Help Elect Dave Hughes to the Field Trial Hall of Fame

Brief Field Trial History Of Dave Hughes

In 1950, Dave Hughes was born into a world of bird dogs and Field Trials. His father, Dr. Roger Hughes, a prominent medical doctor from Clearfield, PA was an avid outdoorsman. He hunted, fished and his competitive nature took him into the world of pointing dog trials where he bred and campaigned English Setters. Clearfield County had a number of other folks who also campaigned dogs - mostly grouse dogs - but some horseback dogs as well. Back then, a number of dogs did both. Dave had several mentors and plenty of local support when he turned pro at age 19.

Eight years later, he won his first championship, the Grand National Grouse Championship, the brightest jewel in cover trials, with Teaberry, a setter dog who was bred and owned by his father. The trial was at Pharsalia, New York, near where Hall Of Fame Trainer Luther Smith lived out his years. Luther had won the Grand National 5 times and no one had won it more.

Two years after his first championship, Hughes married Dorothy Haines in 1979. Twelve years later, with two young children, Mark and Anne, Dave and Dorothy decided it was time for Dave to quit a side job to train and trial full time. He has never looked back. With each dog and with each year, Hughes gained experience and good customers. He now has run a string of mostly grouse dogs for more than 40 years. Steadily, the wins have added up.

But Hughes was never one to just take the money and run. He has also been of service to the clubs right from the beginning including serving as regional vice president of the Grand National since the 1970s and in a similar capacity for a similar amount of time for the Pennsylvania Grouse Trial Club. Not a few novice handlers, who were very concerned when they found themselves braced with Hughes, were surprised to find Hughes polite and helpful. Some, in time, were transformed into customers.

During his involvement, entries have grown enormously and, in most years, the Grand and the PA will draw the most entries. Moreover, his ‘home grounds,’ the now-eight hour-long courses near Marienville, PA, yearly require a large work force to cut and maintain. Hughes has been a fixture of those work parties for decades. He has also dropped sweat on workdays at many other venues. Moreover, he has said “yes” numerous times to the thankless task of judging. He has sat in the judicial saddle for many weekend club trials, numerous horseback trails, as well as prominent Championships, Futurities, and Classics, in addition to the walking quail trials, and cover dog events, both Open and Amateur.

For most admirers of class bird dogs though, Dave Hughes will be known for his trial record. For a good chunk of his career, there were only four or five grouse and woodcock championships. Nevertheless, Dave has won 98 championships, with three different breeds and was awarded runner-up another 78 times. Ninety one of these championship victories were on wild birds. Both Everett Skehan in a feature article in The American Field, and Craig Doherty in a feature article in Field Trial Magazine, called Hughes “The King Of The Woods.” Hall of Fame handler and trainer Luther Smith’s five Grand National Championship wins, five decades hence, still places him second on the all-time Grand National wins list. Dave Hughes stands atop the list with 11 Grand National Championship titles with 11 different dogs. In addition he won the Grand National Grouse And Woodcock Invitational Championship 8 times, the Pennsylvania Grouse Championship 13 times, the Lake States Grouse Championship 9 times, the New England Open Grouse Championship 9 times, these along with at least four other championships, are records. Dave likewise has accumulated more ‘cover dog of the year’ awards than any other handler. Hughes takes pride in the fact that he is not merely a handler. He is a trainer who, with very few exceptions, also developed and trained the dogs he won titles with. In many cases, he even orchestrated the breedings. Though we are told, “records were made to be broken,” many in the cover trial community have stated these and other records held by Dave Hughes will not be approached, let alone topped. His record of accomplishments alone speaks for itself, however, it is his unselfish devotion to the sport and class bird dogs that sets him apart and makes him a most worthy candidate for the Field Trial Hall of Fame.Dear Fellow Field Trialer and Bird Dog Devotee:

A committee has been formed among members of the field trial community to elect Dave Hughes to the Field Trial Hall of Fame.

We are sending this letter asking for your support in the election of Dave Hughes to the Field Trial Hall of Fame (HOF).

To show your support there are four basic ways you may consider:

 A letter of endorsement to the American Field, supporting Dave Hughes. Please send a copy to Joe Cammisa. American Field Publishing Co.



542 S. Dearborn Street Suite 650



Chicago, IL 60605







Phone: (312) 663-9797



Fax: (312) 663-5557



Email: [email protected]



 Your permission to use your name in full page ad along with your support.

 Last and most important, casting your vote when you receive your ballot from the American Field.



Your support in any way to help elect a worthy candidate such as Dave would be greatly appreciated. Please send endorsement copy to Joe Cammisa by May 25 2014, or ASAP.



Sincerely,





Joe Cammisa

110 Pinewood Ln

Butler Pa 16001-1296

[email protected]