A Brief History of the W.C.A Eastern

 

1999 will mark the 38th running of the W.C.A. Eastern since its inception in 1955.  From one stake with ten starters in its inaugural form, this event has progressed in a somewhat interrupted fashion to a six stake program with an average of nearly one hundred entries in recent years.  Some significant events and highlights in the history of the classic follow:

 

1955 -Inaugural running of the first W.C.A. sectional trial recognized as a championship by The American Field.  LUDWIG VON WEISENHOF wins title.

 

1956 -Championship stake run, but results not recorded by the W.C.A. or The American Field.

 

1957 -DAN'S RICKI OF ROCKLEGE becomes the first amateur handled dog to win the Open Championship (title withheld).

 

1958 -FRITZ VON WEHMANN named Champion.  Open Derby stake added.

 

1959 -GRAFMAR'S KING'S AIDE wins title.  Amateur Shooting Dog Classic (one-hour heats) and Open Puppy stake added.

 

1960 -65 -Eastern Championships were not held.

 

1966 -Eastern revived, featuring Open Championship, Open Derby and all-breed Open Gun Dog stakes.  ELSMERE'S BARON VON WEHMANN named Champion.

 

1967 -DUKE VON GUSTON wins last Eastern Championship recognized by The American Field.

 

1968 -Change from American Field to AKC rules.  The W.C.A. Eastern Open Championships became the W.C.A. Eastern Open All Age Classic.

 

1970 -Eastern Classic was not held.

 

1971-Eastern Classic revived again with the same three stakes.

 

1972 -Eastern Classic held in Ohio.  Open Gun Dog stake not held, but Open Puppy stake added.

 

1974 -UNSERHUND VON SEIGER became the first to win Eastern Open all Age Classic twice and also was the first to win the Open All Age and Open Gun Dog Cassics in the same year.

 

1975 -Open Gun Dog Stake is restricted to Weimaraners only.

 

1976 -STREVLYN'S STORM TRYSAIL becomes the only Derby to win the Open All Age Classic.  She won the Open Derby, as well.

 

1978-   Eastern Classic held in Michigan.  ALGER'S MAY DAY (Duffy) wins both the Open All Age and Open Gun Dog Classics.

 

1981-   LAINE'S THOR VON TIME BOMB repeats as winner of the Open All Age Classic.  ALGER'S MAY DAY repeats as winner of the Open Gun Dog Classic the third time he has won this stake.

 

1982-   ALGER'S MAY DAY wins his second Open All Age Classic.

 

1983 -  Amateur Gun Dog stake added to the program.  ALGER'S MAY DAY wins Open Gun Dog Classic for the fourth time.

 

1984 -  GANDALF'S INDIAN SUMMER becomes first amateur-handled dog to win Open Gun Dog Classic.

 

1986 -  First W.C.A. Eastern Sectional Futurity added to the program.  A record 117 dogs started in the stakes.

 

1987    -Amateur-handled LADY ATHENA OF CAMELOT repeats as winner of the Open Gun Dog Classic.

 

1989 -  EDITH ANN VON HORN repeats as winner of the Open Gun Dog Classic.

 

1991 -  MARKEE'S SHELBY CENTERFOLD wins Open and Amateur Gun Dog Classics.

 

1993 -  OUTDOORS TONY LAMA wins both the Open and Amateur Gun Dog Classics.

 

1994 – NFC/FC/AFC HOGLUND’S TIGER VON THOR wins Open All Age Classic.

 

1995 – ANDICK’S OUTDOORS SAM wins Open All Age Classic.

 

1996 - GRAY’S GHOST HUNTER wins Open All Age and Amateur Gun Dog Classic.

 

1997 – GRAY’S GHOST HUNTER repeats as winner of Open All Age Classic.

 

1998 – HIGH RIDGE JESSE VON HORN wins Open All Age, Open Gun Dog, and Amateur Gun Dog Classics.