2025 NGSPA Pheasant Championship
Mingo Sportsmen’s Club – Bloomingdale, OH
October 2–10, 2025
Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan & Dogs Unlimited
By Anthony Rusciano
The 52nd running of the NGSPA Pheasant Championship marked our second year at the Mingo Sportsmen’s Club Field Trial Grounds in Bloomingdale, Ohio — and what an outstanding event it was. We had a fantastic turnout and are grateful to each and every one of you who traveled and spent your time with us.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to Bill Monk and the Mingo Sportsmen’s Club for once again opening these premier grounds to the NGSPA and allowing our championship to follow the National Pointer Pheasant Championship. This scheduling provided our handlers and dogs the advantage of abundant pheasant populations — and it showed.
Mingo’s terrain demands a true bird dog: one that hunts with intelligence, uses the wind efficiently, and shows determination across vast open country. The decision to relocate this championship to Mingo has clearly proven to be the right one — both for the sport and for the dogs we evaluate.
Grounds and Conditions
Although the weather had been dry leading into the trial, the grounds were in excellent shape. Rolling fields of native grasses and large, healthy food plots stretched across the property. Scenting conditions were favorable, and nearly every dog encountered birds — with many recording multiple finds. Several braces produced coveys of a dozen or more pheasants erupting at once.
With approximately 300 pheasants released, along with hundreds of birds still present from the prior event, opportunities for birdwork were plentiful and the level of competition intense.
Acknowledgments
Events of this size and importance are only possible through the efforts and generosity of many individuals and organizations.
A sincere thank-you to Purina Pro Plan and Greg Blair for their continued sponsorship and unwavering support of our sport. We are equally appreciative of Dogs Unlimited, another NGSPA partner whose contributions are essential to our championships.
Special recognition is extended to Chris Young and Kirk Loftin, who assisted me in securing qualified judges. Thank you to Jen Goodall for once again managing entries and paperwork with professionalism and care.
We are deeply grateful to Bill Monk and the Mingo Sportsmen’s Club Field Trial Committee for their hospitality and dedication in preparing such exceptional grounds. Thank you as well to the many Mingo members who volunteered — planting birds, assisting in the clubhouse, and helping to ensure that every aspect of the week ran smoothly.
A heartfelt thanks to Dayna Rusciano, who handled much of the behind-the-scenes organization, meal planning, shopping, and preparation to keep everyone well-fed and supported.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to Lonestar Kennel Horse Company, Kirk Loftin, and Sherri Tangsrud for providing rental horses for our judges. Their generosity allowed us to accommodate judges who would not otherwise have been able to participate.
A very special thank-you goes to Becky and Andy Dynkowicz for providing their side-by-side for the dog wagon and for Becky’s exceptional help in the kitchen. Your dedication, generosity, and hard work are truly invaluable — we appreciate you more than words can express.
To our judges that you for evaluating our dogs and spending time away from your families and work to join us and help make this event a successful one.
Finally, thank you to the NGSPA Board of Directors for their support and trust in allowing us to conduct this championship on behalf of the Association.
Competition and Highlights
The Championship began on Thursday, October 2nd, under crisp autumn skies. Handlers and spectators traveled from across the country — many logging thousands of miles — to run on the challenging but rewarding Mingo courses.
Despite the logistical demands of this venue, the event ran smoothly, and feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. While a brace-by-brace report could not be produced this year, everyone in attendance agreed that 2025 was a major step forward for this Championship.
The volume and quality of birdwork were exceptional. Judges had ample opportunities to evaluate each dog’s ability to hunt, handle game, show style, and maintain composure under pressure. Very few dogs went birdless, creating exciting and competitive performances throughout the trial.
Looking Ahead
The NGSPA Pheasant Championship continues to grow, improve, and solidify its place as one of the premier events on the NGSPA calendar. We are already looking forward to returning to Mingo in 2026.
We invite all GSP field trial enthusiasts — handlers, amateurs, professionals, and especially newcomers — to join us next year and experience this outstanding event.
Congratulations to all who placed — the level of competition was outstanding! Thank you to every participant, volunteer, sponsor, and supporter who made this year such a remarkable success. We look forward to seeing everyone again on October 2, 2026, for another unforgettable NGSPA Pheasant Championship at Mingo.
2025 Pheasant Championship Winners
NGSPA Pheasant Open Derby
Judges: Dayna Rusciano and Abraham Macke
14 Dogs
On October 2nd we opened the Pheasant Championship with the Open Derby — seven braces of up-and-coming young dogs, several ready to card their first pheasant find. With Judge Sherri Tangsrud delayed in arriving, Abraham Macke stepped in to judge. We ran a 30-minute out-and-back course. As the first brace broke away that sunny Thursday afternoon and topped the first hill, large coveys lifted — an early sign of just how many pheasants were on the grounds. Fortunately, these youngsters didn’t see the birds and give chase; they paused only to listen to the cackling as the coveys crossed the field.
MSK’s Fast Eddie in Brace 2a, owned and handled by Dan DiMambro, lived up to his name and stayed in high gear throughout. The judges put him on top for his bold, forward moves across the terrain and fluid gait that demanded attention, marking him as a youngster with clear all-age potential. Though he reached out, he stayed connected when called and recorded one very stylish find.
Second place went to Chicoree’s A Stitch in Time (6b), owned and handled by Fred Ryan. This young dog separated himself with a strong forward run and polished handling. Although birdless, his ground application distinguished him. His range wasn’t as consistent as the winner’s, but the judges noted a strong foundation and bright future.
Third place was awarded to MSPW A Need For Speed (5b), owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson and handled by Dan DiMambro. Compared with the top two, she showed more hunt with slightly less range, but impressed with her independence, terrain use, and a stylish, steady point — maturity beyond her years. These juvenile dogs are on track for outstanding field trial careers, and we look forward to their future accomplishments.
The Pheasant Championship sincerely thanks all who participated in this stake and we welcome owners of young GSP’s to join us in 2026 for this fun stake.
OPEN DERBY PLACEMENTS
1st Place: MSK’s Fast Eddie
Owner: Dan DiMambro
Handler: Dan DiMambro
2nd Place: Chicoree’s A Stitch in Time
Owner: Fred Ryan
Handler: Fred Ryan
3rd Place: MSPW A Need For Speed
Owner: Keith and Bobbi Richardson
Handler: Dan DiMambro
Standing: Dayna Rusciano-Judge and Abraham Macke, Judge. Kneeling Katlyn Macke with Eddie, Dan DiMambro, Fred Ryan with Stitch and April DiMambro with Needa
NGSPA Pheasant Amateur Shooting Dog Championship
Judges Justin Allen and Leroy Long
23 Dogs
The Champion Slate Rocks Mountain Heart “Rommel”, owned and handled by Andy Dynkowicz, and the Runner-Up Champion HighStanding Cuttin Edge “Woody”, owned and handled by Dayna Rusciano, both came out of Brace 7, which ran first on Saturday morning. Depending on weather and conditions, the first and last braces at Mingo are often the toughest due to pheasants pairing up and running around — in addition to the morning “salted” birds.
This brace had judges, handlers, and spectators on the edge of their saddles as both dogs produced an abundance of birdwork throughout the hour. Rommel carded 7 finds, 1 divided find, and 2 backs, while Woody recorded 4 finds plus 1 divided find. The brace started from the breakaway field near the parking area. Rommel notched two finds before the rock-pile area of the road, and the pair was later found standing on a divided find in tall grasses past the food plots before the power lines. Both dogs hunted independently, displayed impeccable style and manners, and finished to the front — Woody was found standing at time just past the rock pile as you come back towards the breakaway fields. Judges noted several dogs could have won this competitive stake, but this brace set the standard. Both dogs did an excellent job for their two amateur handlers. The decision ultimately came down to “splitting hairs”; Rommel sealed the win by showing slightly more of the Shooting Dog application they preferred while Woody’s range was a bit further.
Champion: Slate Rocks Mountain Heart
Owner: James, Becky, and Andy Dynkowicz
Handler: Andy Dynkowicz
Runner Up Champion: HighStanding Cuttin Edge
Owner: Anthony and Dayna Rusciano
Handler: Dayna Rusciano
Standing: Justin Allen-Judge, Becky Dynkiewicz, Leroy Long-Judge, Stacy Goodie, Dayna Rusciano, Greg Starusbaugh, Andy Dynkiewicz, Kneeling: Helmut Schoen with Rommel and Chris Young with Woody
NGSPA Pheasant Open All-Age Championship
Judges Mark Auman and Leroy Long
17 Dogs
As the championship continued, temperatures warmed, and more pheasants moved in the midday sun — tempting conditions that led to breaches of manners for a number of entries.
Out of Brace 6a came the Champion, the Amateur Shooting Dog winner Slate Rocks Mountain Heart, owned by the Dynkowicz family and handled by Dan DiMambro. Rommel carded numerous finds and kept his manners in check throughout the hour. A seasoned dog, he rolled through the Mingo grounds, consistently finding birds off the paths as he dug in and hunted. Rommel’s style and composure were exemplary and earned him the win.
Runner-Up Champion Monkeyshine Call Me The Breeze in Brace 4b is owned by Helmut Schoen and handled by Dan DiMambro. “Breezy” wore her all-age wheels, maintained a consistent forward race, and spaced her finds well over the hour. Her style on pheasant coveys was outstanding. Judges remarked that the difference between Champion and Runner-Up was primarily the number of clean finds — it was that close.
The Pheasant Championship thanks everyone who participated in this stake.
Champion: Slate Rocks Mountain Heart
Owner: James, Becky, and Andy Dynkowicz
Handler: Dan DiMambro
Runner Up Champion: Monkeyshine Call Me The Breeze
Owner: Helmut Schoen
Handler: Dan DiMambro
Standing:Andy and Becky Dynkiewicz, Leroy Long-Judge, Mark Auman-Judge Kneeling April Dimambro with Rommel, Dan DiMambro, Helmut Schoen with Breezy
NGSPA Pheasant Open Shooting Dog Championship
Judges: Mark Calder & Cory Roy
42 Dogs
This was a large and very competitive stake judged by Mark Calder and Cory Roy. As pheasants began to covey up, it made for thrilling moments when a dog went on point and multiple birds erupted in different directions.
The Champion — a seasoned performer at the Pheasant Championship with multiple recent placements — was In-Country’s Hurricane Jane, co-owned by Robert Reynolds and Chris Young and handled by Chris Goegan. Drawn in Brace 12a, Janie ran the last brace of the day. With temperatures easing and a light breeze, conditions were ideal. From the breakaway, Janie was all business, carding several finds over the hour and maintaining excellent style and manners on her game. Early in the brace it was clear she would be hard to beat; her application through the terrain and off-the-path finds stood out. She stood like a statue as pheasants cackled overhead on the flush and ran a strong, forward, classic Shooting Dog race.
Runner-Up Champion Two Ponds Blanco Roux, owned by Jason Brooks and handled by Hank Lewis, came from Brace 4a. Earning a placement that early in such a large stake is no small feat, and Roux did it with numerous steady finds. Judges noted her knack for locating game where others did not, as well as the handler’s efficient, composed handling — gathering and releasing her to all the right places. That combination of style, consistency, and game-finding earned the runner-up title in a very competitive stake.
Thank you to all who entered and supported this stake.
Champion: In-Country’s Hurricane Jane
Owner: Robert Reynolds and Chris Young
Handler: Chris Goegan
Runner Up Champion: Two Ponds Blanco Roux
Owner: Jason Brooks
Handler: Hank Lewis
Top of Form Standing: Mark Calder-Judge, Robert Reynolds, Chris Goegan, Hank Lewis, Cory Roy-Judge, Kneeling: Chris Young with Janie and Rich Robertson