7 trials to report / 4 championships

[gunner]

Updated December 18, 2006
ATLANTIC COAST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Hoffman, NC—The Atlantic Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship was held December 4-9 at Hoffman, NC. There were 52 entries. The winner was Mohawk Mill Dana, pointer female owned by Tom Brigman, Jr. and Sr. of Baltimore, MD, and handled by Norm Basilone. Runner-up was Talisman, pointer male owned by Susan Duerksen of Pittsburgh, PA, and handled by Mike Tracy.

In the M. C. Sanderson Memorial Derby (12 entries), first place went to Cassique’s Anthropology, pointer female owned by Fred and Bernice Rowan of Atlanta, GA, and handled by Doug Ray. Second was Ida O Chess, setter male owned by David Whitaker of Kernersville, NC, and handled by Craig Deal. Third was True Blue, pointer male owned by Dr. Ralph Folsom of Winterville, NC, and handled by Jimmy Edmundson.

Judges were Mack Hilliard of Hoffman, NC, and Dr. Roger Boser of Seven Valleys, PA.

— Dr. William C. Sanderson

BLACK BELT OPEN TRIALS

Catherine, AL—The 2006 running of the Black Belt Open All-stakes was held December 10-14 at Shell Creek Plantation, Catherine, AL. Winning top honors in the 51-dog Open All-Age was Lester’s Dollar Bill, pointer male owned by Charles and Heather Klinck of Union Springs, AL, and handled by Billy Wayne Morton. Second was Southern Prodigy, pointer male owned by G. Burke Hendrix, Jr. of Hernando, MS, and handled by Steve Hurdle. Hurdle also won third with Shell Creek Coin, pointer male owned by Robert W. “Bud” Moore of Catherine, AL.

Taking home the first place plaque in the Derby was Hat’s Off, pointer female, also handled by Hurdle and owned by Moore and Suzanne Littell. Tommy Davis placed second with his pointer male Strut. Rounding out the Derby placements was Rester’s Making Memories, pointer male owned and handled by Cecil Rester of Bogalusa, LA.

Judging both stakes were Dennis Hood of Shelbyville, TN, and Brian Peterson of Cecil, AL.

— Elton Bray

NATIONAL AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Albany, GA—The National Amateur Shooting Dog Invitational Championship ran December 11-13 at Nilo Plantation in Albany, GA. Bridges Lake Pat, pointer female owned and handled by Tim Moore of Colquitt, GA, was named champion. Exit Wound, pointer male owned by Hunter McDuffie of Union Springs, AL, and Larry Curry of Montgomery, AL, and handled by Hunter McDuffie, was named runner-up. Both dogs ran consistent, strong races with excellent bird work over the three day period. They were the only pair called back for the final third day.

Judges were Gary Winall of Powhatan, VA, and David Williams of Cordova, TN.

— Heather Klinck

NEW JERSEY FIELD TRIAL ASSOCIATION

The New Jersey field trial clubs are preparing for “March Madness.” The Mid-Atlantic Field Trial Club will host the Region 2 Amateur All-Age Championship March 9 followed by the Mid-Atlantic Open Shooting Dog Championship on March 13. Both trials will be held at the Assunpink WMA in Clarksburg, NJ.

The English Setter Club of America will hold its annual spring Amateur and Open Classics March 15-22. The Jockey Hollow Club will host the Imperial Shooting Dog Classic March 26. Both the Setter Club and the Jockey Hollow trials will be held at the Greenwood Forest WMA in Lacey Township, NJ. All of the above noted Open and Amateur events are Purina Top Dog/Top Handler Points trials. Companion stakes will be run, time permitting.

In addition to the above Purina Points trials, the Sussex Field Trial Club of New Jersey will hold a weekend trial consisting of a full slate of open and amateur stakes on March 23-25 at the English Setter Club in Medford, NJ.

Specifics for each trial will be forthcoming in an official announcement in The American Field.

— Joseph Cincotta

OZARK OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Conway, AR—Chalk up another win for Dean Lord. Rock Acre Blackhawk topped a field of 67 with an exceptional ground race and a field trial find. Blackhawk is owned by Thorpe McKenzie of the Sunny Hill Plantation, Tallahassee, FL. Runner-up emerged in none other than Elhew Swami. She too had a nice find. Swami is owned by Rob Butler of LaGrange, KY, Stan Howton of Troy, MO, and Bryce Flaming of Wichita, KS, and was piloted by Shawn Kinkelaar.

In the Open Derby, 21 hopefuls were turned loose. Westfall’s Black Rock, handled by Gordon Hazlewood, claimed top honors. He is owned by Bill Westfall of Liberty, MO. Jayhawk was second for owner Thorpe McKenzie and handler Dean Lord. Third was Covey Rise’s Sassy, handled by Shawn Kinkelaar for owners Drs. Thomas and Robin Morgan of Colorado Springs, CO.

— Steve Messick

PRAIRIE CLUB’S OPEN STAKES

Holly Springs, MS—The Prairie Field Trial Club Open All-Age, a National Championship qualifying stake, and companion Open Derby began December 8 at Cedaroak Plantation. Judges were Bill Stubblefield of Paragould, AR, and Larry Walters of Effingham, IL.

Thirty-two dogs competed in the Open All-Age. Awarded first place was Cedaroak Delta Dawn, pointer female owned and handled by Tom Honecker of Findlay, OH. Second went to Game Maker, pointer male owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder of Corinth, MS. Placed third was Jukebox, pointer female owned and handled by Mike Peretto of Export, PA.

The Open Derby drew eight contenders. The winner was Roll Tide, white and liver pointer male owned by Guy and Burke Hendrix of Hernando, MS, and handled by Randy Anderson. Second place was Cancoon Ty, white and orange pointer male owned by Tom Youree of Old Hickory, TN, and handled by Randy Downs. Third place was awarded to Sage Creek Wildfire, white and orange pointer female owned by J. Boyce of Sage Creek Kennel and handled by Randy Anderson.

— Fred Corder

UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Union Springs, AL— The United States Open Championship concluded December 9. A field of 61 all-age contenders competed for the title in mostly cold conditions. Shell Creek Coin, pointer male handled by Steve Hurdle and owned by Bud Moore and Suzanne Littell, topped the field and earned the title. Runner-up honors went to Flatwood Silver, pointer male owned by Dr. and Mrs. Everett Crouch of Jacksonville, FL, and handled by Robin Gates. Both dogs had forward, reaching races and two finds.

Judges were Doug Arthur of Eads, TN, and Mike Jackson of Battleground, IN. Mike Jackson also serves as the club secretary and filled the judicial position when advertised judge Myres Gray was called home for a family medical emergency on the second day of the Championship.

The companion Derby was judged by Mike Norris of Furman, AL, and Bill Mason of Sawyerville, AL. First place went to Rex, handled by Tommy Davis and owned by Doug Arthur of Memphis. Second was Sir Battlecry, owned by John Thompson of Camilla, GA, and handled by Bubba Moreland, and third was Hat’s Off, handled by Steve Hurdle for Moore and Littell. Twenty-one dogs competed.

— Heather Klinck