Event: Members' Memorial Trial
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: Dec 9, 2025

Submitted By: Petie Brown

Members' Memorial All-Age: Holopaw's Rear Axel with Justin Muzynski, Checkmates Country Sunshine with Paul Daniel, and Myakka Lucy Diamond with Petie Brown. (Second row): Carol Muzynski, Kayleigh Muzynski, Daniel Linehan, and Robert Franks. (Back, right): Kenny Muzynski.

We could not have asked for a better start to our field trial season with the Members Memorial Trial; not a hurricane in sight. This weekend trial was one of gratitude. Robert Franks kicked it off by flying in from Arkansas with a load of fresh catfish that he diligently fried up prior to the Friday night drawing. Robert was accompanied by a field trial friend, Daniel Mann, who fit right in and looks forward to coming back with dogs.

Turnout was light, so we ran a morning of all-age and an afternoon of shooting dogs in pleasant weather conditions, thanks to a small cold front that moved in. Despite the cooler temperatures, the birds were out feeding early and looked very healthy. We moved over 15 coveys on Saturday, and they were good-sized birds. We saw a lot of deer, and plenty of hog sign; thankfully, there were no encounters.

This trial was hosted by the Muzynski and McEwen families, and they did not disappoint. Saturday evening was a festive culinary experience as we caught up with each other like any family gathering. Awards were given out, and the party continued well into the night since the trial was essentially over. This reporter noted that Sunday morning, with the time change, felt like New Year's Day. Members finally emerged and gathered their dogs for pictures, to which we thank Purina, who provides the winners with Pro Plan. We all went out to train with Deb McEwen driving the dog truck and Kenny Muzynski carrying dogs on his Polaris, which is perfectly suited for the grounds. Heading out to train Sunday morning and clearing out of camp in a timely manner was about as relaxing as it gets, especially with Robert and Daniel helping us break camp, and all of us pitching in to clean up. Thankfully, we have a lady who mucks stalls for us, so we can load and go.

The Muzynskis have paid for two days of additional training after each trial, which we didn't use this time, but Mike Tiberii showed up to take advantage of the opportunity; thank you, Kenny, for your generosity. Many thanks to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for all of their management; the grounds look great.

The Winners
It can be difficult to find judges willing to make the haul this far south, and fortunately for our first trial of the season, we didn't have to go far. Tiffany Bass and Katie McEwen judged the All-Age in the morning, followed by Justin Muzynski and John Castelli judging the Shooting Dog in the afternoon. The judicial decisions came quickly and were met with applause and congratulations at our Saturday evening social.

Third place in the All-Age went to Petie Brown's Myakka Lucy Diamond, who ignored the doe as time was called; her bracemate went AWOL, so she was happy for the company. Second place was taken by Vince Feltner's Checkmates Country Sunshine, handled by Paul Daniel, who had a divided find with her bracemate, Holopaw's Rear Axel, owned and handled by Justin Muzynski. Their divided find was the highlight of the trial, for most of us, as we sat up tall in the saddle, holding our breath. Alex went on to have another clean find for Justin, sealing his first place, and looking very pleased with himself.

The afternoon's Shooting Dog stake began at 2:30 as the temperature started back down. Third place was awarded to Daniel Linehan's German Shorthair, "Benno," who went on point only to have the birds leave in a hurry and Benno stay. Daniel has spent a lot of time, sought help, and worked hard to get Benno where he is today, and it showed in the style and happiness both "Man child" and Benno exhibited. We expect many more placements from these two. Second place was earned by Beth Brown's Myakka Maxed Out, normally an all-age performer who reigned himself in for a nice shooting dog run. Myakka Rebel, owned and handled by Petie Brown, placed first with a covey near the Charcoal Pits. Just a few minutes prior, Rebel and her bracemate, Tiffany Bass' Brittany, Chance, looked like they were honing in on a sprawled out feeding covey at nine o'clock. The dogs returned to the front, but someone in the gallery said they had seen birds fly at seven, so they were running and not in the direction we needed. Thankfully, no fouls were called.

Punta Gorda, Fla., November 1
Judges: Tiffany Bass and Katie McEwen
OPEN ALL-AGE - 9 Pointers
1st-HOLOPAW'S REAR AXEL, F1690238, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Kenneth & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
2d-CHECKMATES COUNTRY SUNSHINE, F1702591, pointer female, by Nacho's Texas Rebel-Nacho's Drama Ma Ma. Vince Feltner, owner; Paul Daniel, handler.
3d-MYAKKA LUCY DIAMOND, F1665013, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.

Judges: John Castelli and Justin Muzynski
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 6 Pointers, 1 Brittany, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-MYAKKA REBEL, F1669365, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.
2d-MYAKKA MAXED OUT, F1670323, pointer male, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Beth Brown, owner and handler.
3d-BENNO, unreg., German Shorthair male, by Tennessee Jack Honey Smith-Briarcovey's Sweet Anneliese Elsa. Daniel Linehan, owner and handler.

Members' Memorial Open Shooting Dog: Myakka Rebel with Petie Brown, Myakka Maxed Out with Beth Brown, and Benno with Daniel Linehan. (Back row, l-r): Justin Muzynski and Travis Brunson.