2025 NGSPA Region III Championship
Mingo Sportsmen’s Club – Bloomingdale, OH
October 11–13, 2025
Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan & Dogs Unlimited
By Anthony Rusciano
The NGSPA Region III Championship immediately followed the NGSPA Pheasant Championship, taking place on the prestigious Mingo Sportsmen’s Club Field Trial Grounds in Bloomingdale, Ohio. This event has a slightly smaller entry than the pheasant but just as competitive. This would an excellent event on outstanding grounds for a newcomer to attend, have fun, meet fellow trialers and compete at their first NGSPA championship.
A sincere thank-you goes out to our sponsors, Purina Pro Plan and Dogs Unlimited, whose continued support makes these events possible year after year. We would also like to express our deep appreciation to Bill Monk for his effort in securing these magnificent grounds and for his continued partnership in making our championships successful.
Special thanks are also extended to the Mingo Sportsmen’s Club for their generosity, hospitality, and dedication in allowing the NGSPA to host our events on their outstanding grounds.
Grounds and Birdwork
In addition to planting pheasants, the Region III Championship also released small coveys of quail throughout the courses. Most dogs encountered pheasants during their brace, while the few quail finds proved more challenging to produce due to the heavy cover and thick feed strips.
The weather throughout the event was overcast but mild — nearly perfect conditions for running bird dogs. The grounds once again proved ideal for evaluating the skills and style of top-class German Shorthaired Pointers.
Acknowledgments
The Region III Championship Committee would like to thank the NGSPA Board of Directors for their continued support and trust in allowing us to conduct this event.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to our judges, who dedicated their time and effort to sit in the saddle and evaluate each performance with fairness and integrity.
Thank you to Chris Young, Jen Goodall and Dayna Rusciano who handled much of the behind-the-scenes organization. The success of this event is due to your hard work and effort.
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.
Finally, to all the participants who remained after the Pheasant Championship to enter and support this event — we sincerely thank you. Your commitment and sportsmanship are what keep the NGSPA community strong.
Looking Ahead
With the successful completion of the 2025 Region III Championship, we look forward to continuing to build upon the momentum and success we’ve experienced at Mingo. The grounds, birdwork, and camaraderie among competitors all reflect the best of what NGSPA field trialing has to offer.
We hope to see everyone back in 2026 for another exciting and competitive Region III Championship!
2025 Region III Championship Winners
NGSPA Region III Amateur Shooting Dog
Judges: Justin Smit and Gailen Cooper
16 Dogs
The NGSPA Region III Amateur Shooting Dog stake commenced on October 11th under sunny skies and cool fall temperatures — ideal conditions for running bird dogs without risk of overheating.
This year’s Amateur Shooting Dog Champion title was awarded to Hi-N’s Dirty Secret “Badger,” owned and handled by Hank Lewis. Running from Brace 5a later in the afternoon, Badger delivered a polished and consistent shooting dog performance throughout the hour. Although she slipped out of sight on occasion, she remained easy to handle, showing maturity and responsiveness. A seasoned competitor, Badger demonstrated excellent style and manners on all her finds, with multiple pheasant contacts spaced evenly across the course. The judges noted that her overall range and ground application — showing herself more frequently and purposefully than the runner-up — distinguished her from the field.
The Runner-Up Champion was HighStanding Cuttin Edge “Woody,” owned by Anthony and Dayna Rusciano and handled by Chris Young. Although Chris had not previously handled Woody, the dog worked for him with the same respect and responsiveness he shows his owners. Chris did an excellent job keeping Woody forward and in pocket. Woody ran a strong, honest shooting dog race and was found standing on three pheasant coveys and one covey of quail. His birdwork, composure, and ground application were admired by the judges, carrying his placement out of Brace 1b.
The judges also remarked that several other dogs delivered admirable performances and that the differences separating placements were minor — a testament to the quality and competitiveness of this year’s entry.
The NGSPA Region III Championship extends sincere thanks to all who participated in this stake, and we warmly welcome GSP owners interested in field trialing to join us in 2026. This stake serves as an excellent entry-level opportunity for newcomers to learn, compete, and enjoy the sport.
AMATUER SHOOTING DOG PLACEMENTS
Champion: Hi-N’s Dirty Secret
Owner: Hank Lewis
Handler: Hank Lewis
Runner Up Champion: HighStanding Cuttin Edge
Owner: Anthony and Dayna Rusciano
Handler: Chris Young
Standing: Jason Smit-Judge, Chris Young, Gailen Cooper-Judge. Kneeling: Scout Helmut Schoen with RU CH Woody and in place of CH Roux who was unavailable is Peter Copens with Rio.
NGSPA Region III All Age
Judges: Diane Vater and Gailen Cooper
15 Dogs
With a lot of torn pads from the dry grounds and dogs that ran multiple times already from the previous stakes this all age stake was going to test these dogs. The NGSPA Region III All-Age Champion title was awarded to Chicoree Riden High Trixie, owned by Jeff Alexander and handled by Dan DiMambro. Trixie, running from Brace 8A, delivered the kind of bold, forward race expected of an all-age dog. Shortly after a powerful cast off from the breakaway, she recorded a well-earned dug-up find. Later in the brace, she recorded a stop-to-flush following a relocation on a running pair of pheasants, and all manners were in perfect order — no easy task on these challenging pheasants.
Trixie continued forward with speed and determination, ultimately carding another find on quail after reaching the front past the gas wells. Her ground race was fast, forward, and purposeful, and her birdwork was marked by exceptional style. These qualities combined to earn her the All-Age Champion title.
The Runner-Up Champion was Macke’s Jim Bob, owned by Abraham and Katlyn Macke and handled by Dan DiMambro. Jim delivered a strong all-age race with big, forward casts and multiple finds, each handled with excellent style and composure. His final find came after a sweeping cast to the front, where he was discovered standing with flawless manners. His performance closely paralleled that of the champion, with the judges noting that the decision between the two was a narrow one.
Congratulations to both the Champion and Runner-Up Champion, and sincere thanks to all who competed in this highly competitive stake.
ALL AGE PLACEMENTS
Champion: Chicoree Riden high Trixie
Owner: Rondal Alexander
Handler: Dan DiMambro
Runner Up Champion: Mackes Jim Bob
Owner: Abraham and Katlyn Macke
Handler: Dan DiMambro
Standing; Diane Vater-Judge, Gailen Cooper-Judge, Andy Dynkowicx Kneeling: Handler Dan DiMambro with CH Trixie and Scout April DiMambro with RU CH Jim
NGSPA Region III Open Shooting Dog
Judges: Diane Vater and Justin Smit
28 Dogs
The NGSPA Region III Open Shooting Dog stake concluded two full weeks of championship competition. By this point, owners, handlers, and dogs were understandably feeling the effects of long days in the saddle, making this final stake a genuine test of endurance, consistency, and competitive edge. Our judges for the stake were Diane Vater and Justin Smith. A total of 28 dogs were drawn, and clear weather prevailed throughout the stake.
The Champion emerged from Brace 11B: Two Ponds Blanco Roux, owned by Jason Brooks and handled by Hank Lewis. Roux was briefly out of pocket early in the brace but returned to put down a fast, snapping, forward Shooting Dog race. She recorded stylish quail finds at 33, 38, and 41 minutes. At 56 minutes, Roux was found standing in heavy cover, though no birds could be produced. Her strong ground race, excellent handleability, and polished birdwork earned her the Open Shooting Dog Champion title.
The Runner-Up Champion came from Brace 10A with Spike (Prairie Winds Evolution’s Recreation), owned by Keith and Bobbi Richardson and handled by Rich Robertson. Notably, 10-year-old Spike began the brace standing in the middle of a group of eight to ten pheasants just two minutes after the breakaway. He handled the situation with the composure and steadiness expected of a seasoned veteran. Throughout the hour, Spike added five more pheasant finds at 6, 14, 24, 37, and 44 minutes, along with a stop-to-flush at 10 minutes. His experience, controlled application, and mature birdwork earned him the Runner-Up Championship placement.
Thank you to all who competed in and attended the Region III Championship. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again next year.
OPEN SHOOTING DOG PLACEMENTS
Champion: Two Ponds Blanco Roux
Owner: Jason Brooks
Handler: Hank Lewis
Runner Up Champion: Prairie Winds Evolutions Recreation
Owner: Keith and Bobbi Richardson
Handler: Rich Robertson
Standing: Jason Smit-Judge and Diane Vater-Judge Kneeling: Hank Lewis with CH Roux and Handler Rich Robertson with RU CH Spike