Result: U. S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Highland, Michigan

Post Date: Jul 21, 2025

Submitted By: David A. Fletcher

The Grand Valley Bird Dog Club has for a decade or more hosted the U.S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship over the Highland Recreation Area's storied grounds near Milford, Michigan. They again hosted and staged this year's Championship over the Highland grounds, April 26-27. A field of 28 competed, 16 pointers and 12 setters.

Spring weather was cooperative, perhaps a bit warmish in the 80s on Sunday afternoon, but
not a great hindrance. Water tubs were put out along the course route. Courses were as usual for springtime. Cover had not yet grown tall to hinder the running. This area of the grounds is observably in need of burning, which happened last about five years ago, and mowing, which is a necessity for the fall events, is done by club members bringing and using their own mowing equipment. Lunch on Saturday was provided by the club at the pavilion.

The trial activity begins with the drawing conducted by Grand Valley President Jim Cipponeri, helped by his wife, Connie, at their home. Jim also secures the judges and marshals the course for much of the event. Paul Tutro looked after bird liberation both days and, in addition, set out his water tubs on the course. Brian Wood announces each brace at the breakaway point.

Judges were Will Langley of Harrison, Michigan, a long-time veteran of Michigan bird dog events. He has judged extensively. Judge Duane Yoder of Cottrellville, Michigan, was paired with Will Langley, and his association with the clubs and organizations using the Ionia grounds is extensive. He also trains and competes his own bird dogs. Thanks again must be given to the Purina organization for their support.

This reporter, at 91 years of age, no longer rides horses and follows every brace of the running, observing everything that happens with his own eyes. I am asked to report trials and use information from the judges, including the brace-by-brace performances. I do attend the event and gather other information firsthand. In this Championship event, what was discussed by observers, but not witnessed by your scribe, was that the runner-up dog, Bobby Ecker's Sammy the Rock Star, was observed leashed well before the 60-minute mark of his brace, yet was named to the runner-up position. Written standards in existence for the better part of 50 years state that the stake is an hour stake and a dog, in order to win, must remain hunting the full 60 minutes. Observers stated this did not happen.

The Winners and Others
Special Upgrade, a 5-year-old pointer female handled by Mark Hughes, was the clear-cut winner with four clean finds on quail and a find on a wild woodcock, added to by an exciting hunting effort always forward, always to likely cover, and the finish of the hour was strong. Penny, as she is called, was bred by Jack and Fran Miller, became the property of Carlos Escalante, of Marysville, Pennsylvania, and has been in training with Mark and Dave Hughes since her puppyhood. Mark Hughes was her primary tutor. This was Penny's fourth championship title, having won the U.S. Complete Mid-Atlantic Region Championship twice, and she has also won the Pennsylvania Championship, and now the U.S. Complete Great Lakes Region Championship in Michigan. Penny was also quite dynamic, winning several Futurities she was nominated for, and then showed her versatility by winning in the cover dog, walking, and horseback circuits. Wild Man, Eric Munden, Mulberry Fields Molly, Warrior Zeke, Hughes, Ponderosa's Copper Penny, Ellis, Tupelo Honey, and Wheelock all had mannerly birdwork and were credibly viewed by the judiciary.

Milford, Mich., April 26
Judges: Will Langley and Duane Yoder
U. S. COMPLETE GREAT LAKES REGIONAL OPEN WALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Pointers and 12 Setters
Winner-MILLER'S SPECIAL UPGRADE, F1695107 pointer female by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

Miller's Special Upgrade, Winner of the U. S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship.