Result: Lake States Field Trial Club

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Aug 22, 2024

Submitted By: Denise Peters

Open Shooting Dog (l-r): First place Rowdy Timber Runner with Travis Whitfield (owner/handler); Second place Moonshine Henry with Sean McKellip (owner/handler); and Brent Peters (President of LSFTC).

The Lake States Field Trial Club held its summer trial on August 10 and 11 at the prestigious Gladwin Field Trial Grounds in Meredith, Michigan. The weather was a surprise and treated us to temperatures in the 70s. The courses were all in good shape, as we have had our work detail days completed. A couple of new changes were completed, and some for contemplation for the future.

The Open Shooting Dog Qualifier commenced at 7 a.m. on Course 4 with Mike Brown and Ken DeLong as walking judges. We had 11 entries for our judges' viewing. First place was awarded to Rowdy Timber Runner, owned and handled by Travis Whitfield. Rowdy is a hard-running, forward-working, often pushing the limits of bell range, young Pointer. His bell went silent in the first cutting at the two-minute mark. A couple of tinks from his bell helped the handler and judge locate the dog. A woodcock was flushed as they approached, all in order. Rowdy continued to hunt the likely cover, strong, without further birdwork. Second place was awarded to Moonshine Henry, which is owned and handled by Sean McKellip. This young Setter male put down a nice race. He challenged his handler at times as he searched the good cover and was in the right places at the right times. Henry scored finds on timberdoodles at 12 and 25. The Setter female Northview's Dixie Storm took third with a nice, consistent race and handled well. She scoured Course 4 to no avail. She was called back to the bird field, where she pointed a quail nicely to the judge's satisfaction. Also based on strong races and intelligent application, "Doc" with Brent Peters and "Kati" with Mike Singleton were first and second reserve dogs named by the judges. Thanks to Ken DeLong, who offered up this information on this stake.

Immediately following the Open Shooting Dog Qualifier stake, the Open Derby took off on Course 10. Judges Dave Heavlin and Tom Fruchey took over the walking judge detail. We had nine derbies for our judges to take a good look at. First place was awarded to Hitail Roxy Afield, owned and handled by Russell Fazio of Pennsylvania. "Rosy" ran a strong forward and classy race with good range and a minimal amount of handling to get successfully around. Second place went to Hifive's Sweet Basil, owned by Eric Rizza and handled by Bruce Minard. Basil hunted forward well and searched all the right spots that might hold a bird. Basil was very biddable and enjoyable to watch. Hatton Hills Luci took third place, owned and handled by Shane Haskin. Luci was very classy with nice speed. She hunted well with good range and was very pleasing to the eye. Thanks to Tom Fruchey, who shared these words on a very nice stake.

After the Derby stake, everyone went back to the Alibi Hall for brats and hotdogs and some welcomed announcements.

Sunday, we were blessed with the weather still in the 70s. We were able to get started close to 7 a.m. on Course 7; Scott and Tammy Chaffee were ready to walk the braces and judge 14 nice amateur contenders. Ken DeLong, with his K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot, took top honors, with Shooter having a big forward race with a nice grouse covey find. He scored again on a second find on a woodcock on Course 12. Second place was awarded to Baxter's Indian Arrowhead with Brent Peters. "Indy" also had a big forward race with a good woodcock find at the beginning of Course 7. Gracie Ballroom Star, owned by George Najor and handled by Stephen McKalko, ran a more moderate race with two woodcock finds on Course 9. We all went back to the Alibi for announcements. Thank you, Tammy, for sharing this information on a well-run amateur stake.

Congratulations to all the winners this weekend. A big thank you to everyone who helped move cars and walked braces. A big thank you to PURINA for being our sponsor and supporting us with the $15 dog food coupons.

Meredith, Mich., August 10
Judges: Mike Brown and Kenric DeLong
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 3 Pointers and 8 Setters
1st-ROWDY TIMBER RUNNER, F1702883, pointer male, by Amarugia Elhew Heir Strike-Hackberry's Ice Taya. Travis Whitfield, owner and handler.
2d-MOONSHINE HENRY, F1696411, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Grouse River Woodcock Annie. Sean & Stacy McKellip, owners; Sean McKellip, handler.
3d-NORTHVIEW'S DIXIE STORM, F1688886, setter female, by Thornapple Cody-Hifive's Guilty As Charged. Mark A. Diksas, owner; Bruce Minard, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): First Place Hitail Roxy Afield with Russell Fazio (owner/handler); Judges Dave Heavlin and Tom Fruchey; and third place Hatton Hills Luci with Shane Haskin (owner/handler).

Judges: Tom Fruchey and Dave Havlin
OPEN DERBY - 1 Pointer, 7 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-HITAIL ROXY AFIELD, F1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell M. Fazio, owner and handler.
2d-HIFIVE'S SWEET BASIL, F1705357, pointer female, by Hifive's Ruff Runner-Wild Apple Siri. Eric Rizza, owner; Bruce Minard, handler.
3d-HATTON HILLS LUCI, F1706362, setter female, by Swift Rock Lawbreaker-Swift Rock Julie. Shane Haskin, owner and handler.

Judges: Scott Chaffee and Tamara Chaffee
MIKE GROSTIC AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG MEMORIAL - 3 Pointers, 9 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, F1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance To Soar. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.
2d-BAXTER'S INDIAN ARROWHEAD, F1685299, setter male, by Baxter's Apache John-Baxter's Mary Katherine. Brent & Denise Peters, owners; Brent Peters, handler.
3d-GRACIE BALLROOM STAR, F1694839, setter female, by Sunrise Star-Lucy Two Star. George D. Najor, owner; Stephen McKalko, handler.

Mike Grostic Amateur Shooting Dog Memorial (l-r): First place K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot with Ken DeLong (owner/handler); Judge Tammy Chaffee; Second place Baxter's Indian Arrowhead with Brent Peters (owner/handler); Judge Scott Chaffee; and third place Gracie Ballroom Star with Stephen McKalko (handler).