Bluegrass Walking Shooting Dog Club trial results
The Bluegrass Walking Shooting Dog Club hosted their second field trial of the 2019-2020 season where 60 entries drew into six stakes consisting of 21 handlers from seven different states. The two days running took place on the beautifully manicured Miller Welch-Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area thanks to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and in part with Mr. Bill Brown�s efforts who also graciously presided over the shooting dog stakes alongside good friend Mr. Bill Hoover of Felicity, OH. These two gentlemen are hands-on dog men breeding, breaking, trialing, and judging over hundreds of stakes both within the walking and horseback realms. Their time, patience, undivided attention to our entrants, and opinions were greatly respected and received. Further to that, the sky graciously parted for the two day affair offering the competitors two gorgeous days to run in what has been a very wet season.
The club cannot thank the participants, volunteers, and spectators enough for supporting this event. It takes good people to have a good field trial and there was no shortage of good people at this competition. The club would like to personally thank Greg Slone and Brett Francis for their scouting, horses, and four-seater side by side in addition to the two pork butts Greg smoked and donated for lunch. Mike Fox also pitched in some Sloppy Joes to supplement the chili and hotdogs Marie Vitali and Andrea French served while hustling in the kitchen feeding 50 to 60 people on the first day�s running. Donna Boatright and Kelsey Kleve stepped up on day two helping in the kitchen, cleaning, and straightening everything up with Terry Boatright loaning his side by side and dog wagon services as well. These folks� help and support is a God send and they did a miraculous job.
The first stake to commence was the 10 entry Open Shooting Dog Stake won by two time champion French�s Wizard of Oz owned and handled by Mr. Brian French of Georgetown, KY. Ozzie laid down his patented strong forward race as was the case back in November when Ozzie won this club�s Open and Amateur Shooting Dog Stake. Ozzie required little handling while staying well to the front carding his first find at 9� just before the creek crossing in the heavy cover coming out of Dewey Bottoms. Ozzie�s next find came ten minutes later scouted on point with his third and final find on a single at 25� going away strong. Second place was another two time champion All Out suffering an unproductive at the 15 minute mark but making up ground quickly by turning up the heat with a big ground race finishing with a brilliant find right before pick up. Third place was champion Wild Apple Spot On owned and handled by Craig Doherty of Dummer, NH. Spot also suffered an unproductive early at 9� but forgot about it quickly applying himself diligently and powerfully through the rest of the course rimming edges and checking likely pockets nailing a single 18� in a mannerly stand. Scenting conditions were less than ideal during this stake with a significant frost and frozen top soil.
The Amateur Shooting Dog stake followed drawing 12 entries with All Out once again being called to the winner�s podium but this time being awarded the blue ribbon. This brace created some anticipation amongst spectators being that Nick�s bracemate was also two time champion in French�s Wizard of Oz. Nick logged two flawless finds coupled with flashes of forward piloting hammering down the various edges of woods and feed strips while pushing himself to the limits of the course requiring additional real estate to finish out the half hour. Second place honors went to Gerry Addison�s Whisper Ridge Rosie. This regally bred female by Terhaar�s Elvis out of Tehaar�s Rogue had an action packed run starting with a back and later, seemingly, dividing a find in which Addison elected to let his bracemate handler attempt to flush. When Rosie�s bracemate suffered a breach in manners causing the bird to take flight, Rosie remained tight and staunch paying no mind to the bird or the chaos that ensued. Rosie rounded out her half hour on a multiple bird find in heavy brush in which two groups of quail were raised all while Rosie under much composure stood tall and proud. Coal Camp�s Willie owned and handled by Adam Thomas rounded out the top three displaying a willingness to handle easily for his handler showing the judges a very poised stand on his only find when a single bird flushed right over the muzzle of the son of Hunter�s Pale Face.
The Open Derby wrapped up a perfect first day�s running with Bill Siemer and his pointer duo making a serious statement about the talent on Siemer�s string. Pointer female BK�s Sunny Day, a daughter of the 2019 Grand National Grouse Champion Titanium�s Hammer, would be named best of 11 juveniles with a couple finds, one of which very memorable being right before pick up on a stubborn single in a feed strip where the pointer was scouted standing and elegant style and manners through the flush. Kennel mate BK�s Rolling Dice by Railhew Explorer took claim to the second place honors. Vitali�s Grouseringer Justify justifiably earned the third place spot furthering the son of Erin�s Hidden Shamrock consistent season in the derby ranks within the Kentucky walking circuit. The club�s derby stakes this trial season has been the most contested class which will surely bode well for these young prospects as they graduate to first year shooting dogs next season.
There was no shortage of puppies on hand kicking off the second day�s running with 16 entrants drawn. The judges noted the distinct maturity and willingness to be forward with this company of puppies making deliberating placements a very difficult task. Ultimately the best to be shown was that of Tim Kisieleski�s Chasehill Little Tabbby handled by Craig Doherty. Tabitha made several spine tingling mature moves down field lines and along heavy cover all while handling remotely at Craig�s direction being able to maneuver the pointer female around the bending course. Second place was in Vitali�s Grouseringer Shiner. Early in Shiner�s bid, several deer were put to foot with Vitali being able to handle his charge clear of the enticing potential to give chase showing great maturity. Shiner went on in a fast paced advance reaching the extents of portions of the course all while maintaining the duty to hunt and locate game. Another of the Grouseringer soldiers, Vitali�s Grouseringer Pappy, yet another consistent homebred youngster in Kentucky, took third while handling for Vitali in what is becoming a personalized athletic and snappy ground race this prospect consistently presents.
Two new stakes for the club were on offer to accommodate a variety of competitors were the Open Shooting Dog Qualifier and Open Derby Qualifier stakes. These stakes are restricted to individual dogs that have yet to earn a placement in their respective age classifications similar to that of handicap races in horse racing.
The Open Shooting Dog Qualifier saw Outcast Kennels� James Kleve handle handsome tri-color setter male Berg Brothers Blue owned by John Edstrom of Minnesota to first place. Blue quickly found his groove in Dewey Bottoms showing independence all while making coherent moves in search for birds fervently slinging the Berea mud wanting to go on at pick-up. Second place position once again was occupied Gerry Addison�s Whisper Ridge Rosie and third place, the daughter of Lester�s Sky Jam, Pistol Patch Annie recording her first open placement under the whistle of Tim Mulvaney.
Top dog in the Open Derby Qualifier concluding all stakes was Don & Dewey Mullins� Double Trouble Boy handled by Joseph Hopkins. Boy finished the half hour with a picturesque find where a tightly sitting single was put to flight. Boy�s owner Mr. Dewey Mullins will turn 100 this year and most notably bred 1980 National All-Age Champion Builder�s Addition breeding his superb producing female Bearwallow Babe to Builder's Risk and is STILL breeding to this very day. Second place was Boy�s bracemate once again from the Bill Siemer string in Kelly�s Rainbow Krin owned by Kelly Shepherd. The compact setter female systematically applied herself throughout the course in a hastily, speedy race in and out of cover while going with her handler in a forward pattern.
All in all this field trial was an immense success and not enough gratitude can be given to all those who made it all possible. The club would like to thank our sponsors Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Mule Brand Clothing & Apparel, Gun Dog Supply, and Gundog Central for their continued support of our great sport.
The Bluegrass Walking Shooting Dog Club strives to promote and advocate for walking trials and all field trials in general with new participation in the sport being one of its primary goals. The club is proud to say three new handlers dipped their toe in the walking field trial waters hopefully solidifying three new regular participants and patrons. Another welcome site during the running was the presence of several youngsters having more fun than should be allowed. It�s these kids and their exposure to bird dogs and field trials that hopefully encourage them to take up the flag when their time comes and continue the deeply rooted heritage of field trialing.
