News from the major circuit trials

[gunner]

Updated November 4, 2005
NORTHEASTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
East Windsor, CT—After a near disastrous start, the Northeastern Open Shooting Dog Championship was moved to and run at the Flaherty Field Trial Area in East Windsor, CT. Judges Billy Henley of Thomasville, GA, and Jadie Rayfield of Mt. Pleasant, SC, had a difficult task separating all of the outstanding performances. Their decisions were accepted with understanding approval.

The new champion is Grid Iron, setter male handled by Luke Eisenhart for owner Brad Bonnetti of West Field, NJ. Runner-up is Noble Bailey’s Addition, pointer male handled by Mike Tracy and owned by Chris and Heather Palmer of Richmond, RI.

— Don Gustafson

OHIO-PENNSYLVANIA SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Harpster, OH—Flatrock Whitewater, pointer male, topped a field of 48 to win 2005 Ohio-Pennsylvania Shooting Dog Championship. Whitewater had a strong seven-find performance and handled well for handler Mike Hester. Calico’s Smart Money, pointer male, was named runner-up with a big race and six finds. Smart Money is owned by Allen Linder of Livingston, TN, and was handled by George Tracy.

Rain delayed the start of the trial a day. After that Mother Nature was very good to us and provided near perfect weather for the remainder of the trial.

The Derby drew an entry of 18 and was topped by Awsum Allen Jackson, pointer male owned by Bill and Margie Ricci of New Jersey. Second was Browntown Iron Hank, setter male owned by Auddie Brown of Kingstree, SC. Both dogs were handled by Luke Eisenhart. Third was Silver, a pointer handled by Mike Hester.

Advertised judges Jim Crouse and Tim Hammons, both of Kentucky, presided over the running of both stakes.

— Ray Wheeler

PRAIRIE FIELD TRIAL CLUB
Greensboro, AL—The Prairie Field Trial Club Open All-Age and Open Derby were completed October 21 at the Alabama State Cattle Ranch near Greensboro, AL. The All Age field consisted of 16 pointers; the Derby drew 14, 12 pointers and 2 setters.

Mega Diamond, pointer male, owned by John Sayre of Richmond, IN, and Bob and Sabrina Craig of Hatcchachubee, AL, was named first. Diamond had a good solid ground effort and one find. Collier Smith handled the second year all-age pointer. Lester’s Dollar Bill, young first year competitor was handled to second by Billy Wayne Morton for owners Charles and Heather Clink of Union Spring, AL. Randy Downs handled the third place winner, Tender Fury, jointly owned by Downs and Bill Fitch of Holly Springs, MS. Dollar Bill and Tender Fury each had one find.

Jerrell Bryan of Philadelphia, MS, won the Open Derby with his white and orange pointermale, Maswood Buddy. Bryan also claimed third with a littermate, Maswood Pic. Tennesseean Buddy Smith handled his setter female, Slight Sensation, to second. David Wilder of Collierville, TN, owns the youngster. No bird work was recorded in the derby; the judges made placements on ground performance.

Veteran arbiters Jim Trotti of Jackson, MS, and Ron Bush of Shellman, GA, adjudicated as advertised.

— Paul Wood, Secy.

REGION 17 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP
Dexter, KS—The Region 17 Amateur All-Age Championship on the Radcliff Ranch at Dexter, KS, drew 33 dogs and was concluded on October 23.

Winning the title was Barshoe Ripcord, seven-year-old white and liver pointer male owned and handled by John Harmon of Austin, TX. Earlier in October, Ripcord won runner-up at the Region 8 Amateur All-Age Championship at Ardmore, OK. Runner-up honors went to Barshoe Bandoleer, three-year-old white and orange pointer male owned and handled by Pat Morgan of Arcadia, OK.

Judges were Garvin Collins of Liberty, MO, and Gary Cowell of Lancaster, MO.

— Don Beauchamp

SOUTHWEST MISSOURI OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Grovespring, MO—Chuck Stretz handled both winners at the Southwest Missouri Open Shooting Dog Championship at Grovespring, MO. Shez Cross Stitch decidedly earned the title with four finds and a strong, impressive race. The pointer female is owned by Ron Hulett of Camdenton, MO. Havelock Gunsmith, setter male, also had four finds to take runner-up honors. His co-owners are Jim Crayne and Dennis Maggart of Lee’s Summit, MO.

Judges for the 56-dog stake and companion Derby were Texans Jerry Reed of Tomball and Dale Bush of College Station.

Buddy Smith handled Becky’s Sunrise, a setter female owned by David Wilder of Collierville, TN, to the top spot in the Derby. Shawn Kinkelaar handled the second and third place dogs. Jack, a pointer male owned by Ivaylo Gotzev of California, was second. Third was Rack A Tack, pointer male owned by Chris Leeson of Barnsdall, OK. Fourteen dogs were entered in the Derby.

— Peg Herriage


INOLA OPEN TRIALS
Inola, OK—The Inola Open trials began November 3 at the McFarlin-Ingersoll Ranch near Inola, OK. The Open Derby attracted 20 entries and the Open All-Age, 24, for Judges Don Kimble of Andover, KS, and Wayne Powers of Derby, KS.

— Dr. D.E. Hawthrone

NATIONAL AMATEUR PHEASANT CHAMPIONSHIP
Harpster, OH—The National Amateur Pheasant Championship drew a field of 31 dogs, two scratches reducing the running to 29 contenders. The winner emerged in Pepsi Charger, coming six-year-old pointer male owned by Bill and Cindy Klenner of Belleville, MI, and handled by Bill. Runner-up was Rester’s Morning Call, white and liver pointer male, coming three, owned by Cecil R. Rester of Bogalusa, LA.

Judges for the ringneck classic were Richard Bembenek of Webster, MA, and Dr. Hunter Wilcox of Lumberton, NJ.

— Michael Shears

NEW ENGLAND OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Pomfret, CT—Forty-three dogs were drawn for this year’s renewal of the 77th New England Open held October 21-23 at Ragged Hill Farm. Taking championship honors was Serious Threat, 3-year-old pointer male, owned by Greg and Maggie Strausbaugh of Mifflinburg, PA, and handled by Mike Tracy. Runner-up was Clark’s Black Copper, 8-year-old setter male, owned by Great River Kennels of Central Islip, NY, also handled by Mike Tracy.

Judges were Bill Fogg of Shapleigh, ME, and John Margotta of Hingham, MA.

— Janice Gregory