Result: Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: Nov 6, 2021

Submitted By: John W. Olfson II

The Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship commenced Columbus Day, Monday, October 11, with Judges Tom George of Voorheesville, N.Y., and I, John Olfson of West Hartford, Conn., mounted and ready for action.

Gene Casale, Jr., and his family, together with the help of many others, have run the trial for over fifty years. Some time in the mid- to late-1960s, Gordon Engfer passed the event on to Hall-of-Famer (2000) Gene Casale, Sr. Kevin Stuart of Schenectady, N.Y., has helped with the trial for over forty years. Tom Tracy of Lebanon, Conn., was a big help scouting, together with Kevin, and Dave O'Brien. Anna Casale together with Kevin LaRose were the primary bird planters.

Many thanks to Pam Casale for coordinating the delicious dinners.

In 1970, this Championship was Hall-of-Famer (2011) George Tracy's first Championship win. The event originated at the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Area. Later it moved to the Glastonbury Meadows, then returned to Flaherty after sudden flood waters from the Connecticut River disrupted the 2005 running with participants narrowly escaping peril.

Under the joint effort of the Dr. John E. Flaherty Field Trial Clubs Association, and its devoted president, Dick Frawley, 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 considering the record rainfall received this year. We are thankful and appreciate this continued joint effort.

THE WINNERS

We named white and orange pointer female Miller's Heat Seeker champion. Running in the 5th brace, she ran a spectacular race, always forward with finds at 5, 15, 19, 26, 30, 35, 50, 53 and 59, very classy on birds. She's just a lot of fun to watch. Heat Seeker is owned by Bill and Muriel Primm of Cream Ridge, N. J., Fran and Jack Miller of Barwick, Ga., and Dennis Hood of Vally, Ala. Muriel rode the brace, witnessed a fine performance that I'm sure she is quite proud of. We thank her for her ever-present support, and generosity.

Heat Seeker is a multiple champion; she won the 92nd New England Open Championship in April on these grounds. George Tracy handled her in April as well.

While riding the brace in April as we entered Dearborn, as she took the far right property edge I said to myself, "Man, does this guy know how to show a dog!" George's first won the New England Open Championship in 1975, the 47th running, and in total he has won it seven times!

Now, with this win, 50 years after his first ever Championship (1971 Northeast Shooting Dog Championship), he has done it again! He has won the Northeastern now nineteen times. With any luck, 2021 is not his last.

Pine Straw Sweet Tea, setter female, a past champion of the event (2018), was named runner-up. Running in the 8th brace, after a lengthy fog delay, Jeanette Tracy handled her. The seven-year-old white and black setter female had finds at 5, 21, 26, 29, 46 and 58.

Sweet Tea is owned by a coterie of bird dog fans -- Michael Reeves, Amber Duff and Gwynne McDevitt.

Multiple Champion Waybetter Rocky running in the first brace, gave a workmanlike effort, dug in hunting the whole way around. Made it difficult to pass him over. The difference was the way Jeanette showed Pine Straw as we let her roll, making snappy moves, taking edges, gorgeous on point, and hunting deeper into the course than any other dog.

Many thanks to Greg Blair and Purina for their continued support. We are proud to award Pro Plan Sport to the winners. We all appreciate Purina's effort and support of all sporting breeds, they are far and away second to none! In fact I know of no one in our New England group of field trailers who does not feed Pro Plan.

East Windsor, Conn., October 11 -- One Course

Judges: Tom George and John Olfson

NORTHEASTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 21 Pointers and 5 Setters

Winner--MILLER'S HEAT SEEKER, 1674886, pointer male, by Just Irresistible--Miller's Bring The Heat. Dennis Hood, William & Muriel Primm, Jack & Fran Miller, owners; George Tracy, handler.

Runner-Up--PINE STRAW SWEET TEA, 1655762, setter female, by Highground Jax Jabba--Pine Straw Katydid. Michael Reeves, Amber Duff & Gwynne McDevitt, owners; Jeanette Tracy, handler.