Grouse Ridge hosts field dog trials
PRESTON – The first field trial of Grouse Ridge Kennels’ 2011 season took off last week under mostly sunny skies. A field of 14 English Setters raced down wild birds along the various fields of the 2,000 acres course from Wednesday through Friday.
It was the 21st annual running of the Grand National Grouse & Woodcock Invitation. The competition pits the United States’ 14 top coverdogs, selected by a point system awarded the previous year, head to head against each other. In the event, all of the dogs run one hour per day for two days then the final two, four or even six contestants are called back on the last day. Their owners, handlers and judges follow along on foot or ride horseback.
No birds are actually killed. The winning Setter is scored on various performance aspects, including the physical ability to strike and hold a point with such boldness and confidence as to pin the bird. Noses are pointed; tails held straight up.
The Grand National venue rotates to three regions: Lake States, Mid Atlantic and New England. There were dogs from New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Louisiana and Virginia in the competition.
“This is the premier stake in the spring, and the Invitational is thrilled to have been asked to run at Grouse Ridge Kennels,” said George M. Johnson, organizer.
Grouse Ridge Kennels’ wooded and open field terrain spans parts of Preston and Norwich. It plays host to at least four trials annually, including this year’s 48th running of the Lost Pond Field Trial on Mother's Day weekend, the 8th Empire Championship in mid-May, and the 99th Orange County Field Trial in August. The grounds are also leased to the Brittany Club for events at least once a year and have in the past hosted the Region II Amateur Championship.
Hundreds of field trial attendees and participants from throughout the East Coast and central states travel to the competitions in Chenango County each year.
Running the trials so early in the spring when snow is still piled high in the woods presents a real challenge, said Grouse Ridge Kennels Secretary Kathryn Flanagan, who manages the farm with her husband, Peter.
‘We’ve been grooming the farm daily to get ready for it,” she said prior to opening day.
Grouse Ridge is owned by Peter’s parents, Dr. Thomas and Esther Flanagan of Norwich. Dr. Flanagan’s interest in Setters was kindled by his Uncle George Manley’s involvement with the breed in the early 20th Century. The Flanagans have developed an unbroken string of champion performers and producers that now spans six decades.
The elder Flanagans are recipients of the Lifetime Patron Memorial Award from the Bird Dog Foundation of America.
It was the 21st annual running of the Grand National Grouse & Woodcock Invitation. The competition pits the United States’ 14 top coverdogs, selected by a point system awarded the previous year, head to head against each other. In the event, all of the dogs run one hour per day for two days then the final two, four or even six contestants are called back on the last day. Their owners, handlers and judges follow along on foot or ride horseback.
No birds are actually killed. The winning Setter is scored on various performance aspects, including the physical ability to strike and hold a point with such boldness and confidence as to pin the bird. Noses are pointed; tails held straight up.
The Grand National venue rotates to three regions: Lake States, Mid Atlantic and New England. There were dogs from New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Louisiana and Virginia in the competition.
“This is the premier stake in the spring, and the Invitational is thrilled to have been asked to run at Grouse Ridge Kennels,” said George M. Johnson, organizer.
Grouse Ridge Kennels’ wooded and open field terrain spans parts of Preston and Norwich. It plays host to at least four trials annually, including this year’s 48th running of the Lost Pond Field Trial on Mother's Day weekend, the 8th Empire Championship in mid-May, and the 99th Orange County Field Trial in August. The grounds are also leased to the Brittany Club for events at least once a year and have in the past hosted the Region II Amateur Championship.
Hundreds of field trial attendees and participants from throughout the East Coast and central states travel to the competitions in Chenango County each year.
Running the trials so early in the spring when snow is still piled high in the woods presents a real challenge, said Grouse Ridge Kennels Secretary Kathryn Flanagan, who manages the farm with her husband, Peter.
‘We’ve been grooming the farm daily to get ready for it,” she said prior to opening day.
Grouse Ridge is owned by Peter’s parents, Dr. Thomas and Esther Flanagan of Norwich. Dr. Flanagan’s interest in Setters was kindled by his Uncle George Manley’s involvement with the breed in the early 20th Century. The Flanagans have developed an unbroken string of champion performers and producers that now spans six decades.
The elder Flanagans are recipients of the Lifetime Patron Memorial Award from the Bird Dog Foundation of America.
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