Multi BISS/BIS Ch Heatherhill's Battlestar "Battle"
(Ch Ben-Wen's Benjy McDee x Am/Can Ch O'Hillocks Divine Sarah)
Dog: 6/6/1980 - 11/20/1993
OFA: Good
In 1980, we decided to take a bitch we bred, Am/Can Ch O'Hillock's Divine Sarah, owned by Stephanie Walter of Heatherhill Kennel to breed to the top winning Gordon Setter in history*, Ch Ben-Wen's Benjy McDee "Benjy". Battle was produced from this breeding.
Battle finished his championship from the puppy class going Best of Breed over Specials dogs and bitches. He lived with Stephanie Walter, his co-owner and breeder until he was 2 years old. We decided to get him into show condition over the next year to begin specialing him. Marie Annello, Benjy's owner, saw that Battle was being shown in the Midwest and inquired about him possibly coming to the East coast. We sent Battle to the East coast to kick off his show career to be expertly conditioned and presented by Ross Petruzzo, Benjy's handler. Unfortunately, Battle, in true Gordon fashion, decided that he wanted to come back home to his family earlier than expected. We agreed with the Petruzzo's that we would show him ourselves as owner-handlers.
Battle's second show after he returned from the East coast was the prestigious AKC 100th Anniversary Centennial Show where he went Best of Breed over 127 Gordon Setters and took a Sporting Group 4th at this historical event! He went on to win a Best In Show, the 1986 GSCA National Specialty (where I also went Best Junior Handler with him), Best of Breed at the first Purina Invitational, many GSCA Best In Speciatly Shows, 140 Best Of Breeds, 6 Group I's, 15 Group II's, 10 Group III's and 16 Group IV's (all owner-handled). He was ranked the #1 Breed Gordon Setter in the country in 1985 and 1986 and the #3 Sporting Group Gordon Setter in the country in 1985 and #2 Sporting Group Gordon Setter in the country in 1986. He was also named a top producing stud dog by the Gordon Setter Club of America.
We retired Battle the first weekend of January 1988 with a Group I win at Rochester Minnesota KC and a Group II placement at Land O' Lakes KC.
Battle is the foundation dog for our breeding program at Hillock. The bitches he produced for us were a strong Hillock type and he is behind everything that we currently breed and show.
He lived out the rest of his life in Shiocton as my Mom's special boy. Battle's "spot" was always in the foyer right as you came in the front door.
Battle died on November 20, 1993 at 13 1/2 years old in his sleep. Battle is buried next to our pond where he has a small memorial. He will forever be in our hearts. We miss you Battle!
*as of 1980
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