Result: Greensburg Pointer and Setter Club

Location: Burgettstown, Pennsylvania

Post Date: Jun 4, 2025

Submitted By: Mike Husenits

Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Mac's Slim Jim with Tim McClurg, Miller's Special Upgrade with Mark Hughes, and Iron Will's Raging Bull with Matt Basilone. (Standing, l-r): Brian Riggle (judge) and Tyler Bowser (judge).

The Greensburg Pointer and Setter Club held its annual spring trial on May 2-4 over vast acreage 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 scenic rolling hill country, mostly open grassland with native autumn olive patches starting to infest several areas. The land was previously surface mined and reclaimed, now manicured and maintained by the McDermitts as a game and hunting preserve.

Credit for this event's success goes to Justin Mason and Nick Lasica for organizing and implementing their plan, which resulted in another successful Greensburg trial. These gentlemen handled the pre-trial arrangements, the advertising, drawing, judges' books, event planning, and ensured the large entry was managed and proceeded in an orderly fashion. Justin donated the use of his side-by-side vehicle for bird planting and a dog wagon.
Lunches, liquid refreshments, and snacks were provided daily, compliments of the club, and enjoyed under Nick Lasica's pop-up canopy.

Weather conditions were mostly deplorable for the entire three days, with constant light rain and occasional downpours, causing extremely wet and muddy grounds, with streams of water appearing where none existed under normal conditions.

Judging duties were handled by a staff of well-known, experienced arbiters. Brian Riggle of Claysville, Pennsylvania, teamed with Tim McClurg of Fowler, Ohio, for the Open Horseback Derby. Brian partnered with Tyler Bowser of Pennsylvania for the Open Horseback Shooting Dog. Paul Tipping of Washington, Pennsylvania, and professional Matt Basilone of Pittstown, New Jersey, teamed for the Open Walking stakes. Nick Lasica of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, and Dave Park of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, placed the Amateur stakes and Gun Dog. Their decisions were all met with a round of applause.

Purina and Greg Blair are to be commended for sponsoring the event and providing 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, generously providing quality products and financial aid in many cases.

All in attendance expressed gratitude to landowners Art and Kim McDermitt.

The Open Horseback Derby winner was Birdpatch General Lee, an orange-marked setter owned by W. Smoot Carter Jr. of Winchester, Virginia, and handled by Matt Basilone to a far-reaching ground race and a pair of maturely handled finds with immaculate style of both.
Second went to Backcountry Fearless, an orange-marked pointer female owned and handled by Chris Catanzarite, to a forward, hard-driving ground race coupled with a pair of excellent finds.
Mojo's Winston Joy, an English setter male owned by Nick Moelders and handled by Mark Hughes, placed third with a hard hunting medium ranging forward race and five well-earned finds, all handled with style and advanced manners.

The Open Horseback Shooting Dog proved to be a quality stake won by Mac's Slim Jim, an orange-marked pointer male owned and handled by Tim McClurg of Fowler, Ohio. Jim appeared in the first brace, hunting far to the front while maintaining contact with his handler. Jimmy scored on quail three times and handled each with sky-kissing style with manners above reproach.
Second-placed Miller's Special Upgrade, a pointer female owned by Carlos Escalante of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and handled by Mark Hughes, proved a strong contender with a far-reaching front-running ground race, found on point twice well ahead after a short absence. Her first find near the far turn, followed by a second find along the autumn olive edge, sent her ahead to finish strong.
Iron Will's Raging Bull, a liver-marked pointer male owned by Robert and Lisa Brooks of Hammonton, New Jersey, and handled by Matt Basilone, took third with a well-directed race, not quite as wide as the other winners. He scored twice on birds with high pointing style and perfect manners. finishing going away. Others considered for placement included Luke, Lady, Zeke, and Dee.

The Open Walking Puppy stake was loaded with youngsters that most likely will be seen in more winning circles in the future. The winners all demonstrated the running appeal and drive necessary to compete. A slight difference in overall range and application was the only separating factor.

In the Open Walking Derby, Backcountry Fearless topped her earlier performance in the Horseback Derby to capture the blue ribbon for young handler Reese Carroll, who earned his first ever placement beyond puppy stakes by directing Les to a strong front-running ground race with three well-handled finds plus a back. A great achievement for Reese.
Second was Hitail Roxy Afield, a stylish setter female owned and handled by Russ Fazio. Roxy is no stranger to winning and posed a strong challenge here with a fast forward ground race, three finds and a back, showing plenty of drive from start to finish.
Christys Kaylee Girl, a Brittany female owned and handled by Christy Helmes, placed third on the merits of a medium-range effort and a single find handled with derby manners.
A strong challenge came from Winston, a setter male with a hard hunting effort and five well-handled finds.

First in the Open Walking Shooting Dog was Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze, a black marked pointer male owned and handled by Justin Mason, to a classy forward reaching ground race coupled with five perfectly handled finds. Blaze demonstrated polished composure and exemplary manners on every find, plus a strong finish.
Second was Double Deuce Zeke, multiple time champion owned by Doug McMillen and handled by Mark Hughes, to a wide-ranging ground effort with Zeke found pointing well off the beaten trail on at least two occasions and adding four other well-handled finds that presented the judges with an exemplary performance.
Third was Double Deuce Miles, a pointer male owned and handled by Doug McMillen, who made his appearance in the first brace. Miles hunted at medium range and hit the likely-looking cover with reckless abandon and was rewarded with four finds, standing statuesque and mannerly for the flush and shot on each. Not just a three-dog stake, others that could have easily been in the money on another day were Dusty, Spec, Jack, and Warrior Zeke.

The Amateur Walking Derby winner was Hypointe Monarch Express on the merits of a far-flung ground race, plenty of eye-appeal, and advanced manners on birds for owner Nick Mellon and handler Russ Fazio.
Second was Wildland Heart Breaker, a pointer female owned by Eric and Krysta Munden and handled by Krysta to a medium range front running ground race and birdwork, where Cece demonstrated rock solid intensity and promising manners.
Hitail Roxy Afield followed up on her earlier placement by taking third for owner/handler Russ Fazio. Her effort was rewarded with solid work on birds, but just slightly less range than the other winners.
Double Deuce Sage won first in the Amateur Walking Shooting Dog with a solid far-reaching ground race coupled with proficient bird work, with Sage demonstrating exquisite style and polished manners.
Wildland Warrior added another ribbon to her large collection by nailing down second with a mature forward ground race and multiple finds with Lola showing exemplary manners.
Backcountry Buddy rounded out the placements for owner Chris Catanzarite and handler Tyler Bowser with a ground effort not quite as wide or aggressive as the other winners but solid bird work for a well-earned placement.

The Open Gun Dog stake is offered to recognize superior bird dogs doing what they do best in bird field gunning situations, although blank guns only apply. Handler Ron Guidas took first with Granger, with Caliber Peak Hundred Proof and Doug McMillen a close second, and Christy Helmes rounding out the placements with Franz Von Weib. All three are very worthy of their placements.

Burgettstown, Pa., May 2
Judges: Tim McClurg and Brian Riggle
OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BIRDPATCH GENERAL LEE, F1705914, setter male, by Bozeann's Rex-Knitone Pearl Too. W. Snoot Carter Jr., owner; Matt Basilone, handler.
2d-BACKCOUNTRY FEARLESS, F1705245, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
3d-MOJO'S WINSTON JOY, F1705340, setter male, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Doodle Ridge Fern. Renee & Nick Moelders, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.

Judges: Tyler Bowser and Brian Riggle
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 16 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-MAC'S SLIM JIM, F1700897, pointer male, by Mac's Silver Chief-Mac's Silver Shadow. Tim McClurg, owner and handler.
2d-MILLER'S SPECIAL UPGRADE, F1695107, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-IRON WILL'S RAGING BULL, F1697738, pointer male, by Hyhope Chipper-Iron Will Suzie. Robert & Lisa Brooks, owners; Matt Basilone, handler.

Judges: Matt Basilone and Paul Tipping
OPEN PUPPY - 10 Pointers
1st-CASH, unreg., pointer male, by Double Deuce Zeke-Bragabull. Nick Lasica, owner and handler.
2d-HITAIL ROLLING DIXIE, F1714644, pointer female, by Hifives Rolling Stone-Speed Dialing Kaia. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-EVAN'S FULL THROTTLE, unreg., pointer female, by Double Deuce Zeke-Bragabull. Evan Smith, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

Open Walking Derby (l-r): Backcountry Fearless with Chris Catanzarite and Reese Carroll, Hitail Roxy Afield with Russ Fazio, and Christys Kaylee Girl with Christy Helmes. (Standing, l-r): Dave Park, Nick Lasica, and Paul Tipping (judge).

OPEN DERBY- 5 Pointers, 3 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st-BACKCOUNTRY FEARLESS, F1705245, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner; Reese Carroll, handler.
2d-HITAIL ROXIE AFIELD, F1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-CHRISTYS KAYLEE GIRL, R331-522, Brittany female, by Bailey's Ramblin Rusty-Bailey's Lil Cody Wink. Christy Helmes, owner and handler.

Open Walking Shooting Dog (l-r): Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze with Justin Mason, Double Deuce Zeke with Mark Hughes, and Double Deuce Miles with Doug McMillen. (Standing, l-r): Dave Park and Nick Lasica.

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 10 Pointers, 1 Setter, and 1 Brittany
1st-BACKWOODS WILD FIRE BLAZE, F1691395, pointer male, by Erin's Wild Justice-Hollywood Hot'n'tot. Justin Mason, owner and handler.
2d-DOUBLE DEUCE ZEKE, F1673940, pointer male, by Double Deuce Peter-Funseeker's Holiday. Douglas E. McMillen Jr., owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-DOUBLE DEUCE MILES, F1691405, pointer male, by Double Deuce Zeke-Bucket List Bella. Douglas E. McMillen Jr., owner and handler.

Amateur Derby (l-r): Hypointe Monarch Express with Nick Mellon, Wildland Heart Breaker with Krysta Munden, and Hitail Roxy Afield with Russ Fazio. (Standing, l-r): Ron Guidas and Chris Catanzarite.

Judges: Nick Lasica and Dave Park
AMATEUR DERBY - 6 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-HYPOINTE MONARCH EXPRESS, F1704239, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Nicholas Mellon Jr., owner; Russ Fazio, handler.
2d-WILDLAND HEART BREAKER, F1705669, pointer female, by Miller's Heat Seeker-Wildland Warrior. Eric & Krysta Munden, owners; Krysta Munden, handler.
3d-HITAIL ROXY AFIELD, F1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell M. Fazio, owner and handler.

AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 10 Pointers and 3 Irish Setters
1st-DOUBLE DEUCE SAGE, F1673986, pointer female, by Double Deuce Peter-Funseeker's Holiday. Douglas McMillen Jr., owner and handler.
2d-WILDLAND WARRIOR, F1676947, pointer female, by Erin's War Creek-Suemac's Coventry. Eric Munden, owner and handler.
3d-BACKCOUNTRY BUDDY, F1682654, pointer male, by Waybetter Rocky-Backcountry Polly. Chris Catanzarite, owner; Tyler Bower, handler.

OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 8 Entries
1st-GUIDE US IS GRANGER, F1696855, pointer male, by Double Deuce Zeke-Warmarks Fredseeking Ella. Ronald A. Guidas, owner and handler.
2d-CALIBER PEAK HUNDRED PROOF, F1696649, pointer male, by Caliber Peak Hundredth Meridian-Double Deuce Molly. Sarah D. Gomes, owner; Douglas McMillen Jr., handler.
3d-FRANZ VOM WEIB HOF, F1700988, German Drahthaar male, by Wulf v Dornenberg-Mist V Dornenberg. Premanand Jaikaran, owner; Christy Helmes, handler.