News from the 2020 Minnesota spring/summer field trial season
At the summer trial held by the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association, Jerry, with the blue ribbon, poses winner Northwoods Comet (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2018). Standing in the back row are judges Rod Lein, on left, and Ryan Hough.
Northwoods Setter Tech Ringo, owned and handled by Jeff Forsberg of Loretto, Minn., won the 2020 Minnesota/Wisconsin Cover Dog Derby of the Year award and Amateur Cover Dog Derby Award.
Because spring field trials were cancelled, all Ringo’s winning performances happened last fall when he placed in every derby stake he entered. And in all but one, he had steady to wing and shot work on wild birds. Ringo is out of a litter Betsy and I bred in 2018—CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel.
Jeff and I worked dogs in the woods together this spring and I can verify that Ringo is a focused wild bird finder. Jeff’s work in the field developing and training Ringo definitely paid off I’m sure there will be more wins in his future.
Northwoods Setter Tech Ringo (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Nickel, 2018).
Jeff takes home a beautiful trophy that’s been traveling from winner to winner in the 26 years since the inception of the Derby of the Year award. We’re proud to note that Northwoods dogs are well represented on the plaques mounted on the trophy’s base. Betsy and I have bred, sired or handled nine winners and four runner-up winners.
Congratulations to Jeff and Ringo.
On June 20, the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association held its summer trial on the grounds at Four Brooks, near Milaca, Minn. Betsy and I were thrilled that our young pointer female, Northwoods Comet, won first place in the Open Derby stake. This was a one course trial with planted quail.
Comet was in the last brace—a tough draw in early afternoon—but she ran a strong, forward race, handled perfectly, backed her bracemate and, with two minutes left, pointed a single quail and remained steady at the shot.
Comet is out of CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen.