Event: Hightailing Pink Named Winner of the
Result: 62nd National Shooting Dog Futurity
Location: Bloomingdale, Ohio
Post Date: Oct 21, 2025
Submitted By: Mike Husenits
62nd National Shooting Dog Futurity (front): Hightailing Pink with Kevin Joyce, Hale's Kickstart Country with Eli Taylor, Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer with Bo Brewer, Sunset Creek Uptown Girl with Holly Moreland, and Cy's Dancing Tequila with Stacie Goodie. (Behind): Joe Lordi (judge), Doug Ray, Casey Tracy with baby Mary Michale Tracy, Mike Tracy, Dennis Hood, Marc Janiec, George Tracy, Karen Janiec, Mark Hughes, Greg Strausbaugh, and Ella Copeland.
The 62nd running of the National Shooting Dog Futurity began and was concluded on September 22 over the grounds of the Mingo Sportsman's Club near Steubenville, Ohio. This breeder's classic is among the most prestigious annual shooting dog derby stakes, with winners awarded bonus points for the Purina Top Derby Award annually. Historically, pheasants have always been the primary game bird, both native and released, but credit is also given for handling quail, grouse, or woodcock as dictated by previously established futurity guidelines. The original concept and planning for this event occurred around 1961/62, with the inaugural running held on October 4, 1964, at Baldwinsville, New York. The founders were all well-respected patrons of the sport and included stalwarts and Hall of Fame members, namely Dr. Tom Flanagan, Bob Wehle, Harold Crane, Frank Ash, Anthony Imbesi, Dr. Alvin Nitchman, Richard Shear, Harry Townsend, Lee White, plus several others. This event, coupled with the sister U. S. Quail Shooting Dog Futurity and the Mid-States Futurity, is recognized as the most prestigious derby events on the major shooting dog circuit. The early renewals drew between 40 and 50 starters annually, then gradually increased throughout the 60s and into the mid-90s, averaging 60 to 70 starters, with 1982 holding the record high of 106. Throughout those early decades, several large bird dog breeding operations were active and responsible for enrolling and nominating 80 to 100 litters annually. Around the turn of the century, large pointing dog breeding operations declined noticeably, with litter enrollments dropping to current levels of 15 to 25 annually and average starting levels to 25 to 35. This year's entry of 20 is the lowest number of starters on record. However, on the bright side, superior performance levels witnessed over the past several decades prove that higher-quality derby-age contenders are being produced, thus providing food for thought that selective breeding practices have improved the overall quality of the breeds.
Primarily, the established performance criteria for futurities are to recognize potential and ability in dogs to develop and become competitive performers in the most prestigious shooting dog championships--namely, the National Pheasant, the National Open Shooting Dog Championship, and the National Amateur Championships.
Breeders are required to be diligent and attentive to details in order for litters born to be eligible for futurities. Litters must be nominated within 60 days of whelping to avoid penalty. Otherwise, a significant late fee must be paid in order to regain eligibility. Futurity secretary Mark Hughes handles the bulk of the work required to maintain necessary records, plus handling of the numerous inquiries from year to year. He is assisted by semi-retired Secretary Mike Husenits, who helps with reporting, a duty he has handled for the past 22 years. Prior to Mark Hughes and Mike Husenits, past futurity secretaries included Keith Severin for 22 years, Verle Farrow for 16 years, and David Miller for the first two years. The current futurity President is Mike Tracy, a two-year rotating position. Chris Catanzarite and Mike Husenits are current Vice Presidents. Chris is extremely instrumental in ensuring this event succeeds, serving as co-chair and handling the procurement and daily release of strong flying pheasants. Chris and Mark Hughes also share the marshaling duties.
Others making notable contributions include Mary Tracy, who always assists in any way needed, plus Mary generally keeps the program on track. Casey Tracy prepared and served a Monday evening spaghetti dinner at the pavilion to the delight of all. The annual highlight of an oil painting presentation by artist Mary McPherson of last year's futurity winner, Deena Jet, a pointer female owned by Steve and Daron Boyer and handled by Mike Tracy, was admired. Accolades are also extended to Dave Hughes and Dennis Hood for their expert management of dog truck duties, no easy task with 30-minute heats run on a continuous course arrangement. Additionally, Dave and Dennis kept the truck well supplied with cold drinks, coffee, fruit, candy, and other snacks for morning and afternoon breaks.
Heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation are extended to Greg Blair and Purina for their continued financial sponsorship and for providing Pro Plan dog food to the winners.
That brings us to the all-important critical element of field trial judges and judging. This year's duo could not have been better. Tony Bingham, a successful professional trainer from Shelby, North Carolina, teamed with Joe Lordi, an active amateur owner/handler from Atco, New Jersey. Both gentlemen know what potential looks like in a young dog and have definitely proved it by elevating winners that demonstrated potential, plus other necessary traits that should ensure they are successful in future major shooting dog events. This reporter appreciated their help and is thankful to both for sharing their thoughts with me throughout the running.
Weather conditions were less than ideal due to dry, hard ground, dust, and warm temperatures. The goldenrod and autumn olive growth has expanded in height and thickness, making visibility somewhat limited in certain areas.
An ancestry review of the 20 entries reveals Cheyenne Jack as the most popular sire, followed by Game Surge, Haney's Silver Dollar, Double Deuce Zeke, and Springflow's Backcountry P.
The Winners and Honorable Mention
Hightailing Pink, orange-marked pointer female owned and handled by Kevin and Maureen Joyce of Northport, New York, captured the blue ribbon on the merits of a smooth front-running classy ground race and a pair of pheasant finds. Kevin Joyce handled Pink and bred the litter sired by Ch. Cheyenne Jack out of Kevin's female Ch. Hightailing Maggie, the litter whelped January 4, 2024. Pink's development can be credited to George and Mike Tracy of Summerhill Kennels, as well as to Kevin, who raised and started the entire litter that included three other starters in the Futurity. Pink broke away in the ninth brace at 4:37 from the traditional starting place near the activity pavilion. She quickly caught the judge's attention with her classy way of getting through the country. Her first find at 12 along the hillside in an autumn olive thicket approaching the stone pile crossing, Pink standing tall and remaining mannerly as the flush attempt was not easy in the heavy cover. Sent ahead, Pink continued to impress with her fancy way of going, capping off her effort with a beautiful find in bottom goldenrod at 27 handled with pinpoint location and advanced manners, then up the hill to finish ahead with plenty of willingness to continue.
Second-placed Hale's Kickstart Country, orange-marked pointer female owned by Chris Sellers and Doug Ray, handled by Doug Ray and bred by Dr. Jeff Hale, was sired by Fred Corder's Ch. Game Surge ex Hale's High Kick, the litter whelped January 20, 2024. Game Surge traces to Lester's Storm Surge and Game Maggie. Country made her appearance in the fourth brace, starting at 10:26 from the hilltop near the turnback to the starting point. She was all business from the get-go to the call of pick up, not restricted by the thick vegetation or the dry, hot conditions. Near the midway point, Country pointed with sky-kissing style and rock-solid intensity, with the handler quickly raising a perfectly located pheasant, with Country remaining steadfast for the shot. Her finish was far to the front, going strong.
Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer, orange-marked pointer male owned by Mark Janiec of Cranberry, New Jersey, bred by Wade Williams, and handled by Mike Tracy, was third. Surfer is well conformed with a short-coupled build and tall in stature. He is from a litter whelped January 24, 2024, by Ch. Haney's Silver Dollar ex Bluemound's Charged Up, very strong in Ransom and Rock Acre Blackhawk blood. His noteworthy performance came in the second brace, starting at 8:52 from the backside hilltop area, with Surfer attacking the heavy cover with reckless abandon, his efforts paying off with three well-mannered finds and a stop to flush on pheasants. Surfer ran stronger as the time passed, finishing with a far-reaching cast.
Fourth was Sunset Creek Uptown Girl, liver-marked pointer female also owned by Mark Janiec of Cranberry, New Jersey, bred by Mark Hughes, and handled by veteran Hall of Fame handler George Tracy. Girl is a compactly built, extremely classy female out of Ch. Double Deuce Zeke, ex R-U Ch. and multiple trial winner Braggabull, strong in the pointer blood line of Funseeker's Rebel and Calico's Thrillogy. Girl was released at 3:08 from the normal Course 1 starting line and quickly demonstrated her classy way of getting through the country in well directed forward fashion. She stood high and tight near the stone pile road crossing at 15, remaining steady throughout flush, then ahead to a strong finish.
Honorable mention went to pointer female Cy's Dancing Tequila, owned and handled by 13-year-old Ella Copeland, who directed her with confidence and ability that defied her young age. The classy youngster hunted the front and dug up a pheasant, which she pointed and handled nicely. Congratulations to Ella and to her travel partner and mentor, Stacie Goodie.
The Running
Hightailing Cindy (G. Tracy) and Calico's Bright Eyes (A. Smith) started at 8:11; both ranged well ahead, with Cindy contacting a pheasant at 10, no birds for Bright Eyes.
The second brace had the third-placed winner above and the honorable mention above.
She's A Ten (M. Tracy) and Evan's Full Throttle (M. Hughes) both ran with plenty of eye appeal. Ten pointed near midway but was a bit immature as the pheasant roared away. Throttle ("Charlie") had a solid point in heavy cover that proved unproductive. Both finished well ahead.
Hale's Kickstart Country (described above) and Pine Straw Cold Brew (M. Tracy) were off at 10:26; Brew picked up early after shortening in the heat and dense cover.
Cy's Hot Meth Express (S. Goodie) and Hightailing Candy (G. Tracy). Cy hunted hard in the heavy cover, maintaining her medium-range effort throughout. Her lone find was handled with acceptable fall derby manners. Candy raced well ahead and was counted out at 15.
Walden's Ridge Dot Com (D. Ray) and Bully Bud (E. Saniga). Dot started with a burst of speed but was soon out of pocket and counted out. Bud showed a classy way of going, scored an early stop to flush, then suffered an unproductive before being picked up.
Sunset Creek Uptown Girl (G. Tracy) and Cape Point Wildfire (D. Ray). Girl's fourth-place finish is described above. Wildfire rendered a challenging effort with a well-directed forward ground race and a nicely handled pheasant find at 22, shortening a bit at the end.
Peek A Bull (E. Saniga) and Bluebar Index (M. Tracy). Bull hunted hard to the front, but his only contact was a stop to flight on a pheasant. Index ran wide but failed to contact game.
Lonetree's Tanqueray (D. Ray) and Hightailing Pink (K. Joyce). Tanqueray started strong, pointed at 14, but picked up for a breach of manners. Pink's winning performance is described earlier.
Hightailing Peach (M. Tracy) and Cerllon Stone (M. Hughes). Peach handled well forward while maintaining medium range and scoring a well-handled find at 22 near road crossing, finishing well ahead. Stone hunted hard and ranged wide; his only stand at 28 unproductive.
Bloomingdale, Ohio, September 23
Judges: Tony Bingham and Joe Lordi
62ND NATIONAL SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY - 19 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-HIGHTAILING PINK, F1714949, pointer female, by Cheyenne Jack-Hightailing Maggie. Kevin Joyce, owner and handler.
2d-HALE'S KICKSTART COUNTRY, F1710929, pointer female, by Game Surge-Hale's High Kick. Chris Sellers & Doug Ray, owners; Doug Ray, handler.
3d-BRYANT'S SUNSET SILVER SURFER, F1708719, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Bluemound's Charged Up. Mark Janiec, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
4th-SUNSET CREEK UPTOWN GIRL, F1713966, pointer female, by Double Deuce Zeke-Braggabull. Mark Janiec, owner; George Tracy, handler.
Oil painting of last year's winner, Deena Jet, held by Mike Husenits.