News from the Circuit

[gunner]

GEORGIA QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP
Waynesboro, GA—Topping the field of 57 entries in the Georgia Quail Championship was Miller’s On Line, pointer male owned by Mike Furney, Chip McEwen and T. E. Browning and handled by Rick Furney. On Line was stylish with one find, a consistent race and a good finish. Runner-up was Southdown’s Awesom Rail, pointer male owned by Thomas Downs of West Grove, PA, and handled by Luke Eisenhart. He had to his credit three very stylish finds. Both winners competed on the second course, which in not the most desirable course.

Judges were Donnie Mullins of Berea, KY, and Mike Hester of Mebane, NC.

The Georgia Derby Classic (35 entries) started at noon on Tuesday, January 11, and barring any unforseen delays should be completed by Saturday, January 14. Judging the Classic are Earl and Margaret Drew of Hoffman, NC. The Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship (88 entries) will begin upon the completion of the Georgia Derby Classic. Judges are Jim Crouse of Dixon, KY, and Mike Wrenn of Greenville, SC.

— Nell Mobley


GEORGIA SHOOTING DOG TRIALS
Waynesboro, GA—The Georgia (Shooting Dog) Derby Classic (35 entries) started at noon on Tuesday, January 11, and barring any unforseen delays should be completed by Saturday, January 14. Judging the Classic are Earl and Margaret Drew of Hoffman, NC.

The Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship (88 entries) will begin upon the completion of the Derby Classic. Judges are Jim Crouse of Dixon, KY, and Mike Wrenn of Greenville, SC.

— Nell Mobley

AMERICAN QUAIL CLASSIC
Ft. Campbell, KY—Thirty-two dogs were entered in the American Quail Classic held at the Ft. Campbell Military Reservation near Hopkinsville, KY; another 20 dogs were entered in the Derby.

The Classic winner was Whippoorwill Wild Agin, white and orange pointer male owned by Dr. Jack D. Huffman of Walnut, MS, and Dr. Terry Terlip of Ft. Myers, FL, and handled by Larry Huffman. Lester’s Thunderbird, white and liver pointer male, owned by Tom Liesfeld of Rockville, VA, and handled by Lefty Henry was second, while Lester’s Snowatch, pointer male owned and handled by Gary Lester of Gracey, KY, was third.

In the Derby, BB’s Pike, pointer male owned by Bill Bruce of Hopkinsville, KY, and handled by Ray Warren, took the top spot. Lester’s Snowatch, Gary Lester’s Derby was second, while Prairie Land Pride, for handler Randy Anderson, was third.

Judges for this renewal were Rick J. Carlisle of Grand Junction, TN, and Colvin Davis of Minter, AL.

— Ben S. Adams


HOBART AMES TRIALS
Grand Junction, TN—The Hobart Ames Memorial Open All-Age drew 58 dogs and 21 are entered in the one-hour Open Derby. The trial began January 9.

Judges for both stakes are Larry Garner, Arcadia, OK, and John Ivester of Charlotte, NC.

MIDWESTERN STATES SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY
The Midwestern States Shooting Dog Futurity is pleased to announce its return to the Westfall Ranch near Elk City, KS, for the 20th renewal of this breeders’ classic which will begin on March 18. This is the second year we have been privileged to hold this trial before the Jayhawk Shooting Dog Championship. Be sure that your litter nominations are complete for this 20th and 21st runnings. Nomination form for the 22nd running will be found on page 104 of the American Field Christmas Issue.

We are also pleased to announce that Charles R. Jackson of Dallas, TX, and Bill Richards of Boonville, MO, will judge the Futurity in March. Both are well known in the field trial community and were pleased they have agreed to judge.

— Leon Smith

REGION 6 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Blue Mountain, MS—String Music, pointer male owned and handled by Jerry Champion of Hueytown, AL, topped a field of 20 entries to win the Region 6 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship. No runner-up was named.

Judges were Guy Hendrix of Holly Springs, MS, and Wayne Jeffreys of Tuscumbia, AL.

— J. R. Page

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Crawford, MS—The Southern Championship was concluded on January 7 at Black Prairie Wildlife Management Area near Crawford, MS. The stake drew a starting field of 38 pointers and 6 setters. White Powder Pete, pointer male, was named champion for handler Colvin Davis and owner Bert Wimmer of Rockville, IN. Awarded the runner-up was pointer male Whippoorwill Wild Again, owned by Dr. Jack Huffman, Michigan City, MS, and handled by Larry Huffman. Both winners ran exceptional races, and each had bird work in the qualifier as well as in the two-hour callback finals. The grounds were in excellent condition, and there was no shortage of birds.

Judging this renowned Championship was Larry Smith of Altoona, IA, and Bobby McAlexande of Holly Springs, MS.

— Elton Bray

UNITED STATES SHOOTING DOG INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Confirmed Entries; Judges Announced
Judges for the eighteenth annual running of the United States Shooting Dog Invitational Championship will be Michael Shears of Franklin, Tenn., and Larry Garner of Arcadia, Okla. Serving as the reporter will be Gerry MacKenzie of McLeansboro, Ill.

It is also a pleasure to announce that the Purina Top Shooting Dog Awards Committee has increased the bonus points for the Invitational to 400 points, from 360.

The Championship is held on the Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area near Conway, Ark. The dates for the 2006 running are February 18-20.

Confirmed participants in the 2006 Invitational include:

Belfield Silver, pointer male; Don Frigo, owner; Mike Hester, handler.
Elhew Hannabell, pointer female; Drs. Thomas and Robin Morgan, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Elhew Sunflower, pointer female; Bryce Flaming & Rob Butler, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Elhew Swami, pointer female; Bryce Flaming, Rob Butler & Stan Howton, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Knickerbocker Rhea, pointer female; Sal J. Morelli, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Calico’s Thrillogy, pointer male; Richard Quackenbush & Frank Henderson, owners; George Tracy, handler.
Ravenwood Riley, setter male; Joseph Cincotta, owner; Norman Basilone, handler.
Indiana Brownie, pointer male; Thomas Downs, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Fibrillator, pointer male; Doug N. Harris, owner; George Tracy, handler.
Fearless Little Bit, pointer female; Tom Cernich, owner; Marvin McDowell, handler.
Grid Iron, setter male; Brad Bonnetti, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Enhancement Spirit, pointer female; Thomas L. Hance, owner; George Tracy, handler.

— Joyce Taylor