Event: Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship
Result: National Brittany Open Grouse Championship Association

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Nov 17, 2025

Submitted By: Kenny DeLong

Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog: Chuck Langstaff, Rich Hollister with Back Creek Lucy, Dave Hughes, Mark Hughes with Mulberry Fields Molly, J. P. Jones (judge), Dave Heavlin (judge), and Kenny DeLong with Faith's Maximum Justice.

Unseasonably warm (hot!) temperatures in the 80s were the daily rule for most of the trial, putting dogs' endurance and stamina to the test. We had a nice-sized entry of quality dogs. The Club would like to thank Greg Blair and Purina for their sponsorship and steadfast support of cover dog events across the country. We express our gratitude to our faithful wranglers, the Hollister Family. Mr. Steve McKalko provided sumptuous vittles as well as marshaling. Josh and Max Bambach tirelessly walked/marshaled nearly every brace on the weekend, brought desserts, and were always available to help out. Brent and Denise Peters helped direct traffic and marshal as well. Tammi Savage handles the myriad of administrative and clerical tasks in addition to serving as something of a Sergeant-at-Arms on the grounds. Many folks helped out in other ways by moving vehicles, helping get dogs to the line, and otherwise keeping the trial moving. We are grateful for all of the entries and volunteer efforts.

The annual renewal of the Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog started things off Thursday morning, with 40 dogs competing over two days. Conditions were tough--hot and dry. When the dust settled, judges Dave Heavlin and J. P. Jones liked the two setter females in the next-to-the-last brace of the stake for the top two placements. Running on Course 7 Friday afternoon, Stevie Graham's Lucy, handled by Rich Hollister, scored on grouse and woodcock to earn the blue, with Mark Hughes guiding Molly to multiple finds and coming in a close second. Kenny DeLong's pointer male, little ol' man Justice, ran forward and hard earlier in the day on course 15, pointing a woodcock nicely in a bottom--good for the yellow ribbon.
Saturday morning saw the Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship start on Course 8. Veteran Pro Tammy Chaffee and Chris Wasserman were in the saddle under conditions that were brutally hot all day, especially in the afternoon, with the heat taking its toll on several of the entrants. The tight-knit team of handler Christy Helmes and her busy, birdy liver Brittany Kaylee owned Courses 12 and 13 in the very late morning. Kaylee hunted hard and to the front for the hour, hitting a grouse hard early on Course 12 before the crossing, then nailing a woodcock on 13. She finished forward in spite of the heat, scouring the cover and securing the runner-up spot. Last year's champion, Kenny DeLong's Brittany male, ran in the last brace of the day, with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Shooter laid it down for the entire hour; always powerful and well forward, searching the most likely cover, while always in touch with his handler. At the 40-minute mark, crossing from Course 1 up the hill, beginning Course 2, 10 yards into the cover, Shooter hit the brakes hard. As handler and judge Wasserman approached, a grouse blew out. His bracemate, the Irish Setter Asa, showed up to back the Britt, who was still standing staunchly. Just then, another grouse noisily exited its deadfall hideout to the left, both dogs motionless, turning their heads to mark the flight. A pumped-up Shooter was released to complete the hour, defying the heat with the stamina and drive to earn him the championship title.

On the other end of the grounds Saturday morning, judges Tom Winters and Bob Ackerman watched puppies. They had quite a variety to look at. Some traveled far and wide, some closer to home. Three pups applied the "Goldilocks" principle and were just about right. Famous Fantastic Fazio handled his setter female Stormy to a strong showing that earned them the top spot. Kenny DeLong's pointer female, Mercy, blended forward, searching both cover and edges to claim the red. George Najor's setter male Joey impressed the judges with a strong race for third place.

Sunday morning, the Open Derby started on course under moderately cooler conditions, with Jeff "Keystone" Keller and Brian Ralph judging the nine braces. Birds were at a bit of a premium, but the precocious setter, Hippie Girl, handled by Rich Hollister, ran strong and found a couple of grouse to secure first place. Fantastic Fazio guided pointer female Dixie through Course 8 to score on grouse and nabbed the red ribbon. The pointer Mercy and setter Whip battled it out in the second brace on Course 5, with Dr. Pershke's classy charge getting the nod for the third-place spot.

We had a late lunch and announcements, with folks glad to finish by early afternoon after a long, busy four days of trialing. We would like to thank all participants and our judges. We are blessed to have great grounds and good folks who enjoy the fellowship and competition. We look forward to seeing everyone in the Spring. God Bless Us Everyone!

Meredith, Mich., October 2
Judges: Dave Heavlin and John P. Jones
THEDA LANGSTAFF MEMORIAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 21 Pointers, 18 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-BACK CREEK LUCY, F1683067, setter female, by Peyton's Legacy Kip-Girl's Little Dixie. Steve Graham, owner; Rich Hollister, handler.
2d-MULBERRY FIELDS MOLLY, F1698754, pointer female, by Stillmeadow's Benjamin-The Eiger. Norman Meeder, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-FAITH'S MAXIMUM JUSTICE, F1660276, pointer male, by Nelson's Van Max-Wild Apple Faith. Kenny DeLong, owner and handler.

Restricted Breed Open Grouse Championship: Tammi Savage, Kenny DeLong with K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot, Tammy Chaffee (judge), Chris Wasserman (judge), and Christy Helmes with Christys Kaylee Girl.

Judges: Tammy Chaffee and Chris Wasserman
RESTRICTED BREED OPEN GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Brittanys, 2 Irish Setters, and 2 German Shorthairs
Winner-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, F1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance to Soar. Kenny DeLong, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-CHRISTYS KAYLEE GIRL, R331522, Brittany female, by Bailey's Ramblin Rusty-Bailey's Lil Cody Wink. Christine Helmes, owner and handler.

Open Puppy: Russ Fazio with Hitail Perfect Storm, Tom Winters (judge), Kenny DeLong with Lucy's Just Have Mercy, and George Najor with Sunrise Double Barrell Star.

Judges: Bob Ackerman and Tom Winters
OPEN PUPPY - 3 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-HITAIL PERFECT STORM, F1720599, setter male, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
2d-LUCY'S JUST HAVE MERCY, F1723542, pointer female, by Highbanks Final Justice-Highbanks Diamond Lucy. Kenny DeLong, owner and handler.
3d-SUNRISE DOUBLE BARRELL STAR, F1721031, setter male, by Sunrise Star-Mia Star. George Najor, owner and handler.

Judges: Jeff Keller and Brian Ralph
OPEN DERBY - 10 Pointers and 8 Setters
1st-DUNROVEN HIPPIEGIRL, F1713542, setter female, by Dun Rovens Drifter-Dun Rovens Midnight Eve. Richard Hollister, owner & handler.
2d-HITAIL ROLLING DIXIE, F1714644, pointer female, by Hifives Rolling Stone-Speed Dialing Kaia. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-WATCH ME WHIP, F1711113, setter male, by Cash Van Pioneer Scouts Man-Anna Van Frutchey Ranch. Tim Perschke, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

Open Derby: Rich Hollister with Dunroven Hippie Girl, Jeff Keller (judge), Russ Fazio with Hitail Rolling Dixie, Brian Ralph (judge), Dr. Perschke with Watch Me Whip, and Mark Hughes.