News from the circuit trials

[gunner]

Updated December 7, 2006
EASTERN OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

This is to advise that the Eastern Open Shooting Championship that traditionally starts the first Monday in March has been changed for 2007. The revised starting date for 2007 will be March 7or 8. The Derby will run first. This revision will eliminate conflicts with the Masters Shooting Dog Championship that starts each year on March 1.

The judges for the 2007 Championship will be Dr. Aubrey Morgan and Barbel Fetkoter of Suffolk, Va., and have vast experience in all aspects of field trialing. Their judging resumes include the US Open Quail Shooting Dog Futurity, Mid Atlantic Open Shooting Dog Championship, Region 3 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship, Mexican Open Shooting Dog Championship and others.

Direct questions to Garrett Atkins, trial chairman at: (804) 746-1566.

KENTUCKY QUAIL CLASSIC

Paducah, KY—Twenty-nine dog answered the all in the Kentucky Quail classic, and the winner emerged in B B’s Pike , white and orange ticked pointer male, owed by Bill Bruce of Hopkinsville, KY, and handled by Ray Warren. Pike rendered a hard driving grou d race and scored one find. Second was Bocefus, pointer male, handled by Andy Daugherty. Bocefus ran a good race and was credited with tow finds. Third was Firewind, pointer male handled by Weldon Bennett. Firewind had a strong race and one find.

Judges were Alan Benson of cutler IL, and Hoyt Henley Jr., of Montgomery, AL.

— John Russell

MISSISSIPPI OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Holly Springs, MS—Elhew Sinbad, pointer male owned by Rob Butler and Stan Howton and handled by Shawn Kinkelaar, topped the 40-dog field in the Mississippi Open Shooting Dog Championship. He scored three times on game in a strong, consistent race throughout. Runner-up was Shez Cross Stitch, pointer female under the whistle of Chuck Stretz and owned by Ron Hulett of Camdenton, MO. She had two finds, one unproductive and a quality ground effort.

The companion Derby (16 entries) was won by Covey Rise’s Sassy, pointer female owned by Drs. Robin and Thomas Morgan of Colorado Springs, CO. Ninnescah White Gold, pointer male owned by Dr. Richard Steckley of Wichita, KS, and handled by Chuck Stretz, placed second. Third was Windfall Silver Rain, pointer male owned by Joseph Guzman of Davisburg, MI, and handled by Eddy Taylor. Sassy and White Gold had nice Derby bird contact. Silver Rain was placed on an excellent ground race.

Judging both stakes were Ralph Gillota of Medina, OH, and Randy Hopkins of Ashville, OH.

— Peg herriage

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 starting on 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 their annual spring Amateur and Open Classics on March 15-22. The Jockey Hollow Club will host the Imperial Shooting Dog Classic on March 26. Both the Setter Club trials and the Jockey Hollow Imperial 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 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 advertisement for the respective trial in The American Field.

— Joseph Cincotta

PACIFIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIP ASSOCIATION

The Pacific Coast Championship Association has been reorganized. After many years operating under the very able direction of Dave Nelson, with the support and help of his wife Darlene and John Munson, Dave decided it was time for him to turn the reins over to a successor group.

The new officers and directors are: Richard D. Heaton, president and director; Matt Coverdale, secretary-treasurer and director; David Nelson, vice-president and director, and Rich Heaton, director.

Other members who have taken an active role in the reorganization and management are Rich Robertson of the Robertson Kennels, Neil Mason of Calgary, AB, Gerry Hignite of Elizabethtown, KY, and Doug Favor of Pocatello, ID. Collectively these individuals bring to the table a great deal of field trial experience and expertise in managing trials.

The Pacific Coast Championship is the oldest championship trial held west of the Mississippi. The first championship event was conducted in 1896. It is the goal of the new group to maintain and hopefully enhance the reputation of the Pacific Coast Championships.

A raffle was the first significant event conducted by the new management. Even though Dave Nelson had turned over a sizable checkbook balance it was deemed advisable to increase the available dollars. Because of the generosity of the field trial community, serious sportsmen and exceptional prizes the Association’s monetary goal was attained.

The prizes were truly outstanding. Rich Robertson donated a two-person, two-day hunt at the Robertson Ranch as the first prize. Serious western hunters and the field trial community are well aware of the variety and quantity of game birds and quality of wild bird hunting at the Robertson Ranch.
The second prize was equally impressive. Gerry Hignite donated, from his personal collection, an absolutely beautiful unfired Caeser Guerini “Magnus” over-under 12 gauge shotgun.

Third prize was a CZ “Ringneck” side by side 20 gauge shotgun donated by Mr. Doug Sayer, president of Premier Technology, Inc., a Pocatello, ID,”high tech” company.

The drawing was held Sunday evening, October 29. Present were R. D. Heaton, Rich Robertson, Rich Heaton and Mike Hackney. Mike is a farrier who services much of the field trial community in Idaho and Southeastern Oregon. Over the last few years Mike has made significant donations to the Boise Valley Pointing Dog Club. Mike is not a member of either the Association or any other field trial association so he was appointed to serve as the official “drawer”. Greg Smith of Blackfoot, ID, was the first prize winner. In a highly unusual turn of events Kim and Curtis Sampson of American Fork, Utah were drawn as both the second and third prize winners. They now have two exceptional shotguns!

Needless to say we had elated winners.

We look forward to seeing everyone this spring at the Anderson Ranch at Sunnyside, WA.

— R. D. Heaton, Pres.

SOUTH CAROLINA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Patrick, SC— The South Carolina Open Shooting Dog Championship drew a stellar entry of 78 dogs. The trial, which began November 29 and was completed December 4, was held at the H. Cooper Black Field Trial Area in Patrick, SC.

Earning the title was Hifalutin, pointer female owned by Dr. Roger and Susan Duerksen of Pittsburgh, PA, and handled by Mike Tracy. Weber’s Little Bullett, pointer male owned by Bruce Weber of Lisbon, OH, and handled by John Ray Kimbrell, was named runner-up.

Sitting in the judicial saddles were Larry Cox of Randleman, NC, and Larry Moon of Camilla, GA.

— Dr. Billy McCathern

UNITED STATES TRIALS

Catherine, AL—A gratifying entry has been received for the United States Open Championship at Shell Creek Plantation near Catherine, AL. Sixty-one dogs were drawn for the 2006 running, and 21 Derbies will compete as well. Unfortunately, Judge M yers Gray had to return home to Durant, MS, because of a possible impending death in the family. Mike Jackson of Battle Ground, IN, has teamed with Doug Arthur of Eads, TN, to adjudicate the U.S.

— Karen Hurdle