Local Dog “Chopper” Inducted into the Hall of Fame
submitted by The Bird Dog Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Tonya Brotherton
BIRD DOG NEWS
February 7, 2015 was a “red-letter” day at the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tennessee! We were blessed with a beautiful, sunny day for the annual Bird Dog Hall of Fame Inductions. Inductees included dog owners and dogs from several breeds including English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Retrievers, German Shorthair Pointers, BrsSettanys, Red Setters, and the Pointer and Setter Breeds.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is a great honor and the event was well attended by inductees, their families, and friends. Inductees hailed from all parts of the country—from Alaska to North Carolina and all parts in between! Approximately 300 people were in attendance and all enjoyed the comradery of fellow sporting dog enthusiasts and the stories that only they can tell. The event began at 9:00 A.M. on the 7th and concluded at 4:00 P.M. A luncheon was provided by Purina at the Museum and a reception following the afternoon ceremonies was sponsored by the American Field magazine.
Among those honored was Clubmead’s Road Warrior (Chopper) owned by Frank and Christine Kashevarof of Seldovia, Alaska. Pictured here are Mr.& Mrs. Frank Kashevarof with their dog Chopper. Also a picture of Chopper. Chopper was a good duck hunter who enjoyed swimming in Kachemak Bay and hiking trails with Frank. He was the winner of many hearts, if you pet him you were a friend for life.
A little history on The Field Trial Hall of Fame –
taken by the Bird Dog Foundation – dogfoundation.com
The specific interest in honoring the dogs and people who excelled in the field trial sport began in the late 1930’s. Those involved knew that time and careful consideration would be needed in formulating the rules and regulations needed to bestow an honor of excellence on dogs and their owners, trainers and handlers.
In 1953, William F. (Bill) Brown, editor of The American Field, compiled the necessary rules and regulations governing elections of the field trial dogs and their owners and trainers to a proposed Field Trial Hall of Fame. The list was published in Brown’s Field Trials: History, Management and Judging Standards in the anticipation that hall of fame would be established.
In the June 19,1954 issue of The American Field, Brown announced that the Field Trial Hall of Fame had become a reality and nominations were taken.
Dogs were eligible based in their entire careers. People were nominated based in their service and the length of time devoted to the field trial sport. Nominations could be made in two categories.
1. Distinguished Bird Dogs deceased
2. Prominent Persons living or deceased
The first year to vote for inductees was 1954, and the election committee considered a popular vote of ten dogs and ten persons from the nomination ballot. Bird Dog enthusiasts elected five dogs and five people into the Field Trial Hall of Fame that year. In 1955, two dogs and two people were elected and inducted. This marked the beginning of a tradition that continues at the annual Field Trial Hall of Fame.
Category: Community
Seldovia Time
