GSPCA NAGDC Reporting

[AHGSP]

2012 G.S.P.C.A. National Amateur Gun Dog Championship hosted by Mayflower G.S.P. Club at Warriors Mark Shooting Preserve Ginter, PA. May 4-7, 2012

The Running: Series One - 30 minute braces with retrieve on course

Day One, First Series

Brace #1
DC Up N’ Adam’s Margarita, female, Call Name “Margret”, Handler: Thomas Tazza
DC/AFC Brysons Boxa Wendell W. Woodbriar, male, Call Name“Wendell”, Handler: Caleb Bryson
Both dogs took to a strong forward run upon release, quickly settling into a respectable, forward pattern. With both dogs making some eye catching forward casts in the more open switch grass strips as they moved South through the first fields. They handled kindly through the tighter, wooded areas, maintaining good contact with their handlers. Upon exiting the wooded area of the course, both once again began making forward cast, searching edges and objectives for game. “Margaret” was found pointing toward a lone pine along the hillside, on the East side of the course at 20 minutes, with nice style. After making several flushing attempts and searching the cover for the bird, the handler discovered a recently deceased quail. “Margaret” was mannerly and moved on with no further bird contact made. “Wendell” finished the course with no bird contacts and “Margaret” making no further contact, not permitting for opportunities to retrieve for either.

Brace #2
Snip’s Sixth-Sens Wyatt, male, Call Name “Wyatt”, Handler: Jonathan Sensinger
FC/AFC Gunnem Down Adolph, male, Call Name “Dolph”, Handler: Ron Schmeider
The dogs were released, with “Wyatt” initiating some early playful shenanigans toward “Dolph”. Both dogs quickly settled and got to business, well forward of their handlers. “Wyatt” and “Dolph” disappeared into the southernmost field, well ahead. Upon cresting the knoll, “Wyatt” was seen standing at a lone pine several hundred yards to the front at 10 minutes, displaying high style on both ends. “Dolph” shortly came around to his handler, from the woods, smelling strongly of Skunk. Upon a quick wash of his face, eyes and nose with water, “Dolph” was released, covering ground forward and quickly established a stylish honor behind “Wyatt”. A chukar was flushed and blanked for safety, with all done in a mannerly order by both dogs. “Wyatt” was seen making game along the hillside on the East side of the course, slamming into a hard point at 18 minutes. “Dolph” came around from above and established another stylish honor. A chukar was once again flushed and was blanked for safety, with both dogs remaining stylish and mannerly. Upon release, “Dolph” travelled a short distance and established a stylish point at 19 minutes. “Wyatt”, coming from below, sharply established honor as soon as he saw his brace mate. Upon the flushing attempt, a sickly looking quail ran out and was blanked, with all in order for both dogs. They continued charging until time was called. A chukar was planted for “Wyatt”. Point was quickly established, continuing through the distraction of a truck and ambulance entering the field. The bird was flushed and shot. Handler walked back to “Wyatt”, stroked him and sent him for the retrieve, which was finished neatly to heel and hand. A chukar was planted for “Dolph” and upon establishing point, the bird was flushed. Although well hit by the gunners, the bird fell as a cripple. Handler walked back and released “Dolph” to retrieve. Upon arrival at the bird, it made an attempt to get away. “Dolph” quickly snatched the bird and returned to present the bird to hand. Both of these dogs handled with minimal input, combing the course in front of the handlers, covering all likely edges and objectives.

Brace #3
FC/AFC High Roll-N’s Proposition, male, Call Name “Sonny”, Handler: Tim Zick
FC Odyssey’s Boxa Rise’ Ann Shine, female, Call Name “Ruby”, Handler: Caleb Bryson
At the break away, these dogs charged hard forward, with “Sonny” quickly grabbing the edge and disappearing over the knoll with goal and purpose. “Ruby” settled into a very nice, forward pattern, hunting edges and likely objectives. “Ruby” was found standing at 18 minutes with a high, stylish point. A quail was put up, with a blank fired. “Ruby” maintained both style and manners, with all in order. “Sonny” made game at 21 minutes, pointed hard with high style and intensity in a switch grass strip. A quail was flushed and blanked, with “Sonny” maintaining his high style and great manner. Both dogs continued on, well forward, covering likely cover throughout the remainder of the brace. “Ruby” was a kindly handling dog, requiring minimal input from her handler throughout the course. “Sonny” was a hard charging dog, displaying a nice handle on him through the second half. However, because of excessive absence early in the brace, was not able to be presented with the opportunity for a retrieve. A chukar was planted for “Ruby”, who established point. The chukar was flushed, but flew away, apparently unscathed. “Ruby’s” manners remained excellent, despite the missed opportunity. A second chukar was placed for her, and she quickly established a sharp point. The bird was shot and “Ruby” was sent for the retrieve, which she returned to the handler’s hand in a fine manner.

Brace #4
Baroness Dorthea Vom Reiner, female, Call Name “Dot”, Handler: Richard Cullerton
FC Up N’ Adam’s Silhouette, female, Call Name “Shadow”, Handler: Katrin Tazza
Upon release, “Dot” charged hard forward to the front and disappeared from sight over the knoll, while “Shadow” charged out and quickly settled into a nice forward, slightly quartering pattern, maintaining contact with her handler. Handler crested the knoll of the South field at 9 minutes, finding “Dot” standing, with a chukar up and walking away down field. “Shadow” came in and established a kindly honor at distance from “Dot”. As “Dot’s” handler approached, the chukar began to run away. Handler was given the option to blank the bird and move on, but elected to get the gunners and try to make an attempt at the shot and retrieve. After a 90 yard chase, the bird finally got up at the woods’ edge and was shot at. The bird continued to fly, unscathed through the trees. “Dot”, who had remained steady, was then was released on her handlers return. “Dot” went back to the tree edge, where the bird was flushed, in an apparent delayed chase. “Dot’s” handler recovered her. “Dot” was brought back forward, while “Shadow” quickly moved forward and headed East toward the back portion of the course. At 13 minutes, “Dot” was observed roding in on a bird at the wood’s edge. “Dot” crowded, put up bird and was then seen under it. She was picked up for her further breach of manners. “Shadow” made game and pointed for her handler at 28 minutes. A quail was produced and blanked with all manners and style in order, before time was called. A chukar was placed for her retrieving attempt, which she located and pointed. Upon the flush, the bird flew toward the judges and gallery, requiring a safety and no shot. A second chukar was then planted for “Shadow”, which she again pointed. The bird was flushed, presenting a clean and safe shot for the gunners, who promptly downed the bird. “Shadow’s” manners were all in order and she was sent for the bird, which she happily returned to hand.

Brace #5
FC/AFC Brysons Boxa Briarpatch Baby, female, Call Name “Briar”, Handler: Caleb Bryson
Fieldmaster’s Oregon Road Phosphorus, female, Call Name “Regon”, Handler: John Lucey
Both of these dogs charged hard to the front from the break away, with “Regon” grabbing onto the eastern edge and along the ridge line that divided the course. “Briar” elected to take the center chute out over the southern knoll. “Briar” quickly settled into an intelligent pattern of casting out and then working back toward her handler along the edges, putting the wind that was at our backs in her favor, as we headed South. After an extended leave, “Regon” was found off game on a turkey at approximately 12 minutes by her scout, just after the gallery had ridden past the unseen GSP in the wooded center course area. “Regon” was gathered up and taken forward by her handler, after the non-event. “Briar” continued around the course, now heading North into the wind and reaching forward. Upon release, “Regon” began to punch Northeast along a switch grass planting and promptly snapped into a hard and stylish point at 16 minutes. She demonstrated impeccable manners and style through the flush and blank, with all in order. Upon release, “Regon”, once again, charged hard forward and caught the front, while “Briar” continued her intelligent efforts to locate game, working the likely edges and objectives. As time was called, “Briar” had gone birdless, despite her tireless effort to locate game in the mid-day heat and dry air. “Regon” was unable to be offered an attempt at a retrieve, due to extended absence earlier in the brace.

Brace #6
FC/AFC Up N’ Adam’s Cut Me Loose, female, Call Name “Annie”, Handler: Thomas Tazza
Chocolate Coffee’s Pixie, female, Call Name “Pixie”, Handler: Kenneth Lynch
Upon release, “Pixie” quickly charged hard to the front, out over the southern knoll and out of sight. “Annie” charged forward, hunting the edges to the front of her handler, maintaining contact. At approximately 6 minutes, as we crested the knoll, “Pixie” was observed, running the furthest southern wooded edge. “Pixie” pulled off the edge, long enough to check a switch grass strip, before once again punching forward to the course dividing, wooded center. “Pixie” was found standing point in the wooded center at 12 minutes, with “Annie” backing. At the flushing attempt on the running bird, “Pixie” began moving with the bird, promptly put it to air and was picked up for her breach of manners. Meanwhile, “Annie” had remained mannerly and was able to be collared, to again be taken forward. “Annie” continued her edge checking pattern throughout the remainder of the course and time. Several times, “Annie” appeared to be making game, but was unable to produce a point….going birdless.

Brace #7
FC/AFC Fieldmaster’s Montauk Zephyr, female, Call Name “Natasha”, Handler: John Lucey
Red Oak’s Dez, male, Call Name “Dez”, Handler: Tim Molony
At the break away, both dogs tore away hard to the front and with definite purpose. Both dogs took the same line to the woods, disappearing at approximately the 4 minute mark. “Natasha” showed back to the front at 9 minutes in the eastern section of the course, while “Dez” took an extended absence until 16 minutes, before reappearing coming off the center ridge, into the middle of the eastern section of the course. Both dogs, utilizing the lands contour and edges, quickly disappeared once again to the front at 21 minutes. “Natasha” was seen at 23 minutes, making a move along the northeastern corner wood line, heading South, remaining forward ahead of the handlers. “Dez” quickly followed suit. Both disappeared amongst the wooded groves that were clustered along the far eastern field edge. “Dez” was brought back around by the handler, as the course bent back West toward camp. “Natasha” carried out, what was one of the boldest moves of the event in this reporter’s opinion, completely rimming the eastern edge of the property and returning down the center chute from the southern crest, where she was seen some 600-700 yards out, coming back to her handler. Both dogs frantically worked the last strips of switch grass, searching for game with plenty of gas in their tanks, as time was called. Neither dog could be given the opportunity for a retrieve, with both having gone birdless and “Dez” being absent too long at the beginning of the brace.

Brace #8
FC/AFC Odyssey’s Charismatic, female, Call Name “Miley”, Handler: Chuck Parietti
Wynfields Windswept Jerz Devil, female, Call Name “Diva”, Handler: Greg Nicholson
Both dogs broke away from the line, quickly moving forward in search of game. Both dogs broke over the southern knoll and into the fields below, wrapping around to the course dividing wooded cover. “Miley” was found standing at 10 minutes in the southern dividing wooded cover showing style and confidence. A quail was produced and blanked by the handler, with “Miley” demonstrating style and tight manners throughout. “Miley” was given a drink and a cooling wet down to help with the high heat, then moved on into the eastern side of the course. “Miley” was once again standing a confident point at 16 minutes, while “Diva” was cautioned into a back, as she came up the hillside toward the pointing dog, thereby preventing any chance of interference. A quail was flushed and blanked with all in order by both dogs. Both were quickly moved forward. “Diva” had a stop to flush at 23 minutes, on a wild flushed bird in the switch grass, demonstrating style and intensity. The bird was blanked with all in order and “Diva” was taken on. At 25 minutes and up until almost time, “Miley” was observed making some eye catching casts, up the opposing lines of the switch grass strips, methodically taking a line from one hillside, several hundred yards, all the way up to the opposite hillside. Moving forward a strip and then casting back down and across to the opposite hillside once again, “Miley” would move to the next strip, only getting slightly out of pocket once. Time was called as the northern corner of the course was reached with no further birds found by either dog. “Diva” was not called back for an opportunity to retrieve, because no game was pointed. A chukar was placed for the now quite hot “Miley”, which she quickly located and pointed. The bird was flushed and shot for the well broke dog. “Miley” was sent and retrieved the bird to the handler.

Brace #9
FC Baldur’s Magicc Carpet Ride, male, Call Name “Baldur”, Handler: Kimberly Eaton **Scratched**
FC Eshod’s Family Tradition, male, Call Name “Hank”, Handler: Dr. Orville Williams
“Hank” broke away with fire in his stride and quickly punched out of sight with his ground eating gait, taking an extended leave until 11 minutes, when he showed back at the front. He was more reserved in his pace along the eastern side of the course as we headed down the chute, showing the obvious effects of the heat and his initial hard cast off the line. He caught his second wind at 22 minutes and once again made a hard punch to the front going North, until he finally ran out of gas and the handler elected to pick him up at 28 minutes.

Brace #10
FC/AFC Wolf Plain Brooks Tucker, male, Call Name “Tucker”, Handler: Dennis Hazel
B. Docks Duke of Monroe, male, Call Name “Duke”, Handler: Bob Felins
Both dogs came off the break away, charging hard along the tree line heading South and out over the far hill, coming back around for a brief check after a minute or so and once again punched back forward, toward the south field. As we crested the knoll at 8 minutes, “Tucker” was seen to be standing, along the far southern tree line pointing, where a finger of trees stuck slightly out into the field. “Duke”, running the edge, came upon the pointing dog and established an honor some 40 yards in back of “Tucker” and well out of his handler’s control. Both handlers took a slow, leisurely pace, walking to the mannerly dogs, and ate up almost two minutes getting to them. “Tucker’s” bird turned out to be a chukar, which upon flushing, attempted to fly deeper into the woods. Its flight was cut short by an excellent shot through the tree cover by the gunner. Both dogs were tight and mannerly, displaying very high style throughout. “Tucker” was sent for the retrieve, which he rapidly made and returned the bird to hand. Both dogs were moved on, with “Duke” quickly establishing a point in the wooded dividing cover at 11 minutes. The find turned out to be a quail, which upon flushing, came back across the “Duke’s” front. “Duke” marked the blank being fired with a slight step. “Tucker” was found standing with high style once again at 14 minutes. “Duke” came in for a mannerly honor. The bird was flushed and blanked, with all in order. At 18 minutes, “Tucker” was seen making a big move several hundred yards up the southeast hillside in the switch grass, which he carried to the top, across and back down to the handler’s front, where he snapped into a point at 20 minutes. The bird was flushed and blanked with all in order. As “Tucker” was watered, “Duke” established a very stylish point at the end of a strip, less than 50 yards ahead. On what turned out to be a chukar, a very good gunning opportunity was provided for a retrieve. On the flushing attempt, “Duke” took several steps and had to be cautioned by his handler. The bird finally went up, was shot, while “Duke” remained standing. “Duke” was then released for the retrieve, which he made promptly to hand. After both dogs were once again cast off, “Duke” once again was seen standing game at 25 minutes, pointing into a switch grass row. The bird was flushed and blanked with all in order. “Duke” was sent on. Both dogs continued to make some very nice casts up until time was called at the northeastern corner of the course, ending Day 1 of the First Series of the 2012 G.S.P.C.A. National Amateur Gun Dog Championship.

Day Two, First Series

Brace #11
Palm Glades Jameson, male, Call Name “Jameson”, Handler: Tim Molony
FC/AFC WFK High Roll-N’s Money Pit’s A Blaze, female, Call Name “Blaze”, Handler: Tim Zick
These dogs came off the line charging forward, quickly moving out of view. Both dogs were found pointing a chukar in a divided find at 8 minutes, with the bird up and walking in front of them. The bird was flushed and both handlers fired blanks. Both dogs were mannerly and were released forward. “Jameson” and “Blaze” were once again found standing at 17 minutes on another divided find along a switch grass strip. A quail was produced and blanks fired. Both dogs again remained stylish and mannerly. They were released and continued forward with strength. “Jameson” was seen snapping into a point at 22 minutes, in rows of caged tree plantings, demonstrating high style and vibrant intensity. A quail was flushed and blanked, with the dog remaining motionless throughout. “Jameson” was moved on, charging off once again; to only go a very short distance before spinning into another point at 26 minutes. The quail was flushed and blanked with all in order by the stylish dog. Before sending “Jameson” on, the handler elected to take a moment to water him and it was then that “Blaze” was seen standing just forward on a find. After an extended flushing attempt, “Blaze” carded a non-productive and both dogs were sent forward to wind down the clock with no further work. A chukar was placed for “Jameson”, which he quickly established point on. The bird was flushed and its flight path offered no shot opportunity, requiring a safety. Another chukar was put down for “Jameson”. He repeated his previous performance, quickly locating and pointing the bird. The chukar was flushed and hit twice, sailing down with wings locked as though not hit. Handler initially thought the bird was not hit and was going to collar his dog away again, when he was informed the bird was dead and dog should be sent. Upon release, the mannerly “Jameson” made short work of getting to the bird and retrieving back to hand. “Blaze” was brought up to locate her chukar and, as with the previous retrieve, the first bird required a safety with no safe shot opportunity. A second bird was placed, which “Blaze” made short work of pointing. The bird was flushed and shot for the mannerly dog to make a quick retrieve to hand.

Brace #12
FC Odyssey’s Cool-J Callen, male, Call Name “Callen”, Handler: Chuck Parietti
FC/AFC Wolf Plain Brooks Raven, female, Call Name “Raven”, Handler: Dennis Hazel
Off the line, “Callen” headed for the western tree line along the center ridge and cast out of view charging hard, while “Raven” cast to the draw, then came back across the front and elected to also grab the western edge forward. At 5 minutes,”Callen” was seen casting along the south field edge, as “Raven” ran the same edge forward of “Callen”. “Raven” had disappeared into the wooded edge and upon being sent, her scout found and called her standing a bird in the woods’ edge at 11 minutes. We rode back to the standing dog and the judge left his horse in order to observe her work. A running chukar was found, flushed and blanked by the handler. All was in order by the sharp and mannerly dog. “Raven” made another long cast along the southeast ridge, following the contour and hunting all the likely edges and objectives. She was found standing in a grove of trees at 28 minutes. The handler elected to attempt a retrieve on the chukar, but the bird had other ideas. It ran around in the tight grove of small trees, refusing to leave the cover and seemingly had every intention of breaking the extremely mannerly “Raven”. The bird even seemed to taunt “Raven” as it ran toward her. The handler was finally able to chase the bird from the safety of the trees. It flushed and quickly placed the trees between it and the gunner, offering no killing shot. With that piece of work done, time was called. Having become so far separated from “Callen”, I had only judge’s notes to report that he was a nice going dog with a forward pattern that followed edges and reached for objectives, but that he unfortunately went birdless. A chukar was then placed for “Raven”, which she raced right toward, snapping into a sudden and sharp point. The bird was flushed from in front of the extremely mannerly and stylish dog, flying right at the judges, offering no shot and requiring a safety. A second chukar was planted, which “Raven” promptly found and pointed with the same intensity, as demonstrated during all previous bird work. The bird was flushed and offered an excellent shooting opportunity. The dog was sent, after demonstrating her manners, and with some repositioning of the large bird in her mouth, retrieved absolutely to hand.

Brace #13
WAK’s Tampa Orion, male, Call Name “Tampa”, Handler: William Kitts
CH Kanpoints Runaway to Cloverhill, male, Call Name “Dylan”, Handler: Ellen Cavalla
Upon release, “Tampa” quickly made strides to move well forward and was seen cresting out over the southern knoll, while “Dylan” charged forward and settled into a very comfortable forward pattern. As we came over the crest at 6 minutes, “Tampa” was seen scouring the edges and corners of the multiple switch grass strips, with “Dylan” moving down into the field to join the hunt. “Tampa” spun into a sharp point at 11 minutes, as he was checking back toward his handler. The bird turned out to be a quail with no shooting opportunity, was flushed and blanked, with all of “Tampa’s” manners and style in order. “Dylan” continued forward with his handler, repeating his handy pattern and checking likely cover. At 14 minutes, “Tampa” had a stop to flush on a quail with a blank being fired. All manners were in order and ”Tampa” was moved on. As we entered the eastern side of the course, “Tampa” had another stop to flush at 16 minutes in the switch grass, with a blank being fired and all manners remaining in order. “Dylan’s” handler did a good job of keeping him clean on “Tampa’s” second stop to flush. The bird had flown dangerously close over “Dylan’s” pattern, but remained unseen by the hunting dog. “Tampa” once again spun into a point in the switch grass at 19 minutes and it was determined to be a chukar, with an opportunity for safe shooting and a retrieve. The bird was flushed, cleanly dropped and after slight hesitation, was retrieved to hand by the mannerly dog. “Dylan” was observed standing at 23 minutes. His handler made several unsuccessful attempts to produce a bird. At the same time, “Tampa” established a point at the caged tree plantings 100 yards behind the front. After some flushing attempt by his handler, “Tampa” was relocated with no success, carding a non-productive and was moved on in a direction taking him away from the still standing “Dylan”. After “Dylan” was relocated, his handler was still unable to produce a bird and elected to move him on carding a non-productive as well. “Dylan” was once again standing point at 27 minutes and after an extended effort was made to find the bird, the mannerly dog was asked to relocate. “Dylan” relocated with care and caution before once again establishing point. After further extended attempts to locate and flush, well after time was called, the handler elected to collar the mannerly dog and go birdless.

Brace #14
Top Gun Tuxedo, male, Call Name “Tux”, Handler: Chris Carnahan
Up N’ Adam’s Motorin Scooter, male, Call Name “Scooter”, Handler: Thomas Tazza
Both dogs cast off the line with a skip in their steps and quickly reached the southern crest, heading out of view into the furthest field. At 6 minutes, as we crested the hill, both dogs were seen hunting the edge of the field along the woods heading East. “Scooter” once again left view into the wooded center course, as “Tux” edged it before also breaking in. “Scooter” showed out front at 11 minutes, as “Tux” was making a move up into the woodsy center course going North out of view, parallel to the eastern back course. “Tux” showed to the front in the back course at 16 minutes, coming off the center ridge and into the eastern fields. While “Scooter” maintained a forward edge and objective running pattern in a handy manner. “Scooter” established a point at 20 minutes and after an extended flushing attempt, was relocated with no success and taken on, carding a non-productive. “Tux” maintained a hard forward charging pattern, as “Scooter” once again established point at 26 minutes along a switch grass edge. The handler found feathers and elected to move the dog on with no relocation, carding a second non-productive. Both dogs finished with gas left to go, but unfortunately birdless.

Brace #15
FC/AFC Eshod Arkansas Lady, female, Call Name “Lady”, Handler: Dr. Orville Williams
Wynfields Redneck Woman, female, Call Name “Greta”, Handler: Greg Nicholson
Off the line, both dogs charged out with “Lady” continuing her cast out over the southern crest along the woods’ edge and out of view, while “Greta” cornered and ran the crest line East along a switch grass edge, before dropping over the knoll at around 2 minutes. As we crested and dropped into the lower field at 8 minutes, “Lady” was not to be seen. “Greta” was found standing along the bottom edge, obscured from view by brushy cover, slightly down from a bird, which had obviously run out on her. Upon a brief check of the cover, “Greta” was relocated and once again established a point, showing much more firmness and eye catching style. The chukar took off running again at the handler’s approach, running some 30 yards in front of the dog before getting up. The gunner fired at the flush, hitting the bird solidly, but upon hitting the ground, the bird was observed to have kept his track shoes on and took off running down into the woods at speed, with no opportunity for a retrieve. The stylish and mannerly dog was collared and taken on with all having been in order, once again charging forward with purpose. “Lady” remained lost from judgment at 12 minutes , but was later found on point after the conclusion of her brace, in the south woods below the field, standing on point. “Greta” handled well through the wooded center course, dropping down into the eastern back course and moving forward through the switch grass edges, checking all likely bird holding locations. At 24 minutes, “Greta” jacked up into a point in brushy cover along the East/West road that cut through the back course, on what proved to be a quail. The bird was flushed out of the cover, with a blank fired for the stylish and mannerly dog. “Greta” was moved on down course. “Greta” finished up the course with a chukar find as the seconds ticked down at 29 minutes. The bird was put up for her, with a shot fired and the retrieve was completed to hand.

Brace #16
FC Ricochet’s Lightning Twist, female, Call Name “Kite”, Handler: Rebecca Jacobs
CH Up N’ Adam’s Prairie Wind, male, Call Name “Keith”, Handler: Katrin Tazza
Off the break away, both dogs had an extended session of play and tag, which “Keith” seemed to instigate, before they separated and got down to business. Both dogs settled into a forward pattern, heading South, with “Keith” demonstrating handiness, as “Kite” opened up the throttle. “Kite” was observed charging along a switch grass edge in the south field, when she spun around and snapped into a very stylish point at 9 minutes. “Keith” pulled up just short of her on an honor. No bird could be produced and “Keith” was taken on. “Kite” was relocated, moving approximately 40 yards and once again established her very stylish and eye catching point. After an extended effort to locate and flush a bird, the handler once again attempted to relocate her, but “Kite” moved on down course and was carded a non-productive. At 16 minutes, both dogs were found to be standing in the southeast corner, pointing into an Autumn Olive cluster in a divided find. Upon both handlers going in, the bird got up with “Kite” breaking at the flush and “Keith”, after brief pause, followed suit. Both dogs were picked up for their breach of manners.

Brace #17
B. Dock’s Hickory Run, male, Call Name “Hickory”, Handler: Bill Felins
CH Zodiaks Desperado From Eagle Ridge, male, Call Name “Jesse”, Handler: Ann Spiegel
Coming off the line, both dogs went straight to business. “Hickory” elected to take the western edge off the line and out over the crest, while “Jesse” decided to take the eastern edge along the center ridge. “Hickory” was seen at 7 minutes on the southern switch grass edge, heading forward towards the wooded center course. “Jesse” was seen coming around the tree line from the East and hit the southern tree line, in response to his handler directing him where she wanted, having handled very well at distance. “Jesse” running this edge, snapped around into a high and stylish point at 16 minutes, on what proved to be a chukar that could be shot for a retrieve. The handler flushed the chukar, which turned back over the dog and head toward the trees. The gunners were able to make a very difficult shot and dropped the bird into the wooded cover. The handler released the stylish and mannerly dog for a quick and snappy retrieve to the heel position. With all in order,” Jesse” was moved East toward the wooded center course. “Jesse” quickly regained the front. As we moved North along the back course, “Hickory” was seen making game ahead and above “Jesse”, along the East/West road, though the back course, and promptly put the bird to air and was seen under the chukar at 23 minutes, but came back to deliver a quail to his handler on what his handler called…“an unauthorized retrieve”! “Jesse’s” handler took a very pro-active approach to keeping her dog clean and called him in, until “Hickory” was under his handler’s control. “Hickory” was picked up for his breach of manners. “Jesse” was then sent on to finish the course, hunting all of the likely objectives and edges that his handler directed him to, without further bird contact. As a note, “Jesse” and his handler demonstrated excellent team work throughout the course. “Jesse” responded to every cue he was given, and the handler took a very pro-active approach to moving him along the course. “Jesse” responded to every turn and cast asked of him.

Brace #18
FC Ricochet’s Arrieta, female, Call Name “Sid”, Handler: Todd Hardgrove
FC/AFC Brysons Boxa Lucky St. Lindy, female, Call Name “Lindy”, Handler: Caleb Bryson
Both dogs broke away going hard, with “Lindy” settling into a nice forward application for her handler as “Sid” charged forward over the crest and out of view. As we crested, “Lindy” was seen to be working the switch grass strips at 6 minutes, with “Sid” reappearing from the wooded center course. “ Lindy” established a point at 7 minutes in the southeast corner. “Lindy” relocated on the bird as we approached and was cautioned by her handler. The chukar was seen running in front and away from her, causing her to relocate once again. These relocations resulted in pressuring the bird to flight. “Lindy” was picked up for a breach of manners, while making a nice attempt to pin the running bird. “Sid” worked on, dropping into the back course and presented heading up the hill going East at 11 minutes. “Sid” proceeded well forward and made a move out over the hill that split the course going West. She left view at 13 minutes. At 18 minutes,” Sid” was seen casting out along the far northern hillside below camp, having run the entire ridge line in a game seeking cast, that was impressive in application. She came around for her handler and as we headed East up the end of the course, she established point on what was apparently a running chukar at 25 minutes. After several attempts to produce the bird, “Sid” was relocated and worked the cover smartly and sharply forward in an attempt to pin the bird, once again establishing a point. This game of point and relocate (read ”hide and seek”), continued through 3 attempts of trying to pin this track shoe wearing bird, but was unfortunately unsuccessful.

Brace #19
DC/NGDC/AFC Up N’ Adam’s Super Sioux, female, Call Name “Sioux”, Handler: Katrin Tazza
FC/AFC Wolf Plain Brooks Sally, Bitch, female, Call Name “Sally”, Handler: Dennis Hazel
Leaving the line, “Sioux” immediately broke left heading for the eastern rise along the center ridge and took it forward, while ”Sally” broke right and dug straight into the woods heading forward. Both dogs were out over the crest on opposite lines at 3 minutes and out of view. “Sioux” was seen in the southeast corner of the lower field, near a cluster of Autumn Olive on point at 9 minutes. She was observed relocating several times trying to pin the bird. “Sally” soon came in from the West along the edge and established an honor of “Sioux”. “Sioux” again relocated one last time and buried up into the Autumn Olive to pin the bird. The handlers arrived at the mannerly dogs at 12 minutes and determined the bird was a chukar and “Sioux’s” handler moved in to flush the bird with the gunners in place. The bird got up and offered a good shooting opportunity, was brought down and the mannerly “Sioux” was sent for the retrieve, returning the bird to hand. “Sally” had maintained her honor with no input required from her handler. With all in order by both dogs, they were moved on to continue the course. Both dogs handled well through the wooded center course, dropping into the back course at 15 minutes. They moved forward to the switch grass strips, as they turned North. At 22 minutes, both dogs were found along the brushy cover on the hillside, near the East/West road through the back course in a divided find on a covey of quail amongst some small pines. Both handlers moved in for a difficult flushing attempt. Birds were blanked and the dogs remained mannerly and with all in order to be moved on. Both dogs continued through the course, hitting all of the likely edges and objectives where one might hope to find game. Both punched out of sight along the drainage and contours, but showed back at the front as the clock ticked down, with no further bird work. A chukar was placed for “Sally”, which she made short work of pointing. The bird was flushed and well hit on the shot. The dog was sent, but the chukar remained lively enough to make one last jump and escape attempt, which” Sally” quickly stopped by snatching the bird in mid air, returning it to her handler’s hand.
This was the conclusion of Day 2 and the First Series of the 2012 G.S.P.C.A. National Amateur Gun Dog Championship


Second Series Call Backs
The Running: Second Series - Forty Five minute braces with no retrieving, on a new course
Six males and four females were called back to show their abilities to the judges once again in the Second Series, making 5 Braces of the Event’s top contenders. These ten German Shorthaired Pointers represented the best of the best in the opinion of the judges and all had earned the right to be given the opportunity, to be recognized as the best Gun Dogs the Breed has to offer.

Brace 1
FC/AFC Odyssey’s Charismatic, female, Call Name “Miley”, Handler: Chuck Parietti
WAK’s Tampa Orion, male, Call Name “Tampa”, Handler: William Kitts
At the release, “Tampa” charged hard forward, following the switch grass strip South, along the hillside and quickly disappearing out of view at the top of the drainage. He was seen at 3 minutes making a move up over the far hillside. “Miley” dropped straight into the bottom of the drainage and followed it until the contour pulled her back up and out to the switch grass strips well to her handler’s front. “Tampa” was seen at 6 minutes coming back to his handler as we made the top of the hill, dropping a quail in the mowed strip by a judge, unbeknownst to his handler. “Tampa” immediately turned back into the switch grass and stuck a point, on which he was mannerly for the handler’s flush and blank. But unfortunately, “Tampa” was no longer under judgment and was picked up for his breach of manners. “Miley” had continued forward with her handler and at 7 minutes, made game in a grove of aspen and locked into a stylish point. The bird presented a difficult flushing attempt, choosing to run in the cover, but was finally put to air and blanked with all in order. At 11 minutes, “Miley” made game and once again established a point along the edge where pines met the field. The chukar, an apparent liberated bird from the previous series, was flushed off course and blanked for “Miley”, with all in order. At 15 minutes, “Miley” made game, but was unable to lock it down and with no point called. “Miley” once again was found standing at 19 minutes, as we moved North along the eastern edge where field met pine and blueberry. The chukar was flushed and blanked, with all in order for the stylish “Miley”. She was seen to be standing inside an Aspen stand at 24 minutes, as we moved down off the ridge and started to bend back West. After an extended flushing attempt, “Miley” was relocated and once again established point, with the chukar running out as the handler approached. The bird was blanked for the mannerly “Miley” and she was taken on with all in order. “Miley” had chewed up a lot of course and it was decided the course would need to be extended, just as she once again established a point in another aspen stand at 33 minutes. The bird flushed wild as the handler approached and a blank was fired, with “Miley” presenting quality work. “Miley” was moved on, only going a very short distance, when she established point again at 35 minutes. A quail was flushed and blanked. “Miley” was sent onward. As we headed West; Miley had one final piece of bird work, an orderly stop to flush on a quail. She was sent on and moved up over the middle ridge to finish time in what had been the First Series break away.

Brace 2
FC/AFC Wolf Plain Brooks Tucker, male, Call Name “Tucker”, Handler: Dennis Hazel
Palm Glades Jameson, male, Call Name “Jameson”, Handler: Tim Molony
Both dogs powered off the line with a skip in their step and throttle down. They quickly punched through the first section and headed up top, over the middle ridge of the grounds, while eating the course that lay ahead of their handlers. Both dogs were seen working the hillside thoroughly, when steady rain began falling around the 6 minute mark. “Jameson” was found standing at 7 minutes, with great style and intensity on a quail that was walking in front of him. The bird was flushed and blanked with all in order. As we caught the front, “Tucker” was observed to be on a hard point at 10 minutes. The quail took a small hop, too wet to fly, and was blanked with “Tucker” remaining clean. Both dogs were seen making a long cast heading East, up over the ridge at 13 minutes. We found “Jameson” standing high on both ends at 16 minutes in the switch grass, as we crested. A very wet quail was able to make short flight, with “Jameson” ever so slightly turning to mark at the blank. As “Jameson” was cast on at 18 minutes. He charged up the edge of a switch grass strip, running by a chukar walking in the mowed portion. As he spun to point, the bird put on the track shoes and took off running, taking “Jameson” along for the race. “Jameson” was picked up for his lack of manners. “Tucker” was found pointing as we dropped out over the top at 20 minutes, standing tall and extremely intense. As the handler was making a flushing attempt, “Tucker” got a little happy with his feet, but remained standing at the flush and blank. “Tucker” charged off after his handler watered and gathered him up a bit, continuing his driven hunt. As we worked North down through the many small aspen stands, “Tucker’s” handle was crisp and responsive to his handler’s changes of direction. As we once again entered the more open switch grass fields, “Tucker” immediately punched off down course. He spun into an abrupt point amid a small stand of aspen at 29 minutes. A quail was flushed and blanked, while “Tucker” stood high, proud and absolutely motionless. Upon release, he punched hard forward, completely rimming the southwestern fields, before making his final charge along the West edge toward camp as time was called.

Brace 3
Snip’s Sixth-Sens Wyatt, male, Call Name “Wyatt”, Handler: Jonathan Sensinger
DC/NGDC/AFC Up N’ Adam’s Super Sioux, female, Call Name “Sioux”, Handler: Katrin Tazza
Off the line, “Wyatt” showed he was here to hunt and immediately dove along the drainage’s top edge heading South, before lifting slightly higher up the hillside and into the switch grass. “Sioux” followed off the line, but dropped deeper into the drainage heading South and was quickly observed putting up a wet quail. After catching it mid-hop, she brought it back to her handler and was picked up for her breach of manners. “Wyatt’s” handler gathered him up to keep him out of the melee, before once again sending him on toward the far hillside. “Wyatt” worked his way up the hillside, running the many switch grass edges and started toward the wooded section. He began making game around a large grove of trees and established a hard point at 10 minutes. A wet quail refused to flush, choosing to play hide and seek with the handler. Judges asked the handler to blank and move the orderly dog on. Upon release, “Wyatt” charged down off the ridge heading East and was seen attacking the next hillside going away. As the handler was making his way up the long hillside at 15 minutes, “Wyatt” was seen coming down the inner edge of the switch grass to check in with the wind at his back. A chukar popped up in front of him and seemed to hover just over the now skidding dog, as he attempted to stop. Temptation prevailed and “Wyatt” made a leaping grab. Seeming to know the error of his ways, “Wyatt” walked over to his handler to be leashed for his breach of manners.

Brace 4
FC/AFC Wolf Plain Brooks Raven, female, Call Name “Raven”, Handler: Dennis Hazel
FC/AFC Gunnem Down Adolph, male, Call Name “Dolph”, Handler: Ron Schmeider
Out of the gate, both of these dogs rocketed straight to the front; with “Raven” making a move down into the drainage and quickly punching up out the other side, charging South several hundred yards through the switch grass strips, going forward. “Dolph” followed suit, heading to the front at speed. Approaching 3 minutes, “Raven” was seen to be already making the move up and out over the top of the ridge, as “Dolph” worked his way up, casting along the switch grass edges. “Raven” was seen at 9 minutes, running the line heading East, up the center of the big ridge, several hundred yards out. Taking it almost all the way to the top of the ridge, at her handler’s signal, “Raven” bent back South and wrapped back down before once again beginning to ascend the ridge. “Dolph” was seen to be standing at 10 minutes, pointing toward a lone pine along the inner strip of switch grass, as we headed up the big ridge heading East. A covey of several very “damp” quail were seen to be running around near the base of the pine. After a difficult flushing attempt, the birds were able to be blanked for the stylish and mannerly “Dolph”. “Raven” was observed to be hustling out over the top of the ridge shortly thereafter, with “Dolph” doing the same at around 16 minutes. As we crested the ridge at 18 minutes, “Dolph” was seen to be running the edge of the pine and blueberry, as “Raven” continued her ground eating pattern, chewing through the switch grass strips in search of game and leaving view. At 22 minutes, as we wrapped along the eastern edge heading North, “Raven” was called standing from the gallery, after having been out of view of her handler for a couple minutes. Buried up and well hidden from her walking handler, the handler almost walked past the very intense, stylish and petit “Raven”. “Dolph” was seen to be charging down from above into what appeared to be an approaching “train wreck”. At the last moment, “Dolph” recognized the standing “Raven” and skidded into an abrupt honor. “Raven’s” handler demonstrated gentlemanly respect, by waiting to move in, while “Dolph’s” handler made his way to his mannerly dog. As “Raven’s” handler approached, a woodcock went up 20-30 yards in front to the pleasant surprise of all and a blank was fired for the dead broke Shorthair. Upon release, both dogs charged North going down off the ridge out of view and at 26 minutes, “Dolph” was found standing in an aspen stand with the mannerly “Raven” at honor. A quail was flushed and blanked. Both dogs had remained orderly and clean to be moved on. “Raven” and “Dolph” were turned West, toward the central ridge of the course, with both disappearing from view at 30 minutes. “Raven” was once again found standing buried in the switch grass at 34 minutes, while “Dolph” was found 70 yards away on the other side of the gallery wagon road pointing into a small grove of trees. “Raven’s” handler moved in, when yet another woodcock flushed up and out, with “Raven” remaining dead steady through the blank and was sent onward. Being separated, I was not able to see, but was informed by a judge that “Dolph” was in order on his bird work as well. When time was called both dogs were rimming the field and heading back toward camp.

Brace 5
CH Zodiaks Desperado From Eagle Ridge, male, Call Name “Jesse”, Handler: Ann Spiegel
Wynfields Redneck Woman, female, Call Name “Greta”, Handler: Greg Nicholson
Both dogs came off the line, charging hard forward out of view over a slight knoll, down the switch grass edge. “Jesse” was observed just a few moments later, coming back to his handler with a very wet, but very alive quail. He was picked up for his breach of manners, while “Greta” continued on up the first ridge. “Greta” was found standing at 6 minutes in switch grass up top, showing intense style and remained so throughout the very strong flushing attempt and blank. “Greta” was moved on, quickly dumping down into the bottom, before beginning to ascend the big ridge heading East to the top of the course. She was seen to be standing half way up, pointing under a lone pine in the switch grass at 15 minutes, where a covey of wet birds had been found on the previous brace. Once again, the birds were seen running around at the base of the pine and after strong efforts to flush by “Greta’s” handler, the birds were blanked. “Greta” again demonstrated excellent manner and style. “Greta” was moved on and continued searching the edges of the woods and switch grass, as we wrapped the top of the hill and began to head toward the southeastern corner. She was observed entering an aspen stand and was found pointing on the inside of it at 30 minutes, as the rain began to come down in earnest. A quail was observed to be running out and was blanked with all in order for the staunch “Greta”. Upon being released, “Greta” charged a short 50 yards, before snapping into a point amidst another small stand of aspen and a lone pine. A chukar was seen to be running under the low boughs of the pine and was chased out by the handler. From more open ground, the bird flushed and was blanked for the well broke “Greta”. When released, she moved toward the central ridge. As we were working up the hill, “Greta” was seen cresting at 36 minutes. At 39 minutes, as we caught the top, “Greta” was found standing in switch grass on top, as a nervous and very wet quail was walking in front of the mannerly Shorthair. Upon a brief chase by the handler, the bird was blanked with “Greta” demonstrating the same manners as she had all through the course. She was sent on, dropping down into the western field and heading back toward camp as time was called.

This concluded the Second Series of the 2012 G.S.P.C.A. National Amateur Gun Dog Championship.

[ACooper]

Nice job Bruce, really appreciate the time you invested.

[cmc274]

Great report Bruce. The write ups on my dog and the other braces I remember are spot on. You've set the bar pretty high.

[raven34]

Bruce
Thank you so much for never taking your eyes of the dogs!!!! Sitting in a saddle all day for three days!!! Taking the time to put all this info together so the owner's can relive a play by play of the event ..... Nice job, much appreciated, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Jen

[dockgsp]

Bruce,

Nice job,

Thanks

Bill

[1doogie]

Awsome job Bruce! I just relived the whole weekend!

[northern cajun]

Excellent Job Bruce very well done.

[The Zephyr]

Thanks, Bruce. Great write-up.

John L.

[SubMariner]

On behalf of those of us who couldn't attend, many thanks for your reports!

[doco]

Great Job Bruce!

[AHGSP]

Thanx Ya'll, glad it read well enough and was enjoyed.
I couldn't have done it without Mason Dixon GSPC Member Pat Dady helping with the editing and proofing to get the notes down to a manageable size, while still keeping as much info as possible. I also owe a thanx to Missy Neal for her last minute catch as well. Should be in July/August issue of the Shorthair Journal I'm thinking, as well as in the Chronicle in the next month or so, with the additions of a "Front Story", thanx to all the sponsors and congratulations.

[TraditionsGSPs2010]

Bruce,

That was a nice read. I have never attended an event like that but I felt like I could see everything that happen with your descriptions. Pretty cool!

[ezzy333]

You did a good job Bruce. That type of reporting always helps when you can't be there.

Thank you

Ezzy

[rschmeider]

Nice write up Bruce.. LOL about the smellin strongly of skunk...Only thing you left out was,,,,How the Judges eyes watered from the performance that Pepe La Pew laid down...And how the gallery was grasping for air

[Ruffshooter]

I truly enjoyed reading your accounts. Very nicely done.
Thanks for the hard work and descriptive manner.
Rick