Result: Michigan Brittany Championships

Location: Ionia, Michigan

Post Date: Jun 21, 2019

Submitted By: Kathy Gulembo and Ed Janulis

Open Derby Winners and Contender. From left: Chad Holman with Gangsters Jezabelle, Carlos Gust, judge; Donna Janulis with Gangsters Secret Weapon, Ron Gulembo, judge; Ed Janulis, John Hall with Black Creek Bell and Bob Bricker with Dogwood's Hello Dolly.
IONIA, MICH. -- The 41st running of the Michigan Brittany Championships was held April 1-4 at Michigan's Ionia Recreation Area. These state grounds continue to be some of the premier trial grounds in this part of the country. This is due in large part to the cooperation between the State of Michigan, Ionia Park's staff, and the Ionia Field Trial Grounds Committee comprised of representatives of all the breed clubs that hold trials here.

The Championship Association is extremely grateful to the support provided by Purina for this event. We appreciate both the financial support and high quality dog food provided to the winners. Our dogs' health is one of the most important factors in preparing a competitive bird dog.

A big thank you goes to all of the hardworking members of the Michigan Brittany Championship Association. Morning bird planting for the Open All-Age and Open Shooting Dog was handled by Dick Lipski who also replaced birds through the day as needed. Birds were planted in small coveys with whole corn scattered at numerous strategic locations on the course. Bird work was abundant with almost all the dogs having multiple finds.

Tom Kuzcak provided the dog wagon services for the week. Ron Auten planted birds for the Amateur Walking Shooting Dog and Chuck Langstaff served as stake manager.

Participants were well fed during the week with dinners and lunches every day which provided the opportunity for socialization and camaraderie. The association would also like to express its appreciation to Will Langley for providing horses and transport.

We thank both the professional and amateur handlers who came and supported these Championships. Without the support of professionals Chad Holman from Illinois and Bob Burchett from Missouri we would not have had enough entries to run any of the stakes. Amateur handlers were well represented by Dick Lipski, Bob Bricker, Tom Christnagel, Wayne Pepin, Julie Romance, Chris Sennott, Bert McCandless, Ray McVeigh, Vince Anderson, Ken DeLong, Matt Healey, Jeff Stanton, Ed Janulis, John Hall, Al VanWieren and Rebecca Walters.

OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP

In recognition of one of the Championship Association's long-time and tireless working members, the group was pleased to designate the Michigan Brittany Open All-Age Championship in honor of Wade Haines from Ohio. From this year forward, the stake will be noted as such and a plate in his honor afixed to the Wayne Croxton Rotating Memorial trophy. A true gentleman of the sport, Wade has been unable to attend the trial in the last couple of years and we greatly miss his presence and wise insights.

The Open All-Age Championship drew twenty entrants. As with all championships, one of the most important components is hiring great experienced judges. Longtime Indiana German Drahthaar competitor John Schoonover was partnered in the judicial saddles with Bill Padovano from Illinois who competes with German Shorthairs. Both gentlemen gave the dogs their full attention and were a pleasure to have at the trial. Their decisions, both during the running and at its conclusion, were well received by all the participants.

Standing out from a quality field of contenders was young Brittany female Turning Points Shenanigans which was awarded the Wayne Croxton Rotating Memorial Trophy. Proudly owned by Julie and Mark Claypool of North Aurora, Ill., "Shandy" was skillfully handled by Bob Burchett. She had her nose working well, completing eight successfully stylish finds!

The runner-up title was awarded to Sniksoh Hank's Hatch, Brittany male owned by Adam Daniel Freeman of Nebraska. He ran a steady race finding six different quail; each of his finds was the result of his independent hunting ability. He also displayed all-age characteristics in his forward run contributing to his runner-up placement. Bob Burchett also handled Hank.

Ionia, Mich., April 1

Judges: Bill Padovano and John Schoonover

MICHIGAN BRITTANY OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 20 Brittanys

Winner--TURNING POINTS SHENANIGANS, 1665954, female, by Masked Jack of Diamonds--Copley Wincrest Grand Theft. Julie & Mark Claypool, owners; Bob Burchett, handler.

Runner-Up--SNIKSOH HANK'S HATCH, 1684852, male, by Sniksoh Spank's Hank--Sniksoh Boomer's Babe. Adam Daniel Freeman, owner; Bob Burchett, handler.

Open All-Age Championship Winners. From left: Tommy Thomas with Turning Points Shenanigans, Bob Burchett, John Schoonover, Valerie Burchett with Sniksoh Hank's Hatch, Hyatt Burchett, John Hall and Bill Padovano.
OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

The Open Shooting Dog Championship drew 21 dogs. The stake was judged by Leroy Long of Ohio, a well-respected and sought-after judge who runs Brittanys. Joining Leroy in the judicial saddles was Jon Peck from Michigan who runs Vizslas and previously judged the American Brittany National Shooting Dog Championship among other prestigious stakes. Both judges commented on the outstanding quality of the dogs entered in the stake.

The championship title was awarded to Jac's Original Spice, Brittany female handled by Chad Holman and owned by Kathy Gulembo of Hudsonville, Mich., and Cindy Cropek of Conneautville, Pa.

Spice bested the field with a stellar performance. She broke away from the oak tree and spent the next hour handling pleasingly and at proper range and pace having three quail finds through the hour, handling each with style and poise. Chad Holman handled Spice with the professionalism and skill to exhibit the championship form she showed.

Starlights Mercury Out Ryder was awarded the runner-up title for the second year in a row.

Owned by Teresa Richmond of Hinckley, Ill., and handled by Bob Burchett, Ryder had an outstanding performance and challenged the winner. Bob Burchett guided Ryder at a shooting dog pace across the Michigan course terrain achieving six successful bird contacts during the hour.

Judges: Leroy Long and Jon Peck

MICHIGAN BRITTANY OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 21 Brittanys

Winner--JAC'S ORIGINAL SPICE, 1647213, female, by High Hopes Tiger Jac--Dot's Original Spice. Kathy Gulembo & Cynthia Cropek, owners; Chad Holman, handler.

Runner-Up--STARLIGHTS MERCURY OUT RYDER, 1664405, male, by Strait To The Point--Rubyridge's Babe. Teresa Richmond, owner; Bob Burchett, handler.

Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners. From left: Jon Peck, judge; Kathy Gulembo, Chad Holman with Jac's Original Spice, Ed Janulis, Tommy Thomas with Starlights Mercury Out Ryder, Leroy Long, judge, and Bob Burchett.

Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship

The Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship, which has found difficulty attracting participants, was held with eight entries due to some last-minute withdrawals.

The Championship was judged by longtime Brittany competitor and experienced judge Paul Renius and sought-after judge Will Langley, both from Michigan. It was run on the south side of course No. 2 rather than course No. 3 due to mowing constraints last fall. While the stake was small, the quality of the champion's performance was exceptional. Due to persistently low entries, this stake will not be offered in 2020.

K Del's Eagle's Chance to Soar, owned and handled by Ken DeLong of Greenville, Mich., resoundingly won the stake. Coming off her recent win at the New England Brittany Grouse and Woodcock Championship, "Chancey" broke away hard to the front and moved through the thick bottom objectives for the first 15 minutes. When the course opened up, so did she. Carding six finds, she even remained staunch in one case as her bracemate moved in front of her and was leashed. Another of her finds was intently handled with her front legs up on a log while the handler flushed both a cottontail and a subsequent quail. Finishing to the front, it was clear she had a championship hour.

Hy Steppin Libby's Liebling, owned and handled by Chris Sennott of Lake Zurich, Ill., garnered the runner-up spot. Breaking away in the second brace, she ran a consistently forward race at a range pleasing for a foot handler. Her efforts were rewarded with a woodcock find for her first bird encounter. Finds No. 2 and No. 3 were single quail, and she finished the hour with a covey find. Both judges commented that the quality of Libby's bird work was exceptional.

Once again, Bark River Queen of Diamonds, run by Jeff Stanton, was a strong contender but unfortunately got out of pocket near the end after carding clean finds. None of the other dogs in the stake had successful bird work outcomes.

Judges: Will Langley and Paul Renius

MICHIGAN BRITTANY AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] -- 8 Brittanys

Winner--K DEL'S EAGLE'S CHANCE TO SOAR, 1659339, female, by K Del's Eagle Flyboy Roy--Chance's Hope. Ken DeLong, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--HY STEPPIN LIBBY'S LIEBLING, 1626510, female, by Nolan's Last Bullet--Vanpo's Ky Queen. Chris & Gerilyn Sennott, owners; Chris Sennott, handler.

Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship Winners. From left: Ken DeLong with K Del's Eagle's Chance to Soar, Paul Renius and Will Langley, the judges; Chris Sennott with Hy Steppin Libby's Liebling, Chuck Langstaff and Ron Auten.

OPEN DERBY

We were pleased to draw enough young dogs to offer the Open Derby Classic this year after last year's cancellation due to low entries.

The stake was judged by Ron Gulembo and Carlos Gust from Michigan. Both are Brittany competitors who spend an overwhelming number of hours in care of the Ionia grounds and in support of the trials that run there. Five of the nine dogs entered were run by amateurs and all rendered worthy performances.

Gangsters Jezabelle (Jazz), owned by Donovan and Beth Markiewicz, earned the win with littermate Gangsters Secret Weapon (Sniper), owned by Ed and Donna Janulis, a close second. Both handled by Chad Holman, littermates Jazz and Sniper put on outstanding performances with Jazz edging out Sniper in handling. They both have exciting running styles and exhibit exceptional hunting characteristics indicating their futures are headed toward bigger and better winnings.

Third was Black Creek Bell, owned and handled by John Hall. She ran a steady race and located a number of quail during her brace. She also showed future potential.

Bob Bricker's Dogwood's Hello Dolly pressed the winners. Dolly's fast and snappy run was rewarded with five finds all pointed with style.

Judges: Ron Gulembo and Carlos Gust

MICHIGAN BRITTANY OPEN DERBY -- 9 Brittanys

1st--GANGSTERS JEZABELLE, 1684766, female, by Gun Creek Gangster--Gun Creek Whizki. Donovan & Beth Markiewicz, owners; Chad Holman, handler.

2d--GANGSTERS SECRET WEAPON, unreg., male, by Gun Creek Gangster--Gun Creek Whizki. Ed & Donna Janulis, owners; Chad Holman, handler.

3d--BLACK CREEK BELL, unreg., female, by Black Creek Deacon--Cubanelle. John Hall, owner and handler.

MICHIGAN BRITTANY CLUB

Ionia, Mich., April 5

Judges: Jim Cipponeri and Blake Rizzo

OPEN RESTRICTED ALL-AGE -- 13 Entries

1st--GUN CREEK GANGSTER, 1661629, Brittany male, by Odyssey's Ace of Hearts--Dixie Bradons Joy. Ed & Donna Janulis, owners; Ed Janulis, handler.

2d--AUTUMN ANNIE, 1662218, setter female, by Long Gone Wallace--D J's Runninon Faith. Paul Renius, owner and handler.

3d--BLACK CREEK SUMMIT, 1670849, Brittany male, by Black Creek Tim--Black Creek Gypsy. Ronald W. Harling, Sr., owner; Chad Holman, handler.

Judges: Sue Lehosky and Jeff Zenas

AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG -- 21 Entries

1st--GEORGIA DRIVE BY, 1644938, Brittany male, by Peter Gunn--Gambler's Blazin Chick. W. Burton & Michelle McCandless, owners; W. Burton McCandless, handler.

2d--LUCY TOO, 1646226, setter female, by Nobody's Shadow--Ramblin Ruby Lou. Paul Renius, owner and handler.

3d--AJAX HURRICANE BIRD FINDING

MACHINE, unreg., Brittany male, by Ajax Jaros Josey Wales--Hurricane Little Feat. Richard & Jane Jarosinski, owners; Richard Jarosinski, handler.

Judges: Ken DeLong and Carlos Gust

OPEN PUPPY -- 8 Entries

1st--GANGSTERS JEZABELLE, 1684766, Brittany female, by Gun Creek Gangster--Gun Creek Whizki. Donovan & Beth Markiewicz, owners; Chad Holman, handler.

2d--GANGSTERS SECRET WEAPON, unreg., Brittany male, by Gun Creek Gangster--Gun Creek Whizki. Ed & Donna Janulis, owners; Chad Holman, handler.

3d--JEWELS THIEF UNCAGED, unreg., Weimaraner male, by Saga's Major Cage--Grav Pointe's B B Queen. Mary B. Brown, owner; Diane Vater, handler.

Judges: Mike Braddock and Kim McVeigh

AMATEUR DERBY -- 6 Entries

1st--BRANDON'S JUST CALL ME MACK, unreg., Brittany male, by Piney Run Chalk--Piney Run Chicklet. Brandon Schafer, owner and handler.

2d--BOOMER OF SHORTBARRELS, 1681805, Brittany male, by Marsport Hot To Ride Lucky Seven--Kala's Time After Time. Tom Christnagel & Kassandra Hamaker, owners; Tom Christnagel, handler.

3d--HY STEPPIN ALI'S GOT ATTITUDE, 1681299, Brittany female, by Beeline Bullett's Bossman--Northern Star Valentine's Day Diamond. Chris & Gerilyn Sennott, owners; Chris Sennott, handler.

Judges: Bill Branham and Bill Klenner

OPEN ALL-AGE -- 14 Brittanys

1st--KINWASHKLY KING LOUIE, unreg., male, by M V P Redline's High Octane--Kinwashkly Brightest Star. Diane Vater, owner and handler.

2d--BLACK CREEK SUMMIT, 1670849, male, by Black Creek Tim--Black Creek Gypsy. Ronald W. Harling, Sr., owner; Chad Holman, handler.

3d--SPRING HILLS RED HOT PERFORMANCE, unreg., male, by Spring Hills High Performance--Spring Hills Salida Del Prado. John & Joanne Bell, owners; John Bell, handler.

Judges: Ken DeLong and Blake Rizzo

AMATEUR ALL-AGE -- 6 Entries

1st--AUTUMN ANNIE, 1662218, setter female, by Long Gone Wallace--D J's Runninon Faith. Paul Renius, owner and handler.

2d--JAC'S ORIGINAL SPICE, 1647213, Brittany female, by High Hopes Tiger Jac--Dot's Original Spice. Kathy Gulembo & Cynthia Cropek, owners; Ron Gulembo, handler.

3d--MIDNIGHT RUN'S PROBABLE CAUSE, 1650219, Vizsla female, by Wegler's Crown Royal--Rio Le Rouge. Jeff Zenas, owner and handler.

Judges: Ed Lehosky and Blake Rizzo

OPEN DERBY -- 14 Entries

1st--NALKODESSENTIERSDU RAMIER, unreg., Brittany male, by Best De la Source Aux Perddrix--Ibone Dumas D Eyraud. Clint Lafary, owner and handler.

2d--BRANDON'S JUST CALL ME MACK, unreg., Brittany male, by Piney Run Chalk--Piney Run Chicklet. Brandon Schafer, owner and handler.

3d--HURON CREEK'S KENTUCKY SHINE, 1679745, pointer male, by Railhew Explorer--Railhew Mrs. McGoo. William & Julie Branham, owners; William Branham, handler.

Judges: Kim McVeigh and Al VanWieren

AMATEUR PUPPY -- 5 Entries

1st--BLACK CREEK'S HAMMERIN HELLION, unreg., Brittany female, by Black Creek Blaze--Black Creek's Hammerin Jackie. Elizabeth Sickle, owner and handler.

2d--SUNSET TRAIL'S LOCKED AND LOADED, unreg., Vizsla female, by C K Touchdown Guy--Sunset Trail's Probable Cause. Julie Zenas, owner and handler.

Judges: Mike Braddock and Carlos Gust

OPEN SHOOTING DOG -- 23 Entries

1st--KINWASHKLY KING LOUIE, unreg., Brittany male, by M V P Redline's High Octane--Kinwashkly Brightest Star. Diane Vater, owner and handler.

2d--SPRING HILL'S RED HOT PERFORMANCE, unreg., Brittany male, by Spring Hill's High Performance--Spring Hill's Salida Del Prado. John & Joanne Bell, owners; John Bell, handler.

3d-- AUTUMN ANNIE, 1662218, setter female, by Long Gone Wallace--D J's Runninon Faith. Paul Renius, owner and handler.