2015 West End Setter & Pointer Club
Oh what a beautiful morning! Field trailers at West End, NC were blessed with a beautiful sun filled morning and a Carolina blue sky on the morning of March 7, 2015.
Judges Troy Terlizzi of Wake Forest, NC and Eric Russell of Cameron, NC were in the saddle to watch the running of the Open Puppy stake. And what a treat they were in for. Ten puppies, including a German Shorthair, two Irish Setters, three Pointers and Four English Setters, were ready to fly around the course. And fly they did! When the stake was over, the judges named Fieldstone Farm Lacey, a setter female owned by Jim Millett and handled by Robert Ecker of Midnight Kennels, the recipient of the blue ribbon. �Lacey�, no stranger to the winners circle, is a very fancy, very fast and fluid running setter. She covered the course with head high and tail cracking, a joy to watch. But, on this day, she needed every bit of her speed and style to earn the nod over �Deacon Jones� a pointer male owned by Margaret and Earl Drew and handled by Earl. �Fred� not only ran big and handled well, he also carded a �derby broke� find midway through his brace. While a find may not count in a puppy stake, it was pretty impressive to see. Earning the third placement in this highly competitive stake was Steel City Sir Charles a pointer male owned by Harry Blaine and Bob Reed and handled by Robert Ecker. Charlie is a handsome young pup who carries himself well and is highly animated in the field. An exciting stake to watch! We can�t wait to see them as derbies.
The Mills Hodge Amateur Shooting Dog Classic
W. Mills Hodge, trainer and handler of fine English Setters, has been around field trials in every conceivable capacity since the early 80�s. He began training and handling competitively with Robert E. Lee and together they owned the famed PineKone Kennels. A winner of several Championships, Mills was soon in demand as a judge and served in this capacity all over the country. He founded the Sandland Field Trial Club and for years hosted several trials, first at PineKone and then at the Mike Wilson farm. It was very appropriate that the West End Setter and Pointer Club chose to honor Mills with the first annual �Mills Hodge Amateur Shooting Dog Classic�. The scribe heard on several occasions �I came here today to honor Mills.� What a fitting tribute.
And then there was one. When judges Eric Russell and Troy Terlizzi agreed to judge this stake, they had no idea what they were in for. The entrants really wanted their dog�s name and theirs, to be the first on the revolving plaque which was presented at the conclusion of the Classic. From the first brace to the last you could feel the competitiveness in the air. This was to be special! Richie Friscella from Rhode Island had a great run. David Keck turned loose Class Act Game On and she lived up to her name! Rich Warters tried his hand with Bud of Piney Woods and was in it for a bit. George Najor had a good run with Star Chaser and then it was time for George Crumlich and Ricky Andrews to say �wait a minute, watch what I�ve got.� Earl Drew knew what he had and felt no pressure as he broke loose �I�m Earl�. What a stake! The judges certainly had plenty to choose from but there was one more dog left. Dr. George Najor from Highland Michigan had drawn a bye dog with Miss PennStar. She had won the Open Shooting Dog stake the previous day and we were about to see if �Lady� had anything left. Thirty minutes later there was no doubt in anyone�s mind. Miss PennStar simply reached to the edges of the course, was found standing four times and handled her birds with a confident and competent manner. Style to burn and she left no doubt that this Classic title honoring Mills Hodge, was to be hers.
After an exciting day in the saddle the announcements were made. Earning third place was �I�m Earl�, pointer male owned and handled by Earl Drew. �Earl� had a huge race, was found standing well ahead and finished so strong it was if he hadn�t drawn a breath. Edging out Earl for second place was David Keck of Pittsboro with his pointer female, Class Act Game On. �Lady� is a threat every time she is turned loose. She chose this Classic to put on a beautiful performance. Lady covered the course, always to the front, required no scouting, and handled her one find with perfection. That is usually enough for the blue ribbon on most any day, but not today. The winner of the Mills Hodge Amateur Shooting Dog Classic was to be Dr. George Najor�s charge, Miss PennStar. A classic race and four finds when quail were elusive wrapped it up for �Lady�.
How do you draw up a better day? Honor a friend and fellow competitor, place good dogs on the grounds, enjoy good fellowship, and praise for the judges decisions. It doesn�t get any better!
Pictured - Mills Hodge Amateur Shooting Dog Classic:
Front (l to r) Dr George Najor with Miss Pennstar, David Keck with Class Act Game On, and Margaret Drew with I'm Earl
Back (l to r) George Crumlich, Eric Russell( judge), Troy Terlizzi (judge), Mills Hodge, and Earl Drew.
