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Event: Everglades
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: Mar 10, 2026

Submitted By: Petie Brown

Florida Everglades ASDS26

Amateur Shooting Dog (front, l-r): Kenny Muzynski with Holopaw's Cracker, Kaylee Muzynski with Manatee Sam, and Daniel Linehan with Checkmates Prime Time One. (Second row): Justin Muzynski and Vince Feltner.

The Everglades trial, until recently, has been a three-day event; this year's trial was even smaller due to conflicting trial schedules. Always looking on the bright side, it left more time for training and catching up with our field trial family of friends. For a number of years, we have worked on qualifying our Shooting Dog stake for Purina Points, and this year, we did not have the required number of entries. The winner of the Shooting Dog stake also received the rotating Robert Brown plaque; Rob was one of the AFTCF founders, teaching all of us how to host a trial, setting an example with his leadership.

Our judges were Jacob Huckabee of Williston, Florida; Dr. Beth Brown and Daniel Linehan of Sarasota, Florida; and Dr. Christopher Wheat of Stockholm, Sweden (formerly of Clearwater, Florida). Huck, who clearly stated, "Don't call me Jacob or Jake," fit right in, and we hope to see him back in the saddle. He wore a t-shirt that said it all, "Run your dog, not your mouth," which we thought might make a nice judge's gift going forward. Like Beth, Chris spent many of his formative years as a "Webb Brat," finally graduating to scouting for his father, the late Dr. Bill Wheat. One could surmise that landing in the judicial saddle is like coming home for Chris. All the judges' decisions were well received.

The grounds are dry and easily traversed, which is rarely stated. Thankfully, all vehicles had plenty of water on hand for dogs and humans. We thank the Florida Fish and Wildlife Game Commission for all their due diligence, and thanks to their dedicated care, the finds we had this weekend were known as "big fat coveys!"

With cooler temperatures, it was decided to dine in the clubhouse, and a good crowd turned out Saturday night for a beautifully catered Purina dinner with pork tenderloin and salmon, followed by hors d'oeuvres, too many side dishes to mention, and desserts. It's a real treat to come in from running dogs all day and not have to worry about cooking dinner too! Many thanks to Purina and Greg Blair for all their support, including dog food for the winners.
Following dinner, the celebrations and acknowledgments continued around the campfire. This time, the conversation turned to a much-revered horse named Hoot, which Dr. Wheat named because "I don't give a Hoot!" Two of his Webb brat sons, Douglas and Chris, started telling stories of scouting off Hoot, along with Beth Brown, who scouted for Bill when she was in college, and his kids weren't available. Kenny Muzynski had Hoot after Dr. Wheat, chiming in on his reliability. Last we heard, Gene Casale owned him, so we celebrate and do give a "Hoot!"

The Winners
The "big fat coveys" appeared for the morning of the Shooting Dog stake. Third place went to Vince Feltner's Checkmates Prime Time One ("Cash"), handled by Daniel Linehan, running in the heat of the day. Second place went to the Muzynskis Manatee Sam. "Sammy," handled by Justin Muzynski, had a meadowlark unproductive trying to please, but turned around with a really nice find that was all in order along with his nice race. First place was earned by Sammy's littermate, Holopaw's Cracker ("Mack"), who showed him up by producing a single 15 minutes after breakaway in the first brace of the morning, followed up by an excellent run, and another big fat covey find.

The Puppy stake followed in the afternoon with Holopaw's Maverick, handled by Justin Muzynski, placing third; Beth Brown's Myakka Mistake taking second; and McEwen's One Night Stand ("Goose" or "Gouda"), taking first for Katie McEwen. The puppies are all littermates and showed their personalities and enthusiasm for a good run. Goose needed to be reminded that his 30 minutes were up and that he is still a developing pup.

Punta Gorda, Fla., January 2
Judges: Beth Brown and Jacob Huckabee
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 7 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-HOLOPAW'S CRACKER, F1690236, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Kenneth & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
2d-MANATEE SAM, F1690412, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Kenneth & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
3d-CHECKMATES PRIME TIME ONE, F1706155, pointer male, by Myakka Time Shifter-Nacho's Drama Ma Ma. Vince Feltner, owner; Daniel Linehan, handler.

Judges: Daniel Linehan and Chris Wheat
OPEN PUPPY - 5 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-McEWEN'S ONE NIGHT STAND, unreg., pointer male, by Checkmates Prime Time One-Silverline Destroyer Gold. Debbie & Katie McEwen, owners; Katie McEwen, handler.
2d-MYAKKA MISTAKE, unreg., pointer female, by Checkmates Prime Time One-Silverline Destroyer Gold. Beth Brown, owner and handler.
3d-HOLOPAW'S MAVERICK, unreg., pointer male, by Checkmates Prime Time One-Silverline Destroyer Gold. Kenneth & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.

Florida Everglades APS26

Amateur Puppy (l-r): Katie McEwen with McEwen's One Night Stand, Beth Brown with Myakka Mistake, and Justin Muzynski with Holopaw's Maverick. (Back row): Kaylee Muzynski, Kenny Muzynski, Daniel Linehan (judge), and Chris Wheat (judge).