William & Muriel Primm, Dennis Hood, Fran & Jack Miller, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.

Judges: Tim Cavanaugh and Doug Ray
REGION 1 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 19 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-SPITFIRE'S DIAMOND DUDE, 1692712, pointer male, by Larry's Creek Beau-That's My Q. Darrell Gunby, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-JOLENE JOLENE, 1692447, pointer female, by Miller's Heat Seeker-Dominator's Heir Kate. David McKay & Joe McHugh, owners; David McKay, handler.

Region 1 Amateur All-Age Championship (l-r): Tim Cavanaugh, Darrell & Payton Gumby with Spitfire's Diamond Dude, Bill Bonetti, Dave & June McKay with Jolene Jolene, Doug Ray (judge), and Eli Richardson (Region 1 Trustee).