Result: 80th Annual Lake States Grouse Dog Championship

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Dec 10, 2024

Submitted By: The Lake States Field Trial Club

Lake States Grouse Dog Championship: Bryan Wood, Michael McIntyre, Vance Butler (judge), Champion Grouse Ridge Mags with Scott Forman (handler), Dennis Kivikko, Larry Guild (judge), Runner-Up Ralphy's Chasehill Rip with Scott Chaffee (handler), Mike Fox, Brent Peters, Russell Fazio, and Denise Peters.

The 80th Annual Lake States Grouse Dog Championship was held at the prestigious Gladwin Field Trial Grounds in Meredith, Michigan, October 23-26, 2024. The 2nd running of the Roger Johnson Open Derby followed on Sunday, October 27. This year, being a week earlier than usual, the fall colors were still in abundance on the first day. By the last day and after some frosty mornings, the aspen lost their leaves, while some maples still held their color. Birds were plentiful, and we even had some flights of woodcock showing up. By the end of our trial, fall had truly settled in for the coming of winter, and the birds were moving to their winter cover.
This Purina-sponsored event is also a recognized Purina Points trial and an Invitational Points trial. Thank you to Purina for your contribution of dog food to our winners.

Our trial kicked off on Tuesday night with a handler's dinner at the Alibi Hall. This was our fourth year having a Walleye Fish Fry, provided and hosted by Michael and Christine Brown. With a good attendance of handlers and club members, a good feast was enjoyed by all.
Judges for this year's event were Larry Guild of Jordan, Minnesota, and Vance Butler of New Era, Michigan. Both of these judges have many years of experience and are known to most all in our field trialing community. Their contribution of time spent in the saddle is appreciated by our club and all those who have ever had the opportunity to wear those shoes.
Daylight comes late at this time of year, and we began Wednesday morning as soon after 8 a.m. as possible when the lighting conditions were acceptable.

THE WINNERS
Grouse Ridge Mags was named the 2024 Lake States Grouse Dog Champion. This spunky little tri-color female English Setter, handled by Scott Forman of Prattsburgh, New York, is owned by William Ballin III of Norwich, New York. Mags is not new to our grouse woods here in Michigan. Last fall, as a 3-year-old, she took her first big win as champion at the Michigan Woodcock Championship. A couple of weeks later, during the Grand National Grouse Dog Championship, Mags suffered a near-fatal puncture wound to the chest. After months of convalescence at home, she went back to her handler, Scott Forman, who got her back into shape and returned to handle her here at the Lake States Grouse Dog Championship this fall. Now, as a 4-year-old, this little spitfire returned to again take top honors here in the grouse woods of northern Michigan. This winner came out of Brace 17 on Courses 1 and 2 after the coffee break on Day 3. Grouse Ridge Mags with handler Scott Forman and Stan The Man with owner/handler Tom Fruchey hit the line with optimum conditions. The first birdwork came from Stan at about 25 minutes in. He carded a nice woodcock find in likely cover. Mags ran extremely well to the front and out on the edges. When hitting the first road crossing on Course 2, both dogs got hung up off to the left of the course. Both handlers tried to get their dogs moving out of there, to no avail. Finally, Stan started moving towards his handler and stopped just before getting to him. Tom called again to get him in, and right into a grouse he did go. Tom went in and picked Stan up while Mags' bell went silent. Scott sent in his scout, Jeff Keller, to take a look. With no movement from Mags, Scott and Judge went in to look, moving several more grouse as they moved in. Mags was found standing majestically with her tail poker straight and proudly poised as that brood flew away, finding one more grouse still in front of her. Mags stood her ground through the shot with all in order. With two and a half minutes to go, Mags went on to finish as strong as she started. Mags showed her power of range and made some very serious casts throughout the hour.

Runner-up Champion was awarded to Ralphy's Chasehill Rip. Rip is owned by Brian Ralph of Grove City, Pennsylvania, and was handled by Scott Chaffee of Clare, Michigan. Ralphy's Chasehill Rip is no stranger to the winners' circle. The 2x CH/R-U CH was the 2023 Grand National Grouse Champion and, more recently, the 2024 Ontario Grouse Championship winner. He was released on Courses 9 and 10, the last brace of Day 3 of the championship, along with bracemate Timberdoodle Farms Sal, handled by Marc Forman. Sal scored a great woodcock find on Course 9, coming down the hill. The weather had improved but was still warmer and dryer than usual. At the turn up the hill on Course 9, handler Scott Chaffee lost bell contact and sent in his scout. The scout reported that she flushed two different grouse while looking for Rip and Scott, and judge Larry Guild joined the search. Rip was subsequently found, but as the birds were already put to flight, he was sent on. Rip ran to the front and was lost from Scott for several minutes but kept in contact with scout Tammy Chaffee and the other handler and judge. Scott caught the group at the end of Course 9 going onto Course 10, and Rip continued with a big and animated run, hitting all the available cover. Sal continued onto Course 10, stretching out as she went. Sal scored a beautiful grouse find off the left of the tote road on Course 10. As the group wound around to the end of 10, Rip's bell went silent, with about one minute left in the brace. Scout, handler, and judge Vance Butler headed into the scrub oaks, and about 200 yards from the course, point was called by the scout, and a grouse was seen to flush back over the staunch pointer.

Other dogs that were in consideration during the trial were E J Jonesy, handled by Scott Chaffee on Courses 5 and 6 on the first day of competition; Back Creek Lucy, handled by Richard Hollister on Day 2 on Courses 3 and 4; Ponderosa's Copper Penny, owned and handled by Rob Ellis. Penny ran on Day 2 on Courses 9 and 10; and Timberdoodle Farms Sal, handled by Marc Forman. Sal ran as a bracemate to R-U CH Rip in the last brace on Day 3 on Courses 9 and 10.

Meredith, Mich., October 23
Judges: Vance Butler and Larry Guild
80TH LAKE STATES GROUSE DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers, 33 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
Winner-GROUSE RIDGE MAGS, F1696739, setter female, by Shady Hills Whiskey Bonfire-Grouse Ridge Jaz. William Ballin III, owners; Scott Forman, handler.
Runner-Up-RALPHY'S CHASEHILL RIP, F1697746, pointer male, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. Brian Ralph, owner; Scott Chaffee, handler.

COMPANION STAKES
The Open Puppy began Saturday morning with Sean McKellip and John McKellop in the judges' seat. The weather continued to be in our favor as they looked at six puppies, all eager to show their stuff on our puppy course on the north boundary. Handler Scott Forman swept the podium with handler of all three wins. First place went to Shady Hills Hickory, owned by Scott Forman. Hickory not only showed good hunting abilities but also the drive that the judges were looking for. He ran with very nice style and class. Second place was awarded to Grouse Hill Buddy, owned by John Capocci. Buddy showed both good hunting capabilities and style. While he was on his own agenda for a while, he came back in to finish strong. Third place, also owned by John Capocci, was Grouse Hill Dixie. She, too, ran a strong race out on her own a bit. Showing promise and style, she held her own. Congratulations, Scotty, on a mean sweep!
The second running of "The Roger Johnson Cup" Open Derby began Sunday morning with an outstanding draw of 26 young derbies. Craig Merlington of Howard City and Abraham Downer of Traverse City took the honor of judging this great young group of athletes. With the cover, now certainly down compared to the prior weekend, the birds were a challenge but not neglected. First place went to Singletons Gracie May, owned and handled by Mike Singleton. May ran her forward race on Course 11 with good speed and style. Her bell stopped at 15 to the left of the course near the cedar swamp. She was found standing a well-located grouse. May was a bit of trouble at pickup but was found in due time forward on the course.

Twilight's Problem Child ("Joey") took second and was handled by Marc Forman. Joey broke away on Course 10 with a forward and consistent run. His race really picked up after a nice grouse find around 12 on the left in the small oak scrub. Joey handled well to the finish.
Hypointe Monarch Express, also handled by Marc Forman, took third. "Tess" ran the last brace of the day on Course 16. She worked her way through the cuttings on 16 and carded two woodcock finds, handling nicely throughout.

We would like to thank everyone who joined us from all over Minnesota to New York. All club members who helped and all the participants who helped move cars, marshal braces, and keep the game rolling. A special thanks again to Mike and Christine Brown, who hosted our handlers Walleye Fish Fry; to Mike and Deb Singleton, who supplied all our coffee break goodies and made sure we had a great lunch each and every day; and to Richard and Jennifer Hollister who wrangled horses for us all week. Thank you to all the judges, handlers, and members who provided information to make this article possible. Thank you again to Purina for your support.

Judges: John McKellop and Sean McKellop
OPEN PUPPY - 4 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-SHADY HILLS HICKORY, F1706949, setter male, by Grouse Hill Bullet Proof-Shady Hills Panda Bear. Scott Forman, owner and handler.
2d-GROUSE HILL BUDDY, F1710157, pointer male, by Grouse Hill Rambo-All On. John Capocci, owners; Scott Forman, handler.
3d-GROUSE HILL DIXIE, F1710163, pointer female, by Grouse Hill Rambo-All On. John Capocci, owner; Scott Forman, handler.

Roger Johnson Open Derby: 1st Place Singletons Gracie May (1st Place) with Mike Singleton (owner/handler), Abraham Downer (judge), Twilight's Problem Child (2nd Place) with Marc Forman (handler), Stake Manager Brent Peters (stake manager), and Hypointe Monarch Express (3rd Place) with Russell Fazio.

Judges: Abraham Downer and Craig Merlington
ROGER JOHNSON OPEN DERBY - 5 Pointers, 17 Setters, 3 Brittanys, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-SINGLETONS GRACIE MAY, F1711859, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-I'm Blue Who. Mike Singleton, owner and handler.
2d-TWILIGHT'S PROBLEM CHILD, F1706124, setter female, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Twilight's Echoed Promise. Mark Deneka, owner; Marc Forman, handler.
3d-HYPOINTE MONARCH EXPRESS, F1704239, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Nichlas Mellon Jr., owner; Marc Forman, handler.

Open Puppy: Bryan Wood, Scott Forman (handling all three puppies) with 1st Place Shady Hills Hickory (1st Place), John McKellop (judge), Grouse Hill Buddy (2nd Place) with Marc Forman; and Grouse Hill Dixie (3rd Place) with Deb Nihart.

Grouse Ridge Mags, Winner of the Lake States Grouse Dog Championship

Ralphy's Chasehill Rip, Runner-Up in the Lake States Grouse Dog Championship