Result: National Brittany Open Grouse Championship Association

Location: Meredith, Michigan

Post Date: Jan 11, 2023

Submitted By: Kenny DeLong

Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog Winners (from left): Rich Hollister with Lucy, Chuck Langstaff with rotating memorial trophy, Robert Ecker with Midnight Ike, Judge Kenny DeLong, Brent Peters, Marc Forman with Woody, and Judge Rob Ellis.

Nearly perfect weather for a fall trial blessed us this second October weekend with temperatures starting out in the high 30's and rising to the mid 60's each of the three days of competition. It became a bit on the blustery side by midday on Friday and Saturday, but the otherwise pleasant conditions gave rise to plenty of good bird work for a number of fine dogs. This has been an exceptional Fall for birds at the storied Gladwin venue, this weekend yielding outstanding numbers of grouse and woodcock across all events. From Friday through Sunday close to 90 birds were moved, grouse outnumbering woodcock two to one!

Great Thanks go to all those who pitched in to help a short-handed club! Marshalls, vehicle movers, lunch and coffee break preparers, and others are all part of making for a smooth, successful trial. We are thankful for our wranglers, the Hollister Family and the quality horses they always provide. The generous financial support of Purina and their quality Pro Plan Performance Products, thanks to Greg Blair, is greatly appreciated. This Trial was dedicated to the memory of our "Matron of the Grouse Woods", the lovely Theda Langstaff, whom we could all feel was with us in spirit the entire weekend.

The newly named Theda Langstaff Memorial Open Shooting Dog ran all day Friday, wrapping up with a couple braces Saturday morning. A handsome rotating memorial trophy honoring Theda was donated to be awarded for the first time. A hefty entry of 31 dogs competed over all 16 of the Refuge's half hour courses. Birds were abundant, with more than a third of the dogs in the stake having quality bird work. Judges Kenny DeLong and Rob Ellis named the setter "Lucy", handled by veteran Rich Hollister mid-morning on Friday, to the top spot on the strength of her strong forward application and pair of grouse finds--the first of which was something special of a buried limb find that an over eager bracemate put to noisy flight while Lucy stood like a statue watching it rocket through the trees and disappear. Bobby Ecker handled setter male "Midnite Ike" to second place. Ike ran a fine, reaching race Friday afternoon, carding a single grouse at 10 and a pair at 28--standing tall while his backing bracemate broke and chased. A male setter charge of Marc Forman's ran hard early Friday morning and hunted the cover impressively on course two, earning the yellow ribbon. "Woody" scored on a grouse early at 4 with all in order. After his bracemate was picked up at 17, he took advantage of "flying solo" and nailed a small brood in the cuttings at 27, remaining rock solid as three or four grouse were flown. These three placing setters were all very close--judges splitting hairs, if you will--and interestingly, all three were six years old--birthdates within just a few months of one another.

The Continental Cover Dog Championship commenced after the conclusion of the shooting dog on Saturday morning. The bounty of bird work continued in this small stake, with every brace having grouse and woodcock flown. Judges Mike Brown and Brent Peters named the young Brittany female "Pearl" Champion. This savvy 2 and 1/2 year old ran a consistent, forward race, handled to multiple finds on grouse and woodcock by veteran Pro Robert Ecker. Runner-Up honors went to Kenny DeLong's big running "Shooter". This powerful Brittany male scoured the limits of courses 5 and 6, finally slamming into a picturesque point in the cuttings at 55 for his single find.

Puppies ran after lunch Saturday afternoon, carefully scrutinized by the venerable team of Chuck Langstaff and Kit Foster. Long time Pro Marc Forman guided his energetic setter female "Ronnie" to the top spot, impressing the judges with her forward application. Lonnie Rademacher's young male setter "Addy" ran a more moderate race to grab the red ribbon. Running with the winner in the last brace, newbie Chris Wasserman was able to show the judges that his pointer female "April" deserve the nod for third.

Sunday was Derby Day, with Judges Joe Wohlfort and Dave Heavlin watching fifteen hopefuls lay it down in the search for wild birds. First and second place came from the second brace in early morning on course two. Chris Wasserman's setter female "Maple" continued her winning ways with a strong race and stylish grouse find. Her pointer female bracemate "Sky" took second place, splitting the grouse find with "Maple" and going on to score a woodcock find under the whistle of Marc Forman. Third place was awarded to Kenny DeLong's powerful pointer male, "Freedom", running with strength and fancy style from start to finish.

This was a great trial with a ton of birds and lots of good folks contributing to its success. We are blessed to have such wonderful grounds on which to pursue our passion. Members of all clubs work hard along with Bruce Barlow and the DNR to maintain and manage all 16 courses to maximize each brace's potential to "show their stuff" on grouse and woodcock. It was good to have Chuck and Theda's daughter Cindy Lou on hand to share in the memories. The Hand of the Lord was at work all weekend, and the Spirit of our Matron of the Grouse Woods was felt by two and four-leggeds and winged ones alike. As always, we are grateful for God's blessings and the contributions of all our participants and volunteers.
Meredith, Mich., October 8
Judges: Robert Ellis and Kenric DeLong
THEDA LANGSTAFF MEMORIAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers, 25 Setters and 2 Irish Setters
1st-BACK CREEK LUCY, 1683067, setter female, by Peyton's Legacy Kip-Girl's Little Dixie. Steve Graham, owner; Richard Hollister, handler.
2d-DUN ROVENS MIDNITE IKE, 1685001, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Moonshine Cherry. Dr. Peter Millett, owner; R. J. Ecker, Jr., handler.
3d-FRENCH'S GROUSERINGER WOODY, 1679375, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Grouse River Woodcock. Brian French, owner and handler.
Judges: Mike Brown and Brent Peters
COVER DOG CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 4 Brittanys and 1 German Shorthair
1st-BRYNO'S PINEY RUN PEARL, 1690605, Brittany female, by Piney Run Jake-Piney Run Candy. Arthur Bruno, owner; R. J. Ecker, Jr., handler.
2d-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, 1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance to Soar. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.

Continental Cover Dog Championship Winners (from left): Chuck Langstaff, Robert Ecker with Pearl, Kenny DeLong with Shooter, and Judge Brent Peters.

Judges: Carson Foster and Chuck Langstaff
OPEN PUPPY - 2 Pointers and 6 Setters
1st-ROCK SOLID RONNIE, 1700176, setter female, by Lightning Flash Remington-Grouse Ridge Lazer. Douglas J. Dix, owner; Marc L. Forman, handler.
2d-SPRINGPOND'S ADDY'S BOY, 1699904, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Springpond's Autumn Adeline. Lonnie Rodemacher, owner and handler.
3d-CREEKSIDE'S APRIL FOOLS, 1701603, pointer female, by Pinehill Elhew Damascus Bud-Pinehill Elhew Miss Megan. Chris Wasserman, owner and handler.

Open Puppy Winners (from left): Marc Forman and Ronnie, Judge Chuck Langstaff, Chris
Wasserman and his kids with April, and Judge Kit Foster. (Not pictured): Lonnie Rademacher and Abby.

Judges: Dave Heavlin and Joe Wohlfort
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers, 8 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st-COUNTRY ROADS ACER, 1696811, setter female, by R C Spring Collins-Ruffed Country Belle. Chris Wasserman, owner and handler.
2d-COUNTY LINE SKY, 1694900, setter female, by Lester's Shockwave-Lester's Speed Lady. Anthony Napolitano, owner; Marc L. Forman, handler.
3d-MAY'S LEGACY OF JUSTICE, 1695469, pointer male, by Faith's Maximum Justice-Chasehill Mighty May. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.

Open Derby Winners (from left): Chris Wasserman and his daughter with Maple, Judge Dave
Heavlin, Marc Forman with Sky, Kenny DeLong with Freedom, and Judge Joe Wohlfort.