Result: 90th New England Shooting Dog Futurity

Location: East Windsor, Connecticut

Post Date: May 13, 2026

Submitted By: Margaret C. Drew

90th New England Shooting Dog Futurity (l-r): John Stoligitis (judge), Wendy Tracy Harman, Mary Tracy, Zaynah Tracy with Dunn's Step N' Out, George Tracy, Mark Janiec with Bryant's Silver Lining, Brian Sanchez, Mike Tracy with Peek A Bull, Grace Sanchez with Erin's Standing Ovation, Joe Cincotta, Thor Kain (judge), and Doug Ray.

When the New England Shooting Futurity was first proposed as a regional futurity in the 1930's, the proposal was not well received. Herbert G. Silver pushed forward and headed a group that proposed a regional futurity despite recognizing the need for more breeders. He and the group found that defining eligibility and other rules proved challenging. Despite these roadblocks, they still moved forward, and in April 1937, the first futurity was held, although in name only, as no set rules could be agreed upon for the entry of 17 derbies. However, breeders and other dog people acknowledged that a regional futurity was necessary to move the bird dog community forward, so a regional set of guidelines was established, and 21 dogs were entered. These rules and whelping dates were adhered to until 1939, when a June whelping date helped to change the venue to run in October beginning in 1941. The futurity nominations and entries remained a regional entry base for several years, expanding in the late '70s. In the '80s, a few litters from outside of New England increased futurity. By the early '90s, litters and entries were once again declining, but were followed by a surge to 50-60 entries from 35 litters in the early 2000s. During that time, a guaranteed purse of $2,000 encouraged participation. However, with the litter nominations declining, which means entries as well, this policy could not continue. The association would like to return to that position; however, litter nominations and entries are the key. Nominations for the 91st have already begun. Contact Margaret Drew now.

The Flaherty Field Trial Area is a perfect location and facility for field trials. The clubhouse displays a wall of Life Patron plaques, taxidermy of upland game, various regional historic plaques, and engraved retired trophies. In an adjacent room is a pictorial history of the construction and progress of the present clubhouse. In a second framed plaque, there are historic photos from trials with identified patrons, dogs, and the trial portrayed. This is a very nice historic piece of work. Most of the elderly participants in those photographs are much younger, and many of the people in them are no longer with us. We now need to gather photos of today's events to create another pictorial of "now." Many of the photos displayed are thanks to Truman Crowles' family and to Dick Bembenek for gathering and compiling them. Dick is also responsible for making and donating a wooden memory board of all the New England open winners from its origin in 1929, with spaces through 2028. The New England Open is most noted for its many years at the Ragged Hill Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut; however, about 10 years ago, the land was lost to field trials, and it is now run at Flaherty just prior to the futurity. The original sterling silver tray, donated by Harry and Deb Townsend, is full and now is well displayed at the Bird Dog Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, Tennessee. A trip to the museum is a must for all bird dog followers, including the walk of memory bricks as you enter the building. Plan on a few hours there, as it is an impressive display of all types of bird dog events.

The grounds at Flaherty were in excellent condition this spring. The grounds are still easily accessible for horseback and walking as a result of the road improvements made a few years back. Gravel-filled walkways and culverts over wet areas are all still functioning well. The beavers had tried to dam an area below the clubhouse by the lowest culvert; however, the state was taking the dam apart on both Thursday and Friday, so walking was not as wet. The next project will be relocating the beavers. As noted earlier, the Flaherty area has ample parking for all types of vehicles, running water, fenced areas for several horses, and ample room for staking out horses and dogs. The clubhouse has bathroom facilities and heat for colder weekends, a full kitchen, and a modern bird room. There is also a gallery wagon, which was in use during the futurity, thanks to trucks provided by Chairman Bonnetti and Smooth Carter. Drivers were Bill Bonetti, Tom Smith, and Darren Boyer. Maybe even someone I missed. The advantage of having a gallery wagon for at least part of the course is that it encourages more participation. Everyone wants to watch a bird dog work, especially if you are the owner or breeder.

The 90th New England Futurity once again used a single course for 30-minute heats, breaking away down a slight hill on the northeast side of the grounds near the wooden rails approaching the horse corrals. We then moved forward toward the open area leading to the pond, with plenty of choices for a dog to venture. After passing the traditional tree stop area, dogs are encouraged to search the wooded quail habitat to the left of the pond before reaching to the front and through the tree island. Following the tree island area, the course swings westerly, where dogs can make three choices: up the center road, to the left through an open field toward Fox Hill, or right down a wooded edge where birds were often located. At the end of this area, we are about 15 minutes to the first large culvert crossing and up the long tobacco hill. After frequent bird contact at the top of Tobacco Hill, the course makes a long cast down a hill with full cover to the culvert, where the beavers were trying to impede our fun. After crossing the culvert, the course winds through cover and trees and below the clubhouse, where folks can get to view at least a few minutes of bird dog excitement before the course finishes in the area below the starting hill and on toward the long "deerborn" area under the power lines. These final five minutes often make or break a dog, and a scout is often required. Did the derby have the desire and energy left in it to finish still hunting?!
Dogs that placed showed they were still in hunting mode, with plenty of energy to continue.
Judges for the 90th presentation were Thor Kain from Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and John Stolgitis, Ashaway, Rhode Island. Both of these men have been involved with birddogs in both the walking and horseback venues. Although there were only 11 braces, the quality was there. Once again, John Stolgitis stepped up and made the futurity a great success. John stepped up to judge, made a pasta dinner for Thursday-arriving participants, prepared several seafood hors d'oeuvres, and then served a prime rib dinner for Friday evening. Friday evening's dinner was in honor of last year's winner, Deena Jet Boyer, and the Rev. Steve Boyer. Rev. Boyer had attended the Purina Awards in June and was honored with a green jacket presentation in Deena Jet's name. He passed shortly after. Present owners, Gunner Boyer and Joe McHugh, were pleased to assist with the evening dinner. Handler had been Mike Tracy. Announcements were made before dinner, thanking owners and handlers and reminding them that a DNA test would be required within the year for the win to be recognized. Judges were thanked, Purina was recognized for its continued support, and a thank-you was extended to the committee and handlers for their assistance. Calvin Curnutte, Drowning Creek/Merritt Setter Kennels, donated the judges' books.

The Winners
Grabbing the top was Dunn's Step N' Out. He originated from a litter between Touch's Malcom Story and Treeline's Sunflower and was purchased by Will Dunn. George Tracy is his trainer and handler. Dunn's Step N' Out had a powerful gait with strong forward casts taking him through all the right bird spots. Approaching the pond, he was found standing tall and proud for the handler to flush. He remained solid even as the handler praised him before handing him off to the scout to be returned to hunting, up the left area and across the lower part of Fox Hill, as he circled forward and was next seen at the top of Tobacco Hill. He briskly checked the left edge of the fields below the clubhouse and was well to the front when time was called.
Second went to Bryant's Silver Lining from the litter Haney's Silver Dollar x Haney's High Price Penny. He is owned by Mark Janeic, and Muriel and Bill Primm. Mike Tracy is the trainer and handler. Bryant's Silver Lining ran a well-gaited race with strong forward casts. Near the first culvert, he was found standing at 14, which required a well-handled relocation before he stood again for flush and shot. In his 30 minutes, he had two more finds, all handled well and precisely indicated. Silver Lining's attack of the course and his intensity on point gave him a competition advantage.
Third was awarded to a pointer female owned and bred by Ernie and Karen Saniga. Peek A Bull, from the litter Bully Rock x Sandspur Belle, was handled by Mike Tracy. Peek A Bull laid out at a medium range, classy moving and erectly solid for her finds at 5 approaching the pond and after briskly skirting the edge of the woods, crossed to the front and soon was standing in the tree island area. After disappearing up the long hill, she was found standing at the top of Tobacco Barn Hill. At this 18-minute time, she was once again backed by her bracemate. Down the hill through the heavier grasses she marched, and we saw her cross the culvert before she disappeared up the next cut. It was 25 minutes when we reached the fields below the clubhouse to find Peek A Bull backing her bracemate as the handler flushed a pair of quail--her 30 minutes finished at the entrance to the powerlines into the Deerborn area.
Fourth recognition went to Erin's Standing Ovation from Erin's Hidden Shamrock x Erin's Princess Rene, owned by Joe Cincotta. The trainer and handler was Doug Ray. Erin's Standing Ovation's performance was solid and consistent from beginning to end as he rolled onward and outward around the course at a medium range. At 12, he was found standing on tippy-toes for a good find with his bracemate, providing a little temptation which he did not respond to. At 20, at the top of Tobacco Hill, he stood for the handler to produce birds before releasing Ovation to hunt. By 23, he once again staunched up for more quail. He was soon seen sailing down the wooded edge, crossing the second culvert well in front of his handler, and not be seen again until we found him standing below the clubhouse for a fourth and final find. He finished near the opening to "deerborn."

The Running
Smoke Rise Rock (PM) is owned by Fred Rose and handled by Tony Bingham. He was bracemate for Peek A Bull (PF), owned by the Sanigas and handled by Mike Tracy in the opening brace. These two set a high standard for ground coverage and bird location. Smoke Rise Rock hunted everywhere, scoring two backs and at 25 scored his own find at the top of Tobacco Hill. Peek A Bull is covered with the winners above.

Brace 2 called upon the wagon driver's dog, Fort River Iron Man (ESM), under the whistle of Matt Basilone. His bracemate was chairman Bill Bonnetti's pointer male, Cape Point Wildfire, with Doug Ray. This pair was down the opening slope and crossing in front at an eager pace; however, a slight breeze had come up, and hawks were visible, making their two finds hard to come by. At 16, we found Fort River Iron Man standing buried in tall grass adjacent to the water beside the first culvert. Handler went to flush, and the dog had some movement before entering deeper into the cover. He was up early. Cape Point Wildfire ran with very active body and tail action, maintained a good pattern, and scored a nice find at the top of Tobacco Hill.

Brace 3 had Dunn's Step N' Out (PM), owned by Will Dunn under the guidance of talented hall of famer, George Tracy. His bracemate was Santee River Minuteman (PM), owned and bred by Mike McKinney. Tony Bingham was the handler. This brace had two complementary dogs, both with strong forward races. Santee River Minuteman's only bird contact was a nonproductive near the culvert crossing at 12, halfway around the course.

Brace 4 found Great River Titan (PM) with Brian Sanchez, and Kevin Joyce with Hightailing Cindy (PF). These two handlers are experienced amateur handlers who, as usual, put down two promising derbies. Great River Titan ran wide, although located and stood properly for quail at 17 and 24. Hightailing Cindy's race gathered speed as the 30 minutes progressed. She had a back at 17 and a find at 28. As time elapsed, she disappeared to the right of course into the thick tree growth, which led to the handler requesting his location device.

Brace 5 called upon Matt Basilone and Mike Tracy. Basilone had Tanglebriars Fancy Dancing (ESF) owned by Tom Smith. Her bracemate, with Tracy, was Sunset Creek Uptown Girl (PF), owned and watched by Mark Janiec. Both of these derbies showed a desire to hunt while making wide forward casts, which we could all watch as, from a distance, the snappy pointer tail or the waving setter tail was a pleasure to see. Fancy Dancing paused near the first culvert; however, she became very independent and was soon picked up. Sunset Creek Uptown Girl had a find at 14 before marching up the hill and being found standing beneath the trees at the top of Tobacco Hill. She had a good race, fancy on the ground, and a front finish.

Brace 6 had Erin's Standing Ovation (ESM) with Doug Ray. Joe Cincotta made the trip from New Jersey to watch his entered derbies, this being number one. Hightailing Peach (PF), another from Kevin Joyce's, was the bracemate. Peach reached side to side in an active approach to seek game; she handled her game with a little less positivity, with locations at 8 and 13. Erin's Standing Ovation is covered above with the winners.

Brace 7 had Midnight Hammer (PM), owned by the Linder and Primm team, with George Tracy as bracemate for Silver W Hot Pink (PF), owned by Debbie Ozner with Shawn Kinkelaar. Midnight Hammer proceeded to hunt with respectable energy and style, although he was somewhat directionally challenged and picked up early by his handler. Silver W Hot Pink ran a classy and vigorous race, with wide casts in every direction in her forward tour of the course. She had stylish quail indications at 8 and 23.

Brace 8 followed lunch served by Jayne Bonnetti featuring hot dogs and John Stolgitis's venison chili. Facebook Politician (PM), owned and handled by Amilcar Pereira, was bracemate to Suemac's Southern Ambush (PF), owned by Roger and Suzie McPherson under the training of Tony Bingham. The Politician stretched down the opening hillside and crossed in front while moving toward the cover adjacent to the pond. He searched the pond cover area and, finding no quail, he was soon out of sight toward the tree section. His bird contact came at 26 with a stop-to-flush. Southern Ambush took in the country well at an appropriate range with good style. She stood near the first culvert at 15. When the handler could not put quail to flight, she was tapped to relocate. Her relocation attempt was very active; however, a nonproductive was recorded.

Brace 9 called for Ravenwood Ball of Fire (ESF) and Doug Ray. Owner Joe Cincotta was present to observe her performance. Bryant's Silver Surfer (PM) was on the line under the whistle of Mike Tracy. Owner Mark Janiec was present to observe this second derby. Ball of Fire's race was in and out with long and short casts. He had a back at 6 and a find near the first culvert at 12. Silver Surfer had a strong forward race, as he checked birdy habitat areas with little success. He had two finds.

Brace 10 had Santee River Postman (PM), owned by Mike McKinney, with Tony Bingham. Postman had a busy forward race as he drifted side to side at an appropriate range. He scored a tall and staunch find at 21. His bracemate was Hightailing Pink (PF), bred, owned, and handled by Kevin Joyce. Pick's race was big and classy with no quail located.

Brace 11 had Bryant's Silver Lining (PM), owned by Mark Janeic and the Primms with Mike Tracy. (Covered above with the winners). His bracemate was Back Country Blue (ESM), owned by Steve Graham under the training of Tim Cavanaugh. Country Blue began his brace with a positive forward march, where we watched him swing around the end of the cover, approaching the pond. At 6, he stopped; however, when the handler attempted to flush, and birds were running and lifting, Blue joined in the excitement and was picked up by his handler.

Brace 12 was the final brace with Mohawk Mill Thunderstruck (PM), owned by Gary and Ellen Winall, although handled by Tony Bingham. Bracemate was Bully Budd (PF), owned by Ernie and Karen Saniga with Mike Tracy. These two were quickly to the bottom of the opening hill and marching toward the pond. To the left of the pond, both dogs were found standing for independent, well-indicated, and handled finds. Thunderstruck was fast as he searched for game in all the appropriate spots. At 13, he scored a second find near the first culvert. Bully Budd hunted with purpose and checked areas where birds would usually be located. At the culvert area at 13, he scored his second find. Although your reporter did not see what happened at the top of Tobacco Hill, I can report that both dogs were in their respective harnesses as they emerged from the trees.

East Windsor, Conn., April 24
Judges: Thor Kain and John Stolgitis
90TH NEW ENGLAND SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY - 19 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-DUNN'S STEP N' OUT, F1708353, pointer male, by Touch's Malcolm Story-Treeline's Sunflower. William Dunn, owner; George Tracy, handler.
2d-BRYANT'S SILVER LINING, F1710183, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Haney's High Price Penny. Kenton Bryant, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
3d-PEEK A BULL, F1712607, pointer female, by Bully Rock-Sandspur Belle. Ernie Saniga & Karen Saniga, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
4th-ERIN'S STANDING OVATION, F1716694, setter male, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-Erin's Princess Rene. Joe Cincotta, owner; Doug Ray, handler.