Location: Rochester, Pennsylvania
Post Date: Jun 4, 2024
Submitted By: Mike Husenits
Open Shooting Dog Qualifier (l-r): West Wind Big Jake with Gerry Mercatoris, Millers Dusty Version with Mark Hughes, and County Line Sky with Patti Chelednik. (Standing): Tim McClurg (judge) and Nick Lasica (judge).
The spring field trial sponsored by the Greensburg Pointer and Setter Club was conducted May 3-5 at grounds owned by the Beaver Valley Pointer and Setter Club near Rochester, Pennsylvania. This well-known venue has hosted field trials for the past 75 years, and the Club continually looks ahead for a bright future.
The dedicated young and enthusiastic persons responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing the details that ensured a successful event were Nick Lasica and Justin Mason, along with their significant others, Giannia Kustra and Karah Thatcher. Giannia and Karah prepared and served delicious meals. On Saturday, pulled pork was the main dish, and Mexican Tacos on Sunday, plus salad and many other side dishes. Mrs. Bob Smith assisted with the meals daily. On Friday, freshly prepared Domino's Pizza fed everyone in attendance; the food was complimentary of the Club. Nick Lasica and Justin Mason handled the advertising, secured judges, held the draw, made brace sheets, and collected entry fees and essential information. A pair of dependable workaholics, to be sure!
Our primary sponsor is Purina. Without the support of Greg Blair and his team, field trial clubs wouldn't be able to sustain the number and high level of competitive events we enjoy today. Thanks to Purina, all winners won discount coupons for Purina dog food.
Thanks to Chris Catanzarite, Dave Park, Tim McClurg, and Brian Ralph for generously donating the use of their horses for the judges and gallery. Thanks to Dave and Mark Hughes, Bob Smith, Justin Mason, and Norm Meeder for the use of their all-terrain vehicles for dog wagons, bird planting, and an interested gallery.
A panel of knowledgeable, experienced, attentive sportsmen and women handled judging duties. Nick Lasica and Dave Park teamed up for the Open stakes on Friday along with Tim McClurg. Nick Lasica and Johnna Zona evaluated the Puppy stakes. Sarah Gomes and Krysta Munden teamed for the Open Derby. Chris Catanzarite and Dave Park judged the featured Open Walking Shooting Dog. Jeff Crum and Brian Ralph teamed up for the Amateur Shooting Dog. Joe Cammisa and Nick Lasica evaluated the Open Gun Dog.
Norm Meeder, Bob Smith, Reese Carroll, and Tyler Bower performed the all-important bird planting. The Club appreciates their long hours on the job.
Most gratifying was the number of youngsters in attendance, particularly two young gentlemen who impressed even the seasoned veterans with their handling skills. Young Reese Carroll placed two dogs in the Open Puppy class, and 11-year-old Grayson Fox handled first and second-place winners in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. Reese has also competed and placed here in previous trials.
Weather conditions were typical for springtime in the Northeast, with cool mornings, warm afternoons, and a few rain showers on Saturday.
The Open Horseback Shooting Dog ran first on Friday with Mac's Real McCoy, a Pointer male, taking top honors for owner/handler Tim McClurg with a strong front-running ground heat, a pair of finds handled with high style and proper manners, his finish powerful and going away. Second was Miller's Special Upgrade, a Pointer female owned by Carlos Escalante and handled by Mark Hughes to a far-reaching forward race, with two perfectly handled finds and a far-flung finish. Third went to Double Deuce Zeke, multiple champion Pointer male owned by Doug McMillen, also handled by Mark Hughes, to a medium-range wisely directed ground heat with three finds, all handled perfectly. Closest to the winners was Sadie with one find and a classy race.
The Open Horseback Derby first place was Backcountry Champagnesupernova, a Pointer female owned and handled by Chris Catanzarite, to a wide forward race and perfectly handled birdwork. Nova, or "Flex," has compiled a very impressive derby season record with placements in three futurities and several other top derby stakes, and her future is bright.
Second was Mac's Silver Moon, a pointer female owned and handled by Tim McClurg, to a well-applied forward ground race complemented with mature birdwork and a strong finish.
The Open Shooting Dog qualifier first place was West Wind Big Jake, a strapping Pointer male owned by Gerry and Janie Mercatoris and handled by Mark Hughes. Jake canvassed the course far to the front with plenty of eye appeal, disappeared near the far turn, and was found standing like a marble statue along the wooded edge at 25; Jake displaying perfect manners, then forward to finish going away.
Second went to Millers Dusty Version, a Pointer female owned by Mike Husenits and handled by Mark Hughes, to a classy, wide-ranging ground race coupled with a pair of maturely handled finds, plus a strong finish.
County Line Sky, a Pointer female owned by Tony Napolitano and handled by Patti Chelednik, took third with a consistent, well-directed race and one perfectly handled find.
Closest to the winners was Bitty with three mannerly finds, her handling response a bit erratic.
The winner of the Open Walking Puppy was Backcountry Jacob, handled by young Reese Carroll, to a wide-ranging, hard-hunting forward ground race.
Second went to William P. Yant's "Sadie," a Setter female that demonstrated plenty of potential with a fast, snappy way of going and relentless stamina. Reese Carroll also handled Backcountry Fearless to third on the virtues of a far-ranging race directed to likely objectives and a willingness to handle.
First in the Open Walking Derby went to CC Lenni Lenape, a hard-hunting Irish setter owned and handled by Al Fazenbaker. Lenni was found at 9 by scout Grayson Fox, pointing in heavy cover; this a maturely handled find. Lenni was sent ahead and found backing bracemate at 20 near the far corner, good manners exhibited. After watering, Lenni finished strong and forward.
Second was Hitail Roxy Afield, a Setter owned and handled by Russ Fazio, to a classy medium-range ground race and a stylish find handled with advanced derby manners.
Millers Dusty Version was third with a front running far-reaching ground race and one stylish find where Dusty turned to mark the flight of the bird that flew behind; Dusty steadfast for the shot, finishing well ahead, going strong.
The featured Open Walking Shooting Dog stake drew 19 top-notch competitors. First place honors went to Saddled Up Sadie, a 3-year-old Pointer female owned by Joe Cammisa and handled by Mark Hughes, to a far-reaching forward ground race combined with finds at 12, 18, and 29, all pointed with high, intense style and perfect manners at flush and shot.
Miller's Special Upgrade, or "Penny," notched her second placement of the weekend for owner Carlos Escalante and handler Mark Hughes with a wide-ranging ground race, Penny hunting the likely objectives and handling like a glove. Her two finds were stylish and handled with proper manners, her finish going away.
Mark Hughes made a clean sweep by taking third with Double Deuce Zeke, also his second placement of the trial, for owner Doug McMillen. Zeke's race was somewhat less in overall range versus the higher-placed dogs, but his birdwork was stylish, and he showed flawless manners on each of his two finds.
All winners in the Amateur Puppy demonstrated potential for a bright future with Souleret's Cathasach Lady, a classy English setter female named first with a far-reaching, eye-catching performance.
"Storm," a Pointer male, took second with a classy medium-range effort, and a Pointer male named "Moose" was third with slightly less overall range than the other winners.
The highly competitive Amateur Shooting Dog was laden with worthy performances. Young Grayson Fox handled the first and second-placed dogs with confidence and expertise that belied his tender age. Foxy Abralena ran a well-directed forward race, maintaining a consistent pattern and always in tune with her handler. Lena's performance in the first brace included three solid finds evenly spaced throughout her stint. Lena pointed her birds with high style and granite-like intensity, maintaining perfect deportment at flush and shot. She finished going away.
Second place, Foxy Lady Sadie hunted the front with eagerness, displaying plenty of eye-catching animation. She found birds three times, each pointed with exact location, intensity, and polished manners. The judges noted that the slight difference between first and second was a little more pointing style shown by the winner.
Wildland Sweet Caroline was third for owner/handler Eric Munden. "Carol's" ground race was forward with several far-reaching casts to likely objectives holding the judge's attention. She scored a perfectly executed find at 12 along the top field edge, her finish ahead and to the limits. The judges noted that the two dogs closest to the winners were "Chess" with three finds and "Wayne" with two, both with extra wide ground races. Other contenders included "Ellie" and "Jiggs."
The standard for the Open Gun Dog stake was to honor the ideal foot-hunting dog with judgment ceasing at flush. All three winners met the standard, leaving the judges with a hard decision. First was "Stella," a fast-moving Brittany female that canvassed the fields in sweeping fashion, backed once and pointed twice with perfect location.
Second went to Bailey, a hard-hunting German Shorthair female that also carded one back and scored a pair of finds.
Third-place Caliber Peak Hundred Proof, a most stylish Pointer male, handled well with a bit more range than the others, scoring finds at 7, 15, and 20.
Rochester, Pa., May 3
Judges: Nick Lasica and Dave Park
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 10 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-MAC'S REAL MCCOY, 1686791, pointer male, by Mac's Silver Chief-Mac's Silver Shadow. Timothy McClurg, owner and handler.
2d-MILLER'S SPECIAL UPGRADE, 1695107, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-DOUBLE DEUCE ZEKE, 1673940, pointer male, by Double Deuce Peter-Funseeker's Holiday. Douglas E. McMillen Jr., owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
OPEN DERBY - 5 Pointers
1st-BACKCOUNTRY CHAMPAGNESUPERNOVA, 1701699, female, by Dragonfly-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
2d-MAC'S SILVER MOON, 1700895, female, by Mac's Silver Chief-Mac's Silver Shadow. Tim McClurg, owner and handler.
Judges: Nick Lasica and Tim McClurg
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 7 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-WEST WIND BIG JAKE, 1685412, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Brave Heart Cassie. Gerry & Jane Mercatoris, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.
2d-MILLERS DUSTY VERSION, 1706290, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Mike Husenits, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-COUNTY LINE SKY, 1694900, pointer female, by Lester's Shockwave-Lester's Speed Lady. Anthony Napolitano, owner; Patti Chelednik, handler.
Judges: Krysta Munden and Sarah Gomes
OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-CC LENNI LENAPE, 1705228, Irish setter male, by Silver Creek Wild Again-Roses Are Red. Allen Fazenbaker, owner and handler.
2d-HITAIL ROXY AFIELD, 1705101, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
3d-MILLERS DUSTY VERSION, 1706290, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Mike Husenits, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
Open Walking Shooting Dog (l-r): Saddled Up Sadie with Joe Cammisa, Miller's Special Upgrade with Mark Hughes, and Double Deuce Zeke with Doug McMillen. (Standing): Chris Catanzarite (judge), Dave Park (judge), and Grayson Fox.
Judges: Chris Catanzarite and Dave Park
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 13 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 3 Irish Setters
1st-SADDLED UP SADIE, 1699757, pointer female, by Double Deuce Zeke-Beaver Meadow Rose. Joe Cammisa, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
2d-MILLER'S SPECIAL UPGRADE, 1695107, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Carlos Escalante, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-DOUBLE DEUCE ZEKE, 1673940, pointer male, by Double Deuce Peter-Funseeker's Holiday. Douglas E. McMillen Jr., owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
Judges: Nick Lasica and Jhonna Zona
AMATEUR PUPPY - 8 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-SOULERET'S CATHASACH LADY, 1705450, setter female, by Stillmeadow's Benjamin-J's Stillmeadow's Maggie. Larry W. Souleret, owner and handler.
2d-STORM, unreg., pointer male, breeding not given. Tony Napolitano, owner; Patti Chelednik, handler.
Amateur Shooting Dog (l-r): Foxy Abralena with Grayson Fox, Foxy Lady Sadie with Mike Fox, and Wildland Sweet Caroline with Eric Munden. (Standing): Jeff Crum (judge) and Brian Ralph (judge).
Judges: Jeff Crum and Brian Ralph
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 11 Pointers, 6 Setters, and 4 Irish Setters
1st-FOXY ABRALENA, 1682017, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner; Grayson Fox, handler.
2d-FOXY LADY SADIE, 1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner; Grayson Fox, handler.
3d-WIDLAND SWEET CAROLINE, 1692066, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Beaver Meadow Rose. Eric Munden, owner and handler.
Judges: Nick Lasica and Jhonna Zona
OPEN PUPPY - 4 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BACKCOUNTRY JACOB, 1705244, pointer male, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner; Rose Carroll, handler.
2d-MEADOWINK RAE OF SUNSHINE, 1705287, setter female, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. William P. Yant III, owner and handler.
3d-BACKCOUNTRY FEARLESS, 1705245, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner; Reese Carroll, handler.
Open Puppy (l-r): Backcountry Jacob with Reese Carroll, Meadowink Rae of Sunshine with William P. Yant, and Backcountry Fearless with Chris Catanzarite. (Standing): Jhonna Zona (judge), Nick Mellon, and Nick Lasica (judge).
