Event: Chasehill Snoop Dog Wins 74th Running
Result: Grand National Puppy Classic
Location: Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Post Date: Jun 9, 2023
Submitted By: Thor Kain
74th Grand National Puppy Classic Winners (l-r): John Stolgitis with Chasehill Snoop Dog, Tim Cavanaugh with Hog Hill Open Meadow, Russell Ogilvie (judge), Thor Kain (judge), Robert Ecker with Rockland Ridge McGraw, and Kristy Helmes with Grouse Hill Princess.
April 7th was the date that those with nominated puppies would put on their calendar for the chance to run their prospects in the premier Puppy Classic in the country. The breeders of the puppies have to nominate litters, and the owners pay a forfeit to be eligible to run, making this a true breeders' stake. This year's host grounds, located in the scenic Black Moshannon State Forest in central Pennsylvania, would be new to all as it has never hosted a grouse trial.
Joining me in judging duties was Russell Ogilvie from Maine. Russell's dog, Spring Brook Maximus, won the Grand National Grouse Championship last fall, earning him a spot in the previously mentioned Invitational. Russell is no stranger to grouse trials or judging. We both agreed we wanted to see a hard-driving, fancy pup who laid to the front and handled. The course was tight and thick in spots and only had two good spots to show a dog, the beginning and the end. This separated a lot of really nice puppies that may have placed had their handler been able to show them better this day.
The running started around 10 a.m. as we had to wait for the Grand National Grouse and Woodcock Invitational callbacks to be run before starting. After the Invitational winners were announced, we headed to the Puppy course and broke away under partly cloudy skies and cool conditions. The first dog to catch our eye was Rockland Ridge Rocky, a setter male handled by Robert Ecker, owned by Gary Chlapaty, and bred by Evangelos Aposporis. He ran in brace No. 2 and kept the front with little to no handling. As we rounded the bend to head through the open woods and finish, Ecker was able to sing him around from our front, and Rocky swung up through the pole timber and caught the front just how you'd want them to do it. His efforts earned him third place when the announcements were made.
The next dog that stood out was Grouse Hill Princess, handled by Christy Forman, owned by John Capocci, and bred by Evangelos Aposporis. This fancy female ran after her littermate Rocky and burned up the course with plenty of running style. She got a little behind in the first piece of cover, or she may have placed higher. Her run earned her the honor of fourth place.
The winner came out of brace No. 5. Chasehill Snoop Dog is bred, owned, and handled by Rhode Island pro John Stolgitis. Snoop is out of the famous Panola Bacon x Chasehill Little Izzy breeding. Prior breedings of this pair have produced multiple champions and kept on with the tradition of Chasehill breeding being superior grouse trial dogs. Snoop made a big breakaway cast but showed nicely going down the hill before the first turn. He hunted the cover in the bottom, and Stolgitis was able to show him when the course allowed for it. This promising young prospect runs with a high cracking tail, lightfooted gait, and blistering speed. All those qualities were what fellow judge and I wanted to see, and Stolgitis' ability to get the dog back
and show him at key parts of the course set him apart and earned him first place in this year's renewal.
The second-place dog came from brace No. 6. Hog Hill Open Meadow is owned, bred, and handled by Connecticut amateur Tim Cavanaugh. Meadow is as hard-charging as they come, with an easy gait. She made a big move going down the first hill and showed back up just in time to make the first turn. She got sticky on the last turn, separating her from the winner. We saw several nice puppies this day that will undoubtedly go on to do big things.
I want to thank Russell Ogilvie for judging with me, all the breeders who continue to support the Grand National Grouse Futurity, and the owners as well. The Grand National owes a big thank you to Greg Blair and Purina for their continued support of our events. Also, Garmin International for their gifts of Garmin products for the winner. I hope to see everyone this fall at the Grouse Futurity.
Philipsburg, Pa., April 7 - One Course
Judges: Thor Kain and Russell Ogilvie
74TH GRAND NATIONAL PUPPY CLASSIC - 10 Pointers, 13 Setters and 1 Irish Setter
1st--CHASEHILL SNOOP DOG, 1703110, pointer male, by Panola Bacon-Chasehill Little Izzy. Erin Stolgitis, owner; John Stolgitis, handler.
2d--HOG HILL OPEN MEADOW, 1700607, pointer female, by Trumped-Campbell's Hog Hill Remi. Timothy & Gabriel Cavanaugh, owners; Tim Cavanaugh, handler.
3d--ROCKLAND RIDGE ROCKY,1700815, setter male, by Grouse Hill Bullet Proof-Spata Setters Sally. Gary Chlapaty, owner; Robert Ecker, handler.
4th--GROUSE HILL PRINCESS, 1702135, setter female, by Grouse Hill Bullet Proof-Spata Setters Sally. Giovanni Capocci, owner; Christy Helmes, handler