Result: Region 16 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: Mar 2, 2026

Submitted By: Don Price

Region 16 Amateur All-Age Invitational (standing, l-r): Alex Rickert, "Guppie", Justin Muzynski, Scott Jordan, Buck Heard (judge), and Paul Daniel. (Seated, l-r): Kenny Muzynski with Holopaw's Cracker, Callie Muzynski, and Daniel Lineman with Tate Island Nation. [Not pictured: Erin's Redemption].

The Region 16 Amateur All-Age Championship was held January 30-February 1, 2026, on the Babcock-Webb Field Trial Grounds in Punta Gorda, Florida. This venue is approximately 6,000 acres of old Florida prairie where, in the early 1800's, along with millions of acres from central Florida south, hundreds of wild Spanish cattle roamed freely. Catching and branding these wild cattle was the beginning of the cattle business in Florida. Six one-hour courses are utilized, and the birds are all wild.

Paul Daniel, Region 16 President, served as field trial chairman. Paul worked extremely hard to see that all matters were attended to. The Muzynski family, Scott and Teresa Ford, Susan Daniel, Debbie and Katie McGwen, Dr. Beth Arthur, Petie Brown, and many others pitched in where needed. Kenny Muzynski and Vince Feltner handled the dog wagon duties. Everyone was provided lunch and supper each day, and all of the food was excellent.

I must comment on the weather. Friday was a hot day in South Florida, with the heat taking its toll on some of the entries. Saturday morning was a rainy, cold, and windy morning, and believe it or not, a few snowflakes did fall. Saturday afternoon was very cold and windy. Sunday morning was 30 degrees, and a strong wind was blowing.

Judging this renewal was handled by Jeff Arnold of Monticello, Florida, and Buck Heard of Moultrie, Georgia. Jeff is the manager of Pinewood Plantation in Monticello and has been involved with bird dogs his entire life. Along with managing Pinewood, he maintains a small string of field trial dogs, which he campaigns when he can get away. Jeff has had good success with his trial dogs. Buck and his wife, Lynn, had great success running their shooting dogs on the Amateur Shooting Dog circuit. Together, they won several Amateur Championships. Buck is no longer competing but does co-own a derby on the major circuit.

The Winners
Twenty-seven pointers were drawn, and 27 were run. Now this is where it gets tough. Of the 27 that competed, only three dogs had bird work. Two of the three were up early for unacceptable manners on their birds. The big question for everyone was, where did all the birds disappear to? Scouts reported riding up birds, and several coveys were seen by gallery riders. At earlier trials this season and on training days, a sufficient number of birds had been located. The unlocatable bird question remains unanswered.

The third entry with bird work was Tate Island Nation. Scott Jordan ran him in the first brace after lunch on Saturday. Nation carded three evenly spaced finds in the first 40 minutes and finished the hour. I did not get to see the last 20 minutes as we took the dog wagon to get the lost bracemate. After we finished on Sunday morning, the judges deliberated and came to the conclusion that they did not witness a championship performance. They did not name a champion, and the Championship was then considered an Amateur All-Age Invitational Points trial. Tate Island Nation was named first. Second was Erin's Redemption, handled by John Mathys, with a big forward race. Third went to Holopaw's Cracker, handled by Justin Muzynski, also with a big race and strong finish. Close to the winners was Touch's Lone Dominator, handled by Dr. Kent Cantrell.

Punta Gorda, Fla., January 30
Judges: Jeff Arnold and Buck Heard
REGION 16 AMATEUR ALL-AGE INVITATIONAL [One-Hour Heats] - 27 Pointers
[Title Withheld]
1st-TATE ISLAND NATION, F1716100, pointer male, by Haney's All In-Pearl Jam Nation. Scott Jordan, owner and handler.
2d-ERIN'S REDEMPTION, F1706516, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Justice-Erin's Miss Sam Houston. John Mathys, owner and handler.
3d-HOLOPAW'S CRACKER, F1690236, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Ken & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.