Result: Grand Valley Bird Dog Club

Location: Ionia, Michigan

Post Date: May 20, 2026

Submitted By: Jim Cipponeri

We had an excellent turnout for the first trial of the season. Unfortunately, one of our mainstays, Rich Hollister from Dunroven Kennels, was unable to attend due to a prior commitment. We really had to scramble for judges who could supply their own horses, and several horseback trialers stepped up as needed.

The weather on Saturday was decent for early March, but it turned extremely wet and windy on Sunday afternoon, and as a result, the Amateur Horseback Shooting Dog was canceled. The Walking Puppy and Derby had large entries and were very competitive, and even those that didn't place showed future adult potential.

The Munden family traveled here from Pennsylvania and had a fantastic weekend in the winners' circle. Wildland Wild Man took home the blue in both the Open and Amateur U. S. Complete Shooting Dog stakes! Mark Hughes placed second with Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze, and Scott Chaffee garnered third with Hypointe Sharpshooter.

The Club would like to acknowledge its appreciation to judges Bill Branham, Tom Vanecek, Kelsey Hajek, Brett Massengill, and Chris Helms. Mike Brown picked up and delivered birds, which is a huge weight off the chairman's obligations. Connie Cipponeri conducted the drawing, and Rob Ellis and Steve McKalko assisted with bird planting.

Ionia, Mich., March 21
Judges: Bill Branham and Kelsey Hajek
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-DARRS MURPHY BROWN, F1702398, setter male, by Ponderosa Mac-Springponds Autumn Adeline. William R. Darr, owner and handler.
2d-BAD RIVER RYLAND, F1687379, setter female, by T's Gunslinger-T's Unjaded. Tom F. Vanacek, owner and handler.

Judges: Jim Cipponeri and Brett Massengill
OPEN PUPPY - 3 Pointers, 4 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st-CHRISTY'S SMOKING EMBER, F1722296, setter female, by Dun Rovens Drifter-Dunrovens Midnight Eve. Christy Helmes owner and handler.
2d-PHOENIX RISING, F1721339, setter male, by Boatright's Maverick-Outcast Siren Song. Brian Coleman, owner and handler.
3d-COUNTRY GIRL, F1720939, pointer female, by The Treasure Chest-Mohawk Mill For Real. Les Bressler, owner; Christy Helmes, handler.

Judges: Kelsey Hajek and Tom Vanecek
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 14 Pointers, 6 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st-WILDLAND WILD MAN, F1695981, pointer male, by Duke Deuce Zeke-Beaver Meadow Rose. Eric Munden, owners; Krysta Munden, handler.
2d-BACKWOODS WILD FIRE BLAZE, F1691395, pointer male, by Erin's Wild Justice-Hollywood Hot'n'tot. Justin Mason, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-HIGHPOINT SHARP SHOOTER, F1706315, setter male, by Dun Rovens Zip-Castle Rock's Autumn Breeze. Nicholas Mellon Jr., owner; Scott Chaffee, handler.

Judges: Bill Branham and Tom Vanecek
OPEN DERBY - 10 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-HEARTBREAKER BUD LIGHT, F1710620, pointer male, by Toth's Tornado Reloaded-Grouse Trails Warrior Cat. Thomas Butts, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
2d-SUNRISE LEA STAR, F1721028, setter female, by Sunrise Star-Mia Star. Steven McKalko, owner and handler.
3d-COUNTRY GIRL, F1720939, pointer female, by The Treasure Chest-Mohawk Mill For Real. Lance Bressler, owner; Christy Helmes, handler.

Judges: Kelsey Hajek and Tom Vanecek
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 7 Pointers, 3 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st-WILDLAND WILD MAN, F1695981, pointer male, by Duke Deuce Zeke-Beaver Meadow Rose. Eric Munden, owner; Krysta Munden, handler.
2d-WILDLAND HEART BREAKER, F1705669, pointer female, by Miller's Heart Seeker-Wildland Warrior. Eric & Krysta Munden, owners; Krysta Munden, handler.
3d-WILD LAND WARRIOR, F1676947, pointer female, by Erin's War Creek-Suemac's Coventry. Eric Munden, owner; Eric Munden, handler.