Updated February 4, 2010
News from 2009
ALABAMA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Ripley, Miss.—After Erin’s Whiskey River’s convincing performance won the demanding Southern Championship title in early January at Columbus, Miss., the white and orange pointer male returned to the Magnolia State in early February to claim the Alabama title at the Hell Creek grounds near Blue Mountain, Miss. River is owned and handled by Sean Derrig of Bannockburn, Ill. Runner-up was Game Maker, white and liver pointer male owned by Dr. Fred Corder of Corinth, Miss.
Presiding for the 44-dog championship stake were Greg St. John of So. Fulton, Tenn., and Cecil R. Rester of Bogalusa, La.
ARIZONA SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Kingman, Ariz.—A record entry was run over five and a half days at Kingman, Ariz.A trial that normally takes four days to complete reached new entry levels in each of three of the stakes offered. Thirty-seven entries were received for the Arizona Open Championship; 20 dogs for the Bill West Open Derby, and 31 entries in the Region 12 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship.
Named champion and runner-up, respectively, in the Arizona Open: Worry Be Gone, setter male owned and handled by Tom Griffin of Watsonville, Cal.; and Coco Super Express, pointer owned by Ivaylo Gotzev and handled by Sheldon Twer.
Region 12 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship winners were: Big Z’s Superstition Dan, pointer male owned and handled by Mr. George Musser of Tempe, Ariz., andWorry Be Gone, runner-up, Tom Griffin’s setter.
In the Bill West Open Derby, the winners were: No Limit Rebuy, pointer male owned and handled by Jim Schultz of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Dee Bone Dixie, pointer owned and handled by Mr. Dee Nix of Fletcher, Okla.; and Lindy’s Lucky Lady, pointer female owned and handled by Steve Johnson of Arizona.
— Dave Higgins
FORTY-SIXTH UNITED STATES QUAIL SHOOTING DOG FUTURTY
Hoffman, N. C.—The 46th renewal of the U. S. Quail Shooting Dog Futurity drew a starting field of 55. Judges Bill Fogg of Bar Mills, Me., and Bill Britt of Blythwood, S. C., called back 14 dogs for the hour finals.
The winner was Cassique’s Blue Ridge, pointer female owned by Fred and Bernice Rowan of Atlanta, Ga., bred by Tim Moore of Colquitt, Ga., and handled by Doug Ray to a strong forward ground heat and two finds. Second was Erin’s War Creek, pointer male owned by Thomas G. Downs of West Grove, Pa., bred by Sean Derrig of Bannockburn, Ill., and handled by Luke Eisenhart to a far-flung ground heat and one find. Third was a setter male named Ridge Creek Cody in the ownership of Larry Brutger of St. Cloud, Minn., bred by Dr. Paul Hauge of Centura, Wis., and handled by Shawn Kinkelaar to a wide race and two finds. Fourth was Coosawhatchie Chief, pointer male owned by Andrea W. Clark of Ridgeland, S. C., bred by George C. Tracy and handled by Mike Tracy to a forward ground heat and two finds.
The trial was contested at the Sandhills Field Trial grounds near Hoffman, N. C.
— Mike Husenits
NATIONAL AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Leslie, Ga.—The National Amateur Shooting Dog Derby Championship scheduled for January 29 at Round Pond and Pretty Pond Plantations near Leslie, Ga., drew a field of 26 contenders. Under very wet conditions 14 dogs competed on Saturday. Throughout the night rain continued to fall making already dangerous footing treacherous. After deliberation Judges Bill Harkins of Auburn, Ala., and Danny Rhyne of Montgomery, Ala., elected to cancel the remainder of the running and name the winners from those already having performed.
Two most worthy championship performances were witnessed and rewarded. John Neely owns and handled the champion, Neely’s Strictly Business, a
pointer male. Miller’s Calamity Jane Lady, pointer female owned by Jack and Fran Miller of Barwick, Ga., and handled by Fran, was named runner-up. Both dogs had multiple bird work to compliment their fine ground efforts.
— Linda Hunt
NATIONAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Hoffman, N. C.—The severe weather system that swept across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia reached North Carolina and brought snow and freezing temperatures to the Hoffman grounds and the National Open Shooting Dog Championship.
The advertised judges —Til Hankley of Nellys Ford, Va., John Ray Kimbrell of Fort Mill, S. C., and Don May ofWarrior, Ala. — delayed the beginning of the running due to the snow and frigid temperatures. Forty-three dogs were drawn for this 2010 renewal.
— Dwight Smith
CAJUN CLASSIC
Columbus, Miss.—Forty-two dogs in the Solatex Club’s Cajun Open All-Age Classic and 12 in the Open Derby competed at the Black Prairie grounds near Columbus, Miss.
Winner of the Cajun Classic was Chief Two Feathers, pointer male owned by Thorpe McKenzie and Bob Walthall of Tallahasssee, Fla., and handled by
Steve Hurdle. Second was Erin’s Stoney River, pointer male owned and handled by Sean Derrig of Bannockburn, Ill. Third was Hytest Sky Hawk, setter
male owned by Jack W. Elliott of Knoxville, Tenn., and handled by Ray Warren.
Judges for this renewal were Sonny Addison of Osyka, Miss., and the writer of Picayune, Miss.
— Richard Anthony
GEORGIA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Waynesboro, Ga. —The Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship (84 entries) was won by Merrihill’s Carolina, white and black pointer female owned by Bill Merrifield of Kinsman, Ohio and handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Richfield Silver Belle, white and liver pointer female owned by Bill and Claudia McNamee of Waccabuc, N.Y., and handled by Luke Eisenhart, was named runner-up.
Judging the large field were Tony Gibson of Union Springs, Ala., and Charles K.Young of Cassatt, S. C.
— JasonWilliams
NBHA MIDWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Grovespring Mo.—The NBHA Midwest Regional Championship was held on January 23-24 at the Sportsmen’s Association grounds, Grovespring, Mo. Judges Gailen Cooper and KevinWestern selected The Valedictorian, setter male owned by Bob Caffey and Robert Dardenne, as champion. Dardenne handled his charge through three flawless finds and a solid race. One find was the result of a perfectly executed relocation on running birds. Reigning NBHA National Amateur Champion pointer male Wild Covey Heatwave, owned by Jason Kemna and Tony King, was named runner-up. King handled his dog to a three-find performance, a good race, and a nice relocation on running birds on his third find. Both dogs exuded the class performance suitable of an NBHA champion.
— Chris Gebhardt
OKLAHOMA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Inola, Okla.—A gratifying entry was received for the Oklahoma Open Shooting Dog Championship at the McFarlin-Ingersoll Ranch near Inola, Okla.— 68 dogs in the Championship, and 16 in the Derby.
At this writing 30 dogs have rendered their bids, but a severe weather system to the west, with the potential to bring sleet and several inches of snow, has forced the postponement of the trial, which will resume on February 4.
Judges are Ray Roberts of Fairland, Okla., and Harold Davis of Poolville, Tex.
— Dr. D. E. Hawthorne
REGION 3 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Patrick, S. C.—The Region 3 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship began January 20 and after three and a half days of running. Judges Brenda Ballantine
of Blythewood, S. C., and George Kimbrell of Fort Mill, S. C., named Calico’s Catch N Release, four-year-old white and liver pointer male owned by Calico Kennels and Doug Harris and handled by Frank Henderson, the champion. Runner-up was Crouch’s Prerogative, seven-year-old white and black pointer female owned and handled by Jeff Crouch.
The Championship had 40 entries and was held at the H. Cooper Black Field Trial Area in Patrick, S. C.
— Dr. Billy McCathern
CONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Greenville, Fla.—The Continental Championships are underway at Dixie Plantation, Greenville, Fla. The Derby fixture drew a field of 27; the All-Age has 81.
Judges for the Derby, Dr.Angelo Lurus of Spokane,Wash., and Bill Perry of Lynn Haven, Fla., named HardYoung Rocker, white and liver pointer male, the winner of the Derby Championship, and Showtime Dude, also a white and liver pointer male, runner-up. Rocker is owned by Larry A. Garner of Oak Point, Tex., and was handled by Billy Henley. Dude is owned and handled by Larron Copeland of Bronwood, Ga.
Presiding for the All-Age, which began the afternoon of January 20, are Jerry Black of Jackson, Miss., and Garland Priddy of Terry, Miss. A severe storm struck the Greenville area Thursday, January 21, dropping several inches of rain and holding up the running.
Reporting the Derby is David Adams; Tommy Stargell is covering the All-Age.
— Randy Floyd
FLORIDA OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
Lake City, Fla.—Judges John Russell and James Crouse of Kentucky named Chinquapin Andy champion and Distant Shadow runner-up in the 2010 Florida Open All-Age Championship which commenced January 10 and concluded Friday, January 15.
Andy is owned by Ted Baker of Jacksonville, Fla., and T. Jack Robinson of Dayton, Tenn., and was handled by Joe Hicks in a thrilling four-find race. Andy also won last year. Distant Shadow, a pointer male, is owned by Jed Dempsey of Florida and Tom Nygard of Montana and was handled by Robin Gates in a deep and forward hour rewarded with three finds.
Eighty-nine dogs were entered and ran in the forty-minute preliminary heats and twelve dogs were called to go in the championship finals. Poison, owned by Eddie Sholar of Leesburg, Ga., and Tommy Davis, who handled, was named Top Qualifier on a sweeping forward effort rewarded with two good finds.
Conditions were difficult Sunday throughWednesday due to extreme cold, dry weather, and birds, though abundant, were in hiding as they know so well how to do.
—Tom Word
GEORGIA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Waynesboro, Ga.—The Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship’s one-hour companion Open Derby Classic drew a field of 24 dogs. Three pointer males were close contenders for the Georgia Derby Classic. Bittersweet Alibi, pointer male owned by Ralph Gillota of Medina, Ohio, captured first place with a big cast and one find for Luke Eisenhart, who also handled Erin’s War Creek, owned by Tom Downs of West Grove, Pa., to second with one forward find. George Tracy handled the third place winner Caladen’s Rail Hawk with two finds. Rail Hawk, a pointer male , is owned by Ross Callaway
of Hopkins, S. C.
Judging the Derbies were Randy Latty of Latta, S. C., and Vinnie Ballester of Simpsonville, S. C.
Tony Gibson of Union Springs, Ala., and Charles K.Young of Cassatt, S. C., are in the judicial saddles for the large field of 84 entries in the Shooting
Dog Championship.
— JasonWilliams
GEORGIA QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP
Waynesboro, Ga.—The Georgia Quail Championship was concluded on Thursday, January 7. Named champion was Strut, owned by Tommy Davis and Eddie Sholar of Leesburg, Ga., and handled by Davis. To the credit of this five-year-old pointer male was a strong all-age race with two dug-up finds in the first brace of the competition. Close behind in the 9th brace was Thunder Snowy, pointer female which captured runner-up honors. Snowy had a real nice forward race with one find and a strong finish. Steve Hurdle handled the runner-up for owner DougArthur of Eads, Tenn.
Advertised judges Charles and Jeff Bond occupied the judicial saddles. In spite of extreme cold weather their spirits were high.
— Nell Mobley
HOBART AMES MEMORIAL OPEN TRIALS
Grand Junction, Tenn.—The Hobart Ames Memorial Open was concluded Friday, January 15, at Ames Plantation. Touch’s Green River, white and orange pointer male owned and handled by Keith A.Wright of Covington, Ind., was named the winner. Merrihill’s Allience, white and black pointer male handled by Randy Downs for owner Bill Merrifield of Kinsman, Ohio, was named to the second spot. Game Time C, owned by Vick Etheridge and Steve Scott of Corinth, Miss., garnered third. Randy Downs also handled Game Time.
In the Open Derby, Snowgoose, handled by Allen Vincent for owner David O’Connor of Bullard, Tex., took the top spot. Second was Miller’s Powerstroke
for handler Weldon Bennett and owner Harold R. Miller of Huntingdon, Tenn. Third was awarded to House’s River Fever, owned and handled by Joe D. House of Clinton, Ky.
—William Smith
SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Columbus, Miss.—Starting January 5, the Southern Championship drew 28 dogs. This is one of the toughest all-age events for a field trial competitor to claim victory. The one-hour first series with a two-hour callback is tough enough but the huge country of Black Prairie near Columbus, Miss., demands
a dog to run, and run with purpose. There is no hiding, there is no forgiveness for the dog that can’t tote the mail around this country.
The footing for this renewal was nothing less than terrible. Ice that was present the first day stayed throughout, with more forming on every inch of the
grounds. A cold rain in the freezing temperatures tested these dogs’ physical ability to the limit.
The judges, Frank LaNasa of Isanti, Minn., and Scott Jordon of White Bear Lake, Minn., did an outstanding job of evaluating the contenders to come up with the four they felt had earned the right to the championship finals.
In their first brace was Whippoorwill Wild Agin, pointer male owned by Dr. Terry Terlep and Dr. Jack Huffman, braced with Erin’s Whiskey River, owned
and handled by Sean Derrig. The second brace was Erin’s Bad River, owned and handled by Sean Derrig, braced with Whippoorwill Hot Dame, owned
by Preston Tremble and handled by Allen Vincent. A round of applause followed the naming of the finalists.
The first brace began at 11:30 a. m. following the conclusion of the first series. Temperature hovered around 34° with a light rain falling and a brisk north wind. Erin’s Whiskey River delivered a tremendous effort on the ground for two hours with a finish that was remarkable due to his Derby age and the daunting conditions he faced. His finish is one that will be remembered through the years by those who saw it; he showed he had plenty left and some to spare as he delivered his concluding cast. To add to his sterling effort that gained him the Southern Championship crown, he chalked up three finds with great character in his style. In the first series he had rendered true all-age ground work adding an exciting find to boot.
Whippoorwill Wild Agin has won this Championship twice and with this win the runner-up laurels twice. He had a great effort in the first series with his all-age showmanship complemented by two good finds. In the finals he struck the hard core of all-age running just as the winner did. It was in the last 15 minutes or so when Whiskey River turned on the afterburners to separate the two dogs.Wild Agin scored three very good finds along with a divided find and an unproductive in the two-hour finals.
The second brace contenders—Erin’s Bad River andWhippoorwill Hot Dame—gave it a good try for an hour and 30 minutes before handlers called it quits.
The Southern concluded January 7 when longtime club President Albert Necaise announced the winners. The announcement was well received by all who had witnessed the memorable two hour finals.
— Mazie Davis
TEXAS OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Ardmore, Okla.—With an entry of 34, the Texas Open Shooting Dog Championship was completed on January 15 with Covey Rise’s Offlee Amazin taking the title. Handled by Shawn Kinkelaar, “Braxton” is co-owned by Drs. Thomas and Robin Morgan of Holly Springs, Miss., and Gary Hertz of Bismarck, N. D. The pointer male performed with a strong, smooth ground race from beginning to end and scored one excellent find.
Runner-up honors went to Wild Covey Coldfront, pointer male handled by Jerry Hailey and owned by Tony King of Thompson, Mo. Coldfront’s two
finds were topnotch, handled with style and steadiness. He ran a big race and finished the hour strong.
The Open Derby had seven entries and was won by Stormin Steely Dan, pointer male handled by Jack Herriage and co-owned by Mike McClanahan of Lees Summit, Mo., and Charlie Jackson of Dallas, Tex. He was big and forward for the brace, hunting every objective. Taking second was Ridge Creek Cody, setter male handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Cody, owned by Larry Brutger of St. Cloud, Minn., ran a pretty, snappy, forward race. Kinkelaar also handled the third place dog, Four Rivers Crusader, owned by Shannon Smith of Farina, Ill., and Scott Shrum of Paducah, Ky. The pointer female had a nice find, then settled in to apply herself really well for the last 15 minutes.
Judges for both stakes were well-known Arkansans Les Rowell of Greenbrier and HaroldWoodward of Vilonia. The trial was finished with no precipitation
and fairly decent temperatures, which is not always the case at this venue in January.
Chairman Ed Beverley of Ovilla, Tex., was hospitalized just the week prior and unable to attend. At this time he is in rehab at Baylor in Dallas and is reportedly improving. Everyone missed Ed at the trial and wish him a speedy recovery.
— Peg Herriage
HOBART AMES MEMORIAL
Grand Junction, Tenn.—The drawing for the HobartAmes Memorial took place Saturday, January 9, at 7:00 p. m. at the Ames Plantation office. Forty-two all-age and twenty Derbies were drawn. The running commenced Monday, January 11, at 8:00 a. m. Barring any delays the running will be completed Saturday morning.
The advertised judges, Hank Jansen of St. Charles, Mo., and Kendall Schmidt of Defiance, Mo., are officiating.
—William Smith
INTERNATIONAL ENDURANCE SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
Ardmore, Okla.—The International Endurance Shooting Dog Championship at the Lake Murray grounds near Armore, Okla., was contested in less than favorable conditions—cold temperatures and a chilling wind. Shawn Kinkelaar swept both ends of the titular stake, annexing the title with pointer
females Elhew Hannabell, and the runner-up spot with Hot Topic. Hannabell is owned by Drs. Robin and Thomas Morgan of Holly Springs, Miss.; Hot
Topic, by Mary and Bill Sand of Sarasota, Fla. The Championship drew a field of 29.
In the Derby, the winner was Carol’s Elhew Goldie, pointer female owned by Ed Beverley of Ovilla, Tex., and handled by Jack Herriage. Second was Broadway Rumble, pointer male owned by Randy Grape of Dover, Okla. Third was Sequoyah’s Playing Two, pointer female owned and handled by Terry Smith. Fourteen dogs were entered.
Judges for the Championship were Dr. Pat McInteer of Falls City, Neb., and George Miller of Denver, Colo.; for the Derby, George Newcomb of Pryor,
Okla., joined George Miller.
— C.W. Taylor
NATIONAL AMATEURWALKING SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
South Hill, Va.—The National AmateurWalking Shooting Dog Championship was completed midday January 9 at the Dick CrossWMA, South Hill, Va. Thirty-five dogs competed in the event under very cold but clear conditions.With heavy frost Saturday morning the first brace was made up of a father-
son duo. Pinekone Spade, handled by Ashby Morgan of Hudgins, Va., was paired with his son, Pinekone Hobo, handled by Lee Flanders of Elberson, Va. From this brace came the winners, in that order.
Several good performances were witnessed by Judges Don Gustafson, Goshen, Conn., and Buddy Smith, Collierville, Tenn., that pressed the winners. Among those were Bob’s Miller Sue, handled by Bobby Phillips, and Haywood’s Penny, Herbert Haywood.
— Linda Hunt
GEORGIA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Waynesboro, Ga.—The Georgia Field Trial Association’s all-age stakes began January 2 with the Georgia Derby Championship which attracted 29 dogs.
The winner emerged in Conecuh Station’s Black Rock, white and black pointer male owned by Tony Gibson of Union Springs, Ala., and handled by Steve Hurdle. Runner-up was Lester’sWhite Out, pointer male owned by Gary Lester of Gracey, Ky., and handled by Ike Todd.
Judges for the juvenile fixture were Hunter McDuffie and Brian Peterson of Cecil, Ala.
The Georgia Open All-Age Quail Championship drew a field of 34 starters for Judges Charles Bond of Pike Road,Ala., and Jeff Bond ofMathews,Ala.
— Nell Mobley
MISSOURI OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP
For the past 35 years, the Missouri Open Shooting Dog Championship has been hosted by the Santa Caligon Irish Setter Club. Larry Meek has supervised this Championship every year of its existence. After this duration, Larry has decided to turn this Championship over to a new organization.
The new championship name is Missouri Shooting Dog Championship, LLC. The President is Gene Swadley of Cassville, Mo.,Vice-President Jim Carr of Springfield, Mo., and Secretary Ken Teague of Springfield, Mo. Jerry Hailey of Buffalo, Mo., will serve as director.
The Championship will begin on March 8, 2010 at the Sportsmen’s Field Trial grounds in Grovespring, Mo. Gordon Hazlewood of Dardanelle, Ark., and Gailen Cooper of Oak Grove, Mo., will preside.
We want to thank Larry for his dedicated service to the Missouri Shooting Dog Championship. His efforts have turned this into one of the premier shooting dog championships in the country. Our hope is to continue this tradition.
— Ken Teague
SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIP
Columbus, Miss.—The time-honored Southern Championship, designed to glorify the endurance dog with its one-hour qualifying heats and two-hour finals, drew a field of 28 for the 2010 running at the Black Prairie WMA near Columbus, Miss. Judges are Frank LaNasa of Isanti, Minn., and Scott
Jordan of White Bear Lake, Minn., who at this writing have called back four dogs for the championship finals.Weather for the Southern typically adds another challenge for the competitors, but overall has not been too bad this year. A cold snap (January 8) is expected.
— Albert Necaise