Result: NGSPA Savannah River Championships

Location: Savage Creek, Georgia

Post Date: Mar 15, 2021

Submitted By: Diane Rakers

NGSPA Savannah River Amateur Winners. Front row: Chase Verdoorn with H's Am Cruiser, and Dr. Fred Ryan with Hi N's Hasty Matilda. Behind: Mark Verdoorn, Judges Paul Connelly and Art Terstage, and Hank Lewis.
SAVAGE CREEK, GA. -- The 2021 NGSPA Savannah River and Region 16 Championships were held at Savage Creek in Dry Branch, Ga., starting on February 12.

A special thank you to the landowners, Dan and Kristina Groselle and Clay Sykes, for allowing us to use this beautiful place. Thank you also to Dave and Lee Walker for your help in securing the grounds, numerous trips to the grounds, judges' gifts, room accommodations and the list goes on. You two definitely show your dedication to this sport and we are grateful.

Thank you to Purina for their support of these trials. Also thanks to Greg Blair, Carl Gunzer and Terry Trzcinski for all the work you do behind the scenes. Thank You to SportDog and Jim Moorehouse for always supporting us.

This year proved to be challenging, but we overcame the obstacles. We lost our grounds at Utopia due to Lynn McKinney's passing. We were offered the Savage Creek grounds, but only had a seven-day window to complete. It rained every day, some more than others. Snow and jobs at home sent the president and treasurer home early.

I would like to commend everyone who stepped up to plant birds, organize lunches, ran the dog wagon, etc. Special thanks to Chris Young, Peter Coppens, Tom Oswald and Rick Heare for bird delivery, planting birds, and dog wagon drivers, etc. Also thank you to Diane Rakers our secretary/treasurer for all the paperwork, constant reminding and trying to keep us on the straight and narrow.

A big shout out to our amateurs as well. We saw several new amateurs attend this year and hope to see all of you back next year. Our impressive amateur list is Hank Lewis, Dr. Fred Ryan, Jack Marchese, Bob Salamone, Mike Kindler, Lindsay Cuming, Chris Young, Anthony Rusciano, Dr. Bob Reynolds, Chase Verdoorn, Mark Verdoorn, Jim Heule, Kristina Groselle, Tom Oswald, and TK Smith.

The professionals included Rich Barber, Dan Dimambro/April Raber and Dave Walker. We also had had visitors like Payton Gunby, Lee Avery and Jimmy Wallace. Thank you for choosing our trial to attend. Without the support from all of these participants the trial wouldn't have been the success it was.

Thank you to our judges, Paul Connelly and Art Terstage, for both Amateur Championships. Thank you judges Chad Chadwell and Chris Young in the Shooting Dog Championship. And thank you to our judges Anthony Rusciano and Dr. Fred Ryan in the Derby.

NGSPA REGION 16 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Submitted by Paul Connelly and Art Terstage

The NGSPA Region 16 Amateur Shooting Dog started under the watchful eyes of Judges Art Terstage and Paul Connelly. Twenty-two German shorthairs were entered. competing under cloudy, wet skies and cool temperatures. The rain was intermittent and light. The grounds were wet and muddy and taxed the horses. The dogs, however, had no problems.

The champion was Horicon Havens Penny (Penny) owned and handled by Jack Marchese of Oconomowoc, Wis. Jack cut Penny away and she went right down to business. She raced away across the breakaway field and disappeared on the far edge of the field. As the handlers got about halfway across the field at 3, Penny was standing just inside the wood line and point was called. As the group rode up, Penny was standing with high style and intensity. Jack worked the bird and Penny handled the flush without moving a muscle.

Penny was cut loose and charged out into the piney woods and disappeared. Jack rode the course looking for her and sent his scout out to check the far edge of the wooded area past the pines. At 15 the scout was heard calling point. The group rode toward the call on the far side of the woods and Penny was found on the other side of the "green" pond having the same style and intensity as she did in her previous find. Jack worked the bird, and all manners were in order as before. She was brought back to the other side of the woods where the course was and she again charged to the front and was found standing at 28 with impeccable style. The bird was produced, and Penny displayed her gorgeous bird manners for the gallery again.

She then went quickly to the front and was see going in the chute to the back piney woods. At 40 the scout was heard calling "Point!" at the top of the hill of the back pines. The party rode up to where the call was heard from and Penny was standing with high head and tail. As in the previous finds, everything was in order. Jack gathered Penny up and sent her on. She moved forward and marked another beautiful find at 45. The bird was worked with all in order. Penny was cut loose and finished the hour as strong as she started it.

Runner-up was H's Am Cruiser, owned by Harlan Higginbotham of Maryville, Mo., and Chase Verdoorn of Platte City, Mo. He was handled by Chase Verdoorn. Cruiser had a powerful forward run this day. He navigated the grounds like he owned them. Cruiser had a strong finish and the handler could always count on him to be found up front. He had finds at 9, 15, 25, and 37. All manners in order and he impressed the judges with his stylish point. He also had one unproductive at 41. Interesting fact: Penny and Cruiser are littermates.

The judges gave honorable mention to Snowy River Cuttin' Country (Dozer), owned and handled by Lindsay Cuming, and Snowy River's Cuttin High Tide, also owned and handled by Chase Verdoorn.

Savage Creek, Ga., February 12

Judges: Paul Connelly and Art Terstage

NGSPA REGION 16 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

[One-Hour Heats] -- 22 German Shorthairs

Winner--HORICON HAVENS PENNY, 1668622, female, by H's Hedge Rise Ignited--Salamone's Mele Kalikimaka Boo. Jack Marchese, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--H'S AM CRUISER, 1664565, male, by H's Hedge Rise Ignited--Salamone's Mele Kalikimaka Boo. Harland Higgenbotham & Chase Verdoorn, owners; Chase Verdoorn, handler.

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Submitted by Art Terstage and Paul Connelly

The Savannah River Amateur Shooting Dog followed immediately after Region16. Art Terstage and Paul Connelly were our trusty judges. Twenty-six dogs were entered and due to predicted thunderstorms, we end up with seventeen competing.

The champion was Hi N's Hasty Matilda (Matte), owned and handled by Hank Lewis of Louisville, Ohio. Matte was cut loose and she showed us all what a champion is meant to be. Matte is a powerful, skilled shooting dog. Her style was impeccable on all bird work and she worked well with her handler. Matte and Cruiser had a divided find at 20. They were then found at 22 with another divided find. Manners were in order for both finds. Matte went on to have finds at 28, 33, 39 and 43. While Matte was on point at 39 and 43, she was backed by Cruiser. She moved forward and marked another perfect find at 45. Matte finished with a stop to flush at 46 and her last find at 49. Matte was cut loose and showed us a powerful finish with plenty of power left over at the end. Matte had exactly what the judges were looking for in this championship.

Runner-up was H's Am Cruiser, owned by Harlan Higginbotham and Chase Verdoorn, handled by Chase Verdoorn. Cruiser broke away with a large, strong move across the field. He continued to work in this manner and came up with a find at 15 and displayed amazing style and intensity. Chase cut Cruiser loose and he moved forward and both he and his bracemate (Matte) were found standing with a divided find at 20. Chase worked the bird and Cruiser displayed his manners again. Both dogs were cut lose and then found again at 22 with a divided find. Cruiser continued to display his style and manners on this second divided find.

At 30 Cruiser appeared to be standing and Chase called point. Chase tried as hard as he could but could not produce a bird and an unproductive was carded. Cruiser charged forward when let loose and scored another find at 35 - giving everyone another chance to see his style and manners on birds. As Cruiser was approaching, the chute to the large field going toward the deer stand, Matte was on point and Chase whoaed Cruiser into an early back at 39. Both dogs were released and at 43 Matte was seen establishing point and Cruiser came in for a back on his own. Cruiser displayed his style backing the same as pointing a bird and handled it without issue.

Again, the dogs were cut loose together, and Cruiser scored another find at 54 still showing the same style and manners that he displayed from the start. Cruiser was let go once again and moved into the back piney woods. He disappeared to the front while Chase rode forward. Chase found Cruiser standing at 59. The bird was found without issue and time was called with a quick release and callback of Cruiser.

Both Cruiser and Matte came from brace 8, first brace on the second day.

The judges would like to give honorable mention to Hi N's Charlie, owned and handled by Hank Lewis, and HI N's Dirty Secret (Badger), also owned and handled by Lewis.

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG

CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] -- 17 German Shorthairs

Winner--HI N'S HASTY MATILDA, 16557658, female, by Hi N's Feed Jake--Hi N's Southern Cross. Hank Lewis, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--H'S AM CRUISER, 1664565, male, by H's Hedge Rise Ignited--Salamone's Mele Kalikimaka Boo. Harland Higgenbotham & Chase Verdoorn, owners; Chase Verdoorn, handler.

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER DERBY CLASSIC

We thank Anthony Rusciano and Dr. Fred Ryan for their time in the saddle for the Derby Classic with thirteen hopefuls going to the line.

First was awarded to H N's Secret Society (Stella), owned and handed by Hank Lewis. Second awarded to Salamon's Mahalo Maizie, owned and handled by Bob Salamon. Third was Outbak's J W (Duke), owned by Dick Walters and handled by Rich Barber

Judges: Anthony Rusciano and Fred Ryan

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER OPEN DERBY -- 13 German Shorthairs

1st--HI N'S SECRET SOCIETY, 1688000, female, by Hi N's Bodacious--Hi N's Hasty Matilda. Hank Lewis, owner and handler.

2d--SALAMONE'S MAHALO MAIZIE, 1693825, female, by H's Am Cruiser--Snowy River's Sippin on Fire. Robert Salamone, owner and handler.

3d--OUTBAK'S J W, 1690501, male, by Greyrock's Mile Marker--Outbak's Lil Josey. Dick Walters, owner; Rich Barber, handler.

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Submitted by Chris Young

The Savannah River Shooting Dog was the last stake to run. Chad Chadwell and Chris Young were the judges. Thirty-three German shorthairs were entered, and again we had rain and cool weather. We thank the judges for their time and expertise.

Slaterock's Mountain Heart (Rommel) was named champion. Rommel is a German shorthaired pointer male owned by Andy and Becky Dynkiewicz of Brecksville, Ohio, handled by pro Dan DiMambro and expertly scouted by April Raber.

Rommel ran on the second day in the 10th brace. Weather conditions had improved considerably from the previous day with sunny skies and warmer temps. Rommel was released and was almost immediately found stylishly and staunchly standing at 2 minutes. The bird was successfully worked and the dog moved on. Rommel transitioned from the field edges into the piney woods and was found standing again at seven remaining high and tight throughout the flush and shot.

He continued to run in an effective pattern and great use of the wind to card 6 more finds at 10,17, 22, 26, 34 and 47. He had a consistent pleasing race and finished the hour strong. Rommel worked all his birds with exceptional style and consistency, and was awarded the win.

The runner-up went to Rock River's U Can't Handle It (Dually). Dually ran in the first brace of the stake. His owner is Rick Heller of Allenton, Wis. Dually was handled by pro Dan DiMambro and scouted by April Raber.

The day was cloudy and cool with breezy conditions. Dually ran a powerful, forward race. At the breakaway he was briskly off of the line and was sometimes absent for a bit, but Dually was found on point at 12, 33, and 48 minutes and worked all his birds successfully. Dually finished the hour moving strongly forward and was rewarded with the runner-up placement.

Judges: Charles Chadwell and Chris Young

NGSPA SAVANNAH RIVER OPEN SHOOTING DOG

CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] -- 33 German Shorthairs

Winner--SLATEROCK'S MOUNTAIN HEART, 1675343, male, by Hi N's Bodacious--Slaterock Mattie Clark. James Dynkiewicz, owner; Dan Dynkiewicz, handler.

Runner-Up--ROCK RIVER'S U CAN'T HANDLE IT, 1671158, male, by Hi N's Feed Jake--Tulli's Excess. Rick Heller, owner; Dan DiMambro, handler.

NGSPA Savannah River Open Shooting Dog Championship. From left: Peter Coppens, April Raber with Slate Rock's Mountain Heart (Rommel), an Dana Rusciano with Rock River's U Can't Handle It (Dually), and Dan DiMambro.