Event: BraeVal Cover Dog Classic
Result: Braeval Bird Dog Club

Location: Ellenburg, New York

Post Date: Jun 24, 2026

Submitted By: Jamie Welsh

Brian Dix with Lightning Flash Remington, First in the Braeval Cover Dog Classic

"Going into the trial, coming off a championship win with a strong performance, I had high hopes. When the draw came out, I was braced with a forward, strong-running dog and thought we may have trouble hanging on to them."--Handler Brian Dix

Gregor McCluskey's relentless pursuit of developing amateur field trial events was once again on display in Ellenberg Center the weekend of April 17. McCluskey's efforts to bring in sponsors left each handler walking away with the feeling of incredible support and growing interest in the field trial game. All handlers and field trial enthusiasts who attended saw the intentional efforts to push the sport forward in a positive way and were welcomed to a great trial, with the McCluskey family and Bill McFadden hosting a wonderful event at McFadden's grounds.

Good things come as a result of partnership, and this trial is no different. Bill McFadden, a longtime patron of the field trial community and successful amateur field trialer, is the owner of the Panther Trust Field Trial Grounds, and he has graciously worked with McCluskey as he strives to create a premier venue for wild bird field trials in the Northeast. Bill's vision for these grounds is both a testament to his passion for and commitment to the sport of field trialing. The appreciation of this group of amateur handlers was on display, all of whom expressed gratitude for the work that Bill has done and the willingness to share it with the field trial community. When McFadden purchased the property from Bruce Bennett, a longtime supporter of conservation efforts focused on grouse and woodcock and an avid upland hunter, Bruce's vision for conservation and longevity found a perfect match. As these grounds mature, they will host many championships and field trials.

With entries ranging from Canada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maine, New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont, the strength of the field was impressive. Judges John Malone and John Olfson were put to the test to parse between nine dogs with work to determine their placements.

The unique support of this trial by sponsors continues to make it a marquee amateur event. Thank you to Inukshuk, Stone Creek, Bertucci, Muller Chokes, The Upland Almanac, Galazan, Warner Sporting Dogs, MPE, and Jonas Brothers (Pepi Family) Taxidermy. Your support was felt and supported a very strong amateur field.

Birds proved abundant, and our totals by day were:
Day 1: 10 grouse/4 Woodcock. Day 2: 11 grouse (only two worked), one Woodcock.

The Winners
"Off the breakaway cast, they went out of bell range; they both checked back shortly after, which brought relief. On his second stop, I knew he was deep, but was happy to hear my scout (Dad) call point."--Handler Brian Dix.

Brian Dix's Lightning Flash Remington returned to claim his second BraeVal Cover Dog Classic title with an impressive performance late in the trial's opening day. Braced with Lanny Dellinger's snappy setter "Maggie," the pair broke away gracefully and with determination to outpace each other to the front. Early in the brace, Dellinger moved ahead when Remington established 60 yards in at 7. Handler, judge, and reporter moved into the cover to locate the standing dog. A grouse flush was called by the handler and witnessed by the reporter. The shot fired. The standing dog collared and let loose prior to returning to the course, given the nature of the young hardwood whips. Dix walked briskly to get back through the gallery and to the front when Remington's bell stopped again at 22 in a deep hollow of open hardwoods and ferns. After some effort and the utilization of scout, Doug Dix, Remington was located standing well over 100 yards off the course. No bird was produced, and the handler watered his dog and elected to move the dog on. Upon returning to the course, Remington made a hard move into another set of young hardwood growth where his bell stopped with one final solid clang before silence fell. The find was recorded at 27 with a large grouse erupting from the cover, and Remington remaining resolute with impeccable manners and no letdown. Dellinger was far to the front, and scout, reporter, judge, and handler managed the dog into a trail intersection where Remington made a significant cast into likely cover, producing nothing. The dog returned, still looking strong, and moved to the front as the brace entered its final minutes. Once again, the bell stopped, and Remington was found standing by the reporter and handler with judge behind to witness a produced woodcock at 44--another commanding performance from a deserving champion.

"Ellie," a spritely 5-year-old setter female, owned by Trevor London, arrived from Maine for her first running of the BraeVal Cover Dog Classic. Braced with Connor McCluskey's big going Red setter in the third brace of the first day, the two dogs broke away nicely, each showing an affinity for the front. With "Skye" ranging to the edges, London's dog settled into a solid, slightly less ranging race. Producing her first bird at 15, she was found standing, spotted by the reporter and handler nearly simultaneously. Judge and handler worked to the front of the dog, producing a beautiful red-phased grouse that crossed the trail nicely right to left. Ellie's manners were those of a polished bird dog, unflinching and with no letdown. She opened up through the middle part of the course, applying herself nicely and testing the limits of her bell to the front. The course flows behind the original "On The Wing" Grouse Camp and moves into a nice hillside of mixed young growth hardwood, before ascending a short hill and working to cross Bigelow Road. London's dog established again at 30 this time in an opening around a series of old apple trees. London and Judge John Olfson headed toward the dog, with the reporter lagging behind to observe. A woodcock whistled as London moved to the dog's right, shot fired, all in order. Ellie returned to the course and moved on, passing a standing Skye that had not been located, but was standing a grouse that flushed with the presence of the gallery, another unjust break for the big running exciting dog under McCluskey's whistle. Ellie would stop once more, producing an unproductive on a stonewall that looked promising but failed to deliver.

"Bill McFadden's outstanding grounds, coupled with the people, dogs, and Gregor's attention to detail, made the BraeVal Classic a great experience. My brace with Connor on the Bertucci Course was fun. Both dogs had a strong forward race. Ellie pointed a grouse in a mixed wood seep and had her second point, on a woodcock, under the apple trees after the road crossing. I'm looking forward to returning next spring."--

Bill McFadden's multiple Cover Dog Champion and runner-up champion, Chasehill Snoop Dog, was in the sixth brace of the first day. With conditions warming, the dogs in the afternoon braces faced a stern test. "Snoop," a well-built liver and white pointer male, was braced with a big going and well-gaited liver masked and all white pointer male, Wild Apple Paskungameh Peat. Both dogs broke away and sought cover quickly, applying themselves to casts that drew them through likely cover and to edges. Handling nicely at range, the brace worked through soggy paths before working steeply uphill. Each dog showed nicely through the challenging uphill and entering the open hardwoods, and both dogs exhibited an ability to handle at range for their handlers. As the course descended, Snoop worked in while his bracemate stayed on the edge. Snoop's move produced for him. At 35, Snoop's bell stopped shortly off the logging road in a nice area of young growth. McFadden worked to the dog, a large grouse erupted downhill from the dog. Shot fired, all in order. McFadden collared the dog, bringing him back to the course and sending him on. Each dog hit likely objectives and pushed to the front despite the warm conditions; neither dog showed any sign of relenting their efforts and search, demonstrating a nice combination of heart and grit.

The Hard Luck Dog
At every trial, there is a dog that catches the judges' and the gallery's eye through a strong performance combined with tough luck. In recognition of this, the judges and trial organizers felt that it would be worthy to honor a dog whose performance warranted recognition through the effort and class of the race, combined with the missed opportunity or bad luck that can easily come a dog's way in a field trial. At this year's trial, BraeVal Skye was recognized for showing a class race with the misfortune of being seen standing shortly after the gallery caused a bird to flush for her and not being called on point--a tough moment of luck and timing through no fault of Skye's in an otherwise strong performance.

"When time was called, I knew Remington had laid down a solid performance. I was extremely happy to see him put it all together once again. No matter how the placements went, I was leaving happy with my dog."--

The Running
Brace 1: Stone Creek Course
"Callie" (Dellinger) and "Belle" (Green)
A cool, damp morning on April 17 welcomed the start of the 2026 BraeVal Cover Dog Classic. Lanny Dellinger returned, Callie, his recently titled champion setter, to the trial and was braced with Brad Green's 11-year-old pointer, Belle. While not matching Callie's power off the line, Belle did not lack for enthusiasm entering the cover. Callie worked wide across the opening cover before heading on a large cast to the left, drawing her handler and judge away from the course and separating the handlers early in the brace. Belle suffered a breach of manners and failed to stop to flush at 16. Dellinger requested his tracker at 40.

Brace 2: Inukshuk Professional Dog Food Course
"Dot" (Theroux), tri-colored English setter female, and "Tilly" (Dix), lemon and white female pointer. After a strong breakaway through dense young growth, Dot and Tilly made big casts to the front seeking likely cover. Both bells came to a stop at 10 in an area where a grouse had been. Dot stood with Tilly backing nicely from a distance as handler Dave Theroux made every effort to flush for his dog before deciding to move the dog on. Dix collared his dog and moved her back toward the course. The newly routed course opens up through a dense thicket of young maple and works along an old field edge populated with stonewalls and conifers, before turning to the left into a series of clear cuts interspersed between older growth conifer stands. Both dogs applied themselves well, with Dot showing a nice race, perhaps slightly within Tilly's bell. Dot was located standing in early successional growth, with a characteristic style. A strong effort to flush was made, but no bird was produced. Tilly recorded a nice piece of woodcock work at 34 in a dense section of young hardwood whips. She stood nicely and was released, making another cast into heavy conifers, where her bell stopped, and scout sent to look. Before long, her bell moved again, and Dix worked to get her back to the course. As the course worked into another transitional area, Dot began to exhibit signs of being birdy again. She cast and worked 100-125 yards to the front with her bell coming to a stop 50-60 yards off the course in thick cover. She was found standing, and this time the grouse cooperated, flushing loudly. All in order, the dog was collared and moved on, finishing her race to the front. With solid race and sound bird work in this brace, a strong bar was set for the remaining field.

Brace 3: Bertucci Field Watches Course
"Ellie" (London), tri-colored female setter, and "Skye" (McCluskey), Irish setter female.
The Bertucci course also featured modifications for this year's trial, establishing several longer stretches through cover and opening up nicely the combination of the two prior courses. Working away to the corner of an old orchard and a series of stone walls, off the breakaway, the course turns back through alders and sections of small patch cuts. Offering fantastic habitat diversity, the course produced the runner-up (see winners).

Brace 4: Upland Almanac Course
"Dude" (Arkley), orange and white setter, and "Sunray" (Hayes), tri-colored female setter.
The Upland Almanac Course works back toward the barn and field trial hub, mirroring the route of the Inukshuk course but in reverse. These two very nice setters broke away with strength and power for the gallery. It was not to be either dog's day as Hayes' Ray ran a respectable but birdless race and Arkley's reliable Dude got caught up behind after a wonderful edge run through beautiful cover early in the brace. Arkley got him around after some work, but with no birds to show for his effort, Dude ended his day working to the front with Hayes's young female setter.

Brace 5: Muller Choke and Galazan Course
Hayes: "Frank" (Hayes) and "FAFO" (Dix).
The second of Kelly Hayes's entries to this trial, Frank, the 2025 winner, once again demonstrated his merit as a bird dog. Paired with a hard-charging pointer out of Hog Hill lines under the whistle of Brian Dix, Frank stretched nicely during the brace. Dix's dog unfortunately got out around a swamp to the front, and after an unproductive early in the brace at 10, Dix elected to call for the tracker at 25, ending FAFO's day early. Frank worked a nice grouse 35 yards off the course in a young cut, which flushed, giving the gallery a nice view at 27. Frank continued on to finish his brace, working nicely with handler Hayes.

Brace 6: MPE/Warner Sporting Course
Snoop Dog (McFadden) and Peat (Welsh). See winners.

Brace 7: Jonas Brothers Pepi Family Taxidermy Course
Maggie (Dellinger) and Remington (Dix). See winners.

Brace 8: Stone Creek Course
"Bluey" (Joyal) and Northern Gold (David Miotto).
Joyal's first of two lemon and white pointer entries in this year's BraeVal Cover Dog Classic, Bluey, demonstrated her power and range early in the brace. Miotto's larger and well-built pointer male of Hifive lineage demonstrated a similar range to Joyal's lighter and more light-footed female. Each dog searched likely objectives and ranged hard to the front, often out of bell range for the handlers. In the final minute of the brace, Northern Gold went on point, giving the gallery a nice view of the dog. Unfortunately, no bird was produced despite walking up two grouse and one woodcock on the course.

Brace 9: Inukshuk Course
Hifive's Sweet Basil (Rizza) and "Murphy" (Sumple).
Returning to the Inukshuk course, handlers, dogs, judges, reporter, and gallery amassed for another walk. Sumple's young female setter appeared spritely from the beginning. Rizza's pointer female in her second run at the BraeVal event hit the course hard before settling into a more moderate pace. It appeared that there would be action early in the brace as Sumple sent scout Jamie Leitch into thick cover in search of Murphy, who Leitch called point on, but the dog moved with no bird flushing before the handler and judge could get to her. Dogs worked together to the courses left before showing again to the front around 15. At 22, Basil's bell stopped. Rizza headed into cover with several small conifers. Roughly 25 yards off the course, Basil could be seen standing. During the flushing attempt, a grouse got up, the dog held, and handler worked back to collect the dog before releasing her on. Still struggling to show much bottom and ended her run with an unproductive in thick conifer cover, standing nicely through an extended flushing attempt at time. Murphy ended her run with snap and nicely to the front.

Brace 10: Bertucci Course
Kennedy: "Jane" (Kennedy) and "Wilma" (McFadden).
From the start of the brace, both dogs demonstrated a desire to seek cover and range. With minimal direction from their handlers, the dogs demonstrated their ability to stay with and to the front. Early in the brace, a pair of grouse moved from an area adorned with old apple trees, and a third was seen by the gallery, offering a nice display for all to see, while the dogs were far to the left and ahead. Neither dog's effort dampened as the weather warmed, and both dogs worked hard, digging deep into cover in hopes of finding a bird. Unfortunately, none were produced. Both dogs showed nice race and fitting conditioning.

Brace 11: Upland Almanac
Dix: "Ronnie" (Dix) and "Rory" (McCluskey).
Breaking away through young growth of mixed birch and into a beautiful stream crossing with edges of conifer, the Upland Almanac Course offers opportunity from the breakaway. Rory, a big running male Irish setter with flowing gait and plenty of power, made a big opening cast to the edge, testing the limits of bell range immediately. Ronnie commenced with power but slightly more contact. Quickly after crossing the bridge, the course turns to the right into conifers before working through several small clear cuts. Just off the course, as the gallery worked through the course, Ronnie's bell stopped, and a grouse erupted. Dix fired quickly, whoa'ed the dog, and recorded a stop-to-flush with manners becoming of a young dog. At 12, Rory was found resolutely standing to the left edge of the course. An extended flushing attempt was made, and after three minutes of effort and only slight wavering, the dog was cautiously released, making a quick survey of the area, producing nothing. Rory moved hard to the front. Both dogs finished with a nice race, effort, and application, but no further bird work.

Brace 12: Muller Choke and Galazan
Arkley: "Ray" (Arkley) and "Pearl" (McFadden).
Both dogs had a nice start in mixed hardwood. Throughout the brace, each dog exhibited a desire to stay to the front, with Pearl pushing the edge a little more than Ray. Each dog smartly headed to objectives, applying themselves nicely. At 12, Arkley called on scout Brian Dix, but the dog was heard quickly to the front. As the course continued to work through good cover, both dogs ran nicely with minimal direction from their handlers, crossing in front and displaying a nice level of independence.

Brace 13:
"Peedee" (Joyal) and "McKeachie" (Kennedy).
With two scratches, due to challenging conditions, the final brace featured Frank Joyal's smooth-running female pointer Peedee and Deb Kennedy's gritty older female setter McKeachie. The uphill course and warm conditions were a stern test. Joyal's younger pointer moved through the demanding course with a flowing gate and nice purpose between objectives. McKeachie showed her heart and grit throughout, but despite her determination, no birds were willing to cooperate.

Lightning Flash Remington, First in the Braeval Cover Dog Classic.

Ellenburg, N. Y., April 17
Judges: John Malone and John Olfson
BRAEVAL COVER DOG CLASSIC - 12 Pointers, 14 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-LIGHTNING FLASH REMINGTON, F1687367, setter male, by Denco's Crockett Again-Arctic Tundra Bird Dog. Brian Dix, owner and handler.
2d-PAUCEK'S UP FOR ADVENTURE, F1693887, setter female, by Long Gone Studly-Paucek's Black Pearl. Trevor London, owner and handler.
3d-CHASEHILL SNOOP DOG, F1703110, pointer male, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. William & Karen McFadden, owners.

Brian Dix with Lightning Flash Remington, Trevor London with Paucek's Up For Adventure, and Bill McFadden with Chasehill Snoop Dog.