Result: Alabama Open Shooting Dog Championship
Location: Union Springs, Alabama
Post Date: Dec 28, 2023
Submitted By: Anna Grace Tompkins
Alabama Open Shooting Dog Championship (front, l-r): Robert Moorer (club member), Chris Sellers (judge), Mike Tracy (handler), Steve Hutto (club member), Casey Hollander (scout), Keith St. John (judge) and his wife, Hunter McDuffie (club member), and Allison Stewart and her daughter Amelia. (Behind): Chef Ban Stewart.
The Alabama Open Shooting Dog Championship was held on the beautiful grounds of Conecuh Station in Union Springs, Alabama. The trial began on Monday, October 30, 2023, and concluded on Thursday, November 2. A special thanks to landowners Tony and Becky Gibson for hosting the trial on their beautiful grounds. Breakfast was prepared and served each morning by Faye Duncan, George Cole, and Steve Hutto. Lunch and dinner were prepared by Chef Ban Stewert and his wife, Allison, and cocktails were provided by Tony and Becky Gibson each night at the field house. Chris Sellers and Keith St. John came from the great state of Tennessee to give their time to judge the hopeful entries. A special thanks to the club members of the Alabama Field Trial Club for putting together yet another well-managed and executed trial, and to Purina for sponsoring and donating bags of dog food to the winners.
The Running
The trial drew 48 dogs, making 24 braces. The unseasonably warm weather and dry scent conditions made it tough for even the most seasoned bird dogs and handlers to reach their full potential and finish the hour. Of the 48 dogs, only 10 made the full-hour brace, most of which had bird work.
Brace 2: Miller's Record Heat, a pointer male handled by Mike Tracy, finished the hour brace with one find and one unproductive after a relocation.
Brace 3: Waybetter Rebel, a pointer male handled by Mike Tracy, finished the hour with two finds and one unproductive find.
Brace 3: Nonami's Johnny Come Lately, a pointer male handled by Ray Pearce, finished the hour with one find.
Brace 4: Hillhavyn's Major Tom, a pointer male handled by Mike Martino, finished the hour with no bird work.
Brace 6: Miller's Stray Bullet, a pointer male handled by Clay Ferguson, finished the hour with two finds and a very handy performance.
Brace 7: Miller's High Heat Index, a pointer male handled by Mike Tracy, finished the hour with two productive backs and one unproductive find.
Brace 7: Pineywood's Legacy, a pointer male handled by Darron Hendley, finished the hour with two finds and one unproductive find.
Brace 8: C S Trump, a setter male handled by Joe Varner, finished the hour with two finds.
Brace 13: Calico's Sky's The Limit, a pointer female handled by Mike Tracy, finished the hour with five finds.
Brace 18: Miller's Heat Seeker, a pointer male handled by Mike Tracy, finished the hour with two finds and one stop to flush find.
Out of the 10 dogs that finished, one proved to be the top dog and caught the judges' eye, and that was Calico's Sky's The Limit. "Sky" is a stylish black and white pointer female owned by Allen Linder, Bill, and Muriel Primm, handled by Mike Tracy, and was scouted by Casey Hollander. With an outstanding five finds, one being a turkey and a strong finish, this was the most birdwork shown by any dog during the trial. Sky was the only dog to run a true shooting dog race, earning her the championship title. Although some others finished, none showed the caliber and drive that she displayed.
Union Springs, Ala., October 30
Judges: Chris Sellers and Keith St. John
ALABAMA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 43 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-CALICO'S SKY'S THE LIMIT, 1692352, pointer female, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Calico's Country Strong. William & Muriel Primm & Allen Linder, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.