Straight Forward, our female, 2nd at the DuBois Open Derby

Straight Forward
Straight Forward

Straight Forward, by Keystone Red Rage x Quixstar, ended her derby career with a 2nd at the DuBois–Beaver Meadow open derby.  “Cracker” ran hard and ahead throughout the half-hour heat.  In the open areas she reached and in the woods cover she adjusted her range.  She was clearly applying herself to hunting and her efforts were rewarded with four finds.  She stood each with her characteristic high tail and excellent intensity.  She was steady on some finds.  At the 30 minute mark she was still driving and showing off her merry, cracking running style.

Impact Player, derby-age, wins 1st in the Dubois Open Shooting Dog

ImpactPlayer

Impact Player

Impact Player, son of Pennstar, was handled by Dick Brenneman to his first all-age win at the season-ending DuBois–Beaver Meadows Open Shooting Dog stake.  Joe is still a derby, but he had done so well in handling birds that he was entered in the shooting dog stake.  Pro Dave Hughes deserves much credit for “Joe’s” early development on game.  While “Joe” spent the spring in a long recovery from limber tail, he showed no effects of this in his three find performance at DuBois.   Joe burned up the first half of the course is rather open with some large fields.  Here “Joe” hunted the edges and showed to the front.  Then through the wooded area he dug in and started scoring on game.  His first find featured a challenging relocation on a running bird.  This tri-colored setter is a picture on point with his  high and straight tail and his tip-toe intensity.

Jumpstart wins 2nd in West Branch Grouse All-Age

Jumpstart
Jumpstart
Jumpstart, Mike Spotts’ all-age female sired by Pennstar, continued her winning ways with a 2nd place win at the West Branch Open All-Age held at “The Barrens”, State College, PA.   “Woodie” ran the one hour course with drive and determination.  She reached in the open areas and was not deterred in her quest in the heavy cover that occurs at the beginning and end of the course.  “The Barrens” are a test of bird dog courage and versatility as dogs have a tendency to avoid the rough, heavy cover and to not reach out in the open areas.  “Woodie” did both.  She is an eyeful to watch in action as she’s very light on her feet and flashy with her cracking tail.  Her birdwork was flawless.

Spitfire wins the Nittany Valley Open Derby

SPITFIRE FOR FIELD
 

 

Facing a field of top contenders Spitfire, Mike Spotts’ female sired by Bold Move, won 1st at the Nittany Valley Open Derby.  “Lola’s” strong hunting effort through a course that features some quite heavy cover and some places where you need to reach for objectives impressed the judges.  Her flashy running style and her high, straight pointing style put her over the top.    This year’s eventual Flanagan Award winner was 2nd.