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Fourteen handlers joined Christine Selep, Kate Keenan and Perry Dlugie on Sunday, March 6th for the Introduction to Field Training workshop. The class was comprised of both new and returning handlers learning and refamiliarizing themselves with the training system we will be using for our sixteenth season of the GSPCI Dog Days of Summer Field Training. Keep an eye on the website for registration information for our spring sessions beginning May 7th.
The 2022 GSPCI Top Dog Event took place on Saturday March 5, 2022, at the West Grounds of the Des Plaines SFWA. We had an outstanding turnout with 14 entries in the one person competition and 13 entries in the two person competition. The fields were in great shape for spring and the weather cooperated giving us a beautiful spring day. We ran two bird fields and were able to get the event completed by early afternoon.
The top three dogs and handlers in the one person competition were;
GSP Rosie with handler Andy Caron with a score of 91
Vizsla Lucy with handler Rodger Robac with a score of 79
GSP Tater with handler Brian Jungles with a score of 78
The top three dogs and handlers in two person competition were;
Britney Gear with handler Dave Wolfe and gunner Bruce Robbins with a score of 92
GSP Briar with handler Perry Dlugie and gunner Dave June with a score of 91
GSP Gibson with handler Randi Selep and gunner Sam Vesely with a score of 88
The Top Dog committee, Tony Mattingly, Frank Susi, and Chuck Horvath would like to thank everyone who participated in the event as well as everyone that helped. Thank you to judges Hank Freitag and Christine Selep, marshal John Calacci, avian specialists, Ari Alexanian, Aaron Miller, Matt Niemeier, Rich Gilloffo, and Scott Mattingly. We would like to thank Dave Wolfe for all his help in setting up, tearing down, supplying equipment, and in general doing anything that was needed.
We hope everyone had a great day and look forward to seeing you at next year’s Top Dog event.
GSPCI members were out in force to help with our 2021 spring hunting tests. As happens every four or five years, our 2021 spring tests fell on Easter Weekend. In order to leave Sunday, open we held a double test on Saturday, designated as the Red and Blue tests.
We sincerely thank everyone who so willingly gave their time and talents to make the day a success and apologize if anyone’s name is inadvertently left out.
The final planning for our tests began several weeks ahead of the weekend as Chuck Horvath, Dave Wolfe, Paul Kosowski and Perry Dlugie scouted and designed the two courses. Site Director, Jeff Wepprecht and his crew pitched in with some additional mowing to accommodate the judges and their UTVs.
Test Chairman, Dave Wolfe had the courses set up and ready for action by Saturday morning. The challenge of keeping an eye on two courses did not phase Dave as he was even able to run his two dogs in the tests. Our teams of judges for the Red Test were John Morrison and Paul Kosowski. Judges for the Blue Test were Ed Brock and Joe Delaney. Apprentice judging for the day, in a manner unique only to him, was club Vice President, Frank Susi.
Our Captain of Guns, Hank Freitag put together another strong crew of sharpshooters featuring, Nathan Selep, Andy Selep, George Noffs and Dave June. The birds were running, and the wind was gusting, but the guys were up to the challenge, knocking down quail for the master and senior dogs to retrieve.
The task of setting out birds for our canine contestants to seek and point in the master/senior field fell to committee member Ivan Bivolarov and his team of Avian Placement Specialists, board member, Christine Selep, Aaron Miller and Pryce McDaniel. The Junior field of Avian Placement Specialists of Jason Eslinger, Sam Phillippe, Russ Slagle and Jennifer Bradley were coached by veteran test volunteer and jack of all trades, Andy Caron.
The dogs are talented, but they can’t get themselves to field on their own. The task of keeping everyone apprised and at the line on time fell to our Line Marshals and Handler Wranglers. The day’s team featured committee member, Steve Selep, Addie Reis, Janet Burroughs, Rick Forner and board member, Tony Mattingly.
Hunting test handlers challenge themselves and their dogs with the goal of being awarded an AKC hunting test title. Recording scores accurately is an important job demanding attention to detail, neat handwriting, and tremendous patience. With the club trailer serving double duty as score desk and command center, who better to serve as the official scorekeepers than Rich Gilloffo, Randi D O’Neill and Kate Keenan?
GSPCI prides itself on hosting well organized and welcoming tests. We even have a special hospitality host charged with offering a smile and encouragement to everyone. Board member, and former Grillmaster, Al Haseman took time to between running his dog to make certain that everyone knew that their attendance was appreciated.
It should be noted that many, if not most of the above club mentioned club members were able to juggle two, and sometimes three positions with expertise. That said, while seen on the grounds, as is his tradition no one quite knew what, if anything Club President, Perry Dlugie actually did all day!
Thank you again to all our members, handlers, judges and friends for contributing to the tests’ success. We look forward to seeing everyone again at our 2021 fall tests on September 11 and 12.
On March 7, 2020 we held our 5th Top Gun Competition on a beautiful Saturday morning on the West Grounds of the Des Plaines SFWA. We had 17 individuals that handled their dogs in either the One Dog One Man division (12 entries) and/or the Two Man One Dog division (13 entries).
With an expanded bird field for both groups we saw some great field work by the dogs entered. Of the 25 entries, 20 of them had 4 bird contacts during their maximum 20-minute run and 19 of the entries pointed all 4 birds successfully. The average time in the field was 12 minutes in the One Man and 13 minutes in the Two Man divisions. From my observations, the difference in time between the two divisions was the extra time it took to position the second gunner.
Congratulations to our winners:
Two Man One Dog Division
1st Dave Sandei/Nick Urban with Kloe
2nd Chuck Peterson/Bob Palmer with Lark
3rd Frank Susi/Connie Susi with Jazz
One Man One Dog Division
1st Chuck Horvath with Zoey *
2nd Paul Kosowski with Angel
3rd Rodger Roback with Lucy
*The difference between 1st and 2nd was a time difference of 8 seconds.
Thank you to all the members that made this event possible by participating in running their dogs and the many individuals who contributed their time in bird handling, judging, marshalling, and chairing the event.
Event Chairs: Tony Mattingly, Frank Susi and Chuck Horvath
Judges: Dave June and Matthew Dlugie
Field Support: Marty Kyes, Dave Wolfe, Al Haseman and Ivan Bivolarov
In what we hope will become an annual event, Kate Keenan, assisted by husband, George Noffs organized a fun morning of pheasant hunting at the Des Plaines SFWA for over 20 GSPCI members and their guests.
Following their dogs through the pheasant cover at Des Plaines, many of the participants were experiencing pheasant hunting at Des Plaines for the first time. For others, it was a chance to explore some different areas of the site.
Meeting back at the check station, the new concessionaire provided a special lunch of Chicago Style hot dogs along with chips, cookies and drinks of our choice while Kate and George announced the winners of the fun contests. Contests included, heaviest hen and rooster, most retrieves by an individual dog, youngest dog, oldest dog, longest tail feather and muddiest dog.
With only a few weeks left in the CPH season, we hope to see more of our members enjoying a day in the field with their dogs.
GSPCI – GSPCA – Fort Dearborn Combined Specialty Show - Pictures
July 12-14, 2019
Congratulations to Deb Frederiksen, Sharon Fitzpatrick, Jim Dinges and Lisa Dziedzina for their combined efforts on behalf of GSPCI, GSPCA and Fort Dearborn Club for three days of Specialty Shows at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
The top area GSP and handlers were out in force competing for placements and championship points. The weather cooperated with clear, sunny skies allowing the judges to evaluate the dogs in their search for the ideal GSP.
On Saturday July 13 Awards Banquet for the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois in Jacksonville, IL. Two of our GSPCI members received significant awards.
Jay Wade received the Continental Breeds Open Gun Dog of the Year and Runner Up Awards for his GSP's, Beavers Rude Memphis Slim and Beavers Rude Louisiana Red MH. This is the second year in row for Jay to win this award last year Red was the Open Gun Dog of the Year.
Joe Vicari excepted the Runner Up award for Open Derby Dog of the Year for his GSP, PJ Wildfires Blitzkrieg Behr JH.
2019 GSPCI April Hunting Tests Wrap Up Report - GSPCI Event Photos
April 6 and 7, West Grounds of the Des Plaines SFWA
Thank you to everyone who helped to make our April Hunting Tests a success. Once again, we had a great turnout of over thirty GSPCI volunteers for the weekend. We apologize if anyone was inadvertently left out of this report.
While the planning and organization of our hunting tests have a blueprint that we follow from year to year, each weekend finds a way to provide unique memories. For me, the highlight of this year’s tests was all the young GSPCI members and handlers that participated.
Our favorite club millennials were out in force. Helping out at the score desk were Kate Keenan and Randi D O’Neill. Teaming up to handle the full life cycle of a hunting test quail from planting to gunning were George Noffs and Nathan Selep. Assisting Al Haseman with the grilling were daughter, Kary Haseman and grandson, Zack. Fresh off his final class toward his MSA degree, Matthew Dlugie furthered his education with a grilling 101 lesson on Saturday afternoon from GSPCI’s PhD of Grilling, Professor Al Haseman. Keeping grandpa, John Morrison company and learning how to plant birds was grandson, Colt. Rounding out our youth brigade were Melissa Bivolarov, and brothers, Judah and Levi Singh. Passing her third leg as a junior handler was Myah Landolina.
Work for the weekend began in earnest Friday afternoon with the delivery of the club trailer by Trailer Wrangler and Course Designer, Chuck Horvath. Assisted by Mike Karcz, test Chairman Dave Wolfe and Secretary Perry Dlugie made quick work of the course and building set up. Mike put in a full weekend’s worth of volunteering, helping on Saturday and returning to help clean up on Sunday afternoon.
Judges for the weekend were Lynne Strelow of Markeson, WI on both Saturday and Sunday, Bill Padovano of Morris on Saturday and Mary Cernak of Manhattan on Sunday. We were fortunate to have these experienced and respected teams to evaluate our dogs and their handlers.
GSPCI Hunting Test Director, Frank Susi worked with Dave Wolfe early each morning to ensure that our course was ready for our volunteers and seeded with quail for the dogs and their handlers. Pulling double duty as test Captain of Guns, Frank’s team for the weekend included top notch distributors of lead shot, Nathan Selep, Hank Freitag, Dave June, Jacob Schatz and Chuck Graack.
Greeting each and every handler, GSPCI’s Queen of the Parking Lot, Merri Odell is a legend when it comes to keeping everyone on their toes and at the start line on time. Teaming up with Merri was long time Line Marshal, Steve Selep. On hand to assist by marshaling galleries in the field and running scores to the desk were Andy Caron and Steve Odell.
Recording scores, awarding ribbons and making everyone feel welcome were our weekend desk staff of Scott Ludwig, Kate Keenan, Zoraida June, Melissa Bivolarov, Randi D O’Neill and Tony Mattingly. Although no one is sure exactly what it is that either of them does, club secretary, John Singh and test secretary, Perry Dlugie were on hand and doing their best to appear busy. No one was fooled. When not in the field trying to keep up with his dogs, committee member, Dennis Nowak was available to assist wherever needed. Holding court near the score desk, making everyone feel welcome and sharing his decades of experience and stories was long time GSPCI and former board and committee member, Paul Kosowski.
Perhaps the best spot to watch the action is at the edge of the field in the gunner’s tent. Sharing space with our gunners are GSPCI’s finest, our Avian Placement Specialists. Regardless of the weather, this hard-working crew covers the field from corner to corner strategically distributing quail for the dogs to hunt. Our APS for the weekend included committee member, Ivan Bivolarov and daughter, Melissa, Frank Susi, Dave Wolfe, John Morrison and grandson, Colt, Marty Kyes, Randi D O’Neill, Tracy and Chris Lewis, Hans Hanson, and Training Director, Christine Selep.
With the new site concessionaire not yet in place, Al Haseman once again stepped up to make sure that everyone was provided with a tasty lunch for the weekend. Assisted by daughter Kary, grandson, Zack and Christine and Steve Selep, Al made sure that everyone was well fed and ready for the afternoon’s braces.
As is the GSPCI tradition, Saturday night’s cook out was well attended and well stocked with food, stories and camaraderie. Once again assisted by brother, Brad club Treasurer and PhD of Grilling, Al Haseman put out another heapin’ helpn’ of grilled chicken, pork chops and fixin’s that more than satisfied even the largest of appetites. Complimented by a counter full of side dishes and desserts generously provided by many of the folks staying for dinner (thank you to everyone who brought a dish to share) no one walked away hungry!
The evening’s festivities included a special cake provided by lady friend, Linda Doak to celebrate Paul Kosowski’s 70th birthday. Adding to Paul’s surprise was when he found out that had unknowingly carried in the well disguised cake from their truck.
We sincerely thank all the handlers, volunteers and friends who stopped by to enjoy the weekend. We also thank Purina Pro Plan and Terry Trzcinski for providing handler’s gifts and their continued support of our club. We take great pride in putting on well-organized and welcoming tests and thank all of you who help to make that possible.
We look forward to seeing you at the new May 4, and fall tests on September 14 and 15. In the meantime, be sure to check the club website at GSPCI Event Photos for pictures from the weekend along with updates on upcoming events.
Your 2019 GSPCI April Hunting Test Committee Members
Dave Wolfe, Perry Dlugie, Ivan Bivolarov, Al Haseman, Dennis Nowak, Merri Odell, Steve Selep, and Frank Susi
Twenty-five handlers along with thirty-three dogs helped kick off this year’s training season with the joint GSPCI-VCOI Introduction to Field Trialing training day. Organized by Dave Wolfe and Dennis Nowak, the two recruited experienced judges and handlers, Harold Heather, Chad Morsch and GSPCI’s Joe Vicari to help introduce a group of eager handlers to the fun of field trialing.
The morning began with a classroom style discussion led by Dennis Nowak and Dave Wolfe featuring veteran handler and breeder, Joe Vicari. The first group of handlers then headed out to the field with the younger, Puppy and Derby age dogs being judged and coached by Dennis Nowak and Randi O’Neill.
Saddled up and dressed for a winter ride, Harold Heather and Chad Morsch began what turned out to be a long, long day in the saddle. With nothing to break the late winter wind the two dedicated sportsmen patiently guided the rest of the handlers through various levels of hunting/gun dog stakes. After a quick break for lunch, we finished up the afternoon with a group of cold, but happy handlers and dogs.
For most of the participants this was their first exposure to field trials. Most of the questions related to the similarities and differences between this and the more familiar hunting tests. We hope that the day will encourage more of our members to give the original pointing dog field sport a try.
Helping to make the day a success were additional volunteers, Patti Nowak, Brad Haseman, Andy Caron, Kevin Henthorn, Brad Lepoudre and Perry Dlugie.
