Fort Cherry Setters

We were deeply saddened by the loss of Kirby on New Year's day of 2005. I think a lot of the sadness was caused by the manner in which he passed, in a brutal fight with a pitbull. Read A Tragic End He will always be remembered by those who got to see him run and find birds. I am glad that we were able to get some puppies out of him, he was bred to three times in 2004, all three of those litters produced dogs that have placed in field trials. While these litters are just in their puppy year, one has already placed in a derby stake.

He was the result of a Steve Chiappini breeding of Lum's Meadow Lace, a littermate of Champion Chip's Diablo Ott, to the strong running multiple grouse woods Champion Wrong Way. Kirby won in horseback, walking and grouse trials to display his ease of adaptability to whatever the situation that was presented to him. He was one of my favorite hunting dogs, he had grouse, woodcock, pheasant, chukar and quail shot over him in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan. Kirby ran through his derby season as a broke dog and won two adult stakes before the age of two, displaying his trainability.

"Right of Way, well built tri-color setter, was awarded second. He is owned by Jeff Crum of McDonald, PA, and was handled by Dave Hughes. He ran the second day on the Lonesome Ridge Course. "Kirby" was fast out of the chute and was found standing tall at 4 in a stand of pines, high on both ends and perfectly intense. His bracemate, Highmeadow Lucy (Stolgitis), then stopped a little deeper. Hughes swung in front and four grouse took wing, both handlers firing. Through the middle Kirby filled the course. At 20, in a remarkable gesture of sportsmanship, John Stolgitis took Lucy up so as to give Kirby every opportunity. Down the stretch Kirby was wide, forward and responsive. He was still plenty strong at time."
Lloyd Murray, Kilkenny Classic, American Field, November 9, 2002

2003 PA Grouse Trial Open All-Age - "Taking first was Right of Way, stylish setter male, owned and handled by Jeff Crum. “Kirby” put down a strong and flashy hour. His race was mature and driving, applying well to the available cover and consistent throughout. He executed an excellent grouse find as well as a natural back in his hour showing solid and lofty style. He finished strong and forward."
Craig Peters

"First was , Right of Way, setter male that ran like a freight train, plowing through cover and snapping into his points."
Ryan Frame, Dubois Beaver Meadow Trials, American Field, October 23, 1999

"Way flows through the country with a smooth, easy-going stride, much like his sire.......Way demonstrated advanced manners and maintained his rigid intensity until after the shot. The fast-moving setter was still going strong at the call of pickup."
Mike Husenits, National Walking Shooting Dog Futurity, American Field, June 24, 2000

"Right of Way, Jeff Crum's winning setter, garnered the top spot in the Open Derby by virtue of a hard, pounding, wide, classy three find performance,....."
Brian Davis, Lancaster County (PA) Bird Dog Club, American Field, July 1-8, 2000