Result: Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Nov 5, 2025

Submitted By: John Olfson

Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Tiffany Smith with Calico's Country Strong, John Olfson, Mitch Swierczynski (judge), Brayden Smith, Doug Dix, Alex Smith with Calico's Over the Top, Bill Bonetti, and Tim Cavanaugh (judge).

The Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship commenced Saturday, October 11, in East Windsor, Connecticut, at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area, with judges Tim Cavanaugh and Mitch Swierczynski mounted and ready for action. Tim and Mitch are experienced pointing dog handlers and judges with a great deal of championship experience. We are most appreciative that they accepted the assignment.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association, and its President, Rich Murph, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Eastern District Wildlife Biologist Ann Kilpatrick, the grounds were in as good a condition as could be expected. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort.
We had many large coveys produced throughout the trial. This seems to be the result of the protective cover, together with the callers bringing in holdover birds, and our seeded birds.
Pointer female Calico's Country Strong was named Champion. She was handled by Alex Smith and is owned by the Calico Kennels ownership group. Country Strong ran an exceptionally powerful forward race. When entering the Dearborn section, most dogs take the inside edge. Country Strong made a bold move along the outer edge, hunted her way to the top, and was found pointing a large covey. Turned loose after this spectacular bird work, she took the back edge and continued to rim the outer edge on her way out of Dearborn to be found on point in the Pines on another large covey.

Pointer male Calico's Over The Top was named runner-up champion. He is also owned by the Calico ownership group and was handled by Alex. He ran a powerful race, making snappy moves, hunting, taking edges, and was very classy on point. This is the third time in the last four years he has been named runner-up champion of the event. He also recently won the National Amateur Pheasant Championship.

Honorably mentioned was female pointer Cape Point Hidden Jewel. She had a strong forward-hunting race with nice, classy covey finds. She was handled by Bill Bonetti. Backcountry Champagnesupernova handled by Chris Catanzarite in the first brace had a nice run with a nice, large covey find at the first bird spot. She is coming off a runner-up champion placement in the National Amateur Pheasant Championship.

Many thanks to Greg Blair and Purina for providing Pro Plan Sport to the winners, as well as the judging gifts and awards through the AFTCA store credit program. Thank you again, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

Many thanks to Jane Bonnetti for taking care of the clubhouse and putting on all the delicious meals. Many thanks to Chris Catanzarite for sponsoring Saturday's dinner in honor of the 2024 champion, Backcountry Pure Gold.
Thank you to all participants. We look forward to seeing everyone next year.

East Windsor, Conn., October 11
Judges: Tim Cavanaugh and Mitch Swierczynski
REGION 1 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 21 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-CALICO'S COUNTRY STRONG, F1679850, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Calico's Touch of Class. Alex Smith, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-CALICO'S OVER THE TOP, F1692315, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Calico's Country Strong. Alex Smith, owner and handler.

Calico's Over The Top, Runner-Up in the Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship.