Event: Illinois Winner's Classic
Result: Piasa Pointer and Setter Club
Location: Chandlerville, Illinois
Post Date: Aug 28, 2025
Submitted By: Sean Patrick Derrig
Open Shooting Dog (l-r). Sean Patrick and Rosie Derrig, Mike Vicari with P J Wildfire's Supernova, Frank Vicari, Mike and Suanne Duvall with Thumper's Anything But, Heather Packard with Wildfire's Royal Flush and Brian Sheehan.
The Illinois Winners Classic occurred March 15th and 16th at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Wildlife Area outside Chandlerville, Illinois. The trial had great participation, with two full days of running across most of the breeds represented in Illinois. The grounds were in great shape with dogs finding liberated and wild quail along with a pheasant or two that gave some of our competitors too much temptation. Saturday's weather was perfect spring trial weather in the mid-50s, with Sunday morning starting the day off with snow and high 20s to remind everyone that winter was not over yet!
The Open Shooting dog was hotly contested with several dogs putting down quality performances. PJ's Wildfire Supernova put down an excellent shooting dog race executed by two well-spaced finds being found standing up front and on course. Thumper's Anything But, while getting up there in age (10 years young), showed a spring in her step and well applied race with excellent manners on her game. The Vicari's took 3rd with their veteran Wildfire's Royal Flush, who would go on to win the Top Illinois Open Shooting Dog of the year award with this placement.
The Open Derby was placed on ground race, with Erin's Sunshine Kate putting down a great race and responding well to the handler. This was Kate's fifth placement in Illinois this year!
The Amateur Shooting dog race was won by father-son duo Mike and Frank Vicari with Royal Flush. He ran a strong shooting dog race punctuated with three finds and excellent manners around game. Rolling Hills Ty and Erin's Rebel Attraction was likely the most exciting brace of the trial, with both dogs pushing the boundaries of shooting dogs and trading finds back and forth. Both handlers had a sense of relief when time was called, and they were able to ride in and find their charges. We would like to thank Dennis Sneed for judging the Shooting Dog.
Chanderville, Ill., March 15
Judges: Sean Patrick Derrig and Brian Sheehan
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 9 Pointers, 2 Setters and 3 German Shorthairs
1st-P J WILDFIRE'S SUPERNOVA, F168939, German Shorthair male, by P J Wildfire's Little Bud-P J Wildfire's Little Angel. Frank Vicari, owner and handler.
2d-THUMPER ANYTHING BUT, F1658927, pointer female, by Royal Rock's Mr. Thumper-Brown's Starhawk. Mike & Suanne Duvall, owner and handler.
3d-WILDFIRE'S ROYAL FLUSH, F1678115, German Shorthair male, by P J Wildfire's Little Bud-P J Wildfire's Little Angel. Mike & Frank Vicari, owners; Fran Vicari, handler.
Open Derby (l-r). Sean Patrick and Rosie Derrig with Erin's Sunshine Kate, Frank Vicari, Mark Johnson, Rolling Hills Erin's Max with Jeff Wagoner, Erin's Yellow Jacket with Brian Sheehan and Mike Vicari.
Judges: Sean Patrick Derrig and Mike Vicari
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-ERIN'S SUNSHINE KATE, F1709940, pointer female, by Erin's Bad River-Erin's Wild Covey. Mark Johnson, owner and handler.
2d-ROLLING HILLS ERIN MAX, F1716377, pointer male, by Erin's Southern Comfort-Three Striples Bullseye. Jeff Wagoner, owner and handler.
3d-ERIN'S YELLOW JACKET, F1716877, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Social Charm. Brian Sheehan, owner and handler.
Amateur Shooting Dog (l-r). Heather Packard, Rosie Derrig with Wildfire's Royal Flush, Mike Vicari, Frank Vicari, Jeff Wagoner with Rolling Hills Ty, Sean Patrick Derrig (Judge) and Brian Sheehan with Erin's Rebel Attraction.
Judges: Sean Patrick Derrig and Dennis Sneed
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 11 Pointers, 2 Setters and 3 German Shorthairs
1st-WILDFIRE'S ROYAL FLUSH, F1678115, German Shorthair male, by P J Wildfire's Little Bud-P J Wildfire's Little Angel. Mike & Frank Vicari, owners; Fran Vicari, handler.
2d-ROLLING HILLS TY, F1697536, pointer male, by Redhawk's Clyde-Homestead Johnnie. Jeff Wagoner, owner and handler.
3d-ERIN'S REBEL ATTRACTION, F1691807, pointer male, by Erin's Country Rebel-Erin's Fatal Attraction. Brian Sheehan, owner and handler.
Judges: Sean Patrick Derrig and Aaron McAfee
AMATEUR DERBY - 4 Pointers
1st- ERIN' YELLOW JACKET, F1716877, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Social Charm. Brian Sheehan, owner and handler.
2d-ERIN'S PERFECT CHIP, F1712940, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erin's Miss Daisy. Dennis Sneed, owner and handler.
Amateur Derby (l-r). Mike Vicari (Judge) and Heather Packard, Brian Sheehan and Rosie Derrig with Erin's Yellow Jacket, Sean Patrick Derrig (Judge), Frank Vicari and Dennis Sneed with Erin's Perfect Chip.
Junior Handler. Frank Vicari, Heather Packard, Rosie Derrig with Wildfire's Royal Flush, Mike Vicari and Sean Patrick Derrig.