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Result: Ruffed Grouse Field Trial Club

Location: Gladwin, Michigan

Post Date: May 12, 2025

Submitted By: Tammy Chaffee

Ruffed Grouse OSDS25

Jack Secor Open Shooting Dog: Tammy Chaffee with Meridith Grade Corky, Scott Chaffee (with red ribbon), Brandon Short (judge), Lonnie Rademacher with Springpond Rockin Gibby, Jeff Secor (holding trophy), and Jimmy Johnson (judge) joined by field trial participants. [Not pictured: Snyder's Big Nose Kate].

The Michigan spring has been late in hatching this year, with little rain, making conditions somewhat challenging for this year's spring trial. Nevertheless, the Club ran a quality trial, with numerous finds on wild birds for the contenders.

Chris Wasserman acted as field trial chairman for the absent Bryan Wood and managed a full weekend well. The club drew 91 dogs to run over three days, a very daunting task! We had plenty of help of course, with Rich and Jenny Hollister handling the horse wrangling duties, director Marc Dozeman and his wife Betsy treating us to their delicious breakfast burritos every morning and club directors Lonnie Rademacher and Rob Ellis, along with many non-members pitching in to marshal, move cars and anything else that needed to be done. We truly have a close-knit community working together to make the trials go smoothly. The club would also like to thank sponsor Purina, which provided the winners with coupons for bags of Pro Plan.

The Jack Secor Memorial Open Shooting Dog began first thing Friday morning on Course 4. With a 48-dog entry, everything had to move efficiently. Judges Jimmy Johnson and Brandon Short finished two days of judging with eight dogs finishing with broke birdwork. They awarded Springpond Rockin Gibby, owned and handled by Lonnie Rademacher, the blue ribbon. Gibby's placement was driven by a beautiful grouse find coupled with a strong, forward race. Second went to Snyder's Big Nose Kate, owned by Steve Snyder and handled by Tammy Chaffee. Kate had a powerful race along with a very nice woodcock find. Third was Meridith Grade Corky, owned by Dennis Keysor and handled by Tammy Chaffee. Releasing on Course 9, Corky ran a far-reaching race coupled with a staunch and challenging grouse find near the end of the brace.

The John R. Stuart Derby Classic began on Course 13 on Saturday at the conclusion of the Open Shooting Dog stake. According to judges Tom Fruchey and Jeff Sweet, first-place dog Moss Meadow Searcher, owned and handled by Ken Moss, lived up to his name by searching all the birdy places. He was rewarded with a well-located grouse find. Second was Singletons Gracie May, owned and handled by Mike Singleton. May showed tremendous foot speed. Her woodcock find made her the easy choice for a close second. In third was Rowling's Donna, owned and handled by Chuck Rowling. Donna is a very classy setter with good range. She impressed the judges with a nice grouse find during her heat.

The Bernie Bauman Memorial Open Puppy was moved to the spring, when the club decided to drop the fall puppy stake. Judges Mike Brown and Steve McKalko looked at 10 potential future stars and chose the following slate: first--Heartbreaker Bud Light, owned by Tom Butts and handled by Tammy Chaffee; second--Northern Sundance, owned by Nicholas Buggia and handled by Thomas Butler; third--Erin's Green River, owned and handled by Mike Francus. In the judges' opinion, these three showed a promising future as cover dog contenders.

Gladwin, Mich., April 11
Judges: Jimmy Johnson and Brandon Short
JACK SECOR MEMORIAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 16 Pointers, 30 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-SPRINGPOND ROCKIN GIBBY, F1685618, setter male, by Springpond Rockin Autumn-Tailsup Olive. Lonnie Rademacher, owner and handler.
2d-SNYDER'S BIG NOSE KATE, F1702168, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-Eldridge's Beauty and Beast. Steve Snyder, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler.
3d-MERIDITH GRADE CORKY, F1681353, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Call Me Maggie. Dennis Keysor, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler.

Ruffed Grouse ODS25

John R. Stuart Derby Classic: Jeff Sweet (judge), Ken Moss with Moss Meadow Searcher, Rich Hollister, Scott Chaffee, Mike Singleton with Singletons Gracie May, Tom Fruchey (judge), and Chuck Rowling with Rowling's Donna.

Judges: Tom Fruchey and Jeff Sweet
JOHN R. STUART DERBY CLASSIC - 12 Pointers, 18 Setters, and 2 Brittanys
1st-MOSS MEADOW SEARCHER, F1709320, setter male, by Moss Meadow Seeker-Tupelo Honey. Ken Moss, owner and handler.
2d-SINGLETONS GRACIE MAY, F1711859, setter female, by Ponderosa Mac-I'm Blue Who. Mike Singleton, owner and handler.
3d-ROWLING'S DONNA, F1710740, setter female, by Moss Meadow Seeker-Rowling's Star. Chuck Rowling, owner and handler.

Judges: Mike Brown and Steve McKalko
BERNIE BAUMAN MEMORIAL OPEN PUPPY - 8 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-HEARTBREAKER BUD LIGHT, F1710620, pointer male, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. Tom Butts, owner; Tammy Chaffee, handler.
2d-NORTHERN SUNDANCE, F1709515, pointer female, by Northern Confidence-Red Sunshine. Nicholas Buggia, owner; Thomas Butler, handler.
3d-ERIN'S GREEN RIVER, F1713040, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Justice-Erin's Red Smoke. Mike Francus, owner and handler.

Ruffed Grouse OPS25

Bernie Bauman Memorial Open Puppy: Jeff Secor, Rich Hollister, Mike Francus with Erin's Green River, Steve McKalko (judge), Thomas Butler with Northern Sundance, Mike Brown (judge), Tammy Chaffee with Heartbreaker Bud Light, and Scott Chaffee.