Result: Mid-States Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Nescopeck, Pennsylvania

Post Date: Oct 14, 2025

Submitted By: Robert Ecker

Winners of the Mid-States Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship joined by participants.

The Mid-States Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship ran September 26-27. The weather both days was unseasonably warm, sunny, and dry, not very favorable conditions for birddogs!
The Mohegan club hosted the event, in cooperation with Dr. Tom Mains, who took entries and conducted the drawing.

This is the second year in a row the trial has been run on Ringneck pheasants at Faith's Pheasant Preserve in Nescopeck, Pennsylvania.

A huge thank you is to be extended to the Chapin family for their hospitality and use of their farm. It is typical Pennsylvania pheasant country, with corn and hay fields spread out over rolling hills with wooded areas, hedge rows, and creek bottoms. A perfect venue to showcase a true pheasant dog!

Judges were secured months in advance. Domenic Sergio from Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is a well-known Brittany trialer with a strong character and a positive attitude. Lee Long from Ohio made the trek east and brought his years of experience in the saddle, judging a multitude of championship events.
We thank them both!

Day one was rough on the dogs, and at the conclusion, the judges named Mia Star, a young setter owned by Steve McKalko, as the top dog. She ran a blistering race in the tough conditions. Close on her heels was a newly crowned runner-up champion, Ironstone's Dark Horse, owned by well-known New England trialer, Eli Richardson. Dark Horse was solid on the ground, forward, and added a strong finish.

Day two would see several dogs put forth quality performances. First on the slate was the eventual runner-up champion, Grouse Hill Rambo. The young liver and white pointer male, owned by John Capocci, ran a nearly perfect race, forward and to all the right objectives.

This showcased his pheasant hunting qualities. He had a stop to flush on a hen about mid brace, and with minutes to go, he pointed on a sidehill, scoring a nice find as judge Sergio caught a glimpse of the wily rooster running through the brush.

Later Saturday, nearing the end of the championship, Marty Festa brought his exciting young pointer female to the line.

Blue Ribbon River has been a winner from day one, racking up puppy and derby placements all over the circuit. Her bracemate was AWOL soon after the breakaway.

With the course to herself, Marty and River set a comfortable pace, hunting and searching the course. At about the 30-minute mark, River was seen standing on a knoll in the short grass on the edge of a cornfield. She was standing with a high-style head up and tail, pointing to the sky. A short flushing attempt produced a noisy cockbird taking wing, flying to parts unknown. She was watered and taken on. About 10 minutes later, as she worked through a gap between two cornfields, she stopped on a dime. Again, her style was impeccable, a picture of class.
Again, Marty showed confidence walking out in front of her this time. It was a hen pheasant busting out of the edge of the grass. River stood perfect for the shot. She finished strong and was easily rounded up at time. A truly great performance by an equally great young dog.
The announcements were made, and all in attendance were pleased with the results.

Nescopeck, Pa., September 26
Judges: Lee Long and Domenic Sergio
MID-STATES OPEN WALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 9 Pointers, 12 Setters, 2 Brittanys and 1 Irish Setter
Winner-BLUE RIBBON RIVER, F1701966, pointer female, by Double Deuce Zeke-Huckleberry's Lucky Penny. Martin Festa, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-GROUSE HILL RAMBO, F1696375, pointer male, by Bo of Piney Woods-Grouse Hill Prima. John Capocci, owner; R. J. Ecker Jr., handler.