HISTORY OF THE
ABC CLASSICS
The original intent of the ABC Classics evolved from a desire to have National
caliber stakes, second only to the Nationals in prestige, which could be run in various
parts of the country, thus giving everyone an opportunity to run their dogs in a National
event.
The Classics, while sponsored by the ABC, are run by a “Host Club”, a regional club
selected by the Classics Committee from applications submitted to act in that capacity.
With two exceptions, these events are Open Limited All-Age Stakes of 1 hour heats, run
on a speci c game bird. The Gun Dog Classic and the “new” Grouse/Woodcock Classic
are Limited Gun Dog Stakes of 1 hour heats. The Gun Dog Classic may be run on any
game bird native to the area in which it is being run.
In keeping with the idea of a national caliber stake in various parts of the country,
Classics have been run in over 27 states. They generally have a relaxed atmosphere; the
pace a eld is neither hectic nor hurried and the “use of every minute of daylight” theory
doesn’t prevail. The chance to watch good dogs run, and to do a little socializing, is the
rule at the Classics.
In 1972 the ABC Board of Directors gave an added measure of prestige to the
Classics by voting that all 4 placements in the Classics were qualifying placements for
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the National Championship regardless of the number of starters. At that same meeting,
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they approved a Gun Dog Classic (subject to acceptance by AKC) to replace the Grouse
Classic.
The Pheasant Classic was the rst Classic ever licensed by the AKC. It was a West
Coast xture from its inception in 1960 through the 1971 running, with the exception of
1967 when it was run at Baldwinsville, NY. In March, 1972, it was rst run at Green River,
Illinois, and since this event has also been held in Pennsylvania, Oregon, Iowa and South
Dakota.
In 1962 the inaugural Quail Classic was run at Pinehurst, NC, with the Southeastern
Brittany Club acting as host. The Quail Classic remained at Pinehurst through 1966
under the auspices of the Southeastern and Hudson Valley Brittany Clubs. In 1967 the
Kentucky Brittany Club hosted this Classic at Paducah and since then it has moved
from the deep south (Blue Springs, Albany, GA, and Blackwater State Forest, Munson,
FL) to the mid-west (Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Kansas & Arkansas) to Illinois as well as
returning to Kentucky & North Carolina. Until the late 1970’s, January, February or March
was the traditional time for this Classic (except for 1974 when it was held in Georgia just
prior to the Nationals) but the last few years have seen it become a fall event.
1964 saw the rst Prairie Chicken Classic held at the Buena Vista grounds
in Wisconsin, with the Badger Brittany Club as host. This trial remained on the same
grounds and with the same host club from its inception until 1976 when it was rst run
at Burwell, Nebraska, with Mo-Valley being the host club. It rotated between these two
sites until the late 1990’s, and since then has remained in Nebraska, moving to Bassett,
NE in 2005.
The Grouse Classic began in 1954 as an American Field event and was accorded
Championship status by the Field in 1957. About 1960 the Michigan Brittany Grouse
Championship Association petitioned the ABC to assume the running of this trial under
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