Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan
November 11-15, 2022
By Anthony Rusciano
The NGSPA Region III Championship started on Saturday, November 11, 2023, after the conclusion of the NGSPA Pheasant Championship Open Shooting Dog Stake. The championship was run on the scenic grounds of Wye Island, Maryland. Region III is a fun, but challenging championship because although we transition to quail there are still 300+ pheasant running around the island grounds. With an abundance of pheasant still on the grounds from the prior championship and over 300 quail utilized throughout the event the dogs had plenty of opportunities to point game.
Although the NGSPA Pheasant Championship is a tough act to follow and many participants need to leave to return to work obligations, we must make the sacrifice and run this championship because of the lack of NGSPA events we have available on the east coast. Pulling off two NGSPA back-to-back events with a very small handful of volunteers is draining, but the reward is to see that the attendees are thankful for the efforts. Region 3 is grateful for those who were able to stay and support the event.
To our sponsor Purina Pro Plan and Greg Blair we would like to express our sincere gratitude and huge “Thank You” for your years of sponsorship, it is greatly appreciated. Through your generous donation, Purina Pro Plan dog food was awarded to all dogs that were placed as well as to our judges.
Special thanks to Dayna Rusciano and Dina Lewis for helping behind the scenes and making sure we were fed. To our judges thank you for taking time away from your busy schedules to watch our dogs, we appreciate your time.
Although this year was our largest turn out of participation unfortunate incidents happen and this year was not without our own challenges. Two judges dropped out last minute and we were unable to replace them so we had to cancel the ASD stake. All of the amateur participants were relieved because many of the same dogs, handlers and horses participated throughout both events and they did not want to overdo it and wanted to avoid injuries.
ALL AGE
All Age – Left to Right – Judge Cory Roy, Dan DiMambro with Champion HighStanding Cuttin Edge Woody Dayna Rusciano, Anthony Rusciano, April DiMambro with RU Chicorees Riden High Trixie, Judge Bo Manounis
A total of 26 dogs competed in the All Age stake that started on Saturday afternoon November 11, 2023. Our judges were Bo Manounis from New Jersey and Cory Roy from Connecticut. Both gentlemen have spent time in the saddle judging and handling pointing dogs. Bo is an English Pointer owner/handler and Cory is a GSP/Vizsla owner/handler, both judges actively campaign their dogs in American Field events.
“Woody” – HighStanding Cuttin Edge owned by Anthony & Dayna Rusciano ran mid-morning on day two in brace (7B). Handler Dan DiMambro broke Woody away as he stretched out strong, forward and to the front. Woody disappeared and was found standing at 12. Quail were produced as they flew directly over his head he stood with style. Woody was sent on and was found standing at 17 in the far back reaching corner of the large back field on the property past the gates. A pheasant was produced. Woody was once again rewarded with a find at 40, with style and manners. Woody made a huge finishing cast to time around the entire edge of the tree line of the large Boy Scout field. Woody was an all around powerful dog for the hour, he handled kindly earning him 2023 Region 3 All Age Champion.
Runner Up Champion Chicorees Riden High Trixie was in brace (6B) on the second day. Trixie is owned by Rondal Alexander and handled by Dan DiMambro. Trixie is a true all age competitor and has done plenty of winning throughout the years. Trixie started off the hour with a strong forward cast down the tree line as far as the eye could see. She ran a strong all age race around the island in search of game. She was found to the front standing on all of her finds. Trixie had three evenly spaced finds two small quail coveys and a Pheasant. She stood her birds with great style and manners and was able to pin down a moving Pheasant. Trixie’s ground speed and style complemented this years Champion.
The judges complemented that there was some really great competition and they appreciated watching these strong running dogs navigate the grounds. They said that all dogs pointed game unless the handler called for the tracker due to a lost dog. The judges noted that they were splitting hairs with a few of the dogs but that the Champion and Runner Up had no flaws and stood out amongst the others for this stake.
Thank you to all participants in this year’s Region III All Age Championship.
OPEN SHOOTING DOG
Open Shooting Dog – Left to Right – Judge Mike Mullineaux, Kirk Loft, Sherri Tangsrud with Champion Dee, Judge Cory Roy, Barry Bollinger, Jesse Conroy with RU Blaser
Our Open Shooting Dog had 30 dogs judged by Mike Mullineaux and Cory Roy. Mike is a seasoned professional trainer/handler who has won many times at Wye Island. Due to the added cover this year it increased our quail planting areas thus providing extra opportunities for the dogs to encounter game.
Champion was awarded to Stoney Hills Pinnacle Dee “Dee” owned and handled by Kirk Loftin and scouted by Sherri Tangsrud. The saying save the best for last applies here as Dee was in the last brace 15A. Dee was the 2022 Region 3 OSD runner up champion. As always Dee started with a strong forward race to the front. Dee had two small quail covey finds, one within the first 10 minutes on course and the second in the last 10 minutes. She had impeccable style and manners on her game. Throughout the stake Dee hunted hard seeking game but handled kindly when needed. Dee finished the hour strong and had no letdown. Dee’s performance rewarded her with the 2023 Region III Open Shooting Dog Champion title.
Out of brace, 8A came this year’s runner-up champion Huntem Ups Aim To Impress Blaser. Blaser is owned by Kaj Larson and handled by Barry Bollinger. This was a big win for Barry and Blaser and was his first at Wye Island. Blaser had 3 quail finds all with great stle and manners. She ran a good shooting dog race and stayed to the front. Barry handled kindly and Blaser required little to no scouting as she took to the edges and was all business. She finished with the hour with plenty of fuel left in her tank. A first-rate shooting dog performance earned Blaser the Championship win.
Congratulations to all the dogs that were placed. Thank you to all who attended Region 3 we appreciate your support.