Result: Ruffed Grouse Field Trial Club

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Apr 30, 2026

Submitted By: Tammy Chaffee

Jack Secor Memorial Open Shooting Dog: Jeff Secor, Scott Chaffee with Meredith Grade Penny, Chris Wasserman, Bob Wheelock (judge), Lonnie Rademacher with Springpond's Addy's Boy, Travis Whitfield (judge), and Ken Moss with Moss Meadow Seeker.

The spring event commenced on April 10 with the 50th (and final) running of the Jack Secor Memorial Open Shooting Dog stake. We were honored (as we have been for the past 11 years) to have Jack Secor's grandson, Jeff Secor, attend and award the trophy. Beginning with our fall trial, we will host the inaugural running of the Harold (Doc) Holmes Open Shooting Dog stake. In 2027, the Woodcock Championship stake will move from the fall to the spring. This will provide championship competition opportunities in Michigan, Wisconsin, the East Coast, and Pennsylvania each spring.

We were fortunate to have the following slate of judges: Bob Wheelock and Travis Whitfield for the Shooting Dog stake; Mike Brown and Frank Ilijanic for the Derby stake; and Denise Peters and Tom Butler for the Puppy stake. It is tough to find good judges, and these six did an exemplary job; we thank them.

We had a full day of running on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday handed us a dismal, cold rain. We had several people who stepped up to keep things running: Rob Ellis, Scott Chaffee, Lonnie Rademacher, and Eric Naus (marshal extraordinaire!). There were others who helped to move vehicles and marshal braces, and we thank them all. In addition, Rich and Jenny Hollister had their dependable steeds on hand to carry the judges for the three days of running. As always, a huge shoutout to Purina and Greg Blair for their continued support of our beloved coverdog sport.

Note: We estimate that over the course of 20 shooting dog braces, 28 grouse and 46 woodcock were moved. This does not include the multitude of wild birds moved during the Derby stake. We even had a grouse pointed during the Puppy stake! This accomplishment is due to the ongoing efforts of our resident DNR conservation officer, Bruce Barlow. The four Michigan clubs that call the Gladwin Game Refuge home are very blessed to have arguably the best grounds for cover dog field trials in North America.

The 50th running of the Jack Secor Memorial Open Shooting Dog Stake (as written by judge Bob Wheelock)
Course 6
In first place was Meredith Grade Penny ("Penny"). A very smooth, steady, forward race that covered the terrain presented. She reached the edges and handled when required. At 15, her bell was silent. Bracemate "Katie," handled by Mike Singleton, came across the front right to left and stopped hard about 80 yards down and in the aspen. We all headed in that direction, both dogs standing. A better picture couldn't be painted; two grouse lifted from the edge of a small opening 30 feet in front of Penny. Both dogs looked great and held steady.
In second place, Lonnie Radamacher's setter male, Springpond's Addy's Boy ("Otto") ran on Course 5. The course starts in a 10-year-old aspen cut bordered by hardwoods. Otto covered the woods from side to side, working steady and forward. At 15, he stopped 80 yards down in a steep valley, standing tall when we arrived. Lonnie put a woodcock to flight, all in order. On our way back to the course with Otto at heel, Otto spun and locked up again. A woodcock did a 10-yard flip and wandered off. Otto stood tall throughout this. At time, both bells were silent. It took six minutes to find the dogs, who were both standing tall about 30 yards apart. A wide flushing attempt ended with a third woodcock lifting between the two dogs.
In third place was Moss Meadow Seeker, handled by Ken Moss on Course 2. The course starts in an oak forest bordered by small openings on one side and 20-year-old aspen cut on the opposite side. Seeker was forward, hard driving, and covered the terrain with little handling. At 18, the course moves to a 10-year aspen cut. A few minutes in, Seeker was standing left of course. A woodcock took flight all was in order. Right at time, both bells stopped forward; we found both dogs separated by 30 yards. Ken walked in front of Seeker and put a second woodcock to flight.
We had very good bird doggin' weather and a great bird count. Grouse were seen on every course each day, with multiple grouse on most courses. Woodcock were abundant on every course.

Meredith, Mich., April 10
Judges: Bob Wheelock and Travis Whitfield
JACK SECOR MEMORIAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 7 Pointers, 31 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-MEREDITH GRADE PENNY, F1694628, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-Eldridge's Beauty And Beast. Dennis Keysor, owner; Scott Chaffee, handler.
2d-SPRINGPOND'S ADDY'S BOY, F1699904, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Springpond's Autumn Adeline. Lonnie Rademacher, owner and handler.
3d-MOSS MEADOW SEEKER, F1676726, setter male, by Moss Meadow Rambler-Moss Meadow Maggie. Ken Moss, owner and handler.

John R. Stuart Derby Classic per judge Mike Brown:
In first place was White Indian Outlaw, handled by Rachel Butler. "Wyatt" handled well with a mature, front-running-to-the-edge ground pattern. He capped his run with a broke find on Course 5.
In second place, Moss Meadow Searcher, handled by Ken Moss. Searcher had a nice, big punching race coupled with two woodcock finds. The judges considered his run very close to the winner's.
In third, White Moby's Essex, handled by Dan Gehring. Moby also handled well with a far-reaching race. He carded a woodcock find at the 15-minute mark to secure his placement.

John R. Stuart Derby Classic: Tom Butler, Mike Brown (judge), Rachel Butler with White Indian Outlaw, Chris Wasserman, Ken Moss with Moss Meadow Searcher, Frank Ilijanic (judge), and Dan Gehring with White Moby's Essex.

Judges: Mike Brown and Frank Ilijanic
JOHN R. STUART DERBY CLASSIC - 11 Pointers and 15 Setters
1st-WHITE INDIAN OUTLAW, F1709779, pointer male, by Light of Day-Perkins Beautiful Disaster. Thomas Butler, owner; Rachel Butler, handler.
2d-MOSS MEADOW SEARCHER, F1709320, setter male, by Moss Meadow Seeker-Tupelo Honey. Ken Moss, owner and handler.
3d-WHITE MOBY'S ESSEX, F1709780, pointer male, by Light of Day-Perkins Beautiful Disaster. Dan Gehring, owner and handler.

Bernie Bauman Memorial Open Puppy - per judge Denise Peters:
In first place was Redrock Horizon Rainmaker ("Poncho"). Handled by Scott Chaffee, Poncho checked all the boxes for a spring puppy. He kept his focus forward and ran a mature and consistent race from start to finish.
In second, Terry's Mayday ("Daisy"). Handled by Bruce Minard, Daisy started as she finished, hitting the cover with a well-balanced race to the end.
In third, Northwoods Wanderlust ("Ruby"). Handled by Frank Ilijanic, Ruby made some nice casts to the cover, with consistent energy throughout her brace.

Judges: Thomas Butler and Denise Peters
BENIE BAUMAN MEMORIAL OPEN PUPPY - 2 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-REDROCK HORIZON RAINMAKER, F1719457, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Lockwood Mae. Derek Farrell & Cody Groover, owners; Scott Chaffee, handler.
2d-TERRY'S MAYDAY, F1723339, setter female, by Snyder's Fireside Ed-Grouse River Patti Cakes. Ryan Terry, owner; Bruce Minard, handler.
3d-NORTHWOODS WANDERLUST, F1722885, pointer female, by Confident Nation-Northwoods Comet. Frank Ilijanic, owner and handler.

Bernie Bauman Memorial Open Puppy: Denise Peters (judge), Scott Chaffee with Redrock Horizon Rainmaker, Chris Wasserman, Bruce Minard with Terry's Mayday, Tom Butler (judge), and Frank Ilijanic with Northwoods Wanderlust.