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Result: Ames Amateur Joe G. Walker Memorial Field Trial Club

Location: Grand Junction, Tennessee

Post Date: Jan 29, 2025

Submitted By: Kent Walker

Ames AAF24--

Amateur All-Age winner, Game Heir with Fred and Rita Corder, joined by participants.

This year marked the 48th running of the Ames Amateur Field Trial Club. The club's origin dates back to 1977. In recent years, the name of the club was amended to recognize one of the founding members of the club, Joe Walker, who passed away in June of 2022. In his memory, the club became recognized as the Ames Amateur Joe G. Walker Memorial Field Trial Club. From its early days, the thought was to provide amateur field trialers the opportunity to run their dogs on the same grounds as the National Champion. Today, the Ames Amateur Joe G. Walker Memorial continues to be one of the premier amateur all-age events in the country.

This year, the trial began on December 30 and concluded on January 3, 2025. Forty-four all-age dogs and 24 derbies were entered for this renewal. Weather conditions throughout the trial were most favorable. Even though heavy rains from the previous week made for a bit of a sloppy track early on, temperatures ranged from the mid-30s in the morning to near 50 degrees on most days, with mostly overcast skies making it ideal bird-finding conditions.
And bird finding is just what we did. Make no mistake, there are quail at the Ames Plantation.

Throughout the trial, 71 covey contacts were made. Fifty-two were seen by the dogs, and 19 others were seen, with only 10 repeat locations. In the all-age stake, there were 32 contacts on the morning courses and 22 on the afternoon courses in the three-and-a-half-day event.
In the Derby, 17 contacts were made. All derby braces were run on the morning courses. Routine and scheduled feeding practices, along with some additional mowing and making birds accessible to the dogs, have been a real difference maker. Coveys were large, and all flew extremely well. Hats off to Matt Backus and the entire Ames Plantation crew for their hard work and commitment. Joe, well done.

Top honors in the all-age stake went to Game Heir for Dr. Fred Corder of Corinth, Mississippi. Heir recorded two stylish and mannerly finds, with one of them a quick and precise relocation on a running covey. His race was strong and always to the front. Taking second place was David Williams's consistent winner, Rebel Gold. Gold also had two outstanding finds to go with a well-patterned ground race. Third-place laurels went to Lam's Prime Choice for Jon Lam. As with the other winners, Choice was shown on quail twice in his hour. His style and manners on game, coupled with a consistent forward and searching race, earned him a spot in the winners' circle.

Judging this year's all-age event were Joe and Tessa Hughes of Moulton, Alabama. This husband-and-wife team successfully campaigned their own dogs on the amateur circuit throughout the Midsouth. Most recently, one of their dogs, J Maple Jester, won the National Amateur Shooting Dog Championship on the same grounds. Both Joe and Tessa gave their full attention to each contestant in this very large and highly competitive all-age event. My thanks to them for their time and commitment.

In the companion Derby, Arkansas' Headliner, owned and handled by Mike Lemons of Conway, Arkansas, took first place honors. Headline recorded two stylish finds coupled with a big front-running race in his 30 minutes. Second place went to David Russell's handsome youngster, Como Moonrider. Moonrider had one outstanding find, a back of his bracemate, and an unproductive stand at pickup to go with a strong front-running race. Third place was awarded to Phillips River Line for handler Mike Small. River Line is owned by Orrin Ingram and Nathan Phillips of Indiana. River Line was placed on an impressive well-handled ground race showing all-age potential. Your scribe and Burl Hicks of Smithville, Mississippi, evaluated the derby contenders.

As with any trial, it takes a team to put it on. This club has an outstanding supporting cast. Ken Blackman drove the dog wagon, provided snacks during breaks, and collected entries--a yeoman's task well done. Sherry Walker jumped in and handled the daily lunches, providing delicious meals for everyone throughout the week. As always, my partner from the Ames Plantation, Chris Weatherly, was there to tirelessly marshal every brace of every stake. His newly designed derby courses were laid out very well and timed to perfection.

Lastly, and certainly not least, my sincere thanks to Sportsman's Pride Dog Food, which provided food for the winners. Their ongoing commitment to this trial and others throughout the Midsouth Field Trial Association and Region 6 is much appreciated. For this trial, Nutrena Horse Feed added additional sponsorship by donating horse feed to the winners. My thanks to these guys for their support.

The dedication and support of these people, along with all the participants and the continued support of the Ames Plantation, make for a smooth running and a successful and quality trial. And that's what it's all about.

Grand Junction, Tenn., December 30
Judges: Joe Hughes and Tessa Hughes
AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 39 Pointers and 5 Setters

1st-GAME HEIR, F1691409, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Game Snow. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler.
2d-REBEL GOLD, F1701829, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Rebel Maiden. David W. Williams, owner and handler.
3d-LAM'S PRIME CHOICE, F1696981, pointer male, by Game Wardon-Wiggins White Angel. Jon Lam, owner and handler.

Judges: Burl Hicks and Kent Walker
AMATEUR DERBY - 22 Pointers and 2 Setters

1st-ARKANSAS' HEADLINER, F1704230, pointer male, by Arkansas Warrior-White River Jade. Mike Lemons, owner and handler.
2d-COMO MOONRIDER, unreg., pointer male, by Como Thunder-Como Sis. David Russell, owner and handler.
3d-PHILLIPS RIVER LINE, F1718339, pointer male, by Small's White Charger-Phillips Annie White. Orrin Ingram & Nathan Phillips, owners; Mike Small, handler.

Ames ADF24

Amateur Derby: Arkansas' Headliner with Mike Lemons and Como Moonrider with David Russell, joined by participants.