Pine Straw Blackhawk gets 2nd place in open puppy!

On Saturday, January 22, 2011, Pine Straw Blackhawk placed 2nd in the Open Puppy stake at the NBHA Northeast Regional Championship Trial. Hawk surprised us with a huge run, outracing a much older pointer pup and staying far to the front for most of the twenty minutes. This is the first placement for Katie's pups and we couldn't be happier. Smudge had a great race, but was constantly molested by his brace mate, which prevented him from covering the ground in his usual style. Jamie Fountain of Oconee Kennels helped prepare the pups for puppy trials by introducing them to horses for us. Thanks to Jamie as always.

Pinestraw Black Hawk earns first two legs of Junior Hunter

Pinestraw Black Hawk earned two legs of his junior hunter at an AKC hunt test recently. Hawk had multiple finds and held his points until the flush on every bird. He was complimented by the judges and had a fun time. Hawk ranged well, as far as any dog that ran, and his first point on both days was over 100 yards out. We are proud of the big boy.

Katie named Runner Up Champion at National Amateur Grouse Championship!

On Wednesday, November 17, 2010, Pine Straw Katydid was named Runner Up Champion at the National Amateur Grouse Championship that was held near Marienville, Pennsylvania. There were 69 dogs drawn for this cover dog event that lasted most of 5 days. Katie was in the 33rd brace, which ended up being the last brace due to a few dogs being withdrawn. Katie ran hard and tore through the cover. She had 1 grouse pointed about half way through the brace and one at the buzzer. I knew Katie had the breeding (CH Chip's Uncle Buzzie X Sky's Blue Belle) but she's been running horseback for the last year, so I wasn't sure how she'd do back in the woods. Anyway I want to say thanks to some of the really nice people that have helped me along the way: Chip for his mentoring, coaching, and help giving Katie a brush-up on grouse; Steve for breeding this great little dog and giving me advice along the way; Jamie Fountain for handling Katie in the horseback events and keeping the edge on her; Gus for scouting and buying dinner; Craig for his advice and thoughts on breeding; the Formans for their coaching; all of the people that worked to put on the NAGC; and especially the judges for selecting RU CH Pine Straw Katydid. There were so many nice people that made the experience even better, from the judges that were approachable and helpful, to competitors that were fair, honest and sincere in their congratulations.

Katie gets 2nd in Old Dominion Vizsla Club's Horseback Trial

On October 23, 2010 Katie earned 2nd place at the Old Dominion Vizsla Club's fall horseback trial. This American Field/AKC dual sanctioned trial had an Open Gun Dog stake with 24 entries. Katie had a very strong race and a stylish find to garner the red ribbon. Thanks again go to Jamie Fountain of Oconee Kennels for handling Katie. Jamie has done a wonderful job getting Katie back in shape and on track this fall after she whelped and raised the litter this spring.

Charlie Wins Michigan Woodcock Championship!

Our Charlie (CH Chip's Charlie Brown) was crowned the winner of the 2010 Michigan Woodcock Championship today, October 18, 2010. Charlie had 3 grouse finds and 3 woodcock finds during his hour on the ground in unusual heat. All were handled with good manners. There were 72 dogs drawn for this big trial and Charlie ran against some very serious competition.

We are so proud of Charlie. He loved to point from the time we brought him home at 8 weeks of age. At 2 months Charlie was finding and pointing the semi-wild pen raised birds which we had released in training Katie. Charlie continued to show his prowess during an early trip to Kansas for wild quail and pheasants. We then sent him for his spring puppy season with Chip and he has been a trial dog ever since.

We owe a huge debt of thanks to Steve and Ginny Chiappini (Chip's Kennels) for their mentoring and for letting us co-own Charlie, and to Marc and Scott Forman (Shady Hills Kennels) for their work in honing Charlie's skills in the field trial arena. We also appreciate the advice and encouragement of Jamie Fountain (Oconee Kennels) and Steve Groy while we were introducing Charlie to birds and giving him his early training during his first year. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Craig Peters (Keystone Setters) for his breeding program that has produced yet another champion.

Katie gets 3rd Place at GSP of Ohio horseback trial

On October 11, 2010 Katie placed third at the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of Ohio's fall horseback trial. Katie ran in hot weather and had multiple finds for handler Jamie Fountain of Oconee Kennels. This trial was a dual sanctioned American Field/AKC field trial.

Hawk and Smudge enjoy a break from the heat

We have finally got a slight break from the heat down here in south Georgia. The last couple of mornings have been below 70 degrees and I've been able to let Katie's pups, Hawk and Smudge, have a little longer workouts. They are both pointing birds and I can usually get in front to flush. Hawk is a bull in the thick stuff, and Smudge is really fast and reminding me a lot of his mom. Here are pictures from one of today's sessions.