Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan
November 3-11, 2023
By Anthony Rusciano
The NGSPA Pheasant Championship started on Friday, November 3, 2023, at the NRMA on Wye Island, MD. This was a milestone for the Pheasant Championship being that it was the 50th anniversary of this Championship and the 30th year running on Wye Island. We were honored that some of the past board members, who brought this event to the island, were able to join us and for those that were unable to make the trip you were certainly in our thoughts. This year was the largest group of attendees that this event has had to date. We could not have asked for better weather and the grounds were in excellent condition with ample areas of switch grass to hold our 300+ pheasants. Many of the attendees travel thousands of miles to compete with their dogs and try to pin down a few pheasant finds. While the competition against some of the top GSP’s is worth the trip alone, you cannot overlook the great company, the beautiful scenery on the island, some of the best seafood that Maryland has to offer, or the hospitality and social events held by the Pheasant Championship at the clubhouse. A lot of planning and time goes into running the Pheasant Championship and we are VERY APPRECIATIVE of all of the professional handlers and amateurs that select this championship to attend and support.
Purina Pro Plan has sponsored the NGSPA Pheasant championship for many years and we would like to let Purina and Greg Blair know that we are extremely grateful for all that they do for our sport. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make this championship an enjoyable one for all of our attendees. Whether it was taking entries, planting birds, driving the dog wagon, assisting in the kitchen, being a stake manager, or jumping in where needed, this championship would not be a successful event without a team effort. A special thanks goes to our judges for taking the time out of their busy schedules and away from their families to sit in the saddle and watch our dogs. We would also like to thank the Wye Island NRMA employees, especially Martin Callahan who helped run the event smoothly. Lastly, we would like to thank the NGSPA board of directors for trusting us to run this event.
We are not certain as to how long we may be allowed to continue to hold our championships on these grounds and we were reminded of this at this event when we were informed by ranger Martin Callahan that one of our main fields may be eliminated as early as next year. The state is planning to extend its wildlife area and remove the field from crops to allow foliage to develop. Currently, the championship plans on running on these grounds in 2024, but is actively seeking new grounds to call home, if you have not had the opportunity to enjoy the island please consider joining us in 2024 as it may be our last.
Congratulations to all of the 2023 Champions and Runner-Up Champions.
Derby Classic
DERBY CLASSIC – Left to Right – Mick Monica, Anthony Rusciano, Mike Mullineaux, Steve Zozzaro with 1st place Monica’s Quail Point Sheba, Judge Fred Ryan, Dan Dimambro, April DiMambro with 2nd place RN’s High Riden Lizie, Wayne Horner, Judge Nancy Huyser, Lance Fargo with 3rd place Toots Toots Tootsie
On the afternoon of Friday November 3, 2022 the Pheasant Championship kicked off the event with Fred Ryan and Nancy Huyser judging the Derby Classic. The course that we ran was an out-and-back, starting at the Boy Scout camp area and only using the left-hand side of the island. There was plenty of excitement watching the 17 derby dogs run and handle the open grounds, some encountering their first-ever pheasant find.
First place went to Monicas Quail Point Sheba owned by Mick Monica and handled by Mike Mullineaux. Sheba had some nice casts and ran a forward race. The judges stated Sheba demonstrated that she has the potential to be a nice running, forward moving dog as she matures.
Second place went to RN’s High Riden Lizie owned by Ray Nelson and handled by Dan DiMambro. Lizie ran a strong forward race. As a young dog she made some immature moves but she handled kindly and required little scouting by April DiMambro.
Third place went to Toots Toots Tootsie owned and handled by Wayne Horner. This young dog had a solid shooting dog range while jumping in and out of cover. She demonstrated excellent potential and this snappy little dog caught the judges attention.
Congratulations to all the derby owners and handlers on your up and coming dogs. These juvenile dogs are on track to have an outstanding field trial career and we look forward to reading about all of their accomplishments in the future.
The Pheasant Championship would like to sincerely thank all those that participated in this stake.
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG – Left to Right – Chris Goegan, Giovani Goegan, Stacy Goegan, Judge Rich Robertson, Robert Reynolds, Joe Amatulli, Chris Young, Steve Zozzaro with champion Janie, Scott Weslow with RU Champion Blitz, Scotts grandchildren, judge Dave McKay, Anthony Rusciano
The judges for the running of the 2023 NGSPA Pheasant Amateur Shooting Dog Championship were Rich Robertson and Dave McKay. Rich is a professional trainer/handler who has joined us for many years at the Pheasant Championship running dogs, so we were honored to have him judge this year. Dave is a seasoned amateur handler and has judged numerous pointing dog championships he joined us for the first time this year. The weather for the three day stake was a warm but the sun was shining so we couldn’t complain. The majority of the 30 dogs entered in this stake were able to find and produce a good number of pheasants, making it a very competitive and exciting stake to watch.
Champion, “Janie” – In-Countrys Hurricane Jane, is owned by Robert Reynolds and Chris Young and was handled by owner Chris Young. Janie ran in the morning of the first day of the stake in brace 3B. Janie ran a strong forward race and required little handling. She was found standing with exceptional style on all of her Pheasant finds. Janie is a seasoned shooting dog and has great style and manners on her birds. It was Janie’s stake as she outshined the competition and was awarded the ASD Champion title.
“Blitz” – Hickory Acres All Out Blitz owned and handled by Scott Weslow was awarded 2023 ASD Runner-Up Champion. Blitz came out of the first brace (7A) on day two of the stake. Scott and Blitz have both been to the Wye Island grounds numerous times. It was an emotional runner up champion placement for Scott and his family and it brought a smile to everyone’s face watching them receive it. Blitz and Scott did a great job navigating the islands grounds and pinning down a few pheasant finds. Blitz stayed forward and handled kindly for Scott.
Owners Doc Reynolds, Chris Young, Scott Weslow and family have been attending and supporting the Pheasant Championship for many, many years and it was a pleasure to see these gentlemen awarded with placements. The Pheasant Championship would like to sincerely thank all those that participated in this stake.
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Each year the Amateur Shooting Dog judges name an amateur to award the Jerry Albanese sportsmanship award. This award is for the amateur who goes above and beyond just showing up and running their dog. They help others by scouting for them or by assisting with running the championship more efficiently, all with an outstanding attitude and as a true sportsman. This year’s recipient is Dayna Rusciano. Congratulations Dayna on being named this years recipient, we cannot thank you enough for your overwhelming support to the Pheasant Championship.
ALL AGE
ALL AGE – Left to Right – Anthony Rusciano, Judge Jeanette Tracy, Hank Lewis, Dina Lewis with champion Badger, Mike Mullineaux, Kirk Loftin with RU Rusty, Judge Jeff Currier, Nancy Huyser, Ken Huyser
The judges for the running of the 2023 NGSPA Pheasant All Age Championship were Jeanette Tracy and Jeff Currier. Jeanette is a professional trainer/handler and a veteran on these grounds and has done her share of winning throughout the years. Jeff has won his own share of Championships over his years of field trialing with his string of Brittanys. The weather for the entire two and a half days was ideal for running dogs, it was cool but the sun was shining. There were 26 dogs entered in this stake making it a very competitive one.
CHAMPION “Badger” – Hi-N’s Dirty Secret owned and handled by Hank Lewis was in the first brace 1(B). Badger was scouted by Dina Lewis. Badger broke away strong to the front. As we made our way towards the back of the island Hank pointed Badger out to the judges running the edges of the fields. Badger was found standing towards the back corner of the island before the gated back fields on the right side of the island. A Pheasant was produced as Badger stood with manners in order. Badger had another pheasant find shortly after the first one then finished the hour strong and forward running the edge of the field. This performance earned Badger the 2023 Pheasant Open AA Champion title.
Quail Ponts Black River Rusty has done some winning here on the island and it was no different for this stake as he was named the Runner Up Champion of the 2023 Pheasant All Age. Rusty is owned by Ken and Nancy Huyser and handled by Mike Mullineaux. Rusty ran in the second to last brace (12A). Rusty wasted no time gaining ground and was pointed out by Mike running forward. Rusty had strong ground speed and great style on his game. The judges stated that the placements were close and between Badger and Rusty it could have gone either way. Rusty finished as strong as he started.
The Pheasant Championship would like to sincerely thank all those who participated in this stake.
OPEN SHOOTING DOG
OPEN SHOOTING DOG – Left to Right – Judge Greg Strausbaugh, Stacy Goodie, Judge Jeff Currier, Kirk Loftin, Sherri Tangsrud with Champion Uodibars Robbi Jo, Christine Conroy, Jesse Conroy, Anthony Rusciano
We were honored to have Greg Straughbaugh and Jeff Currier judge the Open Shooting Dog stake this year. Greg and Jeff are both amateur pointing dog handlers who actively competed in American field championships. The weather made for excellent conditions to run bird dogs. This large stake had 40 dogs and was run over 3.5 days.
Open Shooting Dog Champion came from the second day. On brace (11A) ran Uodibars Robbi Jo – “Robbi” and she caught the judge’s attention with her application on the ground and style and intensity on birds. Robbi is owned by Sherri Tangsrud and handled by Kirk Loftin. Robbi was all business as she rimmed the edges in search of game. Robbi was rewarded with three finds all pointed with style. Robbi completed the hour moving forward the same as she started it. Both Sherri and Kirk are strong supporters of the Pheasant Championship and both put a lot of time into field trialing so its no surprise that their dog, Robbi’s performance earned her the title of 2023 OSD Pheasant Champion.
Earlier in the stake on day one, in brace 3A, Hi-N’s Curtain Call – Charlie owned and handled by Hank Lewis ran. Charlie had two beautiful pheasant finds and a back. Charlie was always forward, and stayed consistent for the entire hour brace. Charlie handled kindly with little need of direction from the handler and required no scouting by Dina Lewis. His performance earned him the OSD Runner up Champion placement. The Pheasant Championship would like to thank all those who participated in this stake.