Result: Masters Open Shooting Championship

Location: Albany, Georgia

Post Date: May 1, 2025

Submitted By: Steve Standley

Masters Open Shooting Dog Championship (front): Big Man On Campus with Tommy Rice, and Erin's Primetime with Tracy Swearingen and Brian Sanchez. (Back): Ronnie Beane, Tim Moore, Buster Cobb, Shawn Powell, Harold Johnson (judge), Dr. Fred Corder (judge), Rita Corder, Darron Hendley, Ray Pearce, Christy Swearingen, Wiley, Kevin Beane, and Robbie McCue.

The 2025 Master's Open Shooting Dog Championship began on March 1, 2025. It was contested over the usual glorious ground south of Albany, Georgia. The mornings were spent on Joe Davenport's beautiful Wildfair Plantation and the Mellon family's spacious Pineland Plantation. The afternoons were run over Ted Turner's Nonami Plantation. These plantations are not open to the public and are offered to the Southern Field Trial Club to run this prestigious Championship. The value of these grounds to our sport is beyond measure. The use of these properties allows these dogs to be tested in realistic settings with a vast amount of wild game. Our thanks are also extended to Wildfair manager Kevin Beane, Pineland manager Aubrey Iler, and Nonami manager Ray Pearce. Also invaluable were Ronnie Beane, Robbie McCue, and Club President Shon Powell. Club members Steve Wiley and Tim Moore are long-time contributors to this event.

Retired Pineland Plantation dog handler Buster Cobb piloted the tractor that pulled the Purina dog wagon. Purina was also an important sponsor of this Championship, and we thank Greg Blair for arranging this support. We enjoyed a wonderful Purina-sponsored fish fry on Saturday night. Greg is a Senior Specialist at Purina. Greg's true knowledge of field trial bird dogs and his commitment to the clubs, handlers, and participants involved in this sport are unwavering.
There were 51 dogs entered, which included 42 pointers and nine setters. Our judges were the most qualified and focused. Dr. Fred Corder of Corinth, Mississippi, was accompanied by his lovely wife, Rita. Dr. Corder has competed successfully both in amateur and professional stakes. He first garnered attention with his multiple-time champion, Game Maker, and has gone on to win numerous Championships.

Another seasoned veteran, Harold Johnson, of Shorter, Alabama, expertly filled the other judicial saddle. Harold campaigned open shooting dogs for many years with professional trainer Jason Williams.

On a happy note, the longtime reporter of this Championship, Barbara Teare, rode with us for a couple of days, joined by her friend Richard Wood of South Carolina. Richard is a retired dog man who not only won this event once but also judged it once. It was a true pleasure to see them again. They were greeted with a warm welcome from all.

On a sad note, Richard came off his horse on Monday afternoon when his off-billet broke on his saddle. Ray Pearce took charge and had a truck remove him from the field. He wound up spending a few days in the hospital addressing broken ribs and some damage to his spleen. Tim Moore took care of their horses at the barn for several days. Gladly, later reports from Barbara state that he is well on his way to recovery.

The Winners
The champion appeared in the 16th brace on Monday afternoon on the beautiful Nonami Plantation. Big Man On Campus (Kinkelaar), owned by David Sylvester and Shannon Smith of Mt. Brook, Alabama, was handled to this title as he was paired with Erin's Envy (Mike Tracy), owned by Joe McHugh. At 4, both dogs stood about 45 degrees facing slightly away from each other. Both handlers walked into a slight wind to put a large covey to wing. The manners were impeccable.
We saw three separate coveys flush wild in the breakaway area as we hunted ahead parallel to Blue Springs Road. Erin's Envy pinned a covey at 9 with all in order. This was the fourth covey seen since breakaway. Erin Envy's owner, Joe McHugh, was in the saddle to witness his dog's performance.
Big Man scored an excellent find at 23, the birds well-located. Erin's Envy, a young 3-year-old, suffered an empty stand at 29 and was harnessed.
Kinkelaar had back-to-back finds at 32 on the right near the Blue Springs headquarters. Birds seemed to be everywhere as Shawn went to his dog after the work, and a single popped up from under the well-composed pointer's chin.
Big Man made a driving cast across the front; he was at a great distance when we saw him freeze "way over" there, right at the property line. Shawn rode to him and put the covey to wing for an excellent connection. This was at 39, and it was most attractive. The liver pointer continued to show out on the ground as Judge Johnson pointed him out, "Deep ahead on the hill up there." He went on with his flashy, slashing, ground-covering work that we all hoped to see during a trip to the Masters!

There was a light breeze amid conditions that most would describe as too dry. No one told this pointer because he kept putting down a monster race complete with ample, perfectly handled bird work. All Shawn needed to do at this point was to keep him.

The brace ends at the road crossing ahead after we parallel Blue Springs Road near that turn. Big Man had made the bend and crossed a subsoiled field and a greenfield to be found hunting the cover at time. It was a true Championship performance that drew attention to itself.

The runner-up champion was found in the 19th brace on a beautiful Tuesday morning. Due Respect (Jim Tande) pointed right off the breakaway, at 1, and Erin's Primetime (Tracy Swearingen), owned by Great River Kennels, came in to back. During Jim's flushing effort, the birds evidently ran across the gridded block near a small plum thicket and took flight in the adjoining fallow field. Tande fired his gun, and all was good.
At 8, Primetime had a magnificent stand on the edge of a fallow field. There was just enough of a rise for the white and orange pointer to stand out as though illuminated from some source. A picture-worthy pose was followed by excellent manners for the shot.
Due Respect followed at 23 as he was spied pointing in a most attractive style, with one forefoot elevated, and totally locked down. Jim came to him as the setter stood one grid off a field. Tande flushed ahead of his charge, and as he turned back to the dogs, birds flushed all around the composed setter. It was attractive and excellent work.
As we continued, Swearingen rode at a flat walk, and soon the call of point rang out from scout Brian Sanchez. This stand was at 28, over to the right, and a great distance from our position. It proved to be an outstanding find for Primetime.
As they left the area, Primetime had another clean find. Upon release, they had yet another stand on birds with good manners on display. This is how it can be on Nonami!
Due Respect was pointed at 35, and after a flushing attempt, he was relocated. With no results from that effort, Jim accepted the UP and took his dog on. As the gallery rode through the area of the initial stand, a single bird flew. Due Respect locked up as he was released, and Tande went back to put up a small group of birds as he shot for his dog.
Erin's Primetime ran a good forward race, located birds at 28, and had one more find at 40, followed by a back 57. This was a fast-paced brace by the Erin pointer with ample birdwork and plenty of race to earn the runner-up title.

The Running
It was 46 degrees, and the ground was dry at 8 a.m. as Nonami's Johnny Come Lately (Pearce) and Thunder's Wild Agin (Kinkelaar) were released onto Wildfair Plantation. Johnny Come Lately won this Championship two years ago, and Thunder's Wild Agin just came here from his National Shooting Dog Invitational Championship win in Arkansas.

This is always a special time here on this incredibly special place. As classy dogs are released, it's a bit like Christmas or a birthday. The anticipation is strong to see great things as this event unfolds. Early birdwork is a regular occurrence here, and Wild Agin produced a strong covey at 5, all good. Shawn next called flight of birds at 10 on the right, in the direction of the dry pond called the Big Jolly. He shot for his dog after judicial acknowledgement.

Wild Agin is a strong, classy dog. He delivered his third find straight down a mowed strip at 20. It was an excellent, "out there" find that one likes to see. This daughter of Chelsea's Thunder Bolt continued to call attention to her efforts as we came alongside Wolf Pond at the half, he pinned yet another Wildfair covey.

Meanwhile, Johnny Come Lately was seen on numerous occasions as Ray pointed him out. His ground pattern was attractive, strong, and responsive, but he missed the bountiful game here.
At the end of Wolf Pond, a common location for birds, Wild Agin offered yet another bevy at the half. This exciting pointer female located and handled her sixth find at the 45-minute mark. A great start to this Championship as time expired.
Ray Pearce did shoot over his dog at time, but did not deliver the performance desired.

We crossed Colquitt Ford Road onto Pineland Plantation for the second brace. Silver Wings (Swearingen) and Dominator's Queen Bee (Marty Adams for Jamie Daniels) hunted ahead. It was dry and warm at the half as both dogs toured the front. Tracy was on the ground at 35 and flushed. Tracy was not satisfied with the job that was offered, and he withdrew Silver Wings after thanking the judges. Adams soon followed as he picked up Queen Bee.
It was 10:40 a.m. when Chelsea's Mae West (Kinkelaar) and Pine Straw Hot Chocolate (Tracy) were released onto Wildfair. The course runs along the edge of Colquitt Ford Road heading east.
Within the opening minutes of this brace, we had ridden past Mae West as she stood in the cover. Shawn came back to her at 3 and flushed her covey. Bracemate Pine Straw Hot Chocolate, a setter, had her owner, Mike Reeves of Wisconsin, riding to see.
At the half, Hot Chocolate had a find as Mae West honored after some encouragement by Tracy. Immediately after release, the setter pointed again a short distance ahead. Normally, the first thought would be that there was a single bird there from this covey that was just flushed. As Judge Johnson rode ahead to witness the action, another strong covey took flight from the other side of the path.
At 38, Hot Chocolate pointed. Mike could not raise any game, and as he took his dog on birds lifted, first a single, then a pair. Kinkelaar withdrew his entry, and Tracy ran his dog on. The brace ended without any meaningful work.

Lester's Another Shockwave (Kinkelaar) and Whitehawk Rocket (Rice) were released onto Nonami after lunch. It was in the 80s and dry. At 25, Shockwave was pointed near the Blue Springs line, which was at a great distance. Shawn brought his dog on after the contact. Things fell apart for this team, and by 40, Shawn took his tracker from the judge.
Rocket began to get stronger on the ground and later pointed. Birds were flushed, and Tommy shot, but the action was less than desirable. The heat and its effect on these dogs were undeniable. Little was accomplished during this time afield.

Across the service road, Upfront's McQuade (Kinkelaar) and Calico's Sky's The Limit (Tracy) were released in Brace 5. Kinkelaar called point at 8 ahead. When the birds flew, the dog spun and marked flight. There was no meaningful work accomplished in the remainder of the brace.

The last brace on Saturday featured Melrose Big John (Terry James Chastain) and Miller's Heat Seeker (Tracy). At 8, we passed the top end of the golf course, and the Melrose entry stood stylishly for a large, spread-out covey. Excellent manners were displayed. Just short of the service road near the horse barn, Big John stood high-tailed as another Nonami bevy took flight. As soon as Terry James released his pointer, more birds were handled. This action was at 25, and the sheer number of birds in the air was confusing. Suffice it to say that there are more than enough birds in this area, and Big John handled them as well as he could.
Just past the barn area and ahead, Big John traveled with class and purpose to score again with all in order. Past the half hour, Terry James again had his hat in his hand, and one more covey was well-handled at 37.
Heat Seeker was harnessed at the main entrance road. Big Man was withdrawn at 50 after an unproductive to end the day.

Bill Owen had Miller's Concealed Weapon in Brace 7 on Wildfair paired with Marty Adams and Dominator's Rebel Queen. Bill had his daughter, Beth, join him in the field. She was down from Middletown, Rhode Island, and is an excellent horsewoman and knowledgeable in the sport.
Both dogs hunted ahead in an attractive manner, although rather short in their ground application. Owens harnessed Weapon at 30 past Wolf Pond. Adams had a find at 35. One bird flew at the initial flush, with others taking flight seconds later. With this work, Marty thanked the judges and put Queen on the rope.

Still on Wildfair, we loosed World Class Terminator (Lee) and Miller's Newest Version (Owen) toward the road at Pineland crossing. Scout called point, and this well-handled covey flew and completed the tableau. At 20, Terminator stood high and tight across a forward field in an attractive form. All was good with this work.
We continued onto Pineland, and point was called for Terminator. Lee relocated his dog after an empty flushing effort, and Owen's pointer came in to join that effort. Nothing came of this, and both dogs finished on the way back to Wildfair crossing without any fanfare.
Late Hit (Shenker) and Bittersweet War Cry (Tracy) were off in Brace 9. Late Hit went with birds early and was out. War Cry suffered an empty stand at 22 and was later picked up at 50 after a good find in a beautiful setting.

Sunday, after lunch, found us back on Nonami with Steel Valley Raven (Tracy) and Erin's Grey Ghost (Owen). About 100 yards from the breakaway, both dogs stood. All was good as Owen shot over his dog, and Tracy took the back. Raven had her own find at 10, as owner Muriel Primm observed. She followed with her next find out the front at 13.
At the half, we passed Blue Springs headquarters on our right, and both dogs were to the fore. Grey Ghost delivered the best ground effort so far for Owen. Tracy had his next find at 40 after a relocation in thick hardwood sapling cover. She next stood at 50 with a covey flushing early as Mike approached.
During this time, Owen was far to the left of the course, dealing with his dog as Judge Corder observed. It was later reported that after a lengthy effort by Bill, an armadillo was urged from the area.
In the closing minutes, we arrived at the road crossing, and Tracy was sitting on his horse, pointing out Grey Ghost on a far forward swing through a distant field to finish. Bill Owen appeared and had his dog to complete the brace.

We left toward the north end of Nonami after tractor repair. Miller's Extreme Heat (Tracy) with owner Joe McHugh in the saddle was paired with Hale's Smooth Touch. The first 20 minutes were action-packed as each dog was on the far left or far right extremes, with the work not clearly visible. Shawn had shot over Smooth Touch twice, and Tracy had an unproductive way over there. Tracy soon withdrew his dog.
At 22, Kinkelaar had another find past Cody's house. This was followed by a distant find at 35 in the far corner near the pivot field. When Shawn returned to the center front at 45, his Hale entry scored once again. He followed that with more birds at 48. Once again, at 52, Shawn put a single to wing in thick hardwood sapling cover, his dog looking magnificent on his game. All of this went for naught as Touch had his second barren stand and was up.

It was 4:45 for the final brace of the day. Our hopes were up as Georgian (Kinkelaar) and Showtime Mocking Jay (Copeland) were released onto this famed course. Kinkelaar's setter handled birds in good order at 4.
As we approached the quarter hour, Judge Johnson pointed out Mocking Jay on a far wood line as he pushed to the front. Shawn raised his hat just before the main drive, and Georgian was stylish for the work. We continued across the service road with both dogs to the fore as we approached the heart of the birdy course.
By the half, Kinkelaar had his dog in the harness, and Mocking Jay had an unproductive. Mocking Jay looked attractive in her pose, but a second empty stand had her up at 35.

Dr. Debbie Ozner was mounted at 8 a.m. on Wildfair to see her Silver W Thunderbolt (Kinkelaar) run with Panther Creek Rosie (Rice). Rosie had owner Frank Rutland riding to support her. It was cool, and the ground was moist when Rosie stood at 10 for an excellent find. Shawn quickly called point on the left fore. This wound up being empty, as later reported by Judge Johnson.
Both dogs were attractive on the ground as we passed the Big Jolly. The bright white Wildfair guest house was visible at a distance on the right across the large dry pond. Rosie came in and checked with Rice several times, as one would like to see. At 19, both dogs were with us, Rosie to the fore, and Silver was 90 degrees to the left but still hunting in the right direction. Both were independent and fresh.
Rosie pulled up on her birds at 20 amid the pines, and all was good. So, at 26, Rice had two finds and Kinkelaar had an unproductive. At 40, Rice came in for his tracker after having lost contact with the bold Rosie.
At 45, Silver W was pointed in a small bottom, and after the birds boiled up into her face and she stood well, her manners were excellent for the gun. After a discussion with Judge Corder, Shawn decided to withdraw his competitor.

In Brace 14, we had Faithful (Tracy) and Rampage (Swearingen). Scout Hailey Moreland was riding for Faithful. Rampage handled a large covey at 8, all good. Faithful pointed at a great distance on the right at the field edge. As we cantered over there, Rampage was pulled over and backed.
There was kind of a cluster as Mike's dog ran deep in the direction of the very distant Hwy. 91. By the time we got back, Swearingen was on the ground on the Pineland edge of Colquitt Ford Road with Rampage pointed. This proved to be empty, and we continued to the front to join Faithful.
At 37, as we approached the double orange flags marking the right turn, Mike came in for his tracker. Rampage was not having his day, and we turned to go back to Wildfair.

It was 10:20 as we turned Thunder Bolt's Storm (Kinkelaar) and Real Thing Dolly (Tommy Rice Sr.). Dolly's co-owner, Ray Brown from Blakey, Georgia, was in the gallery with his wife. Tommy found Dolly at 22 as she was stacked up on a covey by Colquitt Ford Road. All was good for the work. Dolly pinned a single bird at 28 and was composed for the gun and the flight.
At 45, Kinkelaar picked up Storm after not having accomplished anything. The morning ended with Dolly to the fore.

The 16th brace was on Monday morning and featured Champion Big Man On Campus, as earlier described in "The Winners" section.
The second brace on Nonami began across the Service Road as Nighthawk's Rebel (Swearingen) and Upfront's Southern Star (Kinkelaar) were loosed. Rebel had birds at 10 in front of Cody's house, and point was quickly called for Star to the back left. Judge Johnson went back to cover the action.
Judge Johnson later reported that Star had an unproductive at 2 followed by finds at 9 and 15, the latter after far-flung efforts.
Rebel scored next at 18 with all in order. At 33, the scout called point for Rebel near the woodline and the ag field. This was good.
Shawn requested his retrieval device right after the preceding action. Star had acquitted himself well, but Kinkelaar knew he was not getting the job done.
At 38, Rebel stood for what appeared to be two coveys taking wing as Swearingen shot. Rebel's next contact was at 42, at a moderate range, but well-handled. Rebel continued his bird finding spree as he produced yet another enormous covey at 50. Star finished his hour in classy form ahead of his handler.

Minnesota Red Confidence (Rice) and Parkway (Tracy) began the 18th brace on the last course on Nonami. At 3, Red Confidence stood for birds in an area of small hardwood saplings. At 28, Tracy had a find to the front at moderate range. Tracy picked his dog up at 35 after some game contact.
This writer apologizes for not having information about Red Confidence's entire brace.
Runner-Up Champion Erin's Primetime's performance was covered in "The Winners" section of this report.

On Pineland, we turned loose Tallokas New Business (Loper) and Pine Straw Half N Half (Loper) onto Pineland. There was a find at 10 for Half N Half. At 15, Loper was on the ground for his pointer, and many birds were put to wing, and the manners were just what we expect to see from a Tallokas entry, perfect.
Half N Half pointed at 19 as New Business backed. This was all good.
On a sidenote, we all enjoyed seeing Mackenzie Davis, Bubba Moreland's granddaughter, riding with us today. A bright-eyed, confident young lady who is a natural rider. Of course, this reflects the family she is from.
At 30, Loper put up an enormous covey to wing for the well-composed New Business. Mike Tracy had his dog at the front during this time. Both dogs were out of the game by 50.

Brace 21 contained Woodville's Long Hard Ride (McLean) and Cheap Thrill (Rice) as they began on Pineland on their way back to Wildfair. At 25, the call of point rang out on the right. Judge Corder and I went, the dogs out of sight. Upon our arrival, McLean walked the high-tailed setter buried up in the cover and put a large bevy to wing.
At 53, Rice called point off to the right of the course. This proved to be an empty stand. We finished the hour without further birdwork.

Waybetter Rebel (Tracy) and Erin's Three Leaf Shamrock (Swearingen) were off after lunch onto Nonami. Shamrock pointed at 2 but had to be relocated, and this was barren. The setter continued for a few minutes and was withdrawn near the Blue Springs headquarters.
Rebel had some type of contact at a very moderate range and was shot over by Tracy. Nothing further transpired during this brace.

Jolene Jolene (Tracy) and Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Ajay (Mauck) were away in No. 23. At 12, past the lime sink, Jolene stopped and pointed, backed by Ajay. Tracy's dog suffered an infraction, and soon Mauck harnessed his setter.

It was 3:25, and Mayhaw's Georgia Time (Mills) broke away, paired with Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Dallee (Mauck). Mauck was displeased with his setter early, and she was on the rope. Also, having an abbreviated tour on Nonami today was Georgia Time. Trey did not see the normal strong effort by his Mayhaw pointer, and our day ended on Nonami Plantation.

It was 52 degrees on our last morning on Wildfair. It had rained about 4:30 this morning, and our hopes were high for an exciting end to this Championship. Grand Prairie Thrill (Rice) and Miller's High Heat Index (Tracy) were away at 8 a.m.
At 8, on the way, near the Big Jolly, Rice was on the ground for Thrill. This multi-time champion knows the game, but birds could not be produced. Thrill soon had a find out front just where you would want her to be.
At 18, Tracy came in for his tracker. At this time, Rice's scout called point for their dog. After an extensive relocation, Tommy put the birds up at 25. His pointer stood again two times without reward to end her time afield.

At 8:45, we turned the last dog of the trial loose. This was Great River Yellowstone (Swearingen) with owner Brian Sanchez scouting. At 15, Yellowstone had a good find just off the course in some scrubby cover. He was high-tailed and staunch for the work.
At the top end of Wolf Pond, the Great River entry scored again on an enormous Wildfair bevy. This classy pointer stood again at 18, after which Swearingen had a conference with Judge Johnson. Swearingen harnessed his contender to end the Masters Shooting Dog Championship for 2025.

Albany, Ga., March 1
Judges: Dr. Fred Corder and Harold Johnson
MASTERS OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 42 Pointers and 9 Setters
Winner-BIG MAN ON CAMPUS, F1694291, pointer male, by Dragonfly-Cold Creek Ms. Kay. David Sylvester & Shannon Smith, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
Runner-Up-ERIN'S PRIMETIME, F1690313, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Erin's Quickmarksman's Mae. Great River Kennel, owner; Tracy Swearingen, handler.