Result: Atlantic Sportsman's Club

Location: Nova Scotia

Post Date: Sep 8, 2021

Submitted By: Ian Corbett

NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA -- Wild bird season opener trial West Caledonia Queens County, Nova Scotia, August 21-22, 2021.

The winners of the season opener Open Shooting Dog judged Ian Corbett and Lester Turner were Cairds You're So Vain (first), Robert Little on course No. 3 with a grouse at 20 minutes a woodcock at 40 and another woodcock at 44. She had a forward race and handled nicely.

Second was Elmer's Always Been Crazy, Brittany male owned and handled by newcomer Donald Henderson, sticking a woodcock in fancy style and a close hunting race.

The heavy rain the day before reduced the bird numbers in the morning. The dogs that had bird work either were lost on point or went missing requiring the retrieval device.

The hard luck dog of the day was Bear River Victory, owned by Christopher Clarke, pointing a woodcock at 10 minutes in fancy style. Bell went silent again at 15 deep on No. 1 course right off the trail. A valiant effort was made by handler and scout without success. The retrieval unit was called and the pretty pointer female was found standing a woodcock out 200 yards.

Honorable mention goes to Sweet Southern Belle, Jonathan Wilkins' setter female with a fancy race but came up empty handed.

The Open Derby was judged by Ian Corbett and Bruce Brownell. First place was awarded to Cairds Southern Child, owned by Donald Henderson and handled by Robert Little. He laid down a powerful ground race hitting all the likely spots and handled well most of the time. He reached to the edge of his bell on several casts. Second was Miramichi River's Real Coy. He's a well-built male that glided through the cover with ease. He handled nicely with a forward race and reaching at times.

We both enjoyed watching a young German shorthaired pointer, Live Action's Gone Rogue, owned and handled by newcomer Matthew Brideau Murphy. This young female has a bright future. Her ground race was exciting to watch with nice casts at times. Very athletic and fast! Tagging her bracemate took away from her performance but I'm sure with some maturity she'll be in the winning circle.

Saturday night's banquet was held at the cottage of Ian and Shauna Corbett on the beautiful Ponhook Lake featuring a variety of starters including scallops wrapped in bacon. Griddled fajitas were a big hit along with the home baked blueberry grunt for dessert.

A BIG Thank You goes out to Judges Bruce Brownell and Lester Turner along with those who entered their dogs. Hopefully next year we will be holding this trial again and just maybe the United States/Canada border will be open to increase entries.

Nova Scotia, Canada, August 21

Judges: Ian Corbett and Lester Turner

OPEN SHOOTING DOG -- 6 Pointers, 2 Setters and 3 Brittanys

1st--CAIRDS YOU'RE SO VAIN, 1678944, pointer female, by It Ain't My Fault--Chasehill Baby Bella. Robert Little, owner and handler.

2d--ELMER'S ALWAYS BEEN CRAZY, unreg., Brittany male, by Ammo's Denver Brier Patch--Bree's Miss Fancy Pants. Donald Henderson, owner and handler.

Judges: Bruce Brownell and Ian Corbett

OPEN DERBY -- 3 Pointers and 1 German Shorthair

1st--CAIRDS SOUTHERN CHILD, 1691149, pointer male, by D C's Mr. Cooper--Chasehill Bewitched. Donald Henderson, owner; Robert Little, handler.

2d--MIRAMICHI RIVER'S REAL COY, 1693181, pointer male, by D C's Mr. Cooper--Chasehill Bewitched. Kyle Price, owner; Robert Little, handler.

Cairds You're So Vain, First in the Open Shooting Dog Stake.