Event: Deena Jet wins 61st Running of the
Result: National Shooting Dog Futurity

Location: Bloomingdale, Ohio

Post Date: Oct 30, 2024

Submitted By: Mike Husenits

National Shooting Dog Futurity Winners (l-r): Deena Jet with Payton Gunby, BK Real McCoy with Brooke Lanning, Midwest Thunderstorm with Hallie Moreland, and High Drive Impact with Fran Miller, joined by George Tracy, Dave Hughes, Mike Tracy, Mark Hughes, Aaron McAfee (judge), Chris Rider (judge), Meredith Mays, Stacie Goodie, Muriel Primm, Bill Primm, Chris Catanzarite, Joe Lordi, Bob Vendosa, Joe McHugh, Jack Miller, Ralph Gillota, Buddy Morrison, Greg Strausbaugh, and Allen Linder.

The 61st running of the National Shooting Dog Futurity commenced on September 23 and was conducted over the Mingo Sportsman's Club grounds near Steubenville, Ohio. This Breeder's Classic is one of the most prestigious annual shooting dog derby stakes, historically run on pheasants as the primary game bird with credit allowed for handling any other game bird per established futurity guidelines. The history of this prestigious event dates to the inaugural running held on October 4, 1964, at Baldwinsville, New York. The founding fathers included notable patrons and Hall of Famers, i.e., Dr. Tom Flanagan, Bob Wehle, Harold Crane, Frank Ash, Anthony Imbesi, Dr. Alvin Nitchman, Richard Shear, Harry Townsend, Lee White, and others. This event, coupled with the sister United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity, is the most sought-after derby trial on the major shooting dog circuit. The initial running in 1964 drew 40 dogs, then gradually increased throughout the '60s and into the mid-90s, averaging about 66 entries, with 1982 holding the record high of 106. In that period there were several large breeding operations that enrolled 80 to 100 litters annually. Around the turn of the century, nominations declined to current levels of 15 to 25 annually, with average entry levels around 36. Of note, overall performance levels in the past 20 years indicate much higher quality of derby age contenders versus earlier years, thereby providing some evidence that futurities and selective breeding programs produce superior animals and upgrade the breeds. The main objective of a futurity is to recognize the potential and ability in young dogs to advance and win important shooting dog championships such as the National Pheasant and the National Open Shooting Dog Championship.

Futurities require more management of the details. Litters must be nominated properly within 60 days of whelping; otherwise, entries from non-nominated litters are required to pay a substantial late fee to become eligible. The bulk of futurity management falls on Secretary Mark Hughes, who was elected to the position some four years ago. Retired Secretary Mike Husenits helps with reporting and post-trial paperwork and has done so for the past 21 years. Prior to Mark and Mike, Secretarial duties were performed by Keith Severin for 22 years, Verle Farrow for 16 years, and David Miller for the first two years. Currently, Mike Tracy holds the position of president, which rotates on a two-year basis. Chris Catanzarite and Mike Husenits are the current vice presidents. Chris was very instrumental in the success of this event, obtaining strong flying birds, scouting, and marshaling, along with co-chairing with Mark Hughes.

Others who made notable contributions included Mary Tracy for supplying snacks, water and all the arrangements and leg work for the Monday evening dinner attended by over 40 people. A highlight at the dinner was the presentation of a masterfully crafted painting by Mary McPherson of last year's futurity winner, Mo's Curtain Call, owned by Tim Moore and Teresa and Jim Morrell, bred by Casey Hollander and handled by Mike Tracy. Dave Hughes, assisted by Dennis Hood, managed the dog wagon duties with expertise, no easy task to have dogs on the line when running 30-minute heats on continuous courses. Thanks to all.

Thanks, and heartfelt appreciation to Greg Blair of Purina for continued support, supplying Pro Plan food for the winners, advertising materials, and an annual cash donation.
The most important element of any field trial is judges. We are proud to report that this year's team could not have been better. Aaron McAfee, from Clinton, Illinois, returned after judging last year's trial, teamed with Chris Rider of Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Both have judged numerous important events all over the country. They rode at a steady pace, always giving their full attention to the dogs and always with a positive attitude. This reporter and all participants thank them for their cooperation and a job well done. Hopefully, they will return in the future.

Weather conditions were less than ideal due to dryness that caused hard ground and dust. The tall goldenrod and green autumn olive thickets, plus sunny warm weather, made for a challenge both days.

A bloodline review of the 34 entries shows Miller's Heat Seeker as the most popular sire, followed by Lester's Storm Surge, Touch's Fire Away, Springflow's Backcountry P, Bittersweet War Cry and Wayward Flyin Tomato, the only English Setter sire with entries. Leading breeders are Jack and Fran Miller, Sean Derrig, Frank Henderson, Chris Catanzarite, and Ross Calloway.

THE WINNERS
Deena Jet, a lightly marked Pointer female owned by Steve and Daren Boyer of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and handled by Mike Tracy, was named to first place. Jet was bred by Mick Marietta of Pittsburg, Kansas, from a litter sired by champion all-age contender Touch's Fire Away; her dam World Class Catie whelped on March 23, 2023. Her extended pedigree reveals notables Erin's Bad River, Maswood Hawk, and Miller's On Line, to mention a few. The classy Jet appeared late in the 16th brace, starting at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday. Almost immediately, a pheasant was in the air, Jet credited with a mannerly stop to flush, no fault, rather great manners for a derby. Jet, seemingly fired up and eager for the hunt, continued forward, reaching the limits and gaining strength as she met the challenge of the thick cover. Time had nearly expired near the road crossing when Jet slammed into a high-styled point at 29 and remained steadfast as the handler flushed a perfectly located pheasant.

Second place was BK Real McCoy, a Pointer male owned by Brooke Lanning and Sergio Velez, bred and handled by Brooke Lanning of Medina, Ohio. Sired by Ralph Gillota's winner Bittersweet War Cry, his dam Bittersweet Recovery whelped January 3, 2023. McCoy has a star-studded pedigree tracing such notables as Sugarknoll War Paint and Buckskin, Elhew Fibber McGee, Rock Acre Blackhawk, Just Irresistible, Dunn's Tried N True, and Miller's Dialing In. McCoy performed in the 9th brace starting at 3:58 the first day, opening cast straightaway with plenty of eye appeal. He pointed with rock solid style at 5 in tall goldenrod field with Brooke trying hard at flush over a wide expanse, then asking for relocation that resulted in McCoy taking a coupled steps with the well-located pheasant airborne; McCoy mannerly for the shot. He had the bird pinned solidly initially, but the handler didn't get it flushed in the thick cover. Back up front, McCoy put on a display of classy forward hard charging hunting for the remainder, adding a mannerly stop to flight near pick-up.

Third went to Midwest Thunderstorm, a Pointer male owned by Jerry Alden, bred by Deb and Sean Hauser, and handled by Mike Tracy. The litter whelped January 17, 2023, sired by all-age champion Lester's Storm Surge, his dam Hauser's Rebel Ruby. Family tree notables include famous names such as Ransom, Nat. Ch. Whippoorwill Wild Agin, Rock Acre Blackhawk, Elhew Sinbad, Miller's Dateline, and others. Storm ran in the 10th and final brace of the first day, starting with a burst of energy well forward and pointed with picturesque style at 10, holding steady for the shot as bracemate flushed his bird. With bracemate up, Storm canvassed the fore at medium range before recording a second solid find at 16 along the right-side wooded edge. Storm continued to hunt the cover with high cracking tail and vigor, shortening up near the finish. A third contact at 25 wasn't clearly defined, but no fault to the dog.

Fourth was High Drive Impact, a Pointer male owned by Allen Linder, bred by Sean Derrig, and handled by Buddy Morrison. From a litter whelped January 9, 2023, sired by Erin's Grey Justice, the dam Erin's Miss Daisy. Close up, his pedigree is loaded with famous ancestors, the likes of Erin's Redrum, Dominator's Rebel Heir, Funseeker's Rebel, Erin's Whiskey River, Whippoorwill Wild Agin, Elhew Sinbad, several of which trace back to Hall of Fame sire Erin's Southern Justice. Impact made his appearance first brace on Wednesday released at 8:14 from the traditional starting point near the pavilion. Action started quickly with the classy moving Impact handling a find at 5 with 12 o'clock pointing style along the ridge line, quickly adding a second find at 8 before making the turn into the bottom. His ground effort was forward, showing plenty of style and medium range with intelligent application throughout. A slight shortening in range near the end provided the judges with differentiation material in their decision.

THE RUNNING
Thunder Road (M. Tracy) with Miller's Smoking Gun (Fran Miller). Thunder ran a wide classy ground race and contacted a pheasant at 25, with the handler stopping him to be shot over. Gun hunted hard at short range with plenty of style, pointed solidly at 6 but unproductive, adding a nicely handled find at 20, finishing ahead. Both showed potential and were carried for a spell.

Erin's Fighting Irish (P. Casey) with Miss Bullette (M. Tracy). Irish hunted but failed to reach out, stopped to be shot over after contacting a pheasant, and suffered a late unproductive. Bullette started fast and was appealing to the judges until lost at 15 and counted out.

Speck of Gold (G. Tracy) with Erin's Simple Man (K. Stewart). Speck ran with a stylish way of going but couldn't come up with birds. Man hunted hard at medium range, pointed stylishly before putting the bird airborne, shortening near the end.

Hausers Chip Shot (M. Tracy) with Miller's Friday Night News (F. Miller). These two started fast and looked good early; Chip with a well-handled pheasant find at 14 along the right side, followed by a second at 22 along the feed strip before shortening to finish. News hunted hard with a classy way of going, notched a stylish find on quail at 10, steady to wing and shot, followed by a pheasant contact with the handler stopping him for the shot, finishing ahead and in contention.

Backcountry Jacob (C. Catanzarite) with Heatseeking Hurricane (M. Tracy). Both raced away fast. To begin with, Jacob returned at 6 and hunted well forward with an unproductive stylish stand at 16, then shortened up. Hurricane never did regain the front and counted out at 20.

Backwoods Dine & Dash (M. Hughes) with Hausers Bottom Line (M. Tracy). Dash was most impressive with his hard-charging attack on the ground, plus plenty of eye appeal. He hunted through the heavy cover with ease, never on a path, noticeably intent on finding birds. Unfortunately, his bold attack strayed off course and counted out at 25. Line started slow and failed to gain momentum, harnessed at 10.

Hausers Power Surge (M. Tracy) with Miller's Customized Upgrade (F. Miller). These two ran with plenty of eye appeal but were somewhat restricted in overall range. They shared a find at 18, showing a bit of uncertainty. Upgrade stood solidly at 21 with Surge backing. Both finished and were considered for possible placement.

Southbound Hotdog Homer (P. Casey) with Sterling Ridge Caladen (M. Tracy). Hotdog started fast, reaching well forward with strength, but closed in as time wore on; no birds found. Calden failed to reach out and was picked up at 20.

Dunn's Country Club (G. Tracy) with BK Real McCoy (B. Lanning). The club couldn't get on track and picked up at 7. McCoy's outstanding performance was described earlier, and had himself in the number one position at this juncture.

Buffalo Junction Calico (P. Casey) with Midwest Thunderstorm (M. Tracy). Calico started strong but was up early after flushing birds bracemate had pointed. Storm's third-place performance was described earlier.

High Drive Impact (B. Morrison) with Bittersweet War Dance (P. Casey). Impact's fourth-place finish is described above. Dance made several impressive moves on the ground but wasn't consistent in application. He scored a find at 23 and finished ahead.

Wayward Stewed Tomatoes (M. Hughes) with Bluebar Maggie (M. Tracy). "Stewie" hunted hard in the thick cover but a bit short in range. He had a stop to flush early and scored a well-mannered find at 28. Maggie started strong and forward but closed in and up at 20.

Heat Seeker's Pearl (G. Tracy) with Dunlookin's Takoda (P. Casey). Pearl wore her running shoes and faded away, picked up near the half. Takoda made contact with birds three times, with the handler electing to pick up at 18.

Hausers Georgia Pride (M. Tracy) with Mojo's Winston Joy (M. Hughes). Pride's performance had him in contention with a stylish find at 3, followed by a classy running ground effort that culminated with a maturely handled find at 29. Winston hunted with enthusiasm at close to moderate range. He handled a pheasant at 26 with perfect style and manners, backed bracemate at 29 to finish.

Backcountry Fearless (C. Catanzarite) with Heat Seekers Big Bet (G. Tracy). Fearless hit the ground with a classy way of going and found birds twice but was uncertain and a bit immature. Bet failed to get started and picked up early.

Miller's Traditional Upgrade (F. Miller) with Deena Jet (M. Tracy). Upgrade hunted hard with a classy way of going. She pointed stylishly at 14 with no results and again at 25 before the road crossing on a rabbit. Deena's winning performance was described earlier.

Sterling Ridge Carly (M. Tracy) with Miller's Intense Heat (F. Miller). Carly ran a wide-range forward race with plenty of eye appeal, had one short absence, and no bird work. Heat applied her effort to the front at medium range, carding a pretty find in feed strip handled with style and manners, finishing ahead.

Bloomingdale, Ohio, September 23
Judges: Aaron McAfee and Chris Rider
61ST NATIONAL SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY - 32 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-DEENA JET, unreg., pointer female, by Touch's Fire Away-World Class Catie. Steve & Daren Boyer, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
2d-BK REAL MCCOY, F1705532, pointer male, by Bittersweet War Cry-Bittersweet Recovery. Brooke Lanning & Sergio Velez, owners; Brooke Lanning, handler.
3d-MIDWEST THUNDERSTORM, F1714784, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-Hauser's Rebel Ruby. Jerry Alden, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
4th-HIGHDRIVE IMPACT, F1706166, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Justice-Erin's Miss Daisy. Allen R. Linder, owner; Buddy Morrison, handler.

Judges (l-r): Chris Rider and Aaron McAfee in serious discussion.

Mike Tracy accepts a painting of the 60th renewal winner, Mo's Curtain Call, from Secretary Mark Hughes. (Painting by Mary McPherson.)