English Springer Spaniel Field Trials
PINCKNEYVILLE, ILLINOIS| DECEMBER 9, 2024 TO CONCLUSION | ENTRY FEE $325.00| 2 POINTS
O/H: Chad Betts
O: Bob Davis
H: Dan Murray
O/H: Amelia Baxter
O/H: Amelia Baxter
O/H: Phil Lincoln
O: Chuck Cloninger
H: Jason Givens
O: Todd Allen
H: Clay Earl
O: Paul Noyce
H: Alex Cacchio
*Placeholder For #1 Dog Photo*
Owner/ Handler: Chad Betts
We welcome you to the 2024 US National Open English Springer Spaniel Championship! Our team has worked hard to provide an outstanding event with detail to ground, game and amenities.
Kindly review the schedule of events for the training, delegates meeting, trial series locations and social events. All callback and trial information during the event will be posted on www.essft.com and on Facebook social media essft links.
All we ask is for everyone to enjoy the dogs, enjoy yourselves and above all as my friend Camie said many times remember to smile at your dog!
All the best,
Jim Keller
Field Trial Chairman
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
JIM KELLER
PRESIDENT
MIKE NOLAN
VICE PRESIDENT
GARY RIDDLE
VICE PRESIDENT
RAY HANKINS
FT SECRETARY AND TREASURER
MHARI PESCHEL
JUDGES
BILL COSGROVE
OHIO
GEORGE AKKOURIS
CONNECTICUT
Field Trial Committee Members – Jim Keller (Chairman), John Dunn, Amelia Baxter, Ted Lagala Morgan Haglin, Dan Lussen, Kevin Martineau, Gary Riddle, and Todd Stelzer
Grounds Committee Members – John Dunn, Amelia Baxter, Morgan Haglin, Dan Lussen, Gary Riddle, and Todd Stelzer
Gun Captains -Marshall Lussen
Guns– Trent Bosse, Chip Bunker, Mike Mocniak, Kevin Reinhart, Josh Riddle, Mike Young and Pete Zueleger
Marshals – Deb Olszewski (Head Marshal), Cristy Joy, Suzanne Smith, Mhari Peschel
Bird Planter – Don Manning
Game Steward – Kevin Martineau
Bird Provided By: Elk Ridge Game Farm – Mike Wilson
Steward of the Beat – Kevin Martineau
Official Photographer – Mark Gebert
Catalog Advertising – Connie Kieckhefer
Catalog Editing – Mhari Peschel, Connie Kieckhefer, Megan Doleschy, and Sue Myers
Catalog Printing – Digital Edge
Fundraising, Clothing & Merchandise -Kevin Martineau
Graphic Design – Sue Meyer
Hospitality –Ted Lagala
Training Coordinator – Gary Riddle
Trophies and Ribbons – Mhari Peschel and Mike Nolan
Website – Holly Boggess and ESSFT.COM
9:00 AM – Training Starts
Photographer will be set up at training for your dog’s commemorative portrait.
4:00 PM – NOC Delegates Meeting
Rend Lake Golf Resort, 11712 E. Windy Lane, Whittington, IL 62897
6:00 PM – Purina Cocktail Welcome Party and Handler Bag Pick-up
Rend Lake Golf Resort, 11712 E. Windy Lane, Whittington, IL 62897
8:00 AM – 1st Series Starts
6:30 PM – Cocktails
7:00 PM – Dinner
Rend Lake Event Center, 14967 Gun Creek Trail, Whittington, IL
8:00 AM – Trial Continues
8:00 AM – Trial Continues
8:00 AM – Trial Continues
Water and 5th Series
Placements
Gary Riddle is your training coordinator.
The training grounds are at 38°00’30.1″N 89°33’46.3″W
12/10/2924 5:55pm
From FTC Jim Keller:
We will finish the 3rd and 4th series tomorrow Wednesday 11 December. The fifth series will be held starting at 9am Thursday 12 December followed by water. The fifth series and water will be held near the entrance to the Denmark Unit.
This will be our staging area.
Illinois Botanizer (Chris Benda) will be conducting the Agronomist Report. John Dunn will oversee.
November 11, 2024: Received updated report from the committee.
The Annual Meeting of the National English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association will be held on
Saturday December 7, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the Rend Lake Golf Resort, 11712 E. Windy Lane, Whittington, IL 62897.
Rend Lake Golf Resort – Whittington, Illinois
If they stay longer than the week I can pro rate the days over.
When anyone calls in to reserve a room they will need to let the desk know that they are with the English Springer Spaniel Nationals so I can get their rate in there. I just need a credit card to hold the rooms.
Room rates at Rend Lake Golf Complex
Mark Geebert Photography
Congratulations to all the participants for the 2024 NOC. As part of the
entry each dog qualified is eligible for a free 5×7 portrait. I will be
starting the portraits at training day, I highly encourage folks to show
up and get their portrait done even if they are not going to be a part
of training day. After that I will be setup toward the beginning of the
course till 2pm on the first day and till noon the second day of the
trial. After that arrangements would have to be made. Note the field
trial committee has encouraged me to document as much of the action as I
can. Again I encourage those who want to get their portraits done early.
Cheers,
-Geeb
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From Jim Keller on 11/26/2024:
Assignments and Rules of Shuttle Use
All of the shuttles provided are privately owned and generously available for assigned teams transportation of dogs and people to the line. We ask that each group work as a team. We also recommend that the team members who utilize the service to assist the owners for fuel costs associated with operation of the support shuttles.
Earl Shuttle
Clay Earl 10
Tom Ness 4
Paul McGagh 2
Tim Leider 1
Alex Cacchio 1
Tony Sworsky 1
19
Haglin Shuttle
Morgan Haglin 6
Gary Breitbarth 4
Gary/Cindy Wilson 3
Phil Lincoln 2
Mike McGinty 1
Hannah Hayes 1
Bill Benkula 1
Jeff Brooks 1
19
Lussen Shuttle
Dan Lussen 2
Gary Riddle 7
Jason Givens 4
Tom Nichols 3
John Bruggeman 2
Jeff Cubitt 1
Jeff Miller 1
20
Baxter Shuttle
Amelia Baxter 9
Todd Agnew 6
Ralph Botti 4
19
Reinke Shuttle
Dean Reinke 2
Todd Stelzer 6
David Flint 6
Dan Tuttle 3
Rick Paquin 2
19
Keller Shuttle
Jim and Deanna 7
Jason Givens 1
Dan Murray 3
Bob Davis 1
Bill Boeckman 1
Rick Shively 1
Chuck Cloninger 1
Chad Betts 1
Steve Church 1
Les Hegney 2
Cristy Joy 1
20
From Jim Keller on 11/25/2024:
As far as transportation and support assistance we have 6 support shuttles and a 10 hole trailer to help move the participants and dogs appropriately. This is a lot of machines which is not traditional for the Illinois parks usage. That said given the capacity of the shuttles and trailer we have the ability to handle approximately 35-40 dogs. Given a 45-55 flag course that is a full loop.
UTV/ATV use will be in conjunction with Pyramid State Park rules and regulations. There will be a limited number of vehicles permitted. Preference will be given to UTV/ATVs that can accommodate four or more dogs and two or more people. Use and approval of UTV/ATV is contingent upon approval of the Field Trial Chairman. All personal UTV/ATVs approved will be subject to use for transporting individuals and dogs other than owner(s) dogs or personel. In other words we all help each other and share rides etc to make the trial as smooth as possible within the limited number of vehicles we are allowed.
A detailed plan of UTV/ATV use will be developed and available well before the trial and distributed to those who have received approval for use.
If you wish to bring your UTV/ATV please coordinate with Jim Keller at (207)322-6236 or [email protected]
Handicapped or Disabled Individuals who have vehicle handicapped approval from their State of Origin and wish to have their personal UTV/ATV will need to submit documentation for approval. While we would encourage sharing we also understand that the personal needs are different and with that in mind we will not require sharing. Please contact Jim Keller at (207)322-6236 or [email protected]
Lunch available on the grounds.
From Jim Keller on 11/25/24:
We anticipate between 45-55 flags for series 1/2 and 3/4. We will be setting courses accordingly allowing for mixed challenging cover and efficiency. My goal is to have a large circular course for 1/2 and perhaps 3/4th series.
Help researchers at Michigan State University investigate the significance of a gene mutation related to progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) in the English Springer Spaniels. This is an inherited disease that can affect vision in the English Springer Spaniels.
Dr. Miyadera has provided an electronic sign-up sheet that can be accessed by pasting this link into your browser:
She will be available to do eye exams starting at Thursday Dec 12 at 1 pm until 6 pm. and also from 8 am to 6 pm on both Friday (Dec 13) and Saturday ( Dec 14). We plan to have her set up on the trial grounds using a Pine Shadows trailer.
I am truly humbled to be entrusted with the prestigious position of judge for the 2024 National Open Championship. With a lifelong passion for the sport, I began my journey in the springer game over 35 years ago, competing in my first trial at just 10 years old and earning a 3rd place finish at LASHA. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of handling, gunning over and judging exceptional national-caliber dogs, learning from the best in our sport. I look forward to seeing great dog work and good luck to all!
I have had some great journeys over the years with Springers mostly. Cockers. some. Judging Nationals with Tom Menzel, Alex Stewart, Marty Knibbs, Casey Butz, Jerry Barrett, Ralph Botti always coming away seeing eye-to-eye is a pretty amazing thing.
Rather than share where else I’ve been with these wonderful dogs, and how much they mean to me, allow me to share some personal beliefs. I believe our trial game attracts good people, I believe in my family, I believe in the Almighty, I believe I have been blessed. I believe in destiny but, I don’t believe in luck.
Good luck to all 😉
Presented by the Southern Michigan Springer Spaniel Training Club, Inc., is to be awarded to the best amateur handler in the National Championship. To qualify the amateur handler must place first, second, third, fourth or be awarded a certificate of merit. This is to be a perpetual trophy with no permanent possession. Each year the name of the winning handler and a date awarded is to be engraved on the reverse side of the trophy, is to remain in his or her custody for one year, to then be returned for presentation the following year at the National Championship.
Gunner’s Trophy
Awarded by the Guns
This distinguished award, donated by ESSFT.COM, is presented to the dog that, in the judgment of the field trial’s gunners, is “the dog they would most like to hunt over.” This honor recognizes not only the dog’s skill, stamina, and responsiveness but also the invaluable qualities of bird finding and teamwork that make it a trusted partner in the field.