Neither snow nor rain…will stay a field trial…

Dan Stadin is very proud of Northwoods Shelby (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Highclass Kate, 2013) and her third place in the Open Puppy.

Field trialers are a hearty group. In perhaps the most awful conditions Jerry and I can remember, a large crowd of bird dog owners, handlers, family members and friends showed up last weekend for the second Minnesota Grouse Dog Association (MGDA) spring field trial.

Saturday was by far the better draw as rain fell most of the day on Sunday—and at times, it just poured. The wind blew strong and gusty and temperatures never climbed out of the 30s. Warm layers, rubber boots and good rain gear were indispensable.

But crazy as this seems, we all agreed that there was no place we’d rather be than in the woods, watching dogs work and hanging around with friends.

The kennel run of Northwoods Sadie (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chablis, 2013) is suitably decorated after her first place win in the Open Puppy.

Many thanks to the MGDA crew who puts on these trials—Scott Anderson, Greg Gress, Dave Moore and Brett Edstrom. Thanks also to the judges who didn’t have the luxury of sitting in warm trucks between braces and instead slogged through miles of muddy courses.

Finally, congratulations to all the winners!

Open Shooting Dog
1st  Seattle Slew, owned and handled by Dave Moore
2nd  Kobe, owned and handled by Bill Frahm
3rd  Dot, owned and handled by Rod Lein

Open Derby
1st  NW Smooch, owned by Ben McKean, handled by Jerry
2nd  Axel, owned by Ryan Flair, handled by Jerry
3rd  Snyder’s Dusty, owned by Steve Snyder, handled by Jerry

Open Puppy
1st  Northwoods Mercedes, owned by NBD, handled by Jerry
2nd  Northwoods Lexus, owned by Wayne Grayson, handled by Jerry
3rd  Northwoods Shelby, owned and handled by Dan Stadin

Ben McKean has good timing as he just recently became the new owner of NW Smooch (CH Elhew G Force x Northwoods Vixen, 2013). As a puppy, Smooch placed first in the Open Derby.