Result: National Open Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Union Springs, Alabama

Post Date: Mar 30, 2026

Submitted By: Elton Bray

National Open Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): Bonnie Campbell, August Campbell, Tom Shenker, Squire Lee with Late Hit, Chris Campbell, Melody Shenker, John Samuel Shenker, and Anne Jackson Shenker.

The 65th renewal of the prestigious National Open Shooting Dog Championship began Monday, February 2nd, and concluded Monday, February 9th. A string of 64, which included 53 pointers and 11 setters, was drawn to compete for the best of the best. Twenty-two of the most renowned, professional, and amateur dog handlers vied for their dog to be named champion.

The venue for this historical event was none other than the famous Sedgefields Plantation, near Union Springs, Alabama. If one has never visited there, you should add it to your list. The towering pines and native grasses make for the perfect Bobwhite habitat. Sedgefields is owned by Raymond and Katheryn Harbert. Without their continued generosity of usage of their beautiful facilities and grounds, it would be almost impossible to hold such a prominent event. The Harberts are to be commended for their kindness and hospitality.

A huge thank you also goes out to Jason Howard, Sedgefields manager and field trial board member. He and all the plantation staff help make the trial run smoothly. From manning the road crossings to making sure the trash barrels are empty, it all gets done every day. Another notable member is the board president, Bill Lee. He is a major part of the Sedgefields operation. He is on hand daily and does whatever it takes to make the trial run fluently. His love for our sport and people is well noted throughout the field trial world. If something needs to be addressed during the running, Bill Lee is the "go-to" man who always has a plan.
Most successful field trial clubs have a secretary and treasurer, but none are lucky enough to have Heather Klinck. Heather does it all. She takes care of the ad, entries, judges, dog wagon goodies, and does all the scheduling for each day and night's events. From flower arrangements to judges' books, Heather gets everything done. Klinck's time and dedication are two of the major parts of the trial's success each year.

Steve Hutto oversaw the dog wagon duties. Hutto is always in the right place at the right time. He is also in charge of making sure the wagon is stocked full of snacks and drinks each day. Phil Bowden was also on hand to drive the Gibsons' bird buggy. He was a big help.
Minding the marshaling duties were Harrison Lee, Squire Lee, and Harold Johnson. With these men in attendance, no handler took wrong turns, and judges were never left behind. Other board members were also on hand each day.
Annie Buce oversaw washing off the official's horses. She does an excellent job and is very much appreciated. Annie was also seen on horseback throughout the trial.

The judges advertised for this year's competition were Mike Jackson, Battle Ground, Indiana; Jonathan Burch, Holly Springs, Mississippi; and Kevin Stuart, Schenectady, New York. Unfortunately, Jonathan Burch was unable to attend due to an ice storm that hit the north Mississippi area just a few days before the running. Hunter McDuffie, of Cecil, Alabama, was asked to step in at the last minute and accepted the duty as the third judge. Each gentleman has a rich history with bird dogs, and they watched each competitor with careful intent.
The trial had a very special guest in attendance this year, all the way from Japan--Mr. Chiharu Niwa, former president for Region 15 and one of the founding members since 1962. Mr. Niwa celebrated his 88th birthday during his stay in Union Springs. His son-in-law, Mr. Patrick Scott, a retired Navy veteran of Hampton, Virginia, accompanied him. The current Region 15 president, Mr. Norio Yamazaki, was also in attendance and rode a horse one afternoon.

Purina is the official dog food sponsor. Their representative, Greg Blair, was in attendance for several days and was accompanied by his daughter, Maddie. Purina is a very important part of this championship; not only do they provide financial support, but they also award the winner with rewards, gifts, and dog food. Without the support of Greg Blair and Purina, our sport would be nearly dissolved. Other official sponsors for the trial were: Garmin, 5 Star Equine Products, Dan's Hunting Gear, and The Saddle Guy. Dinner sponsors for this year were: Jimmy Cook Chevrolet and Ford, Thompson Tractor, AmeriFirst Bank, Phillip's Feed and Seed, Eater Plantation, The Whithurst Family, Embrace Alabama Kids, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Harbert, Beck's Turf, Jim Wilson and Associates, and the Alabama Field Trial Association. Sponsoring the cocktails this year were: AmeriFirst Bank, Blackbelt Land Management, Dykes Quality Automotive, Frank Moorer, Old English Farm, Harrison Lee, Ted Roach, Hembree Furniture, Justin Clark, Tracy McPherson (ALFA), T. J. Williford Partners Realty, and Union Springs Home Center. The help and support of these sponsors from all over Bullock County sure gives everyone a welcoming feeling.

A full-course breakfast was served each morning during the running. It was provided by the Tourism Council of Bullock County and its many sponsors. A delicious lunch was prepared and served each day by Ban Stewart, which included a wide variety of options for everyone.
A function was held every evening during the running. Sunday night's kickoff party was at the Field House. Monday night, everyone was invited to the Country Club for a delicious steak dinner sponsored by Purina. Tuesday, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the Field House. Wednesday night, everyone was invited to the Union Springs Country Club for a dinner and party celebrating the 2025 National Champion, Late Hit. The meal and celebration were sponsored by his owner, Chris Campbell, and family. A beautiful portrait commissioned by Ross Young was presented to Mr. Campbell. The remainder of the week, dinners were held each night at the Field House.

This was the third year of releasing wild birds on the afternoon courses. Eight years ago, Tall Timbers started the wild bird project on the morning courses. The program Tall Timbers implemented has had a huge impact on increasing the Bobwhite population.

The Champion
This year's National Champion, for the second consecutive year, was Late Hit. The orange and white pointer male (callname "Jay") is owned by Christopher Campbell of Point Clear, Alabama, and is handled by Tom Shenker of Hurtsboro, Alabama. Jay was scouted by Squire Lee of Pike Road, Alabama. The 7-year-old athlete put on a phenomenal show for all to see. Campbell was able to be in attendance on horseback to watch his champion compete for the title. The only other time a dog has won the National Shooting Dog Championship back-to-back was in 1968 and 1969 when Dean Lord handled Easy Mark. Jay competed in the 12th brace along with Sandridge Big Iron (Allen Vincent). They were turned loose at the end of Bill Lee's driveway. At 20, just after making the turn behind Duck Lake, both dogs were seen on point together. Both handlers produced game, and all was in order. Making the turn towards the Bill Rainer line at 58, scout Squire Lee called point for Jay. He was standing proud and tall as Shenker flushed the wild bevy. At 1:27, the gallery crossed Bill Lee's driveway, and both dogs were seen standing near one another again. A very nice covey of Bobwhites flushed as both handlers only made a few steps. Jay put on a phenomenal ground performance. He was smooth, strong, and always showed to the front over the next hill. He displayed a beautiful disposition around his game and a great rapport with his handler. It truly was a National Championship performance.

The Running
Starting the trial off on Monday morning was Miller's Heat Seeker (George Tracy) and Miller's Family Tradition (Squire Lee). It was sunny, with the temperature near freezing. Seeker had a nice find at 14 just after crossing the road. He was unsuccessful at 47 but finished the 90 minutes. Family Tradition was birdless but hunted until time was called.

Drawn in the second brace were Silver Wing (Tracy Swearingen) and Trumped (Mike Tracy). The pair was released from the Coke Barn. Trumped's owner, Allen Linder, was in attendance on horseback. Wing had no game contact but completed the brace. Tracy asked for the retrieval device at 20.

The first brace in the afternoon, No. 3, drew Cheap Thrill (Tommy Rice III) and Big Man On Campus (Shawn Kinkelaar). The sun brought about warmer temperatures for the afternoon. Only a few seconds passed when both dogs locked up just before the Dove Field. A nice covey flew as both handlers flushed. Thrill found birds again at 28, and 1:01 with only one unproductive at 42. She completed the 90 minutes. Kinkelaar asked for the tracker at 32.

Breaking away at the end of Bill Lee's driveway with the fourth brace were Miller's Special Cinderella (George Tracy) and Smoke'N'Mirrors (Matt Basilone). Cinderella's owners, Bill and Muriel Primm, were present to watch their young female. Smoke'N'Mirrors was unable to produce game at 1:03 but finished. Tracy requested the tracker at 58.

The fifth brace turned loose on Tuesday morning at 8:01 with Hale's Smooth Touch (Shawn Kinkelaar) and Ray Banne (Tony Reynolds). The temperature was in the mid-50s for most of the day. Touch pointed at 9 just after the road crossing. Unfortunately, no birds were found. Banne was standing behind honoring. At 47, just after crossing the New Bridge, both dogs pointed to the right side. The nice covey rose credited each with a divided find. They were both picked up at the one-hour mark.

Turning loose from the Coke Barn with Brace No. 6 was The Gray Ghost (Matt Basilone) and Lester's Another Shockwave (Shawn Kinkelaar). Ghost's owner, W. Smoot Carter, and two of Shockwave's owners, Jay Moisson and Tom Jackson, were all on horseback to watch the competition. Shockwave was credited with a nice piece of bird work at 7, just after crossing the ditch. His handler requested the tracker at 40. Ghost was awarded finds at 30 and 45. He completed the hour-and-a-half.

Brace No. 7 was released from the Field Trial Barn with Minnesota Red Confidence (Tommy Rice III) and BK Locked N' Loaded (Sergio Velez). Loaded was unable to produce game at 46. Velez opted to pick him up at the hour mark. Confidence was harnessed at 52.

Drawn in the eighth brace were Bittersweet War Cry (Mike Tracy) and Great River Yellowstone (Tracy Swearingen). They broke away at the end of Bill Lee's driveway. War Cry suffered two unproductives, his first at 58 and his second at 1:29. Yellowstone was unable to produce game at 8 and 45. He was put on the wagon after his second.

The ninth brace's starting time was delayed an hour due to heavy rain. Turned loose at 9:04 were Wynona's Nickleback Sugar (Allen Vincent) and Touch's Steely Dan (Virgil Moore). Vincent requested the tracker at 30. Dan suffered an unproductive at 7 and another at 14. He was harnessed after his second.

The 10th brace broke away from the Coke Barn with C S Snapdragon (Steve Hurdle) and BK Cornerstone (Sergio Velez). Snapdragon was credited with a nice find at 43. He had an absence shortly after, and Hurdle asked for the retrieval device at 1:04. Cornerstone was unsuccessful at 55 and 1:05, and was picked up.

The Wednesday afternoon sun brought the temperature to the mid-50s. As Brace No. 11 turned loose from the Barn with Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Ajay (Alex Mauck) and BK Bulletproof (Serigo Velez). One of Bulletproof's owners, Phil Bowden, was in attendance. Ajay was unsuccessful at 12 but found on point at 18 just before the crossing behind Bill Lee's house. Mauck flushed a nice covey. Unfortunately, he was unable to produce game at 32 and was picked up. Bulletproof stood proud to honor his bracemate. Just as pick up was called, Velez called point and produced a nice bevy for his stylish pointer.

The 12th brace produced the Champion and has been previously reviewed.

Released Thursday morning, with the temperature below freezing, was Brace No. 13 with Upfront's Southern Star (Shawn Kinkelaar) and C S Dirty Harry (Steve Hurdle). Both dogs were harnessed at 1:10.

Drawn for the 14th brace were Como Skyline (Steve Hurdle) and Miller's High Heat Index (Mike Tracy). The temperature was still freezing with a strong wind as the dogs were released from the Coke Barn. Skyline had a nice find at 33 just before making the swing back towards the Big Lake. Heat Index was also successful at 43 at the Big Lake, and Skyline was there to honor. They both completed the 90 minutes.

The 15th brace drew I'm Gallant (Allen Vincent) and Dominator's Wild Bill (Jeff Arnold). Bill's owner, Gene Brown, was in the gallery to watch his dog's performance. They were turned loose from the Barn at 1:30. Both were unable to produce game at 52. I'm Gallant was harnessed at 1:05 and Wild Bill at 1:10.

Breaking away at the end of Bill Lee's driveway with brace No. 16 was Hirollins Bad Boy (Matt Basilone) and Erin's Grey Ghost (Bill Owen). Boy and Ghost were both seen pointed at 25 after crossing Duck Lake. Both handlers flushed, rewarding their competitors with a divided find. They shared another nice find at 42 just before the road crossing. They each completed the hour-and-a-half.

Friday morning brought about warmer temperatures and sunshine for the 17th brace with Laura Pergolizzi (Shaw Kinkelaar) and Waybetter Rebel (Mike Tracy). Bill and Muriel Primm were on horseback to watch Rebel hunt. Rebel produced game at 14, 1:05, and 1:08. He hunted to the front until the finish. Pergolizzi was picked up at 1:14.

C S Code Blue (Steve Hurdle) and Haneys Juggernaut (Shawn Kinkelaar) were turned loose at the Coke Barn for the 18th brace. Dr. Tom Jackson rode to watch his Juggernaut. Blue was unsuccessful at 45 and was harnessed at 1:03. Juggernaut was also picked up at 1:03.

Released from the barn in Brace No. 19 were Backus White Privilege (Shaw Kinkelaar) and Miller's Concealed Weapon (Bill Owen). Dr. Jackson also owns Privilege and watched him compete from the gallery. After making the swing out of the Dove Field at 21, Privilege was credited with a nice find on the right side. He was picked up at 52. Weapon made game at 37 and 57. He was put on the wagon after his second.

Finishing off Friday with the 20th brace was Parkway (Mike Tracy) and Mohawk Mill Gangster (Matt Basilone). Parkway's owners, Bill and Muriel Primm, were on horseback. Parkway had finds at 33 and 36 with a stop-to-flush at 41. He was unsuccessful at 42 and was picked up at 1:15. Gangster produced birds at 24 and 47. He suffered an unproductives at 41 and 43 and was harnessed.

Saturday morning was cool with a light breeze as the 21st brace turned loose with Miller's Newest Version (Bill Owen) and Ramblin Rivers Double Dot (Brian Gingrich). Dot's owners, Bill Stapleton and Jerry Moisson, were in attendance. Version was picked up after crossing the New Bridge at 50. Dot was credited with a nice find at 24 along the road, and a second that came at 47 just before crossing the bridge. She pointed once more at 1:22, nearing the Coke Barn Road, but was unable to produce game. She completed the 90 minutes.

Circle B Wanted Ryder (Sergio Velez) and Nonami's Johnny Come Lately (Ray Pierce) broke away from the Coke Barn with the 22nd brace. Phil Bowden was in attendance to watch Ryder's performance. Ryder pointed at 36, but no game was produced. The stylish setter found birds at 47 and 1:01. He was picked up at 1:20. Lately had a nice find at 24 and another at 55. He was there to honor his bracemate for his two finds. He finished the hour-and-a-half hunting the front.

The 23rd brace drew Fort River's Lucky Charm (Matt Basilone) and Awakened (Brent Cox). The pair was released from the Barn at 1:04. Charm had a nice find at seven in the Dove Field. He was unsuccessful at 16 and 47 and was picked up. Awakened had a find at 20 and honored his bracemate on his unproductives.

Drawn in the 24th brace, which broke away at Bill Lee's driveway, were Mohawk Mill King Pen (Matt Basilone) and Thunder's Wild Agin (Shawn Kinkelaar). King Pen pointed just before crossing the Duck Lake Levy. A nice covey flew as Basilone flushed. He had another nice find at the hour mark, just after crossing the road and making the swing towards the Bill Rainer line. King Pen completed the 90 minutes. Wild Agin scored his first at 21, making the right swing in the pines. He was credited with four more finds: 42, 51, 57, and 1:42. He was unsuccessful at 1:03. Wild Agin was hunting forward from start to finish and was stylishly well mannered around his game.

Sunday morning was warm and sunny. Chelsea's Mae West (Shawn Kinkelaar) and Outer Edge Jack (Virgil Moore) were paired in the 25th brace. Mae was picked up at 1:10. Jack made game contact at 29. He was also picked up at 1:10.

In Brace No. 26, breaking away at the Coke Barn were World Class Terminator (Squire Lee) and Bryant's Give A Rip (Kenton Bryant). Terminator was unsuccessful at 6 but was awarded a nice piece of bird work at 39 near the Big Lake. Lee requested the retrieval device at 50. Rip went birdless and was harnessed at 1:10.

Drawn for the 27th brace on Sunday afternoon were Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Dallee (Alex Mauck) and Ramblin Rivers Natural (Brian Gingrich). In attendance was Natural's owner, William Stapleton. Dallee was picked up at 12. Natural suffered an unproductive at 31 and was picked up.

The 28th brace concluded Sunday's running with LMD's Can't Touch This (Virgil Moore) and Melrose Big John (Terry Chastain Jr.). Can't Touch This was found on point near the deer stand. Moore flushed a nice covey of Bobwhites. He was picked up at 59 after crossing the road. Big John had nice game contact at 18 but was unsuccessful at 40. He was also picked up at the hour mark.

The last morning, Brace No. 29 drew Miller's Automatic Upgrade (George Tracy) and Grand Prairie Thrill (Tommy Rice III). Tracy asked for the tracker at 33. Thrill was put on the wagon at 1:01.

Drawn in the 30th brace was Miller's Little Duce Coupe (George Tracy) and B K Pablo Escobar (Sergio Valez). Coupe's owners, Allen Linder and Madison McDonald, were on horseback to watch their canine's performance. Coupe was awarded a stylish find at 31 and was harnessed at 1:02. Escobar was picked up at 1:05.

Starting Monday afternoon, with the 31st brace, was Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom (Shawn Kinkelaar) and Erin's Primetime (Tracy Swearingen). Boom's owner, Dr. Debbie Ozner, was on horseback for the hunt. Boom suffered unproductives at 17 and 48 and was harnessed. Primetime was picked up at 58.

The last brace of the trial, No. 32, drew Erin's Ikon (Brian Gingrich) and Panther Creek Rosie (Tommy Rice III). Ikon's owners, Kristen and Jerry Moisson, and Rosie's owner, Frank Rutland, were all in the gallery for the finale of the National. Ikon was unsuccessful at 30 but had two nice pieces of bird work at 44 and 53. He was harnessed at 58. Rosie found a nice bevy at 23. She was also picked up at 58.

Union Springs, Ala., February 2
Judges: Mike Jackson, Hunter McDuffie, and Kevin Stuart
NATIONAL OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 54 Pointers and 10 Setters
Winner-LATE HIT, F1687601, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Abigail Lil. Christopher Campbell, owner; Tom Shenker, handler.

Bill and Muriel Primm.

Heather Klink and Bill Lee.

Nori

o Yamazaki, Tony Gibson, Chiharu Niwa, and Patrick Scott.