Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Tallahassee, Florida

Post Date: Dec 31, 2025

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

Open Shooting Dog (front, r-l): Dustin Kirby with One Day Wayne, Jason Loper with Tallokas New Business, Tommy Rice with Panther Creek Rosie, joined by spectators.

The Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club's annual Fall Handlers' trial was held on Ring Oak Plantation in Miccosukee, Florida, the last weekend of October 2025. Handlers from local South Georgia and North Florida plantations entered to run their dogs on the beautiful grounds that border Lake Miccosukee. Lunch was provided by Golden Brothers of Thomasville and was catered by Fallin's BBQ. The delicious meals were enjoyed by everyone in attendance on both days! We want to thank the landowners and all the sponsors for contributing to the successful weekend. Thank you to judges Jason Williams and Shon Powell for spending their time in the saddle watching these fine bird dogs in action.

The Running

In the first brace of the Open Shooting Dog stake was "Joe" with handler Ben Stringer and "Georgia" with Trey Mills. Georgia had one find at 11 with birds seen. Both dogs stopped a little later but moved on and continued their race. Georgia stopped one more time before the brace's end but moved on once again.

In the second brace were Nonami's Easy Does It with Ray Pearce and "Margie" with Dustin Kirby. Easy ran an impressive brace with four finds and an unproductive. Margie had a stylish find with a covey rise and a stop-and-flush later in the brace.

In the third brace were "Russ" with Trey Mills and "Ben Lately" with Ray Pearce. Both dogs were found standing 27, with Ben out front and Russ backing. Birds were flushed, and both handlers fired their guns. Russ had one more find at 31, and baby quail were seen. Ben had four additional finds during his time on the ground. With a little extra excitement on his last point, Ray requested the tracker.

In the fourth brace were "Sister" with Dustin Kirby and "Reba" with Tommy Rice. Reba had an unproductive at 10 and continued her hunt. She had a large-sized covey rise a few more minutes in and held steady to wing and shot. One last point was called, but there was a little confusion as to where the dog was located. Sister was not performing to her handler's liking, and the tracker was requested at 19.

Coming from the fifth brace was our second-place winner, "Chance" with Jason Loper, and "Willie" with Devin Harden. Chance ran an impressive race with three clean, stylish finds during his time on the ground. Willie had an unproductive, a stop-to-flush, and one find with two minutes remaining in the brace.

"Lucy" with Ben Braswell and "Nell" with Tommy Rice were in the sixth brace. Both dogs were picked up by their handlers.

Coming from the seventh brace was our third-place winner, "Rose" with Tommy Rice, and "Merle" with Eathan Whiddon. Rose started out strong with a find at 5 with a nice covey rise. She and Merle had two divided finds later in the brace with both handlers flushing birds up. Rose had one last find near the brace end where a nice-sized covey took flight. Merle was picked up by his handler.

In the eighth brace were "Captains Blackbelt Buddy" with Danny Tankersley and "Rick" with Jason Loper. Buddy had an exciting race with three nice finds, two unproductives, and a stop-to-flush. Rick was picked up by his handler at 18.

The first brace on Saturday morning and the ninth brace of the Shooting Dog stake paired Melrose Big John with Terry James Chastain Jr., and Johnny Come Lately with Ray Pearce. Big John had three finds in his time on the ground and one unproductive. Johnny Come Lately was picked up by his handler, Ray, early in the brace.

Coming from the 10th brace was our first-place winner, "Wayne," with Dustin Kirby and "Mack," with Ben Stringer. Wayne ran a very impressive race with two extremely clean, classy finds with flight of birds both times. He held steady to wing and shot and left the judges and gallery wanting more. Mack was picked up by his handler.

In the 11th and final Open Shooting Dog brace were "Miller" with Ben Stringer and Hunt's Centerfold with Justin Hunt. Neither dog had a pleasing run for their handlers.

Eleven derby dogs were paired to run after lunch on Saturday, November 1. Our first- and second-place dogs were braced together in the third brace that afternoon. Both male pointers pleased the judges with a nice, clean race, and each of them had one find with a flight of birds.

Nonami's Easy Does It, with handler Ray Pearce, placed first, and Merrily Rebel Cash, with Terry James Chastian Jr., placed second. Tommy Rice and "Lil" came in third with two finds during his time on the ground.

Tallahassee, Fla., November 7
Judges: Shon Powell and Jason Williams
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 29 Pointers
1st-ONE DAY WAYNE, F1715425, pointer male, by One Day Lucky Strike-Panda Express. Payton Gunby, owner; Dustin Kirby, handler.
2d-TALLOKAS NEW BUSINESS, F1701627, pointer male, by Miller Unfinished Business-Tallokas Sun Dial. Tallokas Kennels, owner; Jason Loper, handler.
3d-PANTHER CREEK ROSIE, F1691574, pointer female, by Panther Creek Merlin-Pineywood's Belle Aire. Frank Rutland, owner; Tommy Rice, handler.

OPEN DERBY - 12 Pointers
1st-NONAMI'S EASY DOES IT, F1710178, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Nonami's Jean. R. E. Turner, owner; Ray Pearce, handler.
2d-MERRILY REBEL CASH, unreg., pointer male, by Dogwood Cash-Meander Georgia On My Mind. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry James Chastain, handler.
3d-BLUEGRASS PUNCHLINE LILLY, F1710225, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Strongdog Rebel Annie. Garland Lewis, owner; Tommy Rice, handler.