Result: J. Moser Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Waynesboro, Georgia

Post Date: Mar 10, 2026

Submitted By: Nell Mobley

Winner of the J. Moser Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship Great River Yellowstone

The drawing for the titled Derby Classic and the J. Moser Georgia Shooting Dog Championship was held on the scheduled date, January 4, at the home of Nell Mobley. Conducting the drawings were Gary Futch, John Ray Kimbrell, Craig Elliott, and Chuck Miller.
A total of 22 derbies were drawn for the Derby Classic and 74 for the J. Moser Shooting Dog Championship--a record number for the past few years.

Judges for this year's running were Harold Johnson of Shorter, Alabama, and Steve Mills of Mayodan, North Carolina. Both men have filled the saddles many times. They are both knowledgeable sportsmen who have handled many dogs and have been active in running field trials for many years.

They were very praiseworthy of our trials, remarking that they were among the best run. They mentioned the excellent manner in which Ryan Meckel, Wildlife Biologist at Di-Lane Plantation, had taken pride in preparing the courses for the running. Pen-raised quail are released every day. Note was made that a number of wild birds were sighted. Chuck Miller releases the birds every morning.

Purina has supported our trials for many years. They provided Pro Plan feed certificates to the winners, along with sample bags to be distributed to the trainers, judges' gifts, a variety of items to hand out, and sponsorship of the handler's dinner. Many thanks to Greg Blair, Purina Field Consultant, for having his heart in our sport.

Georgia Derby Classic
Taking first place was Ramblin Rivers Double Dot, a pointer female, handled by Brian Gingrich and owned by Bill Stapleton and Jerry Moisson. Dot carded finds at 49 and 26 with all in order. She ran a big race for a young derby and always to the front. Second place was Silver W Hot Pink, handled by Sean Kinkelaar for Debbie Ozner. Pink was created with multiple finds at 22, 24, with no birds lifted at 40. Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer, pointer male, took third place with Mike Tracy handling for owner Mark Janiec. Surfer started well, with clean finds at 7 and 15. His race slowed at the halfway mark.

The Others
Brace 1: Dunn's Step N' Out (George Tracy) picked up early. Hightailing Pink (Mike Tracy) picked up.

Brace 2: Red Mesas Second Line (Gingrich) with a find at 60. Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer was reported above for third place.

Brace 3: Ryan's Sam (Miller) had multiple finds at 3, 14, 29, and a stop-to-flush at 46 with a nice race. Hale's Southern Flyer (Kinkelaar) had a nice race but no birds.

Brace 4: Walden's Ridge Dot Com (Ray) with a back at 9, find at 22, and lost at 35. Honky Tonk High Potential (Miller) with no birds at 9 and 12, and was taken up.

Brace 5: Bully Budd (M. Tracy) had a find at 20 and picked up. Cape Point Wildfire (Ray) picked up.

Brace 6: King's Calling (Miller) lost. Red Mesas Urban Legend (Gingrich) lost.

Brace 7: Hightailing Peach (M. Tracy) had finds at 25, 30, and 37. Hales Kickstart Country (Ray) lost.

Brace 8: Sunset Creek Uptown Girl (G. Tracy) had a find at 20 and picked up. The Bunker Buster (Miller) moved birds at 26 and picked up at 31.

Brace 9: Hightailing Cindy (M. Tracy) picked up. Ramblin Rivers Double Dot (Gingrich) reported above as first-place.

Brace 10: Silver W Hot Pink (Kinkelaar), second place as reported above. Bryant's Silver Lining (M. Tracy) with a back at 21, finds at 27, and 41, then lost.

Brace 11: Peel A Bull (M. Tracy) picked up. Honky Tonk High Expectations (Miller) finished.

Waynesboro, Ga., January 10
Judges: Harold Johnson and Steve Mills
GEORGIA SHOOTING DOG DERBY CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 22 Pointers
1st-RAMBLIN RIVERS DOUBLE DOT, F1709252, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-True Grace. Bill Stapleton, owner; Brian Gingrich, handler.
2d-SILVER W HOT PINK, F1719740, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. Debbie Ozner, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
3d-BRYANT'S SUNSET SILVER SURFER, F1708719, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Bluemound's Charged Up. Mark Janiec, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.

J. Moser Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship
Due to heavy rain, the Shooting Dog Championship was held up for three hours. Several hours were lost due to heavy fog. The trial was completed on Thursday, January 15, on a very cold afternoon.

In January 2025, it was decided to rename this trial from the Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship to the J. Moser Memorial Shooting Dog Championship. J. Moser was a big financial supporter for many years and suddenly died in the spring of 2024. His widow, Susan, was on hand when the winners were announced.

Great River Yellowstone, a 6-year-old pointer male, was named champion. He was run by Tracy Swearingen on behalf of the owner, Great River Kennel. He took to the course running and hunting in the right places. There was no doubt that the judges named the best of the best as champion. He was excellent in the manner in which he handled and could be seen to the front throughout the hour. Finds were recorded at 3, 7, and 18. At 12, he shared a find with his bracemate, Zero Tolerance, and honored his bracemate at 14. A very exciting hour to watch.
Runner-up honors went to Faithful, a 7-year-old pointer female owned by Dr. Roger and Susan Duerksen and handled by Mike Tracy. She was close behind the champion, using the country. Multiple finds were recorded at 3, 17, 30, and 47. When time was called, she was going forward and running strong. Another exciting hour to watch.

The Others
Brace 1: Hard Truth (Ray) no birds at 15, find at 21, and picked up at 30. Miller's Special Cinderella (G. Tracy) harnessed following a second UP.

Brace 2: Hirollins Talkin Smack (Miller) with multiple finds and a short race. Miller's Upgraded Patent (Ray) finds at 8 and 12. Moved on birds.

Brace 3: Miller's High Heat Index (M. Tracy) with a find at 11 and picked up at 31. Silver Wings (Swearingen) honored bracemate at 11 and picked up at 11.

Brace 4: Aristotle (Curnutte) picked up early upfront. Hammer Down (Kinkelaar) picked up early.

Brace 5: Parkway (M. Tracy) picked up. Millers Enhanced Upgrade (Ray) up at 3, back at 9, and picked up at 27.

Brace 6: Miller's Southern Gossip (G. Tracy) harnessed at 4. Thunder's Wild Agin (Kinkelaar) honored bracemate at 4, all in order. Finds at 14, 36, and 49. Short race.

Brace 7: Pine Straw Hot Chocolate (M. Tracy) with a find at 16 and backs at 19 and 30. Ramblin Rivers Double Dot (Gingrich) finds at 16, 18, 30.

Brace 8: Hatteras High Tide (Ray) with no birds. Shagtime Sunny (Kinkelaar) picked up at 25.
Brace 9: Zero Tolerance (Miller) with finds at 4 and 14. Moved on birds. Great River Yellowstone (Swearingen) was champion and reported above.

Brace 10: Erin's Ikon (Gingrich) scratched. Stoney Run's Sarah (Curnutte) pick up following second up.

Brace 11: Absolute Dominator (Ray) up at 25. Oliver's Fast Cash (Miller) lost at 30.

Brace 12: Tee's Crazy Train (Swearingen) picked up early. Miller's Heat Seeker (G. Tracy) with finds at 13 and 29 and had a good, strong finish.

Brace 13: Hatteras Storm Surge (Ray) up at 6. Georgian (Kinkelaar) with finds at 3, 10, and 22. Picked up.

Brace 14: CS Four Season's Gunner (Ray) failed to back. Tallokas New Business (Rice) with finds at 3, 8, 14, and 26. Picked up.

Brace 15: Chelsea's Mae West (Kinkelaar) had finds at 20 and 27. Early pick up. Mo's Curtain Call (M. Tracy) picked up.

Brace 16: Belle Star (Miller) with a back at 8. Hatteras Sand Storm (Ray) with 2 finds and up at 59, came from behind.

Brace 17: Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom (Kinkelaar) had finds at 5 and 20. Picked up early. Hirollins White Lightning (Miller) picked up.

Brace 18: Trumped (M. Tracy) Lost. Hatteras Rip Tide (Ray) lost.

Brace 19: Erin's Demolition Man (Miller) with no bird work. Panther Creek Rosie (Rice) was taken up after a second unproductive.

Brace 20: Erins Teen Idol (Rice) picked up. Erin's Three Leaf Clover (Swearingen) with a find at 23. Came from back twice. Picked up.

Brace 21: Miller's Little Duce Coupe (G. Tracy) point at 13, moved and picked up. Laura Pergolizzi (Kinkelaar) picked up at 5.

Brace 22: Hatteras Storm Watch (Ray) Lost. Dezasterous Silver Bandit (Gingrich) Picked up.

Brace 23: White Hawk Rocket (Rice) Lost. Erin's Envy (M. Tracy) picked up after a second unproductive.

Brace 24: Big Man On Campus (Kinkelaar) picked up. Erin's Primetime (Swearingen) with a find at 15, then went missing.

Brace 25: Great River Stallion (Ray) had finds at 3 and 5, backed bracemate at 19, and picked up. Honky Tonk Highroller (Miller) find at 19, went on to pick up.

Brace 26: Faithful (M. Tracy) reported as runner-up. Minnesota Red Confidence (Rice) finds at 8 and backed bracemate at 18. Picked up.

Brace 27: Dominator's Wild Bill (Arnold) up at 3, finds at 14 and 56. Calico's Sky's The Limit (M. Tracy) with finds at 3 and 10, no birds at 5.

Brace 28: Moore's Base Hit (Miller) up at 10. White Privilege (Kinkelaar) find at 20. Picked up.

Brace 29: Rampage (Swearingen) finds at 21 and 27. Picked up early. Steel Valley Raven (M. Tracy) finds at 5. No birds seen at 26 and picked up.

Brace 30: Haneys Juggernaut (Kinkelaar) up early. Miller's Promotional Upgrade (Ray) find at 33, bad luck.

Brace 31: Miller's Extreme Heat (M. Tracy) back at 10, picked up at 15. Ramblin Rivers Natural (Gingrich) no birds at 40, back at 15.

Brace 32: I'm Spartacus (Ray) finds 3, 18, 22 divided find at 7. Waybetter Rebel (M. Tracy) find at 3, shared a find 7. Good forward race. Picked up early.

Brace 33: Nighthawk Rebel (Swearingen) picked up after a second UP. Upfront's County Seat (Kinkelaar) failed to back.

Brace 34: Bittersweet War Cry (M. Tracy) picked up early. A Buccaneer (Ray) early pick up.

Brace 35: Valero (Kinkelaar) Millers Customized Upgrade (G. Tracy). Both dogs picked up early.

Brace 36: Two Spot Tommy (Ray) backed at 7, no birds. Point at 7 with no birds and picked up. Lester's Another Shockwave (Kinkelaar) picked up.

Brace 37: Miller's Automatic Upgrade (G. Tracy) and Hale's Smooth Touch (Kinkelaar). Both dogs were lost.

J. MOSER GEORGIA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 63 Pointers and 11 Setters
Winner-GREAT RIVER YELLOWSTONE, F1688796, pointer male, by Fast Forward's B K Gunner-Wiggins Miss Stella. Great River Kennel, owner; Tracy Swearingen, handler.
Runner-Up-FAITHFUL, F1684597, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Steel City Karen. Dr. Roger & Susan Duerksen, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.

Some Sidelights
It takes a lot of time and dedication to put on trials. I am proud to say that we have great community support.
This was newly elected GFTA secretary Craig Elliott's first season to assume full duties. He and Ashley Roberts, executive director of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce, coordinated daily lunches.
The Chamber pays for advertising in the UKC Field Newsletter. The cost of birds to be released was $6,000, and Planters Electric Corporation donated $2,000 to help defray the cost.
An oyster roast was once again a big hit. Ashley secures sponsors for the event. She presented the trainers with vests and the ladies with sweatshirts.
Last year's owners of the champion and first-place Derby Classic winner hosted a fish fry for some 50 guests.
John Ray Kimbrell has served as Stake Manager for approximately 15 years and drives the dog wagon. Bird Dog Motors owner Micke Stewart provides a pickup for his use during the trials.
Chuck Miller is an individual who fills many shoes. Prior to the trials, he makes certain the stalls are in order. He takes care of putting up the panels for the corral. He takes care of cleaning up after the trials. He is a full-time employee of Green Ag, which is managed by Vice President Art Lively. Art allows him to use company time and equipment to cover many chores.
President Gary Futch was somewhat limited with his health this season. He was recuperating from a recent leg surgery. Nothing would do him but to ride and do what he could for the All-Age and Shooting Dog stakes.
Hampton Inn gave discounted rates to the field trial guests.
I want to thank all the owners, handlers, and guests who came to support our trials. For all who know me, you know that our trials have been dear to my heart for over 45 years.
I will look forward to you joining us in 2027. Hopefully, the ones who missed this season will be back next year.

Winners of the Georgia Shooting Dog Derby Classic Rambling Rivers Double Doc Silver W Hot Pink and Bryant's Sunset Silver Surfer joined by spectators.