Bright Star Setters History

Wendy bought her first Irish Setter, Ribbon, in 1971. Ribbon was boarded during the day at a kennel while Wendy was at work. Norm Sorby, owner of Springset Gordon Setter kennels, asked Wendy one day if she wanted to see if Ribbon was interested in birds. The rest was history! Wendy and Ribbon were forever hooked on field training and soon found themselves entering field trials. Ribbon finished her field championship at the ISCA National Field Trial in Wisconsin in 1976 becoming FldCh Lady Ribbon Bright Star CD.

Wendy researched Irish show lines that also had strong bird instincts. She bought Jamie (Varagon Night Hawk Bright Star CD VC), a male, from Val Gondor of Varagon Irish Setters. Wendy bred Ribbon to Val’s Jamie and this started her Bright Star Irish line.

Wendy’s goal was to breed healthy dogs with great temperaments while keeping the natural bird instincts. Her dream was to produce a dual champion*. She accomplished this in 1996 when Tempe finished her field championship. Tempe was the 17^th Irish Setter dual champion in breed history. (DC/AFC/Can CH Cordon Bleu Bright Star, JH)

In 2008, Razzle was the second Bright Star Irish Setter to become a dual champion. Razzle was the 20^th Irish Setter dual champion in breed history. (DC/Can CH Kulana X Quizit Bright Star, JH)

Razzle’s daughter Copper needed only one point to finish her field championship when she unexpectedly died of bloat at the age of 6. She had 4 show points and was sure to be Bright Star’s third dual champion.

Wendy had the same breeding priorities for the Bright Star Gordon Setters; healthy dogs with outstanding temperaments and the ability to find birds. Bright Star has produced three dual champion Gordon Setters so far. They are:

In 2014:  DC/GCH Not Fade Away Bright Star, MH – Lizzie

DC/AFC Wyld Torrent Bright Star, MH, WDR – Poncho

DC Northern Mystic Bright Star, JH, WD – Tigger

*A dual champion is a dog that is a show champion and is also a field champion.