Result: Grand Valley Trials

Location: Ionia, Michigan

Post Date: Mar 27, 2021

Submitted By: Jim Cipponeri

The first registered Association of Michigan trial of the year was a huge success. Participants came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana to join with the Michigan contingent.

Trialers were greeted with warm, dry weather and grounds that were in magnificent shape.

There were no trials held last spring at the Ionia field trial area. This enabled a longer and better growing season which consequently improved the already pristine terrain that usually gets trampled on with a succession of non-stop events and inclement weather from March until June.

Pen-raised quail are very scarce this season and the club was unable to obtain needed additional birds. Fortunately we secured enough from a new breeder in Northwest Ohio to put on several quality stakes. All placed winners had birdwork, even in the puppy categories. Several woodcock were also observed on their travels to northern Michigan via Ionia.

The club would like to thank the participants who normally support this event and the many newcomers as well.

Judges Blake Rizzo, Steve Tacy, Jennifer Kurz, Mike Brown, Eric Munden and Rich and Skeeter Hollister put long hours in the saddle.

Participants made sure there entrants were either at the break away or loaded onto the dog wagon which enabled the event to run smoothly.

Mike Brown was a big help as he volunteered to pick up and deliver the birds to the grounds.

Ionia, Mich., March 27 -- One Course

Judges: Jim Cipponeri and Jennifer Kurz

OPEN PUPPY -- 4 Pointers, 4 Setters and 2 Brittanys

1st--DOUBLE DEUCE MILES, 1691405, pointer male, by Double Deuce Zeke--Bucket List Bella. Doug McMillen, Jr., owner and handler.

2d--BEAU, unreg., pointer male, breeding not given. Mary Darr, owner and handler.

3d--PATCH, unreg., particulars not given. Dr. George Najor, owner and handler.

Judges: Eric Munden and Blake Rizzo

OPEN DERBY -- 1 Pointer, 9 Setters and 2 Brittanys

1st--SPRINGPOND ROCKIN SIDNEY, 1689212, setter female, by Springpond Rockin Autumn--Tailsup Olive. Lee Ann Parnell, owner; Mike Brown, handler.

2d--DUN ROVENS ZIP, 1686123, setter male, by Dun Rovens Drifter--Waymaker Hello Becky. Mark & Tom Fernandez, owners; Richard Hollister, handler.

3d--SPRINGPOND ROCKIN GIBBY, 1685618, setter male, by Springpond Rockin Autumn--Tailsup Olive. Lonnie Rademacher, owner and handler.

Judges: Jim Cipponeri and Blake Rizzo

OPEN DERBY -- 1 Pointer, 1 Setter, 1 Brittany

and 1 German Shorthair

1st--ANCHOR'S LUCKY NUMBERS, 1691255, Brittany male, by Spanish Corral's Sonny Patch--Alar's Dirty Dancer. Kathryn & Richard Lipski, owners; Richard Lipski, handler.

2d--WILD BIRD LITTLE JOURNEY, 1690601, setter female, by Stoneface Gus The Bus--Wild Bird Faith's Journey. Jennifer Kurz, owner and handler.

Judges: Richard Hollister and Skeeter Hollister

AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG -- 8 Pointers, 6 Setters and 3 Brittanys

1st--A DISTANT SPEC, 1668665, pointer female, by Erin's War Creek--Brave Heart Cassie. Mike Husenits, owner; Eric Munden, handler.

2d--DOUBLE DEUCE SAGE, 1673986, pointer female, by Double Deuce Peter--Funseeker's Holiday. Doug McMillen, owner and handler.

3d--SPRINGPOND C NOTE, 1677261, setter male, by Springpond Rockin Autumn--Wild Bird Faith's Beauty. Mike Brown, owner and handler.

Judges: Blake Rizzo and Steve Tacy

OPEN SHOOTING DOG -- 13 Pointers, 12 Setters, 1 Brittany and

1 German Shorthair

1st--SUEMAC'S SASHAY, 1658242, pointer female, by Chasehill Little Bud--Richfield Stella. Roger, Susie & Daulton McPherson, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.

2d--A DISTANT SPEC, 1668665, pointer female, by Erin's War Creek--Brave Heart Cassie. Mike Husenits, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

3d--DOUBLE DEUCE ZEKE, 1673940, pointer male, by Double Deuce Peter--Funseeker's Holiday. Doug McMillen, Jr., owner and handler.