Trial news from around the country

[gunner]

Updated January 26, 2007
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Greenville, FL—Mississippi Judges Jerry Black and Garland Priddy called back 14 dogs for the hour and fifty-minute finals from an entry of 100 dogs in the 2007 Continental Championship at Dixie Plantation, Greenville, FL. They also named Sandhill Dix the “top qualifier” after the initial one-hour heats had been run. The four-year-old white and liver pointer female is owned by Dr. Randy Peel of Chipley, FL, and was handled by Fred Rayl.

GEORGIA SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Waynesboro, GA—The 136-dog Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship came to a successful conclusion with the naming of two worthy winners. The new champion is Weber’s Little Bullett, owned by Bruce Weber of Lisbon, Ohio and handled by veteran John Ray Kimbrell. The white and liver seven-year-old pointer male ran an impressive race, always forward, carding three excellent finds with elevated style and approved manners.

Runner-up was Erin’s Mayo Ranger, white and black pointer male owned by Allen R. Linder of Livingston, TN, and handled by George Tracy. Ranger rendered a strong, determined effort and also had three finds. A hair’s breadth separated the winners.

Twenty-four dogs were entered in the Derby Classic, which was won by Affirm, white and tan setter male owned by Mrs. Inez C. Smith of Wexford, PA, and handled by Harold Ray. Second was Sukara’s Come Home Jessie, setter female owned by Clair F. Gross of Wellsville, PA, and Bob McKendrick of Mechanicsburg, PA, and handled by Jeanette Tracy. Third was Cassique’s Double Barrel, pointer male owned by Fred and Bernice Rowan of Atlanta, GA, and handled by Harold Ray.

Judges for the titular stake were Dr. Aubrey Morgan of Suffolk, VA, and Bobby Fox of Rome, GA; for the Derby, Burton Bryant of Royston, GA, and Terrell Harpe of Blythe, GA.

— Nell Mobley

HOBART AMES TRIALS

Grand Junction, TN—The Hobart Ames trials were concluded Friday afternoon, January 12, at Ames Plantation, Grand Junction, TN. Judges Jim Crouse of Dixon, KY, and Larry Garner of Oak Point, TX, presided over a field of 44 in the Open All-Age and 11 in the Derby. They named Shell Creek Coin the winner of the adult stake. Coin, the current National Champion, is owned by R. W. “Bud” Moore of Catherine, AL, and was handled by Steve Hurdle, who also handled the dog to his National Championship crown. Second was Windyhill’s True Grit, pointer female owned and handled by Jake Waddell of Brownsville, TN. Third was Davis Shout, pointer male owned and handled by Tom Liesfeld of Rockville, VA.

The Hobart Ames Derby features one-hour heats. The winner was The Dotted Line, pointer female owned and handled by Mason Ashburn of Trenton, TN. Second was Cross City Kate, pointer female owned by Vic Etheridge of Corinth, MS, and handled by Ray Warren. Third was Roll Tide, pointer male owned and handled by Burke Hendrix of Hernando, MS.

Mornings were cold, afternoons cool, but no rain came until after the running.

— Margaret Pinalto

MISSISSIPPI CHAMPIONSHIP

Michigan City, MS—Whippoorwill War Dance, a Derby handled by Larry Huffman and owned by Dr. Jack Huffman of Michigan City, MS, and Glen Crutchfield of Memphis, TN, convincingly captured the Mississippi Championship title on January 16. His near perfect race coupled with two flawless finds far to the front was somewhat of an overkill for most quality trials. The white and liver pointer male made headlines in Oklahoma in November when he won the American Field Quail Futurity.

Kennelmate Whippoorwill Wizard, also handled by Larry Huffman and owned by Dr. Jack Huffman, was declared runner-up based on a good race of less proportion than the winner but two finds of similar quality.

The Derby was easily won by Allen Vincent handling Whippoorwill Hot Dame for owner Preston Trimble. Roll Tide, owned and handled by Burke Hendrix, was second. Third place was awarded to Touch’s Heart Attack for owner-handler Keith Wright.

Judges for both stakes were Mac Conyers of Halls, TN, and Ben S. Adams of Hopkinsville, KY.

— Nat Adams

NATIONAL CLUB’S TRIALS

Catherine, AL—The National Derby Championship commenced January 22 at Shell Creek Plantation near Catherine, AL. Twenty-three dogs were entered and the judges are Jerrell Bryan of Philadelphia, MS, and Dennis Hood of Shelbyville, TN.

A field of 22 will compete in the National Free-for-All Championship under Judges Charles K. Young of Cassatt, SC, and William Smith of Moscow, TN.

TEXAS OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Ardmore, OK—The Texas Open Shooting Dog Championship was preceded by the companion Open Derby. First place was Jayhawk, pointer male owned by Sunny Hill Plantation of Tallahassee, FL, and handled by Dean Lord. Second was Easy Button, pointer male owned and handled by Bobby T. Davis of McKinney, TX. Placing third was Mike, pointer male owned by Dr. Richard Steckley of Wichita, KS, and handled by Chuck Stretz.

Judges for the Open Derby were Tom Milam of Elm Mott, TX, and E. J. Hall of Gunter, TX.

It rained during the running of the Derby and falling temperatures the night before the Championship was to begin brought a dangerous covering of ice and eventually the cancellation of the stake.

— Peg Herriage