Result: National Red Setter Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Pinckneyville, Illinois

Post Date: May 5, 2026

Submitted By: Bonnie Hidalgo

National Red Setter Open Shooting Dog Championship (front): Bonnie Hidalgo with Firefly's Beeline and Kelli Aitken-Thompson with Gratitude. (Back): Don Beauchamp, Dennis Hidalgo, Jeff Wallace (judge), Dave Capstick (judge), Roger Boser, and Ed Liermann.

Firefly's Beeline captured the title in the National Red Setter Open Shooting Dog Championship. "Bee" is owned by Bonnie and Dennis Hidalgo of Brighton, Colorado, and was handled by Dennis. Gratitude earned runner-up honors in this 20-dog championship. Gratitude is owned and handled by Roger Boser, Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania.

In the National Red Setter Amateur Shooting Dog Championship, Red Bird's The Fifth Element was declared champion. "Griffin" is owned by Kelli Aitken-Thompson, Box Elder, South Dakota, and Kristi Gallino, Madras, Oregon; he was handled by Kelli. Silver Creek Wild Again was awarded runner-up in the National Red Setter Amateur Shooting Dog Championship. He is owned by Tim and Kristine Hammons of Berea, Kentucky, and was piloted by Tim.

The 54th National Red Setter Futurity winner is Red Rambling Ranger. This handsome young dog is owned by Tim and Kristine Hammons and was handled by Tim. Cedar Creek Edy was second for owner/handler Ed Liermann of Palmyra, Wisconsin. Third place went to Dale Creek Busy Bee, owned by Andrea Ward, Burlington, Wisconsin, and handled by Tom Waite. Dale Creek Firecracker Josie was fourth and was also handled by Tom Waite. She is owned by Chris and Beth Fields of Deforest, Wisconsin.

Rounding out the stakes' winners, in the Open Walking Shooting Dog stake, first place went to Cedar Creek Duke, handled by Sam Nutting and owned by Ed Liermann. In second was 13-year-old Grayson Fox handling Foxy Abralena for Mike Fox. Amy Gauthier handled her Cedar Creek Asa's Reign to third place.

The Open Walking Derby winner was Dale Creek Firecracker Josie, owned by Chris and Beth Fields and handled by Chris. Second place went to Four Crows, handled by Ken Dinn for Larry Puddister and Ken Dinn of Newfoundland, Canada. Foxy Red Jewel was third for Mike Fox.

In the Open Walking Puppy, first place went to Four Crows Fiona and Ken Dinn. Foxy Red Jewel and Mike Fox placed second, and Backwater Annie Roux placed third for newcomer Bart Armstrong of Minnesota.

The trial was conducted on April 9-13 over the Captain Field Trial grounds at Pyramid State Park, near Cutler, Illinois. It was the third year in succession that the National Red Setter Field Trial Club had run its Shooting Dog Championship trial on these grounds. Each year, these grounds have been significantly improved over the previous year. This trial has seen these grounds go from "nice grounds" to "premier grounds" that the club is proud to call home for our spring trial. Over the past year, many ditch crossings have been improved, making them easier and safer. Course 2 had one of its fields cleared; it had become overgrown to the point of making it difficult to watch a dog. While some felt it had been over-cleared, the long-range plan for feed plots and hay should make it near-perfect by next spring. We applaud the efforts of the IL DNR and of the local field trial people, Jim Lawless and Jon Lam in particular, who work with the State of Illinois employees to make these improvements happen. In addition to the birds planted during the trial, a few native coveys were moved.

The drawing for all stakes was held at the home of Milt and Wendy Schafer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Sunday evening, April 6. There were 20 entries in the Open Championship, and 16 were entered in the Amateur Championship. The Futurity attracted seven contestants. The Open Walking Shooting Dog stake drew 14 entries, while the Open Walking Derby and Open Walking Puppy each received eight entries. It was a strong attendance and made for a good trial, especially with some great new folks added to the mix.

Judges for all horseback stakes and the Walking Shooting Dog stake were Dave Capstick of Jonesburg, Missouri, and Jeff Wallace of Knoxville, Iowa. They are top-caliber dog men and have judged numerous championships around the country. Dave Capstick was recently inducted into the Brittany Hall of Fame. He has trained his own dogs and won championships with them. Dave is also known as a worker; he helps out wherever he goes. When this trial concluded, he stayed to help tear down the corral panels with Jim Lawless and Jon Lam. Jeff Wallace has been active and successful in trialing German shorthairs and putting on events, in addition to judging. The NRSFTC is very appreciative of the hours they spent in the saddle watching our dogs. The knowledge they brought to the table was evident in their conduct and quick decisions in the field. Their decisions on the winners in every stake were well received.
Judges for the Walking Derby and Walking Puppy stakes were Kristine and Tim Hammons. They volunteered to judge so that the main judges could rest their horses and themselves by having a few hours off. These two NRSFTC members have a ton of field trial experience and have covered numerous judging assignments over the years. We thank them for pitching in where needed.

Purina is a major sponsor of this Club and its events. The members of the NRSFTC are very grateful for their support; they have stood by us for many years. Their financial and product support have allowed the NRSFTC to put on quality events. They sponsor a "Purina Banquet" at each of our trials; this spring, it was held on Saturday evening. A good-sized crowd enjoyed the meal and the camaraderie of the evening. We enjoyed the company of their representative, Terry Trzcinski, during the event and at the dinner. He is very knowledgeable about all things Purina.

Purina's products are top of the line; they feed a high percentage of field trial winners across all breeds and trial formats. If you aren't feeding Purina Pro Plan Sport, your dog will thank you for switching to it. If you are feeding it, the NRSFTC greatly appreciates your support of our No. 1 sponsor!

Garmin is also an important sponsor. They generously provide us with top-quality training products awarded to the winners of our major stakes. At this trial, they supplied collar sets to the winners of both championships and to the futurity winner. Thank you, Garmin, for your many years of support for this club.

Our third corporate sponsor is SportDOG. Their representative, Jim Morehouse, continues to supply us with various products for our fundraising efforts. Thank you, Jim and SportDOG!
It has become a tradition at this club's events for various members to donate and serve an evening meal. This keeps the club's social aspect alive and well. In addition to Purina, the meal sponsors for this trial were Wendy and Milt Schafer, Kristine and Tim Hammons, and Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo. Linda Beauchamp brought some of her delicious desserts, and she and Wendy created more during the trial. Many people pitched in on the meal clean-up, especially noted were Kelli Aitken-Thompson, Kristine Hammons, Wendy Schafer, and Linda Beauchamp. There is never an evening meal charge, and we rotate through the members so that no one carries the full burden. If you would like to sponsor a lunch or an evening meal at our fall trial, please reach out to Dennis Hidalgo or Milt Schafer, the co-chairmen of the fall trial. If you want to sponsor a meal but aren't a cook, we can handle that for you.

A trial takes a lot of effort from many people to run efficiently. Ed Liermann served as chairman, but he had plenty of willing workers. Milt and Wendy Schafer helped Ed take the entries, and they conducted the drawing. Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo finalized and printed the running orders and posted them on Facebook. Sam Nutting helped Ed fill in the judges' books. During the trial, Milt planted the birds early each morning from his UTV, sometimes with Sam Nutting's assistance. Milt also resalted behind the morning braces for the afternoon dogs. He was aided in this at various times by Sam Nutting and Dennis Hidalgo. Ed Liermann served as the field marshal for the entire trial. The dog wagon duties were handled by Don Beauchamp, Andy Weik, Bart Armstrong, Dennis Hidalgo, and Amy Gauthier.

The NRSFTC was thrilled to welcome some new contestants to the spring trial. Ken Dinn drove all the way from Newfoundland, Canada, with three horses and a string of nice young red setters. Ken attended this event as a spectator in 2024 and said then that he would be back, and we're happy he's back! Ken showed us some fine dogs and took away a couple of placements.

Andrew Campbell came all the way from Massachusetts to run some young dogs for one of his clients. Andrew was ready and willing to help when needed and was a welcome addition to the group.

Bart Armstrong came from Minnesota with his brother-in-law, Jim, to run some pups and check out the club and the trial. Bart pitched in right away and fit in well with the group. His dogs proved to be competitive, and he claims to have had a great time. He has been a club member for some time, and we were all glad he decided to join us at an event. Welcome to the gang, Bart!

National Red Setter Open Shooting Dog Championship
This was the opening stake of the NRSFTC spring trial, which commenced on Thursday morning, April 9. Twenty dogs were entered and competed, many of them champions. The weather was seasonably warm for southern Illinois, with cool mornings and highs in the 70s and low 80s. The three one-hour courses were exceptionally well groomed and seeded with quail. Judges for this stake were Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace.

The Winners
Firefly's Beeline won the 2026 National Red Setter Open Shooting Dog Championship. She appeared in the 10th and final brace, which ran after lunch on Friday. The 9-year-old female was sired by Ch. Dawson's High Chaparral out of the 2011 Red Setter Futurity winner, Firefly's Hot Tip. She was bred by Dennis and Bonnie Hidalgo and has been owned and trained by them her entire life. Dennis handled her to this win; Bonnie scouted. She also holds the title of the 2024 National Red Setter Open All-Age Championship.
Bee ran a textbook shooting dog race. She was always forward, always on an edge if there was one, and she used the wind to her hunting advantage. She took her handler's direction willingly when asked. Bee scored her first find at 28, at the end of the lake, she remained high and tight as her handler rummaged through the brush to locate her birds and fire. At 44, she pointed on the dam of the waterway. Bee showed intensity and style throughout, without a word spoken to her. She took the right edge of the corn field and carried it all the way to the cedars on the west end. She pointed there at 57, all in perfect order. Firefly's Beeline's race had a smooth flow; she handled kindly at excellent range.
Gratitude took runner-up honors in this championship. The five-time champion is owned and handled by Roger Boser. Kelli Aitken-Thompson was his scout. Gratitude was sired by Come Back Cutter and is out of Come Back Doodle. He was bred by Joe Edwards. Roger purchased him as a young dog and has trained and handled him to all of his wins. "Grady" has several other runner-up titles to his credit. Gratitude turned nine in January.
Gratitude appeared in the third brace of this championship. He started with a bang, scoring a beautiful find at 2, displaying high class and manners throughout. He quickly caught the front, taking the lines forward and swinging on the next line as the course turned. He scored his second find at 11. He was impressive in his stance, high on both ends with rigid intensity for the flush of his game. He scored a third find beyond the road crossing; again, it was all in order. He had a barren stand at time on the far west end of the grounds. Grady's race had a smart flow to it; it was a fine performance that was not challenged until the final brace of the stake.

The Running
Chukarhill On The Rocks (Aitken-Thompson) and Cedar Creek Sixgun (Liermann). "Rock" was on point at 5; Sixgun slipped in and pointed beside him. The birds were put up while both dogs stood steady. Sixgun pointed in crop stubble at 27, before the first road crossing; Rock failed to back and was up. Sixgun stood mannerly. He scored two finds within yards of each other at 34 and 37 and handled them nicely. At the far end of the field, Sixgun pointed again at 47, corrected, and pointed again further into the cover. The bird was flushed with the dog standing mannerly. At 50, on a perpendicular line, he pointed, moved into the trees, and pointed again. The bird was in close proximity to him, and he had movement at the flush. His speed and range lessened late in the hour.

Foxy Lady Sadie (Waite) and Firefly's Quantonas (Hidalgo). Sadie notched a good find at 4; "Quint" failed to back. Sadie continued mainly forward. She pointed on the hillside east of the lake at 38. She was relocated and directed to the edge of the lake, where she pointed again at 45. At 47, her handler called sight of the bird and fired, but it was not seen by a judge. At 58, she pointed again but made a jump when her birds were flushed.

Firefly's MacKinnon (Hidalgo) and Gratitude (Boser). Gratitude was the runner-up; his performance is given above. "Nate" was out of pocket early, returned only to be out of pocket again. His tracker was taken at 23.

Little More Shine (Hammons) and Raintree Blue Moon (Waite). Kate had her own ideas today, and her tracker was out at 27. Friday made some good moves but had no birds; he was lost late in the hour.

Cedar Creek Skyline Lady (Liermann) and Ruff Country Simply Ginger (Weik). Both dogs hunted to the front, each with a kind handle. Lady was under a bird on the hillside at 39. Ginger was picked up at 50 due to the heat.

Red Bird's The Fifth Element (Aitken-Thompson) and Full Red Afterburn (Waite). These two powerful dogs broke strong; Afterburn with a left-hand move, Griffin hit the edge on the right. They covered their edges, showing on the edge of the corn stubble, well to the front. He had a nonproductive just before the road crossing at 36. After crossing the road, he stopped to the flush of a turkey. He had a second unproductive at 47. Afterburn was lost.

Slingblade (Boser) and Silver Creek Wild Again (Hammons) had a divided find at 5, Slingblade had movement at the flush and was up. Wild Again stood high and mannerly through flush and shot. Wild Again was running a big and mainly forward race. He pointed at 41 and again at 46, but both were unproductive.

Cedar Creek Titan (Liermann) and Dale Creek Simply Next (Waite). Titan ran mostly forward and looked good on the edges. He had a nonproductive at 49. Torrin was forward in pattern and made good moves on the edges. Neither setter made game contact.

Quantonas Reckless Abandon (Aitken-Thompson) and Raintree Simply Singular (Waite). Reckless Abandon's maturity was enough to cause her handler to pull the plug on her performance at 27. "Bachelor" was seen on deer, and his tracker was out at 26.

Hotrod Ricky Joe (Hammons) and Firefly's Beeline (Hidalgo). Beeline's championship-winning run is listed under "The Winners." Ricky had a good, strong start but was lost.

Pinckneyville, Ill., April 9
Judges: Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace
NATIONAL RED SETTER OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 20 Irish Setters
Winner-FIREFLY'S BEELINE, F1674096, Irish setter female, by Dawson's High Chaparral-Firefly's Hot Tip. Dennis & Bonnie Hidalgo, owners; Dennis Hidalgo, handler.
Runner-Up-GRATITUDE, F1676458, Irish setter male, by Come Back Cutter-Come Back Doodle. Roger W. Boser, owner and handler.

The National Red Setter Futurity
There were 11 litters nominated for the 54th Futurity. From those litters, 14 individual dogs were nominated; only seven were entered. While the entry was disappointing, the quality of the stake was high. Since none of the dogs had the opportunity to show on point in the first series, a second horseback series was set up. The judges took charge and found a location where the wind and the cover worked to the dogs' advantage, setting them up for success. They called back four dogs for the second series. The judges were Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace.

Futurity Winners
Red Rambling Ranger, the 54th Futurity winner, ran a fast and mainly forward race in the first series. He displayed an attractive gait and beautiful tail carriage, all the attributes of a future champion. Ranger was a thrill to watch. In the second series, Ranger pointed his bird with lofty style to win the stake. Ranger is owned by Tim and Kristine Hammons. He was handled by Tim and scouted by Kris. He was sired by S C Simply Irresistable and out of S C Miss Behaving. He was whelped on June 16, 2024.
Cedar Creek Edy placed second. She was fast and snappy, covering a lot of ground. Her pattern was less forward than Ranger's. In the second series, Edy pointed with a twelve o'clock style; she showed good promise for the future. Cedar Creek Edy is bred, owned, and handled by Ed Liermann; she was scouted by Bonnie Hidalgo. Edy was sired by Come Back Billy Boy out of Cedar Creek Shooting Star and whelped on February 28, 2024.
Dale Creek Busy Bee, handled by Tom Waite, took third place. She was scouted by her owner, Andrea Ward. Bee ran a good, forward race with a kind handle. In the second series, she showed beautiful style on point. Bee was sired by Ch. Heavy Chevy Jason, and her dam is Lincoln's Red Penny. She was whelped on May 25, 2024.
Fourth place was awarded to Dale Creek Firecracker Josie, a litter sister to Busy Bee. She is owned by Chris and Beth Fields and was scouted by Andrea Ward. Owner Chris Fields was present for Josie's performance. Josie was mainly forward with reasonable speed. Her pattern was slightly less consistent than the third-place dog's. In the second series, Josie pointed her bird staunchly with pretty style.

54th National Red Setter Futurity (front): Tim Hammons with Red Rambling Ranger and Ed Liermann with Cedar Creek Edy. (Bottom): Dale Creek Busy Bee with Andrea Ward and Dale Creek Firecracker Josie with Chris Field. (Back row): Don Beauchamp, Dennis Hidalgo, Kristine Hammons, Jeff Wallace (judge), Dave Capstick (judge), and Tom Waite.

54TH NATIONAL RED SETTER FUTURITY - 8 Irish Setters
1st-RED RAMBLING RANGER, F1716556, Irish setter male, by S C Simply Irresistable-S C Miss Behaving. Tim Hammons, owner and handler.
2d-CEDAR CREEK EDY, unreg., Irish setter female, by Come Back Billy Boy-Cedar Creek Shooting Star. Ed Liermann, owner and handler.
3d-DALE CREEK BUSY BEE, unreg., Irish setter female, by Heavy Chevy Jason-Lincoln's Red Penny. Andrea Ward, owner; Tom Waite, handler.
4th-DALE CREEK FIRECRACKER JOSIE, F1716360, Irish setter female, by Heavy Chevy Jason-Lincoln's Red Penny. Chris & Beth Fields, owners; Chris Fields, handler.

Red Setter Open Walking Shooting Dog
This stake ran first on Saturday; there were 14 entries. The judges were Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace. The course was run as an out-and-back, with the UTV hauling dogs and handlers for the return brace. It also hauled dogs up the hill to the starting line on the east end of the course. One buggy to do all the hauling and plant birds caused a delay between braces, and the stake ran into the early afternoon. Club members were already thinking of better logistics and a more efficient course for next year's event.
The winner emerged in Cedar Creek Duke, handled by Sam Nutting for Ed Liermann. He ran a pleasant, forward hunting race and scored one stylish find with perfect manners. Duke is a 6-year-old son of Cedar Creek Sixgun out of Cedar Creek Ciara.
Foxy Abralena, handled by 13-year-old Grayson Fox, placed second. "Lena" did a nice job on the ground for her young handler and scored one good find. Grandpa Mike Fox is Lena's owner. She is an 8-year-old daughter of Zansett Simply Red out of Foxy's Lil Red Missy.
Cedar Creek Asa's Reign was third for Amy and Jerry Gauthier of Bay City, Michigan. Amy handled Asa to the placement. Asa scored one excellent find and hunted close. Asa is turning six in May. He was sired by Cedar Creek Talon and is out of Cedar Creek's Skyline Belle.

Red Setter Open Walking Shooting Dog (front): Sam Nutting with Cedar Creek Duke, Grayson Fox with Foxy Abralena, and Jerry and Amy Gauthier with Cedar Creek Asa's Reign. (Back row): Ed Liermann, Dennis Hidalgo, Andrea Ward, Terry Trzcinski, Roger Boser, Jeff Wallace (judge), Dave Capstick (judge), Kristine Hammons, and Bonnie Hidalgo.

RED SETTER OPEN WALKING SHOOTING DOG - 14 Irish Setters
1st-CEDAR CREEK DUKE, F1693591, Irish setter male, by Cedar Creek Sixgun-Cedar Creek Ciara. Ed Liermann, owner; Sam Nutting, handler.
2d-FOXY ABRALENA, F1682017, Irish setter female, by Zan Sett Simply Red-Foxy's Little Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner; Grayson Fox, handler.
3d-CEDAR CREEK ASA'S REIGN, F1692805, Irish setter male, by Cedar Creek Talon-Cedar Creek's Skyline Belle. Amy Gauthier, owner and handler.

Red Setter Open Walking Derby
The judges for this stake were Tim and Dr. Kristine Hammons of Berea, Kentucky. The Club thanks them for their time in the saddle. They commented on the good quality of the placing dogs.
Dale Creek Firecracker Josie won this stake with a good race and one nice find. Josie showed good ground speed and a mostly forward pattern. She pointed with good style. Josie is owned by Chris and Beth Fields of Deforest, Wisconsin, and was handled by Chris. Josie was sired by Heavy Chevy Jason and is out of Lincoln's Red Penny.
Second place in the Walking Derby went to Four Crows Fiona, an entry that came all the way from Newfoundland, Canada! Fiona was quick and classy and was placed on the quality of her race. She was handled by Ken Dinn and is owned by Larry Puddister and Ken Dinn. Fiona is from the mating of Braeval Rory to Foxy Lady Sadie; the litter was bred by Mike Fox.
Foxy Red Jewel placed third for owner and handler Mike Fox of Patriot, Indiana. Jewel is a littermate to Fiona. Jewel was attractive on the ground and was also placed on race.

Red Setter Open Walking Derby (front): Chris Fields with Dale Creek Firecracker Josie, Ken Dinn with Four Crows Fiona, and Mike Fox with Foxy Red Jewel. (Back): Don Beauchamp, Ed Liermann, Dennis Hidalgo, Terry Trzcinski, Tim and Kristine Hammons (judges), and Bonnie Hidalgo.

Judges: Dr. Kristine Hammons and Tim Hammons
RED SETTER OPEN WALKING DERBY - 8 Irish Setters
1st-DALE CREEK FIRECRACKER JOSIE, F1716360, Irish setter female, by Heavy Chevy Jason-Lincoln's Red Penny. Chris & Beth Fields, owners; Chris Fields, handler.
2d-FOUR CROWS FIONA, F1722762, Irish setter female, by Braeval Rory-Foxy Lady Sadie. Larry Puddister & Ken Dinn, owners; Ken Dinn, handler.
3d-FOXY RED JEWEL, F1722760, Irish setter female, by Braeval Rory-Foxy Lady Sadie. Mike Fox, owner and handler.

Red Setter Open Walking Puppy
Tim and Kristine Hammons officiated the Puppy stake and mentioned that there were some nice young dogs in this stake.
Four Crows Fiona was declared the winner of this stake by virtue of her attractive gait, her mainly forward pattern, and her drive, which all combined into a good race. She is owned by Larry Puddister and Ken Dinn and was handled by Ken. She was whelped on April 18, 2025.
Foxy Red Jewel acquitted herself well in this Puppy stake; she encountered game but did not point it. She has an attractive way of going, but was not as strong on the ground as the winner. She is owned and handled by Mike Fox.
Backwater Annie Roux, owned and handled by Bart Armstrong of Minnesota, placed third. She showed potential with good hunting drive. Annie was sired by Backwater Drifter's Huck Finn; her dam is Backwater Mosquito Roux. She was whelped on June 1, 2025.

Red Setter Open Walking Puppy (front): Ken Dinn with Four Crows Fiona, Mike Fox with Foxy Little Red Jewel, and Bart Armstrong with Backwater Annie Roux. (Back row): Don Beauchamp, Andrea Ward, Dennis Hidalgo, Terry Trzcinski, Tim Hammons (judge), Bonnie Hidalgo, and Kristine Hammons (judge).

RED SETTER OPEN WALKING PUPPY - 8 Irish Setters
1st-FOUR CROWS FIONA, F1722762, Irish setter female, by Braeval Rory-Foxy Lady Sadie. Larry Puddister & Ken Dinn, owners; Ken Dinn, handler.
2d-FOXY RED JEWEL, F1722760, Irish setter female, by Braeval Rory-Foxy Lady Sadie. Mike Fox, owner and handler.
3d-BACKWATER ANNIE ROUX, F1724137, Irish setter female, by Backwater Drifter's Huck Finn-Backwater Mosquito Roux. Bart Armstrong, owner and handler.

National Red Setter Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
The Amateur Championship drew a field of 16 and commenced first thing on Sunday morning. It was not possible to run the entire stake in one day; Judges Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace graciously committed to staying over an extra day. The skies were overcast early, keeping the temperature somewhat lower than the predicted 82 degrees. Monday morning was comfortable for the final two braces.

The Winners
The winner, four-time champion Red Bird's The Fifth Element, has the distinction of winning this championship three of the past four years. In 2025, he went runner-up to his kennelmate. That's a pretty consistent record! Griffin is proudly owned by Kelli Aitken-Thompson and Kristi Gallino. He was handled to this win by Kelli and scouted by Clayton Thompson. Griffin was sired by Eshod's Barn Burner and is out of Red Bird's River Wild. He was whelped on December 4, 2018.
Red Bird's The Fifth Element appeared in the fifth brace. He ran a consistent, forward race; he could be seen on the edges of the tree-lined fields. In the open fields, he hunted the available cover and headed for the trees up ahead. Griffin ran with a purpose, that of searching for game in the likely places and pleasing his handler with a cooperative attitude. He ran with speed and carried himself stylishly. He scored a very nice find on the hill at 34. Griffin carded a second find at 42, perfectly in order. Red Bird's The Fifth Element finished his hour forward with gas left in the tank, a worthy performance.
Silver Creek Wild Again was named runner-up. He is owned by Tim and Kristine Hammons and was handled by Tim; Kristine scouted. He was sired by Zansett Ricky O'Ryan; his dam is S C Miss Behaving. Wild Again was bred by Tim Hammons and was whelped on March 10, 2020.
Silver Creek Wild Again appeared in the sixth brace, the last on Sunday afternoon. He scored a good find along the edge, just past the ditch. He has an attractive, lofty stance on his game. Wild Again's second find came at 59, all in good order. He ran a big race, which occasionally put him out of pocket. He used the edges wisely and was usually forward.

The Running
Quantonas Reckless Abandon (Aitken-Thompson) and Cedar Creek Titan (Liermann) ran first thing on Sunday morning. Point was called for Titan at 16; it was discovered that Melody was already pointing there, but buried in the cover where Titan couldn't see. Birds were flushed, and both dogs received credit for the find. Melody broke on the flush and was up. Titan had a minor absence after his find but showed on the left, past the woods. Titan scored another nice find at 42. He pointed again at time, but no birds were produced. Titan made some good moves during the hour.

Firefly's Quantonas (Hidalgo) and Switchblade (Boser) broke away from the third road crossing. Quint was under birds at 6. Switchblade pointed a covey on the edge of the lake with excellent manners at 37. At 42, on the hillside, he was under birds.

Firefly's Beeline (Hidalgo) and Little More Shine (Hammons) broke away on the top of the hill, heading southeast. Bee ran her edges nicely and scored a solid find at 12. She continued running the edges and handling kindly. At 36, she pointed on the edge of the corn stubble. She was high and tight through flush and shot. As her handler walked back to her, he flushed a single into her, she made a jump and was picked up. Shine had a very nice find at 19. She was lost with the tracker out by 39.

Red Rambling Ranger (Hammons) and Gratitude (Boser) were on Course 1 after lunch. Both dogs were forward when Little More Shine showed up. Tim caught her, and she was put on the wagon. At 36, Gratitude scored a nice find on the edge of the woods; Ranger failed to back. Gratitude finished his hour forward with good edge-running moves.

Cedar Creek Skyline Lady (Liermann) and Red Bird's The Fifth Element (Aitken-Thompson) were released at the third road crossing. Red Bird's The Fifth Element won the title, and his performance is listed above. Lady was forward on the edges but erratic in the cleared field. She released herself after bird work at 34 and was up.

Silver Creek Wild Again (Hammons) and Firefly's Mackinnon (Hidalgo) turned loose after the second road crossing. Silver Creek Wild Again was the runner-up, and his performance was related earlier. Mackinnon was predominantly forward, although at less than desirable range. He was picked up at 45.

Slingblade (Boser) and Hotrod Ricky Joe (Hammons) were the first brace on Monday. Slingblade was under a bird at 4. Ricky Joe had an early, lengthy absence. He was returned and showed forward for a time before becoming lost; his tracker was out at 42.

Cedar Creek Sixgun (Liermann) and Chukarhill On The Rocks (Aitken-Thompson). Sixgun scored a find at 36, on the hillside. His birds were out in the grass, but he handled them perfectly. He was predominantly forward for the hour. Rock scored a nice find in the cedars before the cleared field; he showed good style and polite manners. Rock was up before the hour for an indiscretion on game.

Judges: Dave Capstick and Jeff Wallace
NATIONAL RED SETTER AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Irish Setters
Winner-RED BIRD'S THE FIFTH ELEMENT, F1687076, Irish setter male, by Eshod's Barn Burner-Red Bird's River Wild. Kristen & Nicholas Ennis, owners; Kellie Aitken, handler.
Runner-Up-SILVER CREEK WILD AGAIN, F1692221, Irish setter male, by Zansett Ricky O'Ryan-S C Miss Behaving. Tim Hammons, owner and handler.

National Red Setter Amateur Shooting Dog Championship: Dennis Hidalgo, Kelli Aitken-Thompson, Clayton Thompson with Red Bird's The Fifth Element, Dave Capstick (judge), Bonnie Hidalgo, Jeff Wallace (judge), and Tim and Kristine Hammons with Silver Creek Wild Again.