Result: U. S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Milford, Michigan

Post Date: Jun 9, 2026

Submitted By: David A. Fletcher

U. S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Rich Hollister (judge), Mark Hughes (handler) with Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze, Brian Wood, John Hall (judge), Steve McKalko with Ash Creektug, and Jim Cipponeri.

The U. S. Complete Great Lakes Regional Open Walking Shooting Dog Championship was staged over the highly regarded Highland Recreation Area near Milford, Michigan, April 26-27. The Championship entry consisted of 28 dogs, 15 pointers and 12 setters, and a lone Brittany. The Open Walking Derby had six starters.

The Grand Valley Bird Dog Club may hold a record for hosting this prime event. Their history shows they have passed the 10-year mark as trial host. The grounds are ideal for a walking championship, and this year, held perfect cover for both the competing dogs and the quail that were liberated. The Michigan DNR's prairie grass restoration areas on the grounds provided an ideal height of grass cover for quail to rest in, fly from easily, and the competing dogs searched the areas unhampered. The grass was about 10 inches high. Later in the year, this cover has to be mowed for the dogs to move through it. Club members bring their personal equipment and mow the courses. The courses are blessed with areas of small bush cover, and dogs have great edges to hunt.

The mechanics of the trial begin with the drawing, conducted by Club President Jim Cipponeri and his wife Connie at their home. Securing judges, laying out the course, and tending to all the things that need attention throughout the two days is also the President's chore, things such as liberation of birds and gallery marshaling. Helping with bird release were Tom Vanecek and Ron Sposita. Reporting was Dave Fletcher with information from judge Rich Hollister. At 92, this scribe does not ride anymore to follow the running, and a judge's help is essential for the report to be accurately written. Saturday lunch was provided by Ron Sposita--a delicious blend of sausage, peppers, onions, and pasta. Brian Wood got the dogs to the line and announced each brace as it was turned loose. The weather was good until the ninth brace of the Championship, Friday afternoon, when a thunderstorm rolled in with lightning, and horseback riding was curtailed.

Championship judges were Rich Hollister and John Hall, both very experienced at pointing dog field trials and excellent horsemen. Mounts were provided for the judges by Rich Hollister. Again, our thanks go to Greg Blair and Purina for their continuing support.

The Winners and Others
"Blaze's" performance was wonderfully well done, as described in the brace-by-brace account. It was his first championship over a seven-year career. This will be his last field trial entry, for the 7-year-old has recorded many wins formerly under the handling of his owner, Justin Mason. More placements were earned for the Mason dog under the handling of Mark Hughes. Serious injuries at times curtailed the dog's competition in field trials.
"Tug," a powerful running male setter, handled by Robert Ecker, also tore up the course with some great hunting and many limb moves. Jerry Burke, Tug's owner, bred the litter Tug was in and used the well-known Sterlingworth Jack as the sire. Tug has placed several times as a puppy and derby, and this was his first win of a runner-up championship.

The Running
Friday was an overcast and cool day at the morning breakaway, but late in the afternoon it warmed in excess, and it was almost too hot for the dogs. Thunder and lightning brought the running to a halt at the finish of the ninth brace.

Long Island Ice (Ecker)-Millers Dusty Version (Hughes). Both went away hard in this initial brace, but as they went on, both widened to the course limits, and handling was at a premium. Later in the hour, both were leashed.

Warrior Zeke (Hughes)-Kaylee (Helms). Both raced ahead when turned loose, the latter the only Brittany entry in the stake. With a half dozen finds in his hour, Zeke was too busy finding birds to reach and hit the far places. Kaylee missed a back and was taken up.

Gracie Ballroom Star (Ecker)-Meridith Grade Corky (Chaffee). Both hunted hard, and both were taken up early, Star for handling issues and Corky for missing a back.

Saddle Up Sadie (Hughes)-Ash Creektug (Ecker). Both hunted in a determined fashion. Tug in motion looked great, lofty and beautifully gaited, and went hard to the edges of the course. On a beautiful cast, Tug scored a stylish and well-mannered limb find. Sadie hunted with resolve but was taken up before time.

Double Deuce Jack (Hughes)-Mia Star (Ecker). Jack had all the style, pace, range, purpose, and pattern one could demand from a bird dog as well as four mannerly finds. The final eight minutes of his effort were a letdown and may have cost the dog a placement. Handler Ecker called for the tracker for Star.

Double Deuce Zeke (Hughes)-Firewood Sally Forth (Chaffee). The afternoon heat arrived for this brace, and both dogs were affected. Sally Forth's effort was not wide but included a nice find and hard hunting. Zeke showed the effect of the heat and was taken up.

Sarge (Ecker)-Hypointe Monarch Express (Fazio). The heat was intense, and both dogs, like others, showed the effect with their hunting. Neither had a find, Sarge leashed and Express resting momentarily at times.

Suemac's Wicked Heat (Hughes)-Glassilaun Parabellum (Ecker). This pair hunted and went to the good-looking cover, but both overall efforts were not quite challenging for a placement. Both were taken up short of the hour.

Grouse Hill Rock (Ecker)-Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze (Hughes). Blaze put down the best hunting effort seen so far in this stake by a sizeable margin. His pace, style in motion, and on point were top-notch. His four finds were perfect. Rock hunted purposely but missed a back and was leashed. Rain and lightning flashes forced the end of running and the end of contestants on horseback for the day.

Saturday morning was again overcast, and the temperature was again proper for running dogs. Brief showers featured the morning running.

Miller's Hopped Up Version (Hughes)-Buck of Piney Woods (Ecker). The former hunted well, kept in touch, and had a good find. Buck had a lack of manners around birds. Both dogs were taken up.

Hypointe Sharpshooter (Chaffee)-Ironstone's Shenanigans (Ecker). Shenanigans started well, reached good cover, and had a stylish and well-mannered find, but after the bird work shortened up, he lost some of his punch. Shenanigans hunted well...backed his bracemate nicely but moved on the back and was taken up.

Penny (Ellis)-Sammy The Rock Star (Ecker). Penny hunted at moderate range and logged two perfect bird finds. Sammy hunted beautifully, had a great initial find from all aspects, but on a second find, misbehaved to end his challenge for a placement.

Ralphy's Chasehill Rip (Chaffee)-Tupelo Honey (Wheelock). This pair took to hunting the cover in great fashion from the breakaway. They shared a divided find early...all in order, but on individual second finds, steps, and movement on point by both dogs was their downfall.

Hitail Roxy Afield (Fazio)-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight (Hughes). Roxy showed great effort in hunting the cover and reached well. Her bird work was not without flaw, with a spin and steps. Delight hunted well, had a good first find, but on a second bird, the appropriate wording was likely "ripped it like a puppy."

Mlford, Mich., April 25
Judges: John Hall and Rich Hollister
U. S. COMPLETE GREAT LAKES REGIONAL OPEN WALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 5 Pointers, 12 Setters, and 1 Brittany
Winner-BACKWOODS WILD FIRE BLAZE, F1691395, pointer male by Erin's Wild Justice-Hollywood Hot'n'tot. Justin Mason, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
Runner-Up-ASH CREEKTUG, F1700419, setter male by Ash Creek Domino-Ash Creek Cloe. Gerard Burke, owner; Robert Ecker, handler.

OPEN WALKING DERBY
"Dixie," the winner, had a quail point the judges termed "a nice broke find." Dixie was forward and pleasant to the eye as she went. "Odin" sped and cracked his tail, hitting the front nicely, finishing strongly. "Sassafras" had speed and energy to burn, but was birdless.

Judges: Bill Branham and Jim Cipponeri
OPEN WALKING DERBY - 4 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-HITAIL ROLLING DIXIE. F1714644, pointer female by Hifives Rolling Stone-Speed Dialing Kaia. Russell Fazio, owner and handler.
2d-AUSABLE JUNCTION ODIN, F1711112, setter male by Cash Van Pioneer Scouts Man-Anna Van Frutchey Ranch. Steve McKalko, owner and handler.
3d-GLASSILAUN HR SASSAFRASS, F1711093, pointer female, by Hirollins Gone And Doneit-Hirollins Jammin Jade. James Nee, owner, Robert Ecker, handler.