Result: National Red Setter Championships

Location: Grovespring, Missouri

Post Date: Nov 25, 2025

Submitted By: Bonnie Hidalgo

National Red Setter Open Championship (front, l-r): Tony King (judge), Roger Boser, Kelli-Aitken Thompson with Gratitude, Bonnie Hidalgo and Ed Liermann with Cedar Creek Sixgun, and Ken Chenoweth (judge). (Back row, l-r): Clayton Thompson, Terry Trzcinski (Purina rep), Tyler Houser with Lincoln, Don Beauchamp, Tom Norton, Mel Matis, and Dennis Hidalgo.

Oppressive heat dictated the story of this trial, but birds saved the day. Conditions were beyond tough, especially for those dogs that drew an afternoon brace. Bird work was plentiful, which made the days somewhat more bearable. Coveys of quail and planted pairs ensured opportunity for all to point game.

Ch. Gratitude put on quite a show to annex his sixth championship title with the win of the National Red Setter Open Championship. The 8-year-old Irish "Red" setter male is owned and handled by Dr. Roger W. Boser of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania. He was sired by Come Back Cutter and is out of Come Back Doodle, having been bred by Joe Edwards.

Three-time champion Cedar Creek Sixgun ran a strong race to earn runner-up honors for his owner and handler, Ed Liermann of Palmyra, Wisconsin. Sixgun holds three previous runner-up titles. Sixgun is an 8-year-old male by Come Back Magic out of Come Back Lady Soul and is also a product of Joe Edwards' Come Back Kennels.

The National Amateur Championship winner was three-time champion Red Bird's The Fifth Element, owned by Kelli Aitken-Thompson and Kristi Gallino. "Griffin" was handled by Kelli and scouted by Clayton Thompson. Kristi was on hand to witness the performance; Kristi is his breeder. The runner-up title went to Ch. Firefly's Power Play, a 10-year-old, four-time champion running his last hour prior to retirement. "Puck" is owned by Robbie Nesson and Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo; Bonnie handled him. He was sired by Flintstone out of Firefly's Hot Tip and was bred by Dennis and Bonnie.

The third stake to run was the Open Derby, which was won by Cedar Creeks Skyline Lady, owned, handled, and bred by Ed Liermann. Second place went to Snap Back, a male owned and handled by Roger Boser. Red Bird's Plead The Fifth placed third for owner Kristi Gallino and handler Tyler Hosler, both of Madras, Oregon.

Amy Gauthier and Cedar Creek Asa's Reign defended their title for a repeat win of the one-hour Red Setter Open Walking Shooting Dog Classic. Amy and her husband, Jerry, hail from Bay City, Michigan; she and Asa defied the heat and humidity to win this stake with a good race and quality bird work.

The drawing was held on Sunday, October 12, at the home of Milt and Wendy Schafer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Entries were alarmingly light with a noticeable absence of walking handlers. The Open Walking Puppy and the Open Walking Derby were both canceled. The Walking Shooting Dog Classic drew only six entries, a noticeable drop from past events. The horseback stakes fared slightly better; both championships drew 12 starters. The Open Derby drew six entries, but the Open Puppy was canceled due to no entries. The trial commenced on October 15 with the Open Championship.

The Field Trial Sportsmen's Grounds at Grovespring, Missouri, was once again the site for this event. The hayfields looked different this fall; a second crop of hay could not be taken, which allowed weeds and grass to prosper in some places. The rest of the grounds were groomed as usual. The fall quail release was obviously quite successful; birds were plentiful, and many favorable comments were made about them by participants.

The weather was a huge factor; dogs already sporting their fall and winter coats faced hot conditions. Highs each day were in the mid-80s, with abundant sunshine beating down. Morning lows hovered around 60, but the temperature climbed quickly. All championship winners appeared in morning braces.

Judges for all stakes were Tony King of Columbia, Missouri, and Ken Chenoweth of Fair Grove, Missouri. They kept a reasonable and consistent pace throughout the running. They paid close attention and were always in good humor. The Club and the participants enjoyed them very much. Tony King is well-known in pointer circles for his activities within the AFTCA and his work in hosting the Missouri Open Shooting Dog Championship, as well as co-hosting the American Derby Invitational Championship. Tony works his own pointers and competes with them in regional and national events. Ken Chenoweth has been successfully training and competing with German Shorthairs for many years. He is currently working dogs for himself and others to trial and hunt. Both gentlemen are in high demand as judges at major trials; it is quite obvious why that is so. Their decisions here were well-received.

The National Red Setter Field Trial Club is very grateful to Purina for its unwavering support of our events. They were represented at this trial by Terry Trzcinski, their very personable field rep, who attended the majority of the trial. Purina generously provided Purina Pro Plan for the winners of every stake, which was happily received by the handlers. They also provided the club with credit through the AFTCA online store to purchase good-quality apparel for the judges. Purina is the sole dog food sponsor of the NRSFTC, and as such, we encourage all club members and trial participants to feed Purina Pro Plan.

On Thursday evening, a steak dinner sponsored by Purina was served in the clubhouse. Our chefs were Kelli Aitken-Thompson and Tyler Hosler. It was a delicious dinner of New York strip steak grilled to perfection by Tyler, one of our newest members. Linda Beauchamp provided dessert. It was a wonderful meal and a great time spent with friendly people. Presentation of season-ending awards was made following the Purina dinner, even though the winners were not present. Tim and Kristine Hammons won "The Duke Award" for most points won in All-Breed Shooting Dog competition with their Ch. Little More Shine. Deb Dlobik's Dale Creek Simply Next was the recipient of the Derby of the Year award, and Paul Ober's Celtic's Tipping Point won the Puppy of the Year. Mike Fox was named the Jim Fike Amateur Handler of the Year for the 2024-2025 season. We are all appreciative of the meal and the evening that Purina provided!

Dinners were also served on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Different club members volunteered their time and groceries to provide the meals in a welcoming atmosphere. All cooks enjoyed the clubhouse's beautiful new stove. Tuesday night's meal of pesto pasta with sausage was on Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo and cooked by Dennis. Wednesday night's roast beef dinner was provided by Milt and Wendy Schafer and prepared by Wendy. On Friday night, the remaining skeleton crew ate well on leftovers. Many people had left as soon as the trial ended due to warnings of severe storms, including hail and a tornado watch for early Saturday. The severe storm materialized by 10 a.m. on Saturday, with light rain preceding it a couple of hours earlier, as the last of the club members were packing up.
All club members pitched in to make this trial a success. Milt Schafer and Dennis Hidalgo planted birds early each morning and replanted behind the gallery during the morning running. In doing so, they successfully kept the coveys on the courses. Having judges who knew the courses greatly reduced the work of a field marshal, but members Ed Liermann, Kelli Aitken-Thompson, Clayton Thompson, and your scribe were available to assist with that task as necessary. The dog wagon duties were proficiently covered by Don Beauchamp, Tom Norton, and Mel Matis. Cookies for the coffee breaks were provided by the Hidalgos and Wendy Schafer; the club provided ample water, Gatorade, soda, and coffee. Linda Beauchamp collected the entry fees and ran errands in addition to her many scrumptious desserts.

On a final note, before moving on to the performances of the dogs, everyone who participated in this event is to be congratulated on their sportsmanship and camaraderie. The judges remarked at the conclusion of the trial that they were impressed with the way everyone helped each other and rooted for each other's success. We were pleased to welcome new members, Kristi Gallino and Tyler Hosler, along with their young son, Lincoln. They came all the way from Madras, Oregon, to attend this trial. James Martin made the trip up from Tennessee to pick up a puppy; he stayed to watch a day's running at the trial. He so thoroughly enjoyed the trial and the welcoming crowd that he joined the NRSFTC and said he would be back with his pup when they were ready. Mel Matis of Durango, Colorado, attended his first club event and joined the club, saying he learned a lot and would like to come back. Mel traveled to the event with long-time member Tom Norton.

National Red Setter Open Championship
This stake is run over three one-hour continuous courses of varying terrain and cover. The courses are set up to have a good flow. They make it natural for a dog to make turns and to stay forward. The fall colors were starting to show, creating beautiful views of the courses. The only drawback is that red dogs aren't easy to see when they are pointing in autumn leaves; often, it is the flash collar that is spotted first.

The Winners
The newly crowned champion, Gratitude, under the guidance of his owner and handler, Roger Boser, set an unattainable mark in the second brace of this stake. By the end of his hour, there was little doubt in the minds of the viewers that this would be the winning performance. Gratitude scored a nice find at 12, with all in order on Little Vine loop. He pointed again at 25, just prior to Sycamore bottom, once again showing high style and superb manners throughout. On the ridge, near the twin barns, Gratitude was styled up nicely, but relocation was required. He did so, successfully locating a covey. Gratitude showed a high-class and faultless demeanor through flush and shot at 47. At 58, he pointed on the left near the old house site, but birds were not officially seen. Gratitude's race was textbook, using the edges and the wind to his advantage. He was consistently forward at desirable range and speed for the hour.
Cedar Creek Sixgun was named runner-up for Ed Liermann, his owner and handler. He appeared in the first brace of the stake. The day promised to be hot, but the early morning was cool, with a start-time temperature of 59. There was a heavy dew, but the air was still for most of the first hour. Cedar Creek Sixgun was standing stylishly to the front at 8, before the rocky creek crossing. This proved to be his only find. The strength and quality of his ground effort were undeniable. It was a big, edge-running race with a strong finish.

The Running
Quantonas Reloaded (Thompson) and Cedar Creek Sixgun (Liermann). Sixgun was named runner-up, and as such, his performance is given above. This brace was released into "Breakaway Bottoms" on Wednesday morning, October 15. Reloaded was inconsistent in pattern early, but improved tremendously as time went on. At 45, she pointed on the right, approaching Horse Killer Hill. Her style was high and her manners immaculate. She topped the big hill and took the east side of the fence line south. Popping through a gap well to the front at 51, she ran over a quail to end her bid.

Gratitude (Boser) and Firefly's Beeline (B. Hidalgo). This pair was released just beyond Apple Tree Hill. Temperatures were reasonable with some dew still on the ground. Grady earned the championship title in this hour, and his performance is described under "The Winners." Beeline was found backing her bracemate at 12; she showed perfect decorum throughout. At 47, both dogs could be seen standing to the front at the Twin Barns. Beeline carded another noteworthy honor on that covey. She took the right edge of the next field, where she pointed at 55. Relocation proved necessary; she moved to the left and stopped. Her handler insisted she keep on, whereupon she got too close, stopping as her quarry flushed. She finished the hour forward.

Come Back Delta Dawn (K. Aitken-Thompson) with Cedar Creek MacArthur Ruby (Liermann). Delta had a find at 2, all in order. Neither dog was into the task and was off the ground early.

Cedar Creek Anthem (E. Liermann) and Red Bird's The Fifth Element (K. Aitken-Thompson). The afternoon running started at 1 p.m. under a temperature of 82 degrees. Griffin and Anthem scored a divided find at 20, after the second creek crossing. Griffin was high and tight throughout the work. Anthem was stylish but took a couple of steps. Across the road and into Davis bottoms, Anthem got out of pocket near the cemetery and didn't show again until the far end of Davis, where she showed up hot. Her handler opted to pick up. Griffin was also up early due to the heat.

Firefly's Power Play (B. Hidalgo) and Slingblade (R. Boser) were released into Island field at the dog wagon crossing. Slingblade, a first-year dog, was under a bird at 5. Power Play pointed along the east edge of Apple Tree Hill at 23, showing style and manners through flush and shot. "Puck" ran his edges forward and was solid on the ground until 27, when the heat took its toll and he was up.

Cedar Creek Titan (E. Liermann) with Firefly's Lucky Penny (B. Hidalgo) were set loose on Don Fox hill. The tracker was out for Lucky at 20. Titan had a good find with all in order at 20. Titan was up early in Sycamore bottom, due to the difficult conditions of the afternoon.

Grovespring, Mo., October 15
Judges: Ken Chenoweth and Tony King
NATIONAL RED SETTER OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 12 Irish Setters
Winner-GRATITUDE, F1676458, Irish setter male, by Come Back Cutter-Come Back Doodle. Roger W. Boser, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-CEDAR CREEK SIXGUN, F1677430, Irish setter male, by Come Back Magic-Come Back Lady Soul. Ed Liermann, owner and handler.

National Red Setter Amateur Championship
This stake commenced on Thursday morning, giving the dogs just one night of rest between their hour performances. Running in back-to-back stakes didn't seem to have as much effect on their performances as did the time of day in which they competed. Normally, the supporting Open Derby and Open Puppy would have given these dogs a day off. With the Puppy canceled and the Derby entry light, it was decided to run the Amateur Championship next. If the Derby had run and been immediately followed by the Amateur Championship, some championship dogs would have had the benefit of a second night's rest. It was decided that the playing field needed to be level, and all Amateur Championship dogs would run on the same day.

The Winners
The newly crowned champion, Red Bird's The Fifth Element, and the runner-up champion, Firefly's Power Play, were drawn together in the first brace of the stake. They were released in Breakaway Bottoms at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
Red Bird's The Fifth Element is owned by Kelli Aitken-Thompson and Kristi Gallino. Kelli handled him to the win. Clayton Thompson scouted him. "Griffin" scored his first find at 5, buried up on the left edge with all in perfect order. He scored a divided find at 25, on Davis bottom's left edge. He stood with beautiful style; his manners were impeccable. Griffin scored a third, high-tailed, well-mannered find at 30, on the left, near the centerline of Davis. Red Bird's The Fifth Element ran a beautiful race and finished heading away toward Little Vine loop.
Firefly's Power Play is a 10-year-old male owned by Bonnie and Dennis Hidalgo, as well as their grandson, Robbie Nesson. "Puck" was forward on point at 8, with a well-located covey. The birds were flushed while the dog stood with perfect style and comportment. Puck shared in the divided find at 25, showing style and intensity. He hung on to the edges; although his speed was less than the champion's, he was steadily forward for the hour with constantly increasing range and power. Firefly's Power Play finished strong and forward, well into Little Vine.

The Running
Firefly's Power Play (B. Hidalgo) and Red Bird's The Fifth Element (K. Aitken-Thompson). This was the brace of the day and is related above.

Cedar Creek Anthem (E. Liermann) and Switchblade (R. Boser) turned loose at the bottom of Apple Tree Hill, headed to Little Vine. Switchblade was under birds at 2. Anthem pointed nicely at 7, but didn't stand the pressure of the bird flushing over her head.

Firefly's Beeline (B. Hidalgo) with Quantonas Reloaded (C. Thompson) were released in the field before Little Vine Road. Reloaded scored two finds in quick succession just past the shallow old pond on Little Vine at 10 and 14. The first was a covey rise; she was seen standing when they started lifting, all was in order. A little further down the line, she pointed again; her birds were flushed as she stood politely with high head and tail. At the bottom of the loop, she went into the woods before coming forward, which she did by taking the right side forward toward Sycamore. Reloaded was forward up the hill to Daugherty's ridge, where she scored her third find at 35. Quantonas Reloaded showed poise and manners on her birds. She disappeared out the front end and was absent for much of the last quarter hour. Upon catching up, she headed into the bull pasture to finish forward. Beeline started slowly but warmed into a steady edge-running race with some big moves. Bee took the alley from Sycamore Bottom, showing midway on the ridge. She scored a find at the first draw on Daugherty's ridge at 42 and further down the ridge, another nice find at 47, all in order. She caught the front in the field west of the barns, stopping at the pond before taking the left fence line. Bee pointed near the old house site at 53, but self-relocated as a covey lifted to end her bid.

Gratitude (R. Boser) was braced with Cedar Creek Titan (E. Liermann). Since the day was going to be hot and the morning braces were done with more than a full course remaining, the judges called for the fourth brace. Gratitude was ragged in his handle. Titan pointed by the pond on the west side of Clubhouse loop at 25, Gratitude backed when he saw Titan. Relocation was needed, and Gratitude was taken on. Titan ended by removing a covey from the draw. He had been mostly forward until then. Gratitude was picked up soon after, as he was not pleasing his handler.

Cedar Creek MacArthur Ruby (E. Liermann) with Firefly's Lucky Penny (Hidalgo). This brace was short-lived. Ruby wasn't feeling well and was picked up at 8. Lucky showed to the front a few times on the way to the creek. She took the far-right side after the rocky crossing and showed to the front near the second crossing. Then she grabbed the edge and headed west, contrary to her handler's command, and was picked up.

Cedar Creek Sixgun (E. Liermann) and Come Back Delta (K. Aitken-Thompson). The final pair was set down heading into Davis Bottom. Sixgun scored a stylish find at 3 on the left edge. Delta was making game at 5 on the left, but couldn't pin them, and her handler opted to pick up. Sixgun pointed again on the Island field's right line. He took steps before he was asked to relocate, which proved to be unproductive. Sixgun headed up Horse Killer Hill and headed forward on the line from the pond. He pointed at 35, before moving under the birds to complete the stake.

National Red Setter Amateur Championship (front, l-r): Kelli and Clayton Thompson with Red Bird's The Fifth Element, Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo with Firefly's Power Play, and Ken Chenoweth (judge). (Back row, l-r): Tyler and Lincoln Hosler, Ed Liermann, Tony King (judge), Tom Norton, Mel Matis, Don Beauchamp, and Terry Trzcinski (Purina rep).

NATIONAL RED SETTER AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 12 Irish Setters
Winner-RED BIRD'S THE FIFTH ELEMENT, F1687076, Irish setter male, by Eshod's Barn Burner-Red Bird's River Wild. Kristi Gallino & Kelli Aitken, owners; Kelli Aitken, handler.
Runner-Up-FIREFLY'S POWER PLAY, F1664073, Irish setter male, by Flintstone-Firefly's Hot Tip. Bonnie Hidalgo & Robbie Nesson, owners; Bonnie Hidalgo, handler.

Red Setter Open Derby
The Derby began first thing on Friday morning, starting in Breakaway Bottom. Six youngsters came to the line. It was run over the same courses as the championship, or rather, the first hour and a half of the second hour course.
Cedar Creeks Skyline Lady, owned and handled by Ed Liermann, won the Derby with a good, independent race and one nice find. She was sired by Cedar Creek Sixgun and out of the female, Cedar Creek's Skyline Belle. Ed Liermann is her breeder. Lady appeared in the second brace, which started in Davis Bottom.
Snap Back, a male owned and handled by Roger Boser, drew the first brace. He hunted hard and fast. Snap Back scored four bird contacts, one of which was finished quality, to earn second place. He made some good moves and was mainly forward. Snap Back was bred and raised by Roger in a litter sired by Wayward and out of Slipstream.
Red Bird's Plead The Fifth was handled by Tyler Hosler for owner Kristi Gallino. Plead The Fifth had three bird contacts. The country and the cover were completely foreign to this West Coast youngster, but once she got into the quail, she started to figure it out and improved as she went. She was sired by Red Bird's The Fifth Element, her dam was Quantonas Running Mate. Plead The Fifth was bred by Kelli Aitken-Thompson.

Red Setter Open Derby (front, l-r): Ed Liermann with Cedar Creeks Skyline Lady, Roger Boser with Snap Back, and Tyler Hosler with Red Bird's Plead The Fifth. (Back row, l-r): Amy Gauthier, Tony King (judge), Jerry Gauthier, Tom Norton, Bonnie and Dennis Hidalgo, James Martin, Kristi Gallino, and Ken Chenoweth (judge).

RED SETTER OPEN DERBY - 6 Irish Setters
1st-CEDAR CREEKS SKYLINE LADY, PL024734, Irish setter female, by Cedar Creek Sixgun-Cedar Creek's Skyline Belle. Ed Liermann, owner and handler.
2d-SNAP BACK, F1708312, Irish setter male, by Wayward-Slipstream. Roger W. Boser, owner and handler.
3d-RED BIRD'S PLEAD THE FIFTH, F1726374, Irish setter female, by Red Bird's The Fifth Element-Quantonas Running Mate. Kristi Gallino & Tyler Houser, owners; Tyler Houser, handler.

Red Setter Open Walking Shooting Dog Classic
This one-hour stake has been run at the NRSFTC fall trial at Grovespring for three consecutive years. It is the club's desire to have it become a Red Setter Walking Championship at some point in the not-too-distant future. This year, the course was changed from out-and-back to continuous courses. The courses started at Breakaway Bottom and followed the normal horseback course across the two dry creek crossings. From there, it crossed Parks Creek Road and continued into Davis Bottoms. Near the end of the bottoms, it followed the dog wagon route into Island Field, keeping to the right edge and taking the two-track up the knoll into the next field. The course made a right turn back into Davis at the cut below Horse Killer Hill and went north across the road. The third and final brace finished below Daugherty's house. The new route had a great flow to it, and it eliminated the need to deadhead on an early pick-up. Reaction to the course change was favorable.
Six dogs came to the line in this stake, but for one reason or another, five did not finish their hour. Cedar Creek Asa's Reign, owned and handled by Amy Gauthier, came through for the win with a nice, kind handling forward race. He braved the heat that shut his competition down and scored one stylish and very mannerly find below Horse Killer Hill. He pointed one other time, but no birds were produced. Cedar Creek Asa's Reign is a 5-year-old male that was bred by Ed Liermann. Asa was sired by Cedar Creek Talon and is out of Cedar Creek's Skyline Belle. Amy has owned him since he was a young pup, and she has done most of the work on her own. They have become a very competitive pair, winning in both Red Setter and all-breed trials with regularity. Both Amy and Asa proved how tough they are by winning this stake on an afternoon when the temperature was well into the eighties.

RED SETTER OPEN WALKING SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Irish Setters
1st-CEDAR CREEK ASA'S REIGN, F1692805, Irish setter male, by Cedar Creek Talon-Cedar Creek Skyline Belle. Amy Ganthier, owner and handler.

Red Setter Open Walking Shooting Dog Classic (front, l-r): Amy Gauthier with Cedar Creek Asa's Reign and Tony King (judge). (Back row, l-r): Ed Liermann, James Martin with his new pup, Dennis Hidalgo, Jerry Gauthier, Tom Norton, Tyler Hosler, Bonnie Hidalgo with Lincoln Hosler, Ken Chenoweth (judge), and Clayton Thompson.