Result: Greensburg Pointer and Setter Club

Location: Burgettstown, Pennsylvania

Post Date: Oct 14, 2024

Submitted By: Mike Husenits

Open Shooting Dog Winners (l-r): Wild Covey Derecho with Aubriannia Kustra, Limbsmoke Urban Lullaby with Matt Basilone, and Miller's Hopped Up Version with Mark Hughes.

The Greensburg Pointer and Setter Club sponsored their annual fall trial on September 6-8 over a new venue known as Hidden Meadows Game Preserve near Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. The Greensburg club members and all participants were welcomed with open arms by owners Art and Kim McDermitt. The grounds consist of over 500 acres of typical southwestern Pennsylvania scenic rolling hills terrain. The land was previously surfaced, mined, and reclaimed, now manicured and maintained as a game and hunting preserve by the McDermitts. A spacious lodge is located on the grounds where a Saturday evening dinner was graciously hosted by the McDermitts, with all participants invited for a scrumptious Italian-style dinner prepared by Kim McDermitt and enjoyed by all attendees.

The trial was organized and conducted by a pair of dedicated young bird dog men, Justin Mason and Nick Lasica. These gentlemen handled the pre-trial arrangements, drawing, judges' books, and event planning and ensured the large 104-dog entry was managed in an orderly fashion. Circumstances dictated a few minor adjustments and ended with everyone well pleased.
Friday's lunch was provided by Art McDermitt, consisting of extra-large pizza and hoagie sandwiches. Giannia Kustra prepared her delicious chili on Saturday and was accompanied by her beautiful, energetic daughter Aubriannia, who seemed to enjoy her field trialing experience. Thanks to both for their "above the call of duty" efforts.

Weather conditions on Friday took a toll on dogs and horses, with the temperature nearing 85 degrees. Fortunately, an overnight rain cooled things down, making for ideal conditions on Saturday and Sunday.

Judging duties were dispatched expertly by a team of well-known experienced arbiters. Lee Long of Berkey, Ohio, and Chris Young of Cranberry, Pennsylvania, teamed for the Open Horseback Derby, Shooting Dog, and Shooting Dog qualifier stakes. Justin Mason of Creekside, Pennsylvania, and Nick Lasica of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, handled the Open Walking Derby.

Brooke Lanning of Medina, Ohio, teamed with Christy Helmes of Ionia, Michigan, for the Open Walking Shooting Dog. Nick Lasica and Dave Park of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, scrutinized the Amateur Derby and Nick partnered with Christy Helmes for the Amateur Shooting Dog. Their decisions were met with hearty applause. Thanks for a job well done.

Purina and Greg Blair, once again, are to be commended for sponsoring the event by supplying dog food coupons for the winners in every stake. Purina has been on board for the past 50 years, sponsoring bird dog field trials in one way or another with product, top dog awards, and financial aid in many cases.

To repeat, the Club and all participants are graciously indebted to Art and Kim McDermitt for the hospitality extended to everyone who attended.

The Open Horseback Derby winner was Backcountry Jacob, a liver-marked Pointer owned and handled by Chris Catanzarite to a far-reaching ground race and excellent fall derby bird work, which Jake handled with style. Mojo's Winston Joy, an English Setter male owned by Nick Molders and handled by Mark Hughes, placed second on the merits of a hard-hunting forward race, with Winston attacking heavy cover with reckless abandon. His efforts paid off with a pair of stylish, well-handled derby finds. The judges wanted all placed derbies to show their wares on birds, but unfortunately, the remainder of the field failed to do so; therefore, third was withheld.

The Open Horseback Shooting Dog proved to be a highly competitive 30-dog stake with PR Wild Covey Derecho, a Pointer female owned by Richard Gillis and Karen Lordi of Tabernacle, New Jersey, handled by Matt Basilone to a two-find front running ground race with a strong finish in the heat. Wendy's first find came at the 6-minute mark along the grassy plateau, her second far to the front at 22 near autumn olive grove. She stood both with solid intensity and excellent manners. Limbsmoke Urban Lullaby, a Pointer female owned by veteran Lloyd Miller of Ben Salem, Pennsylvania, also handled by Matt Basilone, ran a scorching wide race combined with one excellent find in tall goldenrod field near the mid-point plus a strong finish. Third-placed Miller's Hopped Up Version, a Pointer female owned by Carlos Escalante of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, handled by Mark Hughes, was a very strong contender with a far-reaching front running ground race, found ahead both times after a short absence. Her first find near the water tub was challenging when backing bracemate chased at flush, Cricket holding steadfast for the shot, then following with her second mannerly find at 25, then a strong finish. Others considered along the way included Dee and Eva from the first brace and Jack from the 11th brace.

The winner of the Open Shooting Dog qualifier stake was Tim's Final Folly, a liver-marked Pointer male owned by Tom McKellar of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and handled by Matt Basilone. Folly hunted far forward and was rewarded with a well-earned, perfectly handled find. B K Lapaloma Bianca, a Pointer female owned and handled by Brooke Lanning of Medina, Ohio, finished second, proving her worth with a very stylish and hard-driving ground race combined with excellent bird work. Quehanna Country Roads, a Pointer male owned and handled by Dave Park, rounded out the placements with a medium-range ground effort combined with approved manners on game.

Mojo's Winston Joy won the Open Walking Derby with a hard hunting brush-busting ground heat combined with five well-mannered dug-up finds, all with advanced derby manners. Second was Hitail Roxy Afield, an extremely stylish Setter female that covered more ground than most of the others, found birds three times, pointing all with 12 o'clock style and giving way to merry derby chase on two occasions. Christys Kaylee Girl, a hard-hunting medium-range female Brittany, rounded out the placements with a sound ground race and a single find.

The winner of the Open Walking Shooting Dog was Foxy Lady Sadie, a Red Setter female owned and handled by Mike Fox. Sadie ran a far-reaching forward race with some absence but always showed up front hunting earnestly. She had a back and one well-handled find. Beaver Meadow Bit took second for owner Joe Cammisa and handler Eric Munden with a wide-ranging ground race, two finds, and two backs, with Bitty demonstrating extreme style and intensity on point. Mohawk Mill For Real placed third for owner Gary Winall and handler Cliff Monroe on the merits of a solid front-running ground race and a single find handled with proper manners. Closest to the winners were Emmy, Blaze, Denver, Dusty, Spec, and Zeke.

Bowser's Backcountry Mickey took the blue ribbon for owner/handler Tyler Bowser in the Amateur Derby with a solidly applied far-reaching ground race and more than acceptable fall derby manners on game. Hypointe Monarch Express and Hitail Roxy Afield, both handled by Russ Fazio, rounded out the placements with very nice fall derby performances showing plenty of potential.

The always highly competitive Amateur Shooting Dog stake was won by Wildland Hide The Wine for owner/handler Eric Munden on the virtues of a powerful, wide-ranging ground effort with Chuckie found standing ahead on four finds, all handled with proper deportment at flush and shot. Wildland Sweet Caroline, also owned and handled by Eric Munden, took second with a strong forward race and a single mannerly find; Caroline not afraid to hit the heavy cover in her quest. C C Lenni Lenape, a Red Setter male owned and handled by Al Fazenbaker, finished third with an earnestly applied hunting race, three mannerly finds, a back, and a stop to flush. Early contenders that were carried for possible placement included Dusty and Wayne.

Burgettstown, Pa., September 6
Judges: Lee Long and Chris Young
OPEN DERBY - 5 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BACKCOUNTRY JACOB, F1705244, pointer male, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
2d-MOJO'S WINSTON JOY, F1705340, setter male, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Doodle Ridge Fern. Renee & Nick Moelders, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 28 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-WILD COVEY DERECHO, F1701530, pointer female, by Miller's Speed Dial-Wild Covey Jackie. Karen M. Lordi & Richard Gillis, owners; Matt Basilone, handler.
2d-LIMBSMOKE URBAN LULLABY, F1688113, pointer female, by Urban Fantasy-Diane Lane. Lloyd B. Miller, owner; Matt Basilone, handler.
3d-MILLER'S HOPPED UP VERSION, F1695106, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

Second-placed Open Shooting Dog winner B K Lapaloma Blanca with Brooke Lanning.

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 6 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-TM'S FINAL FOLLY, F1700698, pointer male, by Crosswind Jim-Silvershot's Lil Fancy Pants. Tom McKellar, owner and handler.
2d-B K LAPALOMA BLANCA, F1693945, pointer female, by B K Pablo Escobar-B K Hirollins Wild. Brooke Lanning & Eric Clink, owners; Brooke Lanning, handler.
3d-QUEHANNA COUNTRY ROADS, F1699803, pointer male, by Grouse Trails Tuscarora-Halestorm. Dave Park, owner and handler.

Judges: Nick Lasica and Justin Mason
OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-MOJO'S WINSTON JOY, F1705340, setter male, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Doodle Ridge Fern. Renee & Nick Moelders, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.
2d-HITAIL ROXY AFIELD, F1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell M. Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-CHRISTYS KAYLEE GIRL, R331-522, Brittany female, breeding not given. Christina Helmes, owner and handler.

Judges: Christy Helmes and Brooke Lanning
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 26 Entries
1st-FOXY LADY SADIE, F1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner and handler.
2d-BEAVER MEADOW BIT, F1696577, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Beaver Meadow Rose. Joe Cammisa, owner; Eric Munden, handler.
3d-MOHAWK MILL FOR REAL, F1703195, pointer female, by Indian Creek Spur-Hirollins Fantasy Girl. Gary Winall, owner; Cliff Monroe, handler.

Judges: Nick Lasica and Dave Park
AMATEUR DERBY - 2 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BACKCOUNTRY MICKEY, F1705242, pointer male, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Tyler Bowser, owner and handler.
2d-HYPOINTE MONARCH EXPRESS, F1704239, pointer female, by Springflow's Country P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Nicholas Mellon Jr., owner; Russ Fazio, handler.

Judges: Christy Helmes and Nick Lasica
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 6 Pointers, 5 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-WILDLAND HIDE THE WINE, F1697105, pointer male, by Double Deuce Zeke-Beaver Meadow Rose. Eric Munden, owner and handler.
2d-WILDLAND SWEET CAROLINE, F1692066, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Beaver Meadow Rose. Eric Munden, owner and handler.
3d-CC LENNI LENAPE, F1705228, Irish setter male, by Silver Creek Wild Again-Roses Are Red. Allen Fazenbaker, owner and handler.

Amateur Shooting Dog (l-r): Wildland Hide The Wine with Eric Munden, Wildland Sweet Caroline with Krysta Munden, and CC Lenni Lenape with Al Fazenbaker.