Result: National Brittany Open Grouse Championship Association

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Nov 14, 2024

Submitted By: Kenny DeLong

Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog (front, l-r): Doc Najor (breeder), Mia Star with Robert Ecker (handler), and Back Creek Lucy with Rich Hollister (handler). (Behind): Marc Dozeman (judge), Steve McKalko, Chuck Langstaff, and Dave Heavlin (judge). (Not pictured): Kati with Mike Singleton

We had a great entry and good weather for our October Bird Dog Fest at the famed Gladwin Refuge. Lots of good folks, fellowship, food, friends, and festivities added to the great canine competition. We have been graced with excellent bird numbers this summer and fall: more than 75 birds ("Ruff"ly equal numbers of grouse and woodcock) were moved over this long weekend. Thanks to all participants from far and wide, as well as volunteers/helpers, including marshals, vehicle movers, etc. We thank Greg Blair and Purina for their support, our judges, the Hollisters for the horses, the McKalkos for the fine food, and Tammi for her administrative expertise. We thank the Lord for His bountiful blessings.

More than 50 dogs entered the Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog, giving us a very full two days of running on Thursday and Friday, keeping judges Dave Heavlin and Marc Dozeman busy. All the placed dogs ran on Friday, with the winner coming from the last brace. Veteran professional Robert Ecker handled the classy, forward-ranging Setter Mia Star over Course 15 to quality finds on grouse and woodcock, earning first-place honors (and a fat check!). Hillbilly Stevie Graham's Setter Lucy "tore it up" on Course 13 under the whistle of pro Rich Hollister, with classy bird work on two 'doodles and a chicken to snag the red ribbon. Mike Singleton's Setter, Kati, ran big and strong on Course 2 first thing Friday morning, and he was able to bring her around in a timely fashion, approaching the cuttings to score on a grouse and take third place.

Eleven dogs entered Saturday's Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship that featured Brittanys and Irish Setters this fall. Several dogs had birds, although not all of them were handled in a mannerly fashion. Our judges from Pennsylvania, Mark Hughes and Jeff "Keystone" Keller, were most impressed with the championship performance of Kenny DeLong's Brittany, who ran an exciting, forward-searching, intelligent race on Courses 7 and 8. "Shooter" had picturesque limb finds on grouse at 33 and 39, then later sticking a buried but ambulatory timberdoodle at 48 while standing staunchly knee-deep in the muck. He finished his hour far forward and hunting hard, earning the title and garnering the blue. No runner-up was named.
Puppies also ran Saturday morning, scrutinized by judges Marc Forman and Travis Whitfield. While not a huge entry, there were good dogs to watch. Scott Forman handled the forward and animated Pointer "Dixie" to the top spot. Bobby Ecker's Pointer charge, Fuel The Flame, came in a close second, handling well and staying out front. Amy Gauthier's Bailey Irish did a fine job, running to the front stylishly and taking the yellow ribbon.

The Open Derby ran on Sunday, featuring a nice-size entry of 23 dogs for judges Brandon Short and Travis Burnett to evaluate. The clear winner was "Luci," a pretty Setter owned by Shane Haskin. Luci ran majestically on Course 12 and "looked like a million bucks" when she stuck a woodcock almost halfway through. "Odis," a Setter handled by Scott Forman, was shining on Course 6 and scored on a mudbat just before time for second place. Mike Singleton's Setter "May" had absolutely scorched Course 2 first thing that morning and was placed third on the strength of her run.

We are grateful for everyone's participation and entries. We hope everybody enjoyed it and had fun. The fellowship, the food, the fall colors, the competition, the comradery, the stories shared, and the memories made are a big part of why we field trial. Of course, the dogs and the birds are the centerpiece of it all. We are truly blessed. Thank you all. Winter well, and we look forward to seeing y'all in the spring!

Meredith, Mich., October 3
Judges: Mark Dozeman and Dave Heavlin
THEDA LANGSTAFF MEMORIAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 18 Pointers, 27 Setters, 3 Brittanys, and 3 Irish Setters
1st-MIA STAR, F1702751, setter female, by Windstar-Hometown Queen. George Najor, owner; Robert Ecker Jr., handler.
2d-BACK CREEK LUCY, F1683067, setter female, by Peyton's Legacy Kip-Girl's Little Dixie. Steve Graham, owner; Richard Hollister, handler.
3d-SINGLETON'S LADY KATI, F1692672, setter female, by Jetwood-I'm Blue Who. Mike Singleton, owner and handler.

Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship: K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot with Kenny DeLong (breeder/owner/handler). (Behind): Jeff "Keystone" Keller (judge) and Mark Hughes (judge).

Judges: Mark Hughes and Jeff Keller
RESTRICTED BREED OPEN GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 9 Brittanys and 2 Irish Setters
Winner-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, F1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance To Soar. Kenny DeLong, owner and handler.

Open Puppy (front, l-r): Scott Forman with Grouse Hill Dixie, Robert Ecker with Iv's Feed The Flame, and Amy Gauthier with Comeback Misty Bay. (Behind): Travis Whitfield (judge) and Marc Forman (judge).

Judges: Marc Forman and Travis Whitfield
OPEN PUPPY - 4 Pointers, 4 Setters and 1 Irish Setter
1st-GROUSE HILL DIXIE, F1710163, pointer female, by Grouse Hill Rambo-All On. John Capocci, owner; Scott Forman, handler.
2d-IV'S FEED THE FLAME, F1712100, setter female, by Bo of Piney Woods-Sugar On Fire. Samantha Adams, owner; Robert Ecker Jr., handler.
3d-COMEBACK MISTY BAY, F1710202, Irish setter female, by Come Back Billy Boy-Hatcreek Misty Blue. Amy Gauthier, owner and handler.

Judges: Travis Burnett and Brandon Short
OPEN DERBY - 4 Pointers, 17 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-HATTON HILLS LUCI, F1706362, setter female, by Swift Rock Lawbreaker-Swift Rock Julie. Shane Haskin, owner and handler.
2d-HIGHLANDER'S HIGH VOLTAGE, F1711458, setter male, by Long Gone Porky-Kelly's Rainbow Krin. Katie Myers, owner; Scott Forman, handler.
3d-SINGLETONS GRACIE MAY, F1711859, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-I'm Blue Who. Mike Singleton, owner and handler.

Open Derby (front, l-r): Shane Haskin with Hatton Hills Luci and Scott Forman with Highlander's High Voltage. (Behind): Travis Burnett (judge) and Brandon Short (judge). (Not pictured): Mike Singleton and Singletons Gracie May.

Beautiful Gladwin Grounds early Sunday morning, the first brace of the Open Derby.