Result: 62nd United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Feb 9, 2026

Submitted By: Margaret C. Drew, Reporter

62nd United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity (front, l-r): Silver W Hot Pink with Alex Mauck, Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer with Mark Janiec, Ramblin Rivers Double Dot with Brian Gingrich, and Seldom Rest Pork Chop with Calvin Curnutte. (Behind, l-r): Shawn Kinkelaar, Jadie Rayfield, Chad Adams, Bob Youngs, Mike Tracy, Barbara Youngs, Hailey Moreland, Earl Drew, Casey Tracy, George Tracy, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Moisson, and Ernie Saniga.

The 62nd United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity drew 12 more entries in 2026, with 14 different handlers. It was nice to see so many owners in attendance to watch and sometimes scout for their derbies. There were only 42 litters this year. Top sires were Miller's Blindsider and Haney's Silver Dollar. Five litters had multiple dogs entered.

Purina continues as our sponsor, providing signage, hats, feed, and financial help. Additional food was given to support our raffle. This year, the raffle also included two items from the AFTCA/Purina store. Thanks to committeeman G.B. Hatcher for conducting the raffle this year, as committeeman John Adsit was ill.

Meals were provided daily with the help of Purina. When Gretchen Adsit, our committee person in charge of meals, came down with the flu, two friends of field trials stepped up to help. BIG THANK YOU to Maggie Maier and Marie Bly! The Saturday evening meal, which fed 53 people, was provided by the 2025 winner, Cool Hand Luke's owners Bob and Linda Bergen. Linda was in attendance, accompanied by her brother-in-law Kurt and his daughter. Linda also helped serve. Artist Leah Bingham does the painting. Linda accepted the painting with handler Mike Tracy assisting.

The United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity was established in 1965 and has claimed the J Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds on the North Carolina Sandhills Wildlife Management Area as its home beginning with that inaugural trial.

Jay Waggoner was named the "father" of the United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity. To get his idea into action, he contacted other active field trialers on the East Coast and established a Board of Directors. Each director was asked to contribute $25 to establish an operating fund. Jay then developed a set of nominating and running rules with the help of his directors.

Nominations were opened for the Quail Futurity to bitches bred on or after October 30, 1962. The first Quail Futurity was run at Hoffman, North Carolina, in January 1965. This is and has been the only home for the United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity.

The singular feature of this Quail Futurity, the one that sets it apart from other futurities and derby stakes, is the requirement that the winning dogs must complete two heats. The initial heat is completed by all and is 30 minutes, and then the judges select some to be called back. The second heat is an hour. The purpose of this breeder's classic is to breed dogs capable of meeting the requirements to be developed into top horseback field trial shooting dogs, ones capable of winning the National Open Shooting Dog Award. In addition to desirable qualities, no dog shall be placed in the United States Quail Shooting Dog Futurity unless it has acceptable bird contact in one of its braces. G.B. Hatcher assembled some history booklets, which were available to all interested.

Work on the 950-plus acres in Hoffman began in 1949 when the land was acquired by the Federal Government as a Wildlife and Forestry Area. The first trial was held in 1954. The first futurity ran in 1965. With the development of 10-year plans, the North Carolina Wildlife Commission developed over 950 acres of prime quail habitat with six one-hour courses, as well as a barn, outside horse stalls, dog kennels, a clubhouse, and plenty of parking. Today, Hoffman is known as a top area for bird dogs, including all-age, horseback, and walking events.

At Hoffman, the state provides a dog/people wagon. Dog boxes are on the bottom, well-ventilated, and lined with hay. On top, there are benches for people to offer good viewing of most of the course. The wagon even has cushions for folks to use. Wagon driver Greg Robinson is one of the best you can find anywhere. He not only picks up and returns dogs to their trailer, but also keeps the boxes cleaned, the water tank full, and supplies, snacks, and beverages for riders. Oh, I almost forgot, this year he has been keeping a bird count of those coveys pointed and other ridden up by dogs or scouts.

As the decline of quail reached North Carolina, the commission and the NCFTA joined forces by developing an early quail release, as well as a feeding program. The state does the mowing and planting. Today, the state has achieved six fairly equal courses that are used only once a day. These courses have a numbered sign with printed mile markers to assist navigation. The courses have dug water holes where the course does not cross one of numerous streams.

Winners
Silver W Hot Pink (PF) bred by Debbie Ozner with the mating of Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom x Miller's Blindsider. This orange and white female whelped in May 2024 was handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Hot Pink is well named, as this weekend she was one hot derby. She is a flying fancy little dog with a big engine. Her bird work was impeccable. She was found standing first at 8 and again at 13 in a feed patch to the left of the tall cover. The frost was still clinging to the brush and grasses, creating a sparkling array to highlight the finds in the hour brace. After her find at 16, she was eagerly casting along the edge of the field when we watched her spin and swap ends to stand again. The judges said this was the best find of the three days. Once again, Kinkelaar was able to flush a covey of 10-12 quail. Much of Silver W Hot Pink's training was done under the hands of Luke Eisenhart and her owner, Debbie Ozner. It is also special to announce that her dam, Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom, won the Region 16 AFTCA Championship on this same weekend with owner Debbie Ozner.

Bracemate in the opening brace of the hour callbacks was Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer (PM), owned by Mark Janiec with handler Mike Tracy. Named second, Silver Surfer smoothly ran through the silver crystals of frost in his forward search for quail. At 13, he stood partially hidden for a large covey to be flown by handler. The gallery caught glimpses of these two dogs as they had everyone hoping not to miss their next point. Silver Surfer finished his hour going away. In the first series, he was forward in swinging casts, scoring a find just before 30 minutes expired.

The third brace of callbacks featured the third- and fourth-place winners. Brian Gingrich handled the third-place dog, Ramblin Rivers Double Dot (PF), owned by Bill Stapleton and Jerry Moisson. Ramblin Rivers Double Dot was bred by D. Pearson with Miller's Blindsider x True Grace. Both owners were present to enjoy the brace and placement announcements later Sunday afternoon. The judges stated that this was a most enjoyable brace as the dogs complemented each other and had everyone sitting high to watch. (Even high up on the wagon, the view was good.) Ramblin Rivers Double Dot was strong on the ground with his powerful stride and muscled, staunch poise for his covey find at 30. He had a going away strong finish. Ramblin Rivers Double Dot covered the ground with big, classy strides in both series.

Named in the fourth position was Seldom Rest Pork Chop (PM), owned by Brian Ralph and handled by Mike Hester. Pork Chop was bred by Mike McKellop. He ran in the 14th brace in the first series with a find at 8 and a strong forward race. In the hour callback, Pork Chop made his way around the course with strong strides, although he had a couple of lateral casts. A saving grace was that whenever we thought he might be off standing somewhere, he would appear.

First Series Running
Silver W Hot Pink, with Shawn Kinkelaar, opened the 62nd Quail Futurity with Bozeann's Whisper (ESF/Bozeann's Roscoe x Dust Til Dawn) under the whistle of Mike Hester. At this early hour, a gallery of 30-plus watched the pair burst through the wooded area and into the inviting tall grass cover where birds are often found. At 8, point was called with Silver W Hot Pink standing proudly and mannerly for a covey flush. She happily continued her 30 minutes to the front and along the edges of the fields. Bozeann's Whisper was seen to the left and forward; however, she continued her wide search, requiring the handler to take the retrieval device.

Brace 2 called Tanglebriars Fancy Dancing (ESF/Hard Rockin Chico x Beau's Little Sugar) with Matt Basilone, accompanied by Dunn's Step N' Out (PM/Touch's Malcolm Story x Treeline's Sunflower) with George Tracy. Fancy Dancing was scratched, leaving Step N' Out as a bye-dog. He crossed Firetower Road and continued down the knoll and up the right toward the bunker area before entering the woods as he made his way around the course. No birds found.
Rayne's Sam (PM/Miller's Blindsider x Tennessee Coldwater Gal) with Scott Miller was on the line with Mark Hughes and Cerulean Stone (PM/Hifives Rolling Stone x Speed Dialing Kaia) for Brace 3. At 9:18, the third brace was on the ground for a 30-minute moderate shared hunting. Rayne's Sam scored a nice covey find at 20 on the right side near the end of a long field in a plum thicket. With all in order, he continued his search. Stone scored unproductives at 14 and 24 near areas where birds are frequently found.

Brace 4 followed with Palmettos Platinum Plus (PM/Erin's Silver Lining x Double The Ice) guided by owner and breeder Rodney Poston and bracemate Shepherd's Cadillac Joe, PM (Haney's All In x A Tarheel Mac) with Sam Ridings. By this 10:12 time, a large car gallery had added to the expanded horseback gallery. We watched the first one and then the other derby hunt through areas where birds should have been. Cadillac stopped below the barn road crossing; however, no birds were located.

Brace 5 called Nomads Easy Come Easy Go (ESM/T's Ridge Reaper x Belle On The Run) with Worth Lewis as bracemate for Brian Gingrich with Ramblin Rivers Double Dot (PF/Miller's Blindsider x True Grace). The pair was put down behind the barn in the fields leading to Course 6. The breakaway looked promising; however, Nomads Easy Come Easy Go continued to sprint and was missing before his time expired. Ramblin Rivers Double Dot ran a big, extremely classy ground heat with no bird work.

The last morning brace called Ring of Fire (PF/Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom) with Kinkelaar as bracemate for Pine Straw Cold Brew (ESF, (Highground Jax Jabba x Pine Straw's Tupelo Honey) with Mike Tracy. This brace challenged the judges as the fast and classy Ring of Fire had three quail contacts, the last causing the handler to transport him to a dogbox on the trailer. (Three more coveys were ridden up by the gallery on the way back to the clubhouse). Pine Straw Cold Brew ran with plenty of spunk, but very independent from the handler. Neither of these dogs finished their 30 minutes.

Brace 7 followed lunch with homemade soup and sandwiches prepared by field trial friends, Maggie Maier and Marie Bly, as committee woman Gretchen Adsit was down with the Flu. This brace found Kinkelaar once again on the line, this time with Hunt's Traveling Man (PM/Haney's All In x Hunt's Bella) as bracemate for Warren Parrott's Hirollins Game Changer (PM/Hirollins Gone And Doneit x Hunter Run's Hirollins Shug). Down the field, across from the clubhouse, these two "spiritedly" disappeared for the first seven minutes. Hunt's Traveling Man chose a different course and was out of consideration by 20. Hirollins Game Changer scored two mannerly finds, although his ground coverage was inconsistent.

Brace 8 had Hightailing Cindy (PF/Cheyenne Jack-Hightailing Maggie) with Mike Tracy and Hale's Big Country (PM/Game Surge x Hale's High Kick) with Doug Ray. Kevin and Maureen Joyce were in attendance to watch their Hightailing derby entries. Miss Cindy had an attractive medium-racing race with a nonproductive at 8, and I am not sure if she had a find at 12, as from the gallery wagon we thought we heard a shot. (I forgot to ask the judges about this one.) Hale's Big Country was missing before the half hour was up.

Brace 9 called upon Scott Miller, who had Honky Tonk High Potential (PF/Honky Tonk Attitude x Twice As Wild Jill) firmly by the leash for his wife and scout to release as bracemate for Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer (PM/Haney's Silver Dollar x Bluemound's Charged Up) with Mike Tracy. Honky Tonk High Potential was eagerly off the leash; however, shortened quickly and was leashed by her handler. Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer had owner Mark Janiec see his strong attack of the course. He stood tall on both ends for a perfect field trial bird location at 20 on the side hill.

Committeeman Gary Miller took the top slot for Brace 10 with a female from the litter he had bred. Miss Revlon (PF/Miller's Blindsider x Miss Clinique) was braced with Georgia Born Red Rock (PM/Dominator's Rebel Heir x Miss Gypsy Rose) with Sam Ridings. This pair was in a footrace and showed some immaturity from the first sound of the whistle, which continued off and on during their thirty minutes. At this section of the course, you could see the remains of a quick-moving wildfire the week of Christmas, although it was under control before it spread into the course fields so as to not interfere with the trials.

Brace 11 once again had Warren Parrott with another pointer male he had bred. This one being Hirollins Main Attraction (PM/Hirollins Gone And Doneit x Hunter Run's Hirollins Shug) as bracemate for Red Mesa's Second Line (PM/Boumeester's Evangelist x Upfront's Blinding Light) with Brian Gingrich. These two hunted forward and chose a medium range, checking with handlers while searching promising areas. Second Line often chose the easy path forward before returning to the cover. No birds contact this brace.

Brace 12 called Bryant's Silver Lining (PM/Haney's Silver Dollar x Haney's High Price Penny) to be brought to the line by Mike Tracy as bracemate for The Bunker Buster (PM/Haney's Silver Dollar x Hainline's Silver Jill) with Scott Miller. Once again, Mark Janiec was mounted to watch his dog's performance. Bunker Buster was up early, while Silver Lining finished his 30 minutes after scoring a nice find at 8.5.

Brace 13 was put down just before sunset, with Mike Tracy handling Hightailing Peach (PF/Cheyenne Jack x Hightailing Maggie), with owners Kevin and Maureen Joyce in the gallery to watch. Bracemate was Palmettos Danali (PM/Erin's Silver Lining x Double The Ice), bred, owned, and handled by Rodney Poston. Hightailing Peach smoothly covered the course, staying in touch with the handler at a medium distance. She had no bird contact. Danali had a good, strong race with a covey find on the left of the course, with a covey being flushed from beneath a plum thicket at 25.

Day two began with Brace 14 as the command to turn them loose rang out at 8:05 a.m. with Seldom Rest Pork Chop (PM/Ralphy's Chasehill Rip-Grouse Trails Firestorm) belonging to Brian Ralph, although handled by Mike Hester. Brian was present to scout if needed. Bracemate was Bill Bonetti's Cape Point Wildfire (PF/Miller's Heat Seeker x Steel Valley Wardance) with Doug Ray. Ranging at a medium distance with snappy tails and animated bodies, this pair captured the judges' attention. Pork Chop had a very good finish as we watched him cross well to the front. He had a very stylish covey find at 8. Wildfire ran with appealing style, had a good race, a nonproductive and no other bird contact.

Brace 15 was comprised of Upfront's Pastime (PM/Miller's Blindsider-Upfront's Sadie) with Shawn Kinkelaar and James Purdey (PM/Miller's Blindsider-Miss Clinique) bred, owned, and handled by committee member Gary Miller. Mike Hester was the scout for his customer this time around. Upfront's Pastime ran a big race, causing a brief absence before finishing well to the front. James Purdey laid down an inconsistent race in range with a point at 20, although with some movement when the covey flushed.

Brace 16 had Midnight Hammer (PM/Miller's Heat Seeker x Redrum Wild Rosie) under the guidance of George Tracy and Scott Miller with Honky Tonk High Expectations (PF/Honky Tonk Attitude x Twice As Wild Jill). This speedy pair of bracemates eagerly left the line, with Hammer leaping across the field at Jacob's corner. Hammer finished his 30 minutes with everything in order. Expectations was independent, although classy moving. She did not make the turn at Bear Claw's hairpin turn. She was later found circled by four stray coon hounds, although luckily unharmed.

Brace 17 was Evan's Full Throttle (PF/Double Deuce Zeke x Braggabull) with his owners, Karen and Ernie Saniga, present to watch Mark Hughes handle Throttle. Red Mesa's Urban Legend (PM/Boumeester's Evangelist x Upfront's Blinding Light) with Brian Ginrich helped comprise the brace. These two made complementary casts as they moved along course five. Urban Legend made longer, more complete casts, while Throttle made several good casts with others incomplete. At 18, the dogs were found standing, although no birds were flushed. The judges thought perhaps they were backing each other. Urban Legend ran with style and very active motion.

Brace 18 called for Bully Bud (PM/Bully Rock x Sandspur Belle), bred and owned by the Saniga team with Mike Tracy and Seldom Rest Legend (PM/Toth's Tornado Reloaded x Grouse Trails Warrior Cat), owned by Brian Ralph, although handled by Mike Hester. This brace went through all the normal bird areas with no contact, although it at least showed a natural desire to hunt and listen to the handler. Seldom Rest Legend scored a nonproductive at 10. No other bird work this brace.

Silver W Cowgirl Candy (PF/Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom) with Shawn Kinkelaar drew the top slot in Brace 19 with Bozeann's Paige (ESF/Bozeann's Roscoe x Dust Til Dawn) with Mike Hester. Owner Tom Smith was present to watch. Each of these dogs moved through the cover and took nice casts down wooded edges, showing a desire to please and the maturity to maintain a good distance. Paige had a nonproductive at 15 with no other bird work for either dog this brace.

Brace 20 found Hale's Kickstart Country (PF/Game Surge x Hale's High Kick) with Doug Ray and Raincrow Jody (PF/Miller's Blindsider x Miss Clinique) owned by committee member G.B. Hatcher with Mike Hester. Kickstart Country lived up to her name and bolted from the breakaway, casting well to the front and turning left. She was later rounded up via a location device. Raincrow Jody could be seen moving pleasingly forward after her breakaway find at 2. Nearing the end of her 30 minutes, she was observed catching the front after a brief absence.

Brace 21 called Peek A Bull (PF/Bully Rock x Sandspur Belle), owned and bred by the Saniga team with Mike Tracy. Nomads Moving On Up (PM/Miller's Upgraded Version x Wells Ray of Gold) with Worth Lewis completed the brace. Their races were stylish and complementary to handler training. Nomad ranged more independently and scored a nonproductive. Peek A Bull had a stylish, well-pointed field trial stand for a large covey at 25. Scouts and handlers rode to the front for pickup.

Brace 22 found Roger Duerkson with Calico's Bright Eyes (PF/Haney's All In x Calico's Gun N Roses) as bracemate for King's Calling (PM/Haney's All In x Calico's Gun N Roses) with Scott Miller. These two dogs were littermates. They started out slowly before showing positive momentum and getting focused on hunting. Neither dog had bird contact.

Brace 23 had Mike Tracy with She's A 10 (PF/Bail Me Out-Osceola's Seminole Wind) and Doug Ray with Walden's Ridge Dot Com (PF/Miller's Triple Digit Heat x Windy Hill Shadow Dancer). Owner David Steele and his daughter, Kim, were present to watch. She's A 10 missed a turn early on, causing the handler to request a retrieval unit. Dot Com moved purposefully around the course, scoring a well-dug up covey of quail at 25.

Brace 24 called for Sunset Creek Uptown Girl (PF/Double Deuce Zeke x Braggabull) owned by Mark Janiec with George Tracy and Ed Jesson with his pointer, Three Oaks Outlaw (PM/Brown's Ale x Smoking Stump Elhew Chesney). At 25, Sunset Creek Uptown Girl stood on a slight hill to the left of the course when Three Oaks Outlaw marched in, circled his bracemate, and was quickly picked up. Sunset Creek Uptown finished her 30 minutes.

Brace 25 completed the first series with Meghan's Macavator (PM/Lester's Snow Surge x Fly In The Sky), handled by Sam Ridings. Bracemate was Hightailing Pink (PF/Cheyenne Jack x Hightailing Maggie), once again belonging to Kevin and Maureen Joyce and handled by Mike Tracy. Meghan's Macavator scored two solid covey finds, as well as a back. The back was described by the judge as the most natural and beautiful back he had seen in a very long time. His race was powerful and smooth. Hightailing Pink covered the course as if on autopilot. She moves with an attractive gait and stood proudly for her find at 27.

One-Hour Callbacks
The first brace in the hour callbacks at 8 a.m. on January 4, 2026, began with Silver W Hot Pink, owned by Debbie Ozner with Shawn Kinkelear, and Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer, owned by Mark Janiec with handler Mike Tracy. Both are covered above with the winners.

Brace 2 called for Bryant's Silver Lining. Owner Mark Janiec was present to cheer for his second derby called back. It's an honor to get one called back, but two is more exciting. His bracemate in the first series was Palmettos Danali, owned and handled by Rodney Poston, but handled by Mack Hillard in the second series. This pair was competitive from the beginning, entering into a brief foot race and continuing it off and on for about 15 minutes. When they finally settled down to hunt, each had lost some of the previous day's determination. At 45, Tracy took a retrieval device. By the time we reached the road crossing by the barn, Danali was no longer at his best and was picked up.

Brace 3 of the callbacks called Brian Gingrich to the line with Ramblin Rivers Double Dot, which is covered with the winners. Her bracemate was Seldom Rest Pork Chop, owned by Brian Ralph and handled by Mike Hester. Both are covered above with the winners.

Brace 4 called Red Mesa's Urban Legend, owned by Hicklin and handled by Brian Gingrich. Urban Legend was here and there today, requiring a little scout attention. Unfortunately, he had two unproductives which ended his hour early.

The second dog in this fourth brace was Walden's Ridge Dot Com, owned by David Steele with Doug Ray. Two minutes off the breakaway, Dot Com pinned the neighborhood covey. She stood obediently and proudly as the covey flushed. She was soon taken on, and she and her handler caught the front in no time. When we crossed the upper field and headed down along Baggett Lake, she disappeared. By 45, a retrieval device was taken, and her hour came to an end.

Brace 5 had Silver W Cowgirl Candy, owned by Debbie Ozner and handled by Shawn Kinkelaar. Her bracemate was Meghan's Macavator, owned by the Riggs family and handled by Sam Ridings. Cowgirl Candy ran independently today, reaching out and requiring some scout assistance. She chose to skirt around a backing bracemate while just racing out from heavy cover. She scored a nonproductive and was up around 45.

Bracemate Meghan's Macavator started out with a find on a single quail before continuing to establish a good pattern in search of birds. He had two unproductives, the second of which looked promising; however, no birds were seen or flown. He covered the ground at a medium range and with a positive attitude.

The final brace was a bye-dog. Peek A Bull, bred and owned by Karen and Ernie Saniga with Mike Tracy, had nice action while running and was perfect on point. She had a find at 17 as she made her way along the roadway in the center of the course. Her pace was moderate, often choosing the easy way forward. At 40, she located and stood for a long handler search, which resulted in a huge covey lifting. She had a nonproductive at 22 near the soldier's camp.

Hoffman, N. C., January 2
Judges: Chad Adams and Jaydee Rayfield
62nd UNITED STATES QUAIL SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY [Thirty-Minute Qualifying Series; Sixty-Minute Finals] - 47 Pointers and 39 Setters
1st-SILVER W HOT PINK, F1719740, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. Debbie Ozner, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
2d-BRYANT'S SUNSET SILVER SURFER, F1708719, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Bluemound's Charged Up. Mark Janiec, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
3d-RAMBLIN RIVERS DOUBLE DOT, F1709252, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-True Grace. Bill Stapleton, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.
4th-SELDOM REST PORK CHOP, F1712849, pointer male, by Ralphy's Chasehill Rip-Grouse Trails Firestorm. Brian & Brandy Ralph, owners; Mike Hester, handler.

Presentation: George Tracy, Hailey Moreland, Mary Tracy, Margaret Drew, Mike Tracy, Casey Tracy with baby Mary, K. Bergen, Kurt Bergen, and Linda Bergen with painting of Cool Hand Luke by Leah Brigham.