Bluegrass Walking Shooting Dog Club results
OSD Winners (L to R): Judge Tim Mulvaney, Joe Hopkins with winner All Out, Gary Vitali, Gerry Addison with second place Whisper Ridge Rosie, James Kleve, Scott Luther with third place North Creek Scooter, and Mike Fox.
The Bluegrass Walking Shooting Dog Club concluded its 2020-2021 field trial season on March 13, 2021 at the renowned Miller Welch-Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area in Berea, Kentucky with two open stakes on offer for shooting dogs and derbies.
Thanks in part to the Kentucky Field Trial Association and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife; this season�s Spring Trial was able to come to fruition on relatively short notice. After recognizing an open date on the KFTA calendar and after the unfortunate cancelation of the Elkhorn Bird Dog Club�s trial back in late February due to the unprecedented ice storm; board members of the BWSDC quickly sprang into action making arrangements for this season ender that would enjoy a healthy amount of support from its participants.
Presided over by Mr. Matt Hadley of Frankfort, Kentucky and Mr. Tim Mulvaney of Catlettsburg, Kentucky; 16 handlers from seven different states entered their charges to hopefully state their case to the judging panel for earned placements. In addition to the competitors, a host of volunteers also contributed to the event�s success with Terry Boatright running a dog wagon, planting birds, and judging the derby stake; Kelsey Kleve taking on the task of feeding the large bird dog mob; and a drove of many other gracious individuals making this field trial a complete and appreciated success.
It goes without saying, but the continued patronage from title sponsors Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Mule Brand Hunting Clothing, and Gun Dog Central is undoubtedly the common denominator in the success of not only BWSDC trials, but all trials under the National Bird Hunters Association banner. Their loyal support and partnership is appreciated beyond measure.
Under overcast skies at 8 AM, the first brace of the Open Shooting Dog stake broke loose seeing two time champion All Out owned by Joseph & Brittany Hopkins set the bar for the heats to come with a scintillating, fast paced four find performance, one of which on woodcock. Whisper Ridge Kennel�s Gerry Addison and his Whisper Ridge Rosie would stake her claim to the runner-up spot in the 8th brace on a three find effort also with a woodcock find and rounding out the placements would be the ultra-consistent North Creek Scooter. Scooter would tally one bird contact and a stop to flush along with a mannerly back of his bracemate in brace four of the stake.
The open derby stake commenced at the conclusion of the aforementioned shooting dog stake with Hawthorne�s Boduke earning the blue ribbon. Handled by John Hawthorne of Marshall, IN; this would be he and his dog�s first trip to a BWSDC trial making it a special one with a convincing effort. Second place found itself in Mark Wegford�s setter male Colonel Robert Shaw proving Mark�s consistent training efforts and graduation from qualifier stake placement in the Fall to open shooting dog placement this Spring. Vitali�s Grouseringer Shiner, a product of the Grouseringer breeding program of owner/handler Gary Vitali bookended the derby placements in an athletic display of budding potential with bird work in third place.
As always, the primary goal of each and every BWSDC trial is to promote and conserve the sport of bird dog field trials, encourage participation fundamentally at all levels of the game, and create a sense of comradery exceeding the measure of success through winning alone. This mantra has proven once again to be the key ingredient in another successful BWSDC field trial
