Result: U. S. Complete National Amateur Championship

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Nov 19, 2025

Submitted By: John Olfson

U. S. Complete National Amateur Championship (l-r): Rich Warters, Liam Dix, Brian Dix with Lightning Flash Remington, Gregor McCluskey, Lucas Dix, Doug Dix, Bill Bonnetti with Cape Point Lucky Strike, Marcus Ramseur (judge), John Olfson, and Tim Cavanaugh (judge).

The U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association held its National Amateur Championship on October 4 and 5, 2025, at the Dr. John Flaherty Field Trial Area in East Windsor, Connecticut. This was the second year in a row that this Championship was held at this venue.
These grounds, known historically to old-time New England field trialers as "Pelton's Pasture," have seen many, many field trials, and are great grounds to show a field trial dog.

The trial was hosted by the New Britain Field Trial Club, an old New England club that typically hosts horseback trials at Flaherty but is now excited to offer class walking trials as well, under the auspices of U.S. Complete.

Judges for the event were Marcus Ramseur of Newfield, New Jersey, and Tim Cavanaugh of East Hampton, CT. Both of these gentlemen are extremely skillful and competent individuals when it comes to anything involving bird dogs. We were very fortunate and grateful to have them.
The field trial committee consisted of me, Bill and Jayne Bonnetti, and Tom Tracy. There were many coveys established throughout the course. The Flaherty gallery wagon followed every brace, providing spectators with the opportunity to be part of the action. In the clubhouse, Jaynie never disappoints with three hot meals a day and snacks in between.

The U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association would also like to acknowledge all our sponsors who generously contribute to our national events. For many years now, Purina and Garmin have heavily supported us. This year, U.S. Complete entered into new partnerships with Stone Creek Outfitters, Dakota 283 Kennels, Lion Country Supply, and Union Level Leather. For this Championship, the winner received 12 bags of Purina dog food, a Garmin Pro 550 training collar, a custom embroidered handler's jacket from Stone Creek, and a $75 Lion Country Supply gift certificate. The runner-up received six bags of Purina dog food, a Garmin Bark Limiter Deluxe, a Dakota 283 Dine-and-Dash feed and water system, and a $50 gift certificate from Lion Country Supply.

You're never really sure what you might get for weather during early October in New England. This year brought calm, mostly sunny weather, on the mild side, with a backdrop of early fall foliage starting to turn, perhaps a bit prematurely, due to late summer drought stress. Cover, however, was still high, probably due to early spring rainfall, and not yet having had a frost. There were some strips mowed by the State throughout the course in some of the fields and along some of the edges.

Our Winners and Others
Lightning Flash Remington, a 6-year-old, white, orange, and ticked English setter male, proudly owned by Brian Dix, would run in the first brace and emerge as our champion. Brian would handle him to this win. Remington ran a mature shooting dog race, utilizing all the available country, completing his casts with style on the ground. He was able to connect on quail multiple times, showing his trademark great style and advanced manners on birds.
Our runner-up champion, Cape Point Lucky Strike, is another 6-year-old English setter male. This white, black, and ticked setter was bred by and is owned by Bill and Jayne Bonnetti. He was handled by Bill. Lucky Strike's callname is "Bill," sharing the same name as his owner/handler. Bill would run in the second brace and put down a comparable performance to the champion, hitting objectives, completing his cast, and scoring multiple times on game as well. He made a particularly nice move, where he was ultimately found standing far to the front with lofty style, just before time.
According to the judges, closest to the winners was Richfield Roxy, a liver and white pointer female owned and handled by Rich Giuliano. Roxy ran in the second brace on day two. After not showing for some time, Roxy was spotted by one of our judges, on course, standing in an open scrub oak stand where birds had moved to from the edge. Roxy would go on to finish the hour with two more nice finds.
Also completing the hour, in the third brace of the trial, was Snuff Mill Magnum Force, an orange and white setter female, owned and handled by Lanny Dellinger. The young setter showed class on the ground and also connected with quail multiple times.
Once again, the New Britain Field Trial Club and the U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association would like to thank all our participants, as well as all our sponsors, for their support, and look forward to seeing everybody next time.

East Windsor, Conn., October 4 - One Course
Judges: Tim Cavanaugh and Marcus Ramseur
U. S. COMPLETE NATIONAL AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Pointers, 5 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
Winner-LIGHTNING FLASH REMINGTON, F1687367, setter male, by Denco's Crockett Again-Arctic Tundra Bird Dog. Doug Dix, owner; Brian Dix, handler.
Runner-Up-CAPE POINT LUCKY STRIKE, F1687954, setter male, by Awsum In Motion-Cape Point Millbilly. Bill Bonnetti, owner and handler.