Result: National Brittany Open Grouse Championship Association

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Sep 17, 2024

Submitted By: Kenny DeLong

Open Derby (l-r): Christy Helmes with Christys Kaylee Girl, Russ Fazio with Hypointe Monarch Express, and Mike "Bad Boy" Bandos with Bandito's Bandit. (Behind): Sean McKellip (judge) and Kenny DeLong (judge).

Open Derby picture Caption, the 2nd place dog is improperly named (the name of the 2nd place Shooting Dog was used---prolly my bad..:( ). The name IS correct in the listing of placements. (HyPoint Monarch Express, Pointer Female).

Great summer trial! We had a great turnout, good weather, fine canines, and best of all--lots of birds! Over the course of the weekend, some three dozen grouse were moved, massively overshadowing the six or eight woodcock seen. The club was also excited and pleased to host the first Junior Handler event in several years--a stake that had been a staple at our summer trial for decades. We thank Greg Blair & Purina for their sponsorship, Steve McKalko, as has become the custom, for the Saturday cookout, Tammi Savage for her overall administrative expertise, all the helpers, marshals, and vehicle movers, and, of course, all the participants for their entries!

Saturday morning, Open Derby Judges Sean McKellip and Kenny DeLong scrutinized five braces. Christy Helmes' tiny Brittany stole the show with a very mature performance in Brace 3 on newly re-routed Course 6! Ms. Helmes guided the little liver dog to six finds in her half hour. Forward, animated, with intelligent application throughout, Kaylee carded four grouse finds (two with multiple birds) and two woodcock--with nearly perfect adult manners. This was a no-brainer, Blue! Russ Fazio's Pointer female Tessa hit the early cover on Course 8 to score a woodcock and continued mostly forward and hitting the right spots to take second place. A Lewellin male handled by "Bad Boy" Bandos also scored early in the cuttings on Course 7. Bandit's bell went silent at 4, and after a short search, the handsome Setter watched Mike flush both a grouse and then a woodcock. He continued at moderate range, finishing forward, and was awarded the yellow ribbon.

We re-convened at the bird field for announcements and a lunch of burgers and chili dogs. Then, the kids took over. Quail were released, and four braces of eager, energetic youngsters, ages 6-13, guided Pointers, Setters, and Brittanys in search of "Bob." The father-son team of Max and Josh Bambach judged. Adults watched, encouraged, and applauded from the sidelines. What a treat to see the smiles as this next generation of field trialers got their feet wet! All participants were awarded. We thank Tammi Savage again for putting together the "goody bags" and Crabdog Creations for designing a special logo that appeared on t-shirts, canvas tote bags, and notebooks for all the Juniors. First through third place were captured by Hollis Dunn, Rayla Dunn, and Alyce Rittenger (respectively)--all handling Kenny DeLong's Pointer, Justice. Fourth place went to Ciera Weems with Elaine and Carlos Gust's Brittany, Amos. Judges commented how impressed they were with all the performances, and Honorable Mentions were awarded!

A nice entry of 16 for the Open Shooting Dog kept Judges Chris Wasserman and Steve McKalko busy until early afternoon Sunday. Top honors went to Butler's pointer female Kelly, running on course 7. Rachel handled her to early finds on grouse and woodcock, keeping her forward and strong throughout. Dale Ash's young Setter female ran a moderate race with a very nice grouse find on the first half of Course 8--good for the red ribbon. Third place was awarded to Marc Forman with Setter male Cub, who handled well and scored two well-spaced grouse finds on Course 10.

Thankful, as always, for the blessings of a good trial, and looking forward to an eventful fall season at Gladwin. We welcome and encourage you to see us again October 3-6 for our half-hour Open Shooting Dog, Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship, Open Derby, and Open Puppy. God Bless!

Meredith, Mich., August 24
Judges: Sean McKellip and Kenric DeLong
OPEN DERBY - 1 Pointer, 5 Setters, 2 Brittanys, 1 German Shorthair, and 1 Llewellin Setter
1st-CHRISTYS KAYLEE GIRL, R331-522, Brittany female. Christina Helmes, owner and handler.
2d-HYPOINTE MONARCH EXPRESS, F1704239, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Nicholas Mellon Jr., owner; Russell Fazio, handler.
3d-BANDITOS' BANDIT, F1704686, Lllewellin setter male, by Hidden Creek Fred-Fancy Betty's Pride. Mike Bandos, owner and handler.

Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Rachel Butler with Confidence Squared Kelly, Dale Ash with Rouge River Woodstock, and Marc Forman with Goldstone Griz. (Behind): Tom Butler, Chris Wasserman (judge), Kenny DeLong, Steve McKalko (judge), and Jeff "Keystone" Keller.

Judges: Steve McKalko and Chris Wasserman
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 6 Pointers, 9 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-CONFIDENCE SQUARED KELLY, F1703363, pointer female, by True Confidence-My Lucky Day. Thomas & Rachel Butler, owners.
2d-ROUGE RIVER WOODSTOCK, F1705746, setter female, by Chip's Charlie Brown-Rouge River Wing Nut. Dale Ash, owner and handler.
3d-GOLDSTONE GRIZ, F1699282, setter male, by Blast Zone-Gold Rush. Jeremey Estep, owner; Marc Forman, handler.

Junior Handlers (l-r): Alexis Miski, Theo Wasserman, Lucie Wasserman, Alyce Rittenger, Rayla Dunn, Hollis Dunn, and Ciera Weems. (Behind): Max Bambach (judge) and Josh Bambach (judge).