Result: Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Nov 9, 2026

Submitted By: John Olfson

Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship (l-r). Bill Bonnetti, Bobby Verderosa, Joe Lordi with Bittersweet War Cry, Joe Cincotta, Doug Dix, Brayden and Alex Smith with Calico's Over the Top, Gene Casale, Tiffany Smith, Gary Tavares, John Olfson.

The Region 1 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship commenced Saturday October 10th in East Windsor, Connecticut at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area with Judges Joe Cincotta and Doug Dix mounted and ready for action. Joe and Doug are experienced pointing dog handlers, and judges with a great deal of championship experience. We are most appreciative they accepted the assignment.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association, and it's President Rich Murph, as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, Eastern District Wildlife Biologist Ann Kilpatrick, the grounds were in as good of condition as could be expected. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort. The steady weekly rain throughout the Spring and Summer resulted in high and difficult cover to handle dogs.

We had many large coveys produced throughout the trial. This seems to be the result of the protective cover together with the callers bringing in hold over birds together with our seeded birds.

Pointer male Bittersweet War Cry was named Champion. He was handled by Joe Lordi and owned by Ralph Gillota. Bittersweet War Cry ran an exceptionally powerful forward race. When entering the Dearborn section War Cry took the inside edge, hunted his way to the top to be found pointing a large covey. Turned loose after this spectacular bird work, he took the back edge and continued to rim the outer edge on his way out of Dearborn to be found on point at the top of the hill on the other side of the course on another large covey. Joe mentioned this was the most difficult cover he ever got a dog around in which says a lot since he's a exceptionally experienced handler and loyal supporter of the event for many years. We certainly appreciate his continued support.

Pointer male Calico's Over the Top was named Runner-Up Champion. He is owned by the Calico ownership group, and was handled by Alex Smith. He ran a powerful race making snappy moves, hunting, taking edges, and was very classy on point. This is the fourth time in the last 5 years he was named RU-CH of the event. He also recently won the National Amateur Pheasant Championship for the 2nd time.

Honorably mentioned was male setter Cape Point Lucky Strike. He had strong forward hunting race with a nice, classy covey find at time. He was handled by Bill Bonetti. Waybetter Bobby handled by Bobby Verderosa in the third brace had a nice run with a nice large covey find at the first bird spot. He was the 1st dog to get around and is coming off his Region 1 All-Age Championship this past spring.

Many thanks to Greg Blair and Purina for providing Pro-Plan Sport to the winners as well as the judging gifts and awards through the AFTCA store credit program and Piper Huffman. Thanks again and we appreciate the ongoing support.

Many thanks to Jayne Bonetti for taking care of the clubhouse and putting on all the delicious meals. Many thanks to Alex and Tiffany Smith for sponsoring Saturday's dinner in honor of the 2025 Champion Calico's Country Strong.

Also many thanks to Tim Cavanaugh for helping out and taking care of our horses. And our President & Trustee Eli Richardson for providing his fine walking horses Mosses, Shadow, and Smokey, they were very helpful.

Thanks to all participants and it was noted by the Judges as well as by many that it may not have been one of the biggest trials of the year but one of the best since we all had a very good time. We try hard to put on a first-class event.

East Windsor, Conn., October 10
Judges: Joe Cincotta and Doug Dix
REGION 1 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 15 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner-BITTERSWEET WAR CRY, F1674743, pointer male, by Sugarknoll War Paint-Mohawk. Ralph Gillota, owner; Joe Lordi, handler.
Runner-Up-CALICO'S OVER THE TOP, F1692315, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Calico's Country Strong. Alex Smith, owner and handler.