The National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity has a pretty good track record for its winners going on to become Champions. A few of the dogs that had shown their future potential on these grounds were Wrongway, Waybetter Rip, Beavermeadow Bette, Concord Mike and Backcountry Molly. This friend, is just a short list and I don't mean to slight anyone for not mentioning the others. Let's just say there are pretty good odds that when you enter the winners circle here, the success isn't going to end. This years crop I'm sure will be no exception.

Past judges who had the insight and experience to name these past winners read like a who's who list in bird dogs. Mike Husenits, Roger Hoover, Bob West and Gene Stewart. This also is not a complete list, but I think the point is made that, these are quality dogs being judged by quality individuals. Any placement made was earned, not given.

The 12th running of this stake again had two quality men arbitrating from the saddle. Dick Brenneman of Port Matilda, Pa was one of them. Dick told me his experience with bird dogs began in the late 1950's tagging along with his father. His father was also a field trialer and by the end of the 1960's Dick had his first dog and I believe the name had something to do with "Bubbles". Since then over the past forty odd years the names of the dogs became a little more recognizable. Wire, Liberty Wire Express, Northern Andee and Body Guard all were guided by his whistle. Also judging this year was Roland Swank of Greysville, Pa. " Rolly", the name most know him by, has been breeding, training, and handling quality English Setters since the early 1960's. His vast experience and eye for that special dog has earned him many judging assignments at high caliber stakes. I felt privileged to be able to ride each brace and observe these two in action. Both devoted their entire attention to every dog that ran. After each brace they exchanged views and seemed to reach quick agreement at what they witnessed.

Thank you both for generously donating your time and knowledge to further the success of this trial.

The trial was hosted by Alpine Pointer & Setter club and High Point Pointer & Setter Club at Pa. State Game Lands No. 432 in Florence, Pa. These grounds have become quite popular with various dog clubs in southwestern Pennsylvania. These host clubs have combined in the past to run this Futurity, The Region 2 Amt. Walking Championship, The Gene Uhlman Walking Puppy Classic, and The Pa. Walking Shooting Dog Assoc. Open Classic. Regretfully this may be the last trial run on these fine grounds. The day after the trial I read where the Pa. Game Commission in all their fine Upland Game Management fashion past a law that states. " No one may release any domestic animals, captive -bred or captive-raised game or wildlife on State Gamelands." I think Quail, Pheasants, and Chukars all fit into this ban . This would not only shut down field trials but all dog training on public lands. This Law becomes effective Feb. 1, 2003. Lets not sit on our hands guys get on the phone, write a letter, whatever it takes to get this repealed. Come to think of it doesn't the Game Commission release Pheasants on the Gamelands? Does this mean the end to this also?

This year's winners once again " raised the bar so to speak when it comes to those that follows. Though none were perfect, all showed the potential to compete and succeed at the next level. Backcountry Peach ran in the 9th brace of the twenty two dog stake under the guidance of her owner Chris Catanzarite. She left no doubt in the minds of those that observed the brace, they had just witnessed the winning performance. Peach was away at 1o'clock in the afternoon, temperatures in the mid 80's, clearly not the best time to be drawn. She started fast with eye appealing style and a very fluid gait. You could tell as she cast through the opening Aspen cuts that she really enjoyed what she was doing. It didn't take her long to locate her first bird, posing with a high head, inhaling every bit of bird scent she could get. Even with slight interference from her bracemate she never moved a muscle. Although she mishandled her next bird she went on to search the hillsides and valley floor and connected four additional times. All carbon copies of the first find. Her manners advanced, with high intensity, never letting down even after shot. Her race was forward, growing stronger as the brace continued. Her final find iced the cake, as she made a long cast down the Big Pines edge she swapped ends at the very end solidly nailing the bird. Peach stayed that way while Chris slowly walked to her showing her like a good handler should. Her finish could not have been stronger. There is a water hole at the finish of the course where most of the other dogs stopped to water. Peach charged through this never thinking of a drink. Never stopping her search for birds until her handler leashed her. Clearly the winner. Bill Dye of Ohio, bred the winner out of Rail Dancing Jarp and his female Sparky. Local pro Dale Martin also had a hand in the finishing and conditioning of Peach. Everyone involved can be proud of this young prospect. This was not Chris's first win here. Ch. Backcountry Molly, grandmother to Peach, and Backcountry Buck finished first and fourth respectively here in the past.

Waybetter Patch may have finished second but she had the judges looking hard and the gallery buzzing during the 6th brace. She was bred and is co-owned by the successful father and son team of Carl and Collin Bishop. Collin had the honor of handling Patch on this occasion. The last time Collin handled a dog here Carl had a last minute commitment and could not attend. Collin hitched a ride with Lance Bressler, because he was not old enough to drive and not only competed, he won. That dog, was Flattery's Dream. Patch is a small, petit, black and white pointer. " A beautiful little dog" I commented to Carl as we watched the brace. Don't let her size fool you. She ran the course to it's limits and then some. Maybe a little too much at times. She runs with a merry tail and high head hitting objectives with little effort. Her first find came at the eight minute mark of the brace. Well located with the bird directly in front where she indicated it to be. Patch's manners were excellent, displaying lofty style even after shot. Her next find was to the front but around a bend in the course and by the time Collin spotted her the temptation from standing a while was too great. She moved up a little and established point again, the bird took flight, and she chased. She continued on with the same pace she started with wide and fast. Her finish was good but not equal to the winner. Patch is out of Carl's fine winning producer, Flattery, the second produced by her to find success here. Carl bred her to Erin's Southern Justice. Patch and other littermates have been enjoying other wins at quality proving this mating is a productive one.

Dave Hughes is also no stranger to the winners circle of this Futurity. He has been involved with the development of many competitors in this trial, some handled by him others handled by their owners. Some of the more notable winners would be Wrongway, Beavermeadow Bette, Jeb's VD, and a list of others that I don't have the room to include. This year's addition to that list is Governor Sam Houston. Although a third place finisher, this male setter, set the early standard for the others to best. Hooch ran in the first brace with the advantage of slightly cooler temperatures. He did not squander the opportunity. His opening casts were strong and far reaching, so much so Dave had a hard time reeling him in at the turn as he searched the distant pine grove and Aspen cuts. This setter runs with very appealing style, he is high on both ends, head searching the air currents for any available scent. Hooch's only game contact of the brace came after he raced along the Big Pines edge , as he neared the end of the cover he was rewarded with a great find. He posed beautifully with 12 o'clock style as his handler circled the undergrowth and put the bird to flight. Hooch only rolled his eyes to mark the birds flight far exceeding the manners necessary for placement in a Derby stake. He went on to finish strong showing good endurance. A solid performance that held up through the entire stake. Hooch is owned by Richard Malloch and was bred by Colin Ervin. He is out of Thornapple Smokey Belle and the sire is Blue Chief.

Fort Cherry Dewey captured the hotly contested fourth spot. Dewey was handled by his owner Jeff Crum of McDonald, Pa. He was bred by Mike Groy out of his fine producer Sassy's Topper. Sire for this litter was another local great Chip's Super Chunk. The cross proves to be a good one for others from the litter that ran in the stake also shown fine potential. Jeff has spent many hours grooming this young prospect and it showed as the two seemed to be in mental contact as Dewey always was where he should be with little guidance from Jeff. His beginning casts were strong and purposeful as he searched the initial Aspen cuts. His first find came at the turn with good style and advanced manners. After Jeff released him to the front , this re-energized setter started a quest for more game that had him stylishly charging and stretching out to distant objectives. Dewey's second find came on a nice cast on the hillside as we headed down the valley floor. This Tri-colored setter again showing very pleasing style with a erect tail and head stretched out. The bird well located. He was once again steady to wing and shot. Dewey again set out in search of game, this time his stand came towards the end of the brace. After a lengthy relocation effort with Dewey thoroughly searching the cover for the running bird, an unproductive was called by Jeff. With this time expired . Another very solid performance turned in by dog and handler.

Other dogs that the judges carried in contention or thought highly of were Chip's Cactus Jack owned by Steve and Ginny Chiappini, handled by Dale Martin. Susquehannok, owned and handled by Gardner Stoker III, only need a bird and the placements might have changed. Some that I also thought showed potential but did not put it altogether were another Bishop dog Waybetter Spec, handled by Bob Ecker and My Biker Babe owned and handled by Mike Groy.

As stated earlier the trial was a combined effort with the members of both clubs pitching in to make the trial a success. Thank you to all. Joe Collura, JR Williams, and Howard Kerr of Alpine Pointer and Setter Club handled the kitchen duties and getting the dogs on the line. John Kirsopp of High Point Pointer and Setter Club did an excellent job planting the birds.

Members of the Futurity executive board that deserve mention for another hard years work includes. Secy./ Treas. Jeff Crum, Jeff did a wonderful job his first year in office, he handled the litter enrollments, helped organize the trial, and even helped marshal the braces. Thank You Jeff for your efforts. Vice-President Al McKinney has been on the board since it was brought north on the 4th running. Thanks Al for all of your years of help. Your reporter is the President. Mike Husenits was the advertised reporter and does a great job year after year. Unforeseen commitments made Mike cancel this year and I drew the short straw to fill in. Hopefully Mike can continue next year.

Two sponsors we would like to thank for their continued generosity and support would be Purina and their local representative Pat Lamantia. Pat has been with us for the past eight seasons and can always be counted on for help. The Ruffed Grouse Society is the other; their continued help with raffle prizes is always appreciated.

We would also like to extend our final thank you to the people that make this all possible. The Breeders that nominated litters in this 12th running, All of the Handlers that participated, and the Owners of all those nominated. Also included with the thanks are all the spectators and auction-raffle supporters. With out your continued support we could not continue.