Result: Illinois Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Chandlerville, Illinois

Post Date: Apr 26, 2023

Submitted By: Jeff Wagoner

Illinois Shooting Dog Championship Winners (sitting): Jeff Wagoner and Topp's First J R with Luke Topp. (Back row): Harold Gearhart, Nathan Berendzen (judge), and Lawless Speck with Mark Johnson. (Back row): Eddie Berendzen (judge). (Front right): Jim Lawless and Terry Trzcinski (far right).

The National site manager at Jim Edgar Panther Creek did an excellent job mowing and hauling water to the staging area.

For those who have not or ones who did not know, the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois have made these grounds perfect for a field trial. The newer clubhouse has electricity (thanks to the state). Alongside is our barn and also a bird shed. We ran the Max Eldred Open Derby with eight starters.

First went to Mark Johnson with Luke, a pointer male. Luke had a good forward race that must have impressed the judges.

Second-place pointer male Mike was handled by Jeff Wagoner, with a handy fancy race with two bird contacts.

Third place, also handled by Jeff Wagoner, was Kate, a pointer female of a similar race and one nice find to the front.

The trial could not have happened without the help of many people. Pat Sheehan was a big part of what makes an excellent trial. (Bird planting) Pat did a great job making sure it was a fair trial.

Two prominent supporters were Purina and SportDOG. Terry Trzcinski with Purina went far and beyond with lunch prep and volunteered dog wagon. Greg Blair ensured we had dog food for winners and our wonderful Purina dinner Wednesday night. SportDOG donated collars for all placements.

Mark Johnson was asking and doing so much to keep the trial going without hiccups. John Hott volunteered his truck when mine crapped out. Lawless helped and scouted along with Mark Livingston to make it fair for everyone. Gearhart did his part by being ready to turn his next dog loose for every brace. Thank you to everyone who helped clean up and lock up after the trial.
This year's championship had two well-thought-of judges. They also handle their dogs and know a good dog when they see one. We started with 17 dogs this year. There were plenty of bird-pointing opportunities for every brace.

Harold Gearhart handled this year's champion. Owner Luke Topp was here to scout and admire his pointer male, Topp's First J R. J R had a forward race the whole hour. Nice looking on the ground running and high and tight on point. Harold fired his gun five times during the brace. Two of his finds were in front after a big weeping move that amazed us how he got there so beautifully.

Runner-up was a dog that has been posed up a lot. Jim Lawless owns and handles Lawless Speck. Speck also was forward the whole hour. Speck has a hard-charging but never-letdown style. Jim was also off his horse five times; four finds and one stop to flush. At the stop to flush, the judges said they did not see a bird go.

The marshal did see a bird and shared it with the judges. Speck also had two of his finds just how you want to find them (dead to the front). His style was high and tight. Jim handled it a bit more cautiously. Speck has been placed in all-age and shooting dog stakes.

Excellent job, everyone. We will see you next year.

Chandlerville, Ill., February 28
Judges: Eddy Berendzen and Nathan Berendzen
ILLINOIS OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers
Winner-TOPP'S FIRST J R, 1672426, male, by Merrihill's Bravo-Aaron's Mae Be Good. Luke & Ria Topp, owners; Harold Gearhart, handler.
Runner-Up-LAWLESS SPECK, 1681205, male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Three Stripe's Fireball. Jim Lawless, owner and handler.

MAX ELDRED MEMORIAL OPEN DERBY - 8 Pointers
1st-SAGINAW LUKE SKYWALKER, 1697210, male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Bella Braveheart. Mark Johnson, owner and handler.
2d-ROLLING HILLS MIKE, 1700890, male, by Redhawk's Clyde-Rolling Hill's Alice. Jeff Wagoner, owner and handler.
3d-ROLLING HILLS KATE, 1700891, female, by Touch's Grey Street-Touch's Wimbledon. Jeff Wagoner, owner and handler.

Max Eldred Derby Winners: Saginaw Luke Skywalker and Mark Johnson. (Back row): Nathan Berendzen (judge) and Rolling Hills Mike with Jeff Wagoner. (Back row): Eddie Berendzen (judge), Rolling Hills Kate with Mark Livingston, and Purina rep Terry Trzcinski.