Event: Birdogn True Confidence Named Champion of the
Result: Grand National Grouse Championship

Location: Norwich, New York

Post Date: Dec 5, 2025

Submitted By: Mike Husenits

The Winner announcement at Lost Pond Clubhouse (front): Birdogn True Confidence with Jordan Pharris. (Standing, l-r): Rachel Furnish, Jerry Furnish, Pete Flanagan, Katie Flanagan, Russ Fazio, Bill Callahan, Mark Hughes, Joe Cammisa, Dave Hughes, Mike Rosario, Ben Mergens (judge), and Bruce Minard (judge).

The 83rd running of the Super Bowl of cover dog championships was conducted November 4-10 near the town of Oxford, New York, over the historic venue known as Grouse Ridge Kennels, consisting of approximately 2000 acres of natural woodlands, old orchards, farmland, and wetlands. Owners Pete and Katie Flanagan are generous hosts and have shared the property as a field trial site for many years, hosting not only this Grand but numerous trials (i.e., Lost Pond, Chemung County, Orange County, Empire New York Grouse Championship, and others). Pete Flanagan's father, late Hall of Fame member Dr. Tom Flanagan, and brother Jim Flanagan acquired the property and developed Grouse Ridge Kennels starting in the early 50's. Both Jim and Tom were avid bird hunters and trialers, plus Jim had a passion for horses; the property abounded with both dogs and horses for decades. After Jim Flangan's passing, Dr. Tom, his wife Esther, and children carried on Grouse Ridge Kennels until Dr. Tom passed, then the reins were turned over to son Pete and Katie, who presently run the operation. While still alive, Dr. Tom dreamed of holding the Grand here at Grouse Ridge; that dream became a reality this year when the opportunity arose, and Pete Flanagan seized that opportunity. Pete and Katie graciously allowed the use of the house located on the grounds (known as the White House) to comfortably house judges, the reporter, and the stake manager all week.

Readers are referred to a well-maintained website of the Grand National for a complete history, bylaws, news, events, and other important details at grandnationalgrouse.com.

The Grand is held annually, starting the first Tuesday of November, the location determined on a rotating basis between the New England States, the Middle Atlantic, and the Great Lakes States. This year, Middle Atlantic was scheduled to host the trial, but due to poor grouse populations on the Marienville, Pennsylvania grounds, the directors chose to pass. The New England region was selected to host the trial, but due to developmental delays of a new venue in upstate New York and other complications on the New Hampshire venue at White Mountain, a dilemma was avoided when Pete Flanagan agreed to hold the trial at Grouse Ridge. Pete and his entire family worked hard for months to open, map, and flag six one-hour courses. Pete's sons, Bill, Mike, Tom, and wife Kaylee, close friend Bill Callahan, and others all pitched in to accomplish the well-done task. Pete, sons, and Bill Callahan were present daily to help with road patrol, moving vehicles, and generally help keep things moving. The history of past venues for the Grand shows that during the first 50 years, nearly half (24) were held at the Gladwin grounds in Michigan, 12 at Pharsalia grounds in New York, two in Andover, Massachusetts, and 14 at Marienville, Pennsylvania. The record verifies that the most successful handlers are Dave Hughes at the top with a total of 23 placements of either champion or runner-up in the Grand. Others with successful records include Scott Chaffee, Rich Tuttle, Dr. Jim Stitler, Luther Smith, Jim Tande, and John Stolgitis, all combined for more than 30 placements. Interesting to note that over the 83-year span, the title of champion has been withheld four times, most recently in 1971.

Current leaders of the Grand National organization are President Tom Fruchey, Secretary Brian Ralph, Futurity Secretary Thor Kain, Invitational Secretary Joe Cammisa and Regional Directors Tony Bly, Lloyd Murray, Kelli Short, Robert Little, Adam Dubriske, Russell Ogilve, Erik Munden, Norm Meeder, Dave and Mark Hughes, Doug McMillen, Greg Johnson, Scott Chaffee, Rod Lein, Jerry Furnish plus Director at Large Richard Brenneman.

The entire cover dog fraternity extends sincere thanks to our sponsors. Purina and Greg Blair provide monetary support, cover dog awards, dog food, hats, and other merchandise. OnX provided memberships, awards, hats, banners, and monetary support. Garmin donated valuable electronic training collars to the winner, and Lion Country Supply donated gift certificates and judges' gifts. Thanks to all.

Horses were supplied by David and RB Powell of Nittany Valley Trail Rides. David stayed all week and was "Johnny on the Spot" where needed because he always knew the exact location of the horses due to his clever tracking tag on one saddle.

The Grand week kicked off on Monday evening at Fred's Inn in nearby Norwich with the Purina-sponsored awards dinner and awards for "Legends of the Cover Dog World" sponsored by The Grand National Grouse Championship. A fine array of food was enjoyed by a large crowd, with the annual awards presented by Secretary Brian Ralph, President Tom Fruchey, Trial Chairman Joe Cammisa, and Points Secretary Bruce Mueller. The Michael Seminatore Top English Setter Award went to Snyder's Fireside Ed, owned by Steve Snyder and handled by Tammy Chaffee. The Top Cover Dog Derby is Clover Valley's Evans, owned and handled by Jerry Furnish. The Top All-Age Cover Dog is Chasehill Poison Ivy, owned by Bill and Karen McFadden and handled by John Stolgitis, who is also the Purina Top Cover Dog Handler of the Year. Awarded Legends of the Cover Dog World for their many years of dedication to the sport are Kellie Short and Peter Flanagan. Congratulations to all winners.

The general membership meeting was held at Fred's Inn on Tuesday evening, with new directors Kellie Short, Rod Lein, and Jerry Furnish elected, financial reports for the annual Futurity, Invitational, and Puppy Classic were approved, and some discussion regarding eligibility qualifications took place, with further follow-up by the Board of Directors scheduled for Wednesday evening.

Morning coffee breaks were handled by Joe Cammisa. Thanks are extended to Bill McFadden for generously purchasing fresh donuts every day and to Bruce Mueller for a supply of delicious apples and pears. Daily hot lunches at the Lost Pond clubhouse were most popular all week, with leftovers helping for several evening meals at the white house for the judges and reporter. Tuesday featured hot chicken and noodles thanks to the New England delegation, and Wednesday was homemade beef stew and applesauce thanks to Tom Fruchey and Craig Peters. The remainder of the week by the Grand membership included pulled pork, chicken and stuffing balls, sausage with mac and cheese, and fresh ham sandwiches with tomato bisque. Robert Ecker brought delicious pizza one day and great pasta e fagioli, much to the enjoyment of all partakers. Everyone who had a hand in supplying food is to be commended.

Weather conditions for the week were typical of New York in November. Every day had very cold mornings, some with frost and icing conditions. For several days, a stiff wind made it feel even colder. Precipitation included rain showers and snow flurries that created standing water and mud in the low-lying spots. However, no delays due to weather were experienced.
Judges for the Grand are chosen by the regional board of directors, who develop a list of candidates given to the secretary to compile a complete list of top candidates for the directors to rank in order of preference, with the highest-ranked persons invited in numerical order. This year, Ben Mergens of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and Bruce Minard of Beulah, Michigan, were top vote getters and accepted the assignment. Ben has vast experience in the cover dog trial world, is an avid bird hunter, plus owns and trains his own dogs and has previously judged one-hour championships. Bruce needs no introduction as his highly successful Hi-Five Kennel and string of winning dogs have prevailed for many years. Bruce has campaigned not only on the cover dog circuit but the major horseback all-age and shooting dog circuits as well. He was accompanied by his spouse and partner, Jennie, who helped wherever needed, especially at the white house. Thank you, Jennie. The judges expected an exceptional performance in order to be named Grand National Champion and reported there were several dogs meeting the expectation one way or another, but few that excelled the whole hour with bird work. Both commented that dug-up finds were a rarity, with most points being at or not far off the beaten path, except for the new champion, who performed admirably. In the end, the judges felt the new champion's performance was high above the closest other dogs and chose not to name a runner-up.

Bird sightings started encouragingly with 10 moved the first day, followed by 5, 8, 5, 4, 4, and 3 on the final day for a total of 39--34 grouse and 5 woodcock. For the week, Course 1 totaled 14 birds, Course 2 had eight, Course 3 had six, Course 4 had five, Course 5 had two, and Course 6 had four.

THE CHAMPION
Birdogn True Confidence ("Sadie") is an orange-marked pointer female owned by Ben Fleischacker of Hankinson, North Dakota, and handled by professional trainer Jordan Pharris of Ruff Country Kennels in Brainerd, Minnesota. Five-year-old Sadie proved to be just what the judges had hoped for. Sadie carries forward a long legacy of pointer excellence. Her sire is the legendary Hall of Fame Champion, True Confidence; her dam, Ellie, has proven in the field on wild birds. Sadie was bred for the field and loves to hunt wild birds, regardless of the arena she is in. Sadie has earned multiple placements on various venues due to the dedication of Jordan Pharris. She is known for her ability to handle effortlessly, keen intelligence, and strong bird-finding ability, which she displayed like a true champion. When Sadie is not on the field trial circuit, she enjoys time afield hunting the grouse woods and prairies with owners Ben and Melissa Fleishacker and their three children. Sadie made her appearance here in the 38th next-to-last brace, starting at 9:21 on Course 2 across the road from the big house near the equipment barn with steady cold light rain falling and muddy footing. Sadie went fast forward and immediately dug into likely cover with purpose. Her bell fell silent near the 10-minute mark, with scout Jerry Furnish dispatched, finding Sadie locked up tight on a woodcock, which she handled with intense pointing style and proper deportment at flush and shot. Sent ahead, Sadie was out to prove she was serious, locking up again at 27 at a likely spot, but this time nothing raised or relocated. With bracemate picked up at 34, Sadie had the course to herself and continued to hunt likely cover moving in and out of bell range, always forward. Her bell abruptly fell silent at 40 well off to the right front, this time standing tall with a grouse pinpointed exactly; Sadie, solid, as the bird went airborne and shot fired. By this point, it was obvious something special was unfolding as Sadie continued to pour it on in her relentless desire to find more birds, once again her bell falling silent at 53, Sadie found high and tight with another grouse located exactly with manners perfect as the bird exploded from directly in front. Sadie finished the hour going away and as strong as her start, leaving little doubt that a champion had just been made.

THE RUNNING
We will review each brace briefly based on observations and information provided by the judges. All dogs entered were deserving and well-qualified, many of them champions of the cover dog world.

Brace 1: Super Storm Cliff (Dubriske) and Gracie Star (Ecker). Cliff hunted at medium range and proved to be a bird finder with a pair of grouse finds and two unproductive stands. Gracie also hunted at medium range, scored one mannerly find on a grouse, a pair of backs, and a lone unproductive.

Brace 2: Higby Arcade Fire (Stolgitis) and Moss Meadow Able (Moss). Start made on Course 2 below the cornfield across the road from Grouse Ridge Kennel at 9:20. Higby dug into the cover, reaching well at times. He notched a mannerly find on a small brood of grouse at 24 and added a back at 40. Able ran at medium range, backed at 24, but suffered a pair of unproductive at 32 and 40.

Brace 3: Saddled Up Sadie (Hughes) and Mohawk Mill Miss You (Stolgitis). Sadie hunted at medium range and bird less. Miss was picked up at 32 for a breach of manners.

Brace 4: Island Attraction (Ecker) and Stan the Man (Fruchey). Attraction was picked up early, and Stan hunted at medium range with an unproductive at 52.

Brace 5: Hypointe Monarch Express (Fazio) and Meredith Grade Penny (S. Chaffee). Express hunted at wide range with no bird contacts. Penny ran at medium range, her only contact a stop to flush on a woodcock at 50.

Brace 6: Glassilaun Parabellum (Ecker) and Fireside Sally Forth (T. Chaffee). Parabellum got out of pocket, and the tracker requested at 31. Sally hunted at short to medium range and recorded a mannerly find on a grouse at 39 near the pond.

Brace 7: Buck of Piney Woods (Ecker) and Clover Valley's Millie (Furnish). Buck hunted hard the whole hour, but no birds. Millie shortened and picked up at 25.

Brace 8: Asper Hill Bandit (Cullen) and Springpond Rockin Sidney (T. Chaffee). Bandit went wide and was out of pocket frequently. He pointed at 58 with no bird produced. Sid hunted hard at close to medium range, notched a mannerly grouse find at 15, and had an unproductive at 59.

Brace 9: Mulberry Fields Molly (Hughes), Seldom Rest Jack (Ralph). Molly hunted with plenty of eye-appeal at close to medium range, scored a stylish grouse find at 34, and finished the hour with an unproductive at 59. Jack was scratched.

Brace 10: Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze (Hughes) and I'm Easy Money (Pharris). Blaze ran a classy medium-range forward ground race with one unproductive at 15. Easy hunted well forward but failed to connect with game.

Brace 11: Meridith Grade Corky (T Chaffee) and Wicked Pursuit (MacLean). Corky ran a steady forward race but went birdless. Pursuit hunted wide but came around to finish less bird work.

Brace 12: Paucek's Little Tommy Tucker (Short) and Double Deuce Jack (Hughes). Tommy tried hard, pointed twice at 15 and 58, both unproductive. Jack hunted at medium range, had an unproductive at 45, and a back at 58.

Brace 13: Blind Faith (Pharris) and Ghost Train Minnie (Peters). Both were forward at medium range but went birdless.

Brace 14: Grouse Hill Rambo (Ecker) and A Distant Spec (Hughes). Spec was moved up from the bye position when Ralphy's Chasehill Rip scratched. Rambo hunted forward the whole hour with an unproductive at 58. Spec had a find on quail at 5 near the cornfield edge, then forward but shortened up, favoring a sore foot.

Brace 15: Grouse Hill Princess (S. Forman) and Grouse Trails Little Bud (McKellop). Princess hunted at short to medium range and scored a well-mannered find at 20 on a grouse brood, after which she failed to reach out and was up at 35. Bud hunted likely cover at medium range, pointed solidly at 55, the stand unproductive.

Brace 16: Grouse Hill Rock (Ecker) and Anna Lake Sami (M. Forman). Rock had a steady medium-range race without bird contact. Sami had a slow start but widened to finish ahead, minus bird contact.

Brace 17: Braeval Rory (McClusky) and Chasehill Snoop Dog (Stolgitis). Rory ran a strong forward race, backed at 58, no birds seen. Snoop was strong on ground race at medium range, pointed with style at 58, but unproductive.

Brace 18: Grouse Ridge Mags (S. Forman) and Baxter's Indian Arrowhead (Fruchey). Mags hunted hard and finished the hour birdless. Arrow started strong but shortened after the half.

Brace 19: West Wind Big Jake (Hughes) and Over The Hill Try (Lein). Both dogs hunted far and wide; Jake picked up at 30, and Try finished the hour with no birds, although four grouse were flushed wild along the course route.

Brace 20: Chasehill Poison Ivy (Stolgitis) and Rockland Ridge Rocky (Ecker). Ivy hunted forward and handled kindly; she pointed at 45, resulting in an unproductive. Rocky shortened at 20 and was leashed.

Brace 21: Doodle Ridge Elroy (Hughes) and Baxter's Wild Bill (Peters). Roy was strong and forward but failed to find game. Bill started fast but shortened and picked up at 30.

Brace 22: Miller's Hopped Up Version (Hughes) and Super Storm Nell (Dubriske). A grouse flushed wild near the start. Version ("Cricket") hunted wide and was found pointing after a long absence with a barnyard chicken pen in front. Nell stayed forward, pointing solidly at 45 and 58, neither productive.

Brace 23: Moss Meadow Seeker (Moss) and Grouse Trails Black Knight (McKellop). Seeker pointed in likely cover at 20 but was picked up for self-relocating. Knight finished the hour ahead with only a porcupine encounter on his scorecard.

Brace 24: Mohawk Mill Good Advice (Stolgitis) and Clover Valley's Mulak (Furnish). Advice covered the course thoroughly, but couldn't connect with birds. Mulak pointed solidly in thick cover but moved on before a flush attempt, then notched an unproductive at 55.

Brace 25: Ironstone's Dark Horse (Ecker) and Over The Hill Morgan (Lein). Horse hunted hard without game contact and up at 45. Morgan stayed with the job at hand but erred on a bird at 58. One grouse flushed wild along the trail.

Brace 26: Grouse Trails Warrior Cat (McKellop) and Mia Star (Ecker). Cat ranged wide and was not seen often, up at 30. Star started fast, then shortened and up at 25.

Brace 27: Grouse Hill Mac (S. Forman) and Long Island Ice (Ecker). Mac started strong, pointed at 15, but moved during flush and picked up. Ice wasn't having a good day and picked up at 16.

Brace 28: Snyder's Sadie (T. Chaffee) and Warrior Zeke (Hughes). These two started at medium range, Sadie scoring a mannerly woodcock find at 34, followed by a mishap on a grouse at 40, and picked up. Zeke pointed in thick cover at 35 but decided to relocate during a flush attempt.

Brace 29: Sammy The Rock Star (Ecker) and Big Big Energy (Pharris). Both hunted the fore in earnest; Big picked up at 35 and Star at 45 after going birdless.

Brace 30: Miller's Special Upgrade (Hughes) and Mohawk Mill Fired Up (Stolgitis). These two were off to a flying start and were looking promising as time went on. Upgrade ("Penny") had a stylish stand at 18 that was unproductive, and Fired Up also had an unproductive at 11. Both finished the hour strong and forward; both judges impressed, but they needed a bird.

Brace 31: Snyder's Big Nose Kate (T. Chaffee) and Back Creek Lucy (S. Forman). Kate started strong but was up at 35 for moving on point. Lucy wasn't in the game today and up at 20.

Brace 32: Niantic River Ava (Dubriske) and Timberdoodle Farms Sal (M. Forman). Both started strong but failed to warm to the task, with both picked up early.

Brace 33: Lake Effect Ali (Pharris) and Double Deuce Zeke (Hughes). Ali was up at 30 after a pair of unproductive stands. Zeke hunted the fore with a stop to flush at 54 on woodcock.

Brace 34: Ironstone's Shenanigans (Ecker) and Beaver Meadow Bit (Hughes). Both impressed with their speed and style, each scoring an unproductive and a mannerly back.

Brace 35: Snyder's Fireside Ed (T. Chaffee) and Millers Dusty Version (Hughes). Both started fast and wide, with Ed pointing at 40 with no results. Dusty reached well forward, and both were up at 50 after no further bird contacts.

Brace 36: Resin (M. Forman) and Blue Ribbon River (Ecker). Resin hunted forwardly at medium range, had an unproductive at 24, and was up at 35 for a breach of manners. River impressed with her strong and fancy way of going, but her aggressiveness carried her out of the pocket, tracker requested at 35.

Brace 37: Clover Valley's Evans (Furnish) and Rowling's Star (Rowling). Evan ran a strong far far-reaching ground race, but no luck finding birds. Star was scratched.

Brace 38: Fox Brook Top Secret (Dubriske) and Birdogn True Confidence (Pharris). Secret hunted forwardly with less bird contact and picked up at 34. The winner's performance is described above.

Brace 39: Hitail Roxy Afield (Fazio) and Willow Creek Northwater Grouser (Pharris). Roxy covered a lot of ground with plenty of speed and eye appeal with a pair of unproductive stands. Grouser, the only German Shorthair in the stake, started fast but picked up at 25 after shortening.

The group gathered at the Lost Pond Clubhouse to await the judges' decision.

Grand National Grouse Champioinship. Jerry Furnish holding the Grand trophy and Birdogn True Confidence with Jordan Pharris. (Standing, l-r): Russ Fazio, Joe Cammisa, Bruce Minard (judge), and Ben Mergens (judge).

Northwich, N. Y., November 4
Judges: Ben Mergens and Bruce Minard
GRAND NATIONAL GROUSE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 33 Pointers, 44 Setters, 1 Irish Setter, and 1 German Shorthair
Winner-BIRDOGN TRUE CONFIDENCE, F1693417, pointer female, by True Confidence-Elli Elhew Birdogn. Ben Fleischacker, owner; Jordan Pharris, handler.

The Judges: Bruce Minard and Ben Mergens.

Bill Callahan and Pete Flanagan guarded the roads daily.

President Tom Fruchey, Joe Cammisa, and Brian Ralph award Kellie Short an award for Legends of the Cover Dog World.

Pete Flanagan receives the Legends of the Cover Dog World from President Tom Fruchey, Joe Cammisa, and Brian Ralph.

Secretaries Bruce Mueller and Brian Ralph present the Seminatore Award to handler Tammy Chaffee.

Jerry Furnish accepts the Top Derby award from Bruce Mueller and Brian Ralph.

Owner Bill McFadden and handler John Stolgitis accept the award for Purina Top Cover Dog of the Year, Chasehill Poison Ivy.

The Cover Dog Handler of the Year award accepted by John Stolgitis from Bruce Mueller and Brian Ralph.

The Flanagan family celebrates Pete Flanagan's Legends Award.