Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Ochlocknee, Georgia

Post Date: Jan 25, 2023

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

Open Shooting Dog Winners (front, from left): Greg Shepherd with Snapback, Ray Pearce with Nonami's Johnny Come Lately, Tommy Rice [with unidentified dog], Judges Tim Moore and Steve Standley, and admirers.

The 60th Georgia-Florida Invitational Fall Trial was held at the beautiful Burnt Branch Plantation in Ochlocknee, Ga. The 2 days started out cool and brisk and turned into gorgeous 70-degree, clear sky afternoons. The birds were in abundance and fellowship even more so.
We would especially like to thank Eddie Sholar and family, Greg Shepherd, and the entire staff of Burnt Branch for inviting us to use their facilities and run dogs in their beautiful piney woods. Without Eddie's selfless generosity this trial would not have been possible. Thank you, also, to all our sponsors and members of this club for keeping the field trial sport and this trial alive and running for 60 years.

Riding in the judicial saddles for the open shooting dogs were Steve Stanley of Greenville, Ga., and Tim Moore of Blakely, Ga. Mark Haynes of Brownsville, Tenn., joined Tim Moore as judge of the derby dogs. We want to thank all these gentlemen for their time and expertise in watching these canine athletes.
1st place open shooting dog winner was Snapback, handled by Greg Shepherd and owned by Eddie Sholar. Snapback is a 3-time winner of the Georgia-Florida Handlers Trial. She placed 1st in the Fall of 2020 at Norias Plantation, Spring of 2021 at Seminole Plantation, and Fall of 2021 at Cherokee Planation. This beautiful female pointer ran an impressive race on Friday at Burnt Branch with 10 finds in the 2nd brace of the day on Friday morning. She started with a find at 1 in and finished strong with a bountiful covey at 58 and 30 seconds. She ran very classy and forward moving keeping the judges and gallery sitting high in their saddles.

2nd place winner was Nonami's Johnny Come Lately, handled by Ray Pearce and owned by R.E. Turner. Johnny ran the 3rd brace on Friday morning with 8 abundant finds. From his first find at the 10-minute mark, to the last one at 58, he held steady to wing and shot for each and every one. At 34 there was a divided find that resulted in substantial coveys for both dogs. Johnny ran a very classy, polished brace with style and grace.

3rd place winner was Melody and Tommy Rice, Sr. Melody had a total of 7 finds in her hour-long brace that started with her 1st one at 4 min in. She continued to point coveys in her race to 3rd place and ended strong with a find right at 1 hour. Birds were not lacking in this 6th brace and conclusion of our super exciting Friday in the piney woods.

This year's Handler Trial had an impressive line-up with so many talented dogs and handlers alike. The coveys were thrilling to watch with the sheer numbers of birds that flushed. Friday morning's first brace started with Shon Powell and Bill running with Jason Loper and Chance. Chance had 7 finds that started with a sizeable covey at 5. Both dogs pointed at 11 with Chance backing Bill. Sean picked up his tracker at 38 and Jason continued to run Chance to 3 more points. The brace ended with a last find at 55.

The first brace on Saturday morning was run by Melrose Ramblin Man handled by Terry Chastain, Jr., and Boy handled by Tommy Rice. Both dogs had a divided find early in the brace and shot was fired for Boy. There was a 2nd divided find at 38 with both handlers flushing coveys. Boy was up at 40 and Melrose Ramblin Man finished his race with 6 finds total for the hour.
Ochlocknee, Ga., October 28
Judges: Tim Moore and Steve Stanley
OPEN SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Pointers
1st-SNAPBACK, 1675717, female, by Elhew G Force-Beane's Line Dancer. Eddie Sholar, owner; Greg Shepherd, handler.
2d-NONAMI'S JOHNNY COME LATELY, 1694190, male, by Ransom-Pinewood's Jenny Bell. R. E. Turner, owner; Ray Turner, handler.
3d-REAL THING MELODY, 1698183, female, by Melrose Big Rambler-Hill's Georgia Brown. Thomas Rice, Jr., owner and handler.
OPEN DERBY
Derby dogs began their run on Saturday morning at the conclusion of the open shooting dogs. We took a break for an enjoyable lunch provided by Ag Pro, and then continued on with the remaining dogs. The 6th brace of the day drew the trial to a close on Saturday afternoon.

1st place Derby winner was Chance and Jason Loper. Chance pointed an impressive covey at 18 and was front dog on a divided find at 27. Jason relocated him for another successful steady wing and shot in the 1st derby brace of the day.
2nd place Derby winner was Half and Lee Phillips. Half had 3 plentiful finds in the 4th brace. 3rd place Derby winner was Merry and Tommy Rice, Sr. Merry also had 3 finds and ran in the 2nd brace.
OPEN DERBY - 11 Entries
1st-TALLOKAS NEW BUSINESS, 1701627, pointer male, by Miller Unfinished Business-Tallokas Sun Dial. Tallokas Kennels, owner; Jason Loper, handler.
2d-PINE STRAW HALF N HALF, 1698806, setter male, by Pine Straw Black Hawk-Pine Straw's Tupelo Honey. Michael Reeves, owner; Lee Phillips, handler.
3d-REAL THING MERRY, 1700675, pointer female, by Erin's Tough Grit-Dekle's Chasehill Maria. Thomas Rice, Jr., owner and handler.