Result: Dixie Open Shooting Dog Classic

Location: Union Springs, Alabama

Post Date: Jan 9, 2024

Submitted By: Anna Grace Tompkins

Open Shooting Dog Winners (back row, l-r): Alan Atkins, Roger Key, Robert Moorer, and Anna Grace Tompkins. Holding the dogs (l-r). Mike Tracy Bittersweet War Cry, Molly Darnell with Miller's Record Heat, and Will Dunn with Miller's Heat Seeker.

The Dixie Open Shooting Dog Classic began on November 6, 2023, at Greenway Sportsman's Club in Union Springs, Alabama. A gracious thank you to the Green family for providing their well-kept grounds for the trial and the Sedgefields Field Trial Club for hosting and putting together the trial. Breakfast of warm fresh biscuits was provided by the Bullock County Tourism Council each morning from Hall's X-Roads Grocery. Chef Ban Stewart prepared and served delicious lunch and dinner each day and night throughout the trial, "some of the best food served at a trial" was the talk after each meal. The Alabama weather had a mind of its own throughout the week: cool mornings that led to unseasonably warm afternoons with lots of sunshine and dry terrain made it a tough competition for the bird dogs and handlers. The trial drew 37 dogs, making for 20 braces, with three being bye-dog braces. Alan Atkins and Roger Key of Auburn, Alabama, took the task of judging the hopeful entries.

The Running
Brace No. 1: Miller's Heat Wave (PM/Mike Tracy) and Proof Nation (PM/Tommy Rice) took the line. Miller's Heat Wave had a find at 20, with a strong race, and had a back at 38. Proof Nation had his first find at 6 and his second at 38. Both dogs finished the brace.

Brace No. 2: Oahe Buck (PM/Tommy Rice) and Miller's Extreme Heat (PM/Mike Tracy). Oahe Buck finished the brace with no bird work and a strong race. Miller's Extreme Heat had an unproductive find at 18 and was picked up at 38.

Brace No. 3: Bittersweet War Cry (PM/Mike Tracy) and Sedgefields Get Back (PM/Squire Lee) took the line. Bittersweet War Cry had his first find at 8, his second find at 22, and his third and final find at 38, finishing the brace with a strong race. Sedgefields Get Back had a back at 8 and finished the brace.

Brace No. 4: Miller's Stray Bullet (PM/Clay Ferguson) and Faithful (PF/Tommy Rice). Neither dog finished the brace.

Brace No. 5: Raag's Rich and Rare (PM/Mike Tracy) was up against Panther Creek Rosie (PF/Tommy Rice). Neither dog finished the brace.

Brace No. 6: South Point Hog Wild (PM/Mike Tracy) and Erin's Tough Grit (PM/Tommy Rice). Both handlers asked for the tracking devices at the 10-minute mark.

Brace No. 7: Boumeester's Bar None (PM/Tommy Rice) and Miller's Little Duce Coupe (PF/Mike Tracy). Little Duce Coupe had her first find at 8, with Boumeester's Bar None backing. Boumeester's Bar None was picked up at 25, and Little Duce Coupe was picked up at 28.

Brace No. 8: Waybetter Rebel (PM/Mike Tracy) and Dakota Nation (PM/Ted Roach). Waybetter Rebel had an unproductive find at 25 and another unproductive at 41; he was then picked up. Dakota Nation had an unproductive at 32 and another at 41; he was then picked up.

Brace No. 9: Suemac's Wicked Sister (PF/Mike Tracy) and C S Trump (ESM/Steve Hurdle). C S Trump had his first find at the 10-minute mark; he had his second find at 40 after a successful relocation and finished the brace. Suemac's Wicked Sister was picked up at 40.

Brace No. 10: Erin's Ty Breaker (PM/Ted Roach) and Miller's Special Cinderella (PF/Mike Tracy). Erin's Ty Breaker finished the brace with no bird work and a strong forward race. Miller's Special Cinderella was picked up at 35.

Brace No. 11: Triple Nickel Carbon Copy (PM/Mike Tracy) and Sugarknoll Pay Dirt (PM/Steve Hurdle). Triple Nickle Carbon Copy was picked up after 8 minutes. Sugarknoll Pay Dirt (Hurdle) sadly had to be scratched due to medical reasons.

Brace No. 12: C S Rester's Speculation (PM/Steve Hurdle) and Miller's Lock and Loaded (PM/Mike Tracy). Both dogs finished the brace with no bird work.

Brace No. 13: Trumped (PM/Mike Tracy) and World Class High Def (PM/Squire Lee). Trumped was picked up at 35 minutes. World Class High Def had one unproductive find at 16; he finished the brace with no bird work.

Brace No. 14: Senah's Rum Chaser (PF/Clay Ferguson) and Miller's Heat Seeker (PM/Mike Tracy). Miller's Heat Seeker had a find at the 36-minute mark with Senah's Rum Chaser backing. The dogs shared a divided find at 42, and both finished the brace.

Brace No. 15: Calico's Sky's The Limit (PF/Mike Tracy) and Pavo Thrill (PM/Tommy Rice). Both dogs were picked up at 36.

Brace No. 16: Cold Creek Thrill Tuff (PM/Tommy Rice) and Hauser's Hard Line (PM/Mike Tracy). Cold Creek Thrill Tuff had an unproductive find at 19 and was picked up at 42. Hauser's Hard Line was picked up at 42.

Brace No. 17: Tallokas New Business (PM/Jason Loper) and Hightailing Penny (PF/Mike Tracy). Tallokas New Business had her first and only find at 4, with an unproductive find at 37; he finished the brace with a strong race. Hightailing Penny was picked up at 25.

Brace No. 18 was the first of three bye-dog braces. Miller's Record Heat, a pointer female handled by Mike Tracy, had two finds and finished the brace.

Brace No. 19, the second bye-dog brace, had Elhew Independent (PM/Mike Tracy), who did not finish the brace.

Brace No. 20, the final and last bye-dog brace had Jolene Jolene (PF/Mike Tracy), who did not finish the brace.

After a tough four days in the saddle, the judges had to decide on who would take home the three placements. The dry conditions and ever-changing weather made it a tough trial for both the dogs and handlers. Third place was given to Miller's Heat Seeker, a pointer male owned by Bill and Muriel Primm, Denies Hood, and Jack and Fran Miller, and handled by Mike Tracy. Second place was handed to Miller's Record Heat, a pointer female owned by Allen Linder and handled by Mike Tracy. First place was awarded to Bittersweet War Cry, a pointer male owned by Joe Lordi and Ralph Gillota and handled by Mike Tracy. A special Congratulations to Mike Tracy for sweeping the trial!

Union Springs, Ala., November 6
Judges: Alan Atkins and Roger Key
OPEN SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 36 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-BITTERSWEET WAR CRY, 1674743, pointer male, by Sugarknoll War Paint-Mohawk. Ralph Gillota & Joe Lordi, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
2d-MILLER'S RECORD HEAT, 1685700, pointer female, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Allen Linder, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
3d-MILLER'S HEAT SEEKER, 1674886, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Fran & Jack Miller, Dennis Hood & Muriel & Bill Primm, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.

Open Derby
The Dixie Classic Open Derby was held after the conclusion of the Dixie Open Shooting Dog Classic. The trial drew 22 dogs, making 11 braces. The trial was a short day and a half of riding, and Chef Ban Stewart continued to keep everyone well-fed and ready to go. The sun was out, and the weather was warm, but everyone stayed hydrated thanks to the coolers at the breakaway courtesy of the Sedgefields Field Trial Club. Alan Atkins and Roger Key continued their judging duties and watched the hopeful young dogs' work.

The Running
Brace No. 1: Neely's Special Business (PM/John Neely) and Kim (PF/Mike Tracy). Neely's Special Business had his first find two minutes in and his second find right after at 4; he finished the brace. Kim had one unproductive find at the end of the brace, and she was finished.

Brace No. 2: Sedgefields Second Chance (PM/Squire Lee) and Doc (PM/Robert Moorer). Sedgefields Second Chance had his first and only find at 2; he was finished. Doc had an unproductive find at 3, he was finished.

Brace No. 3: Jill (PF/Mike Tracy) and Sue (PF/Steve Hurdle). Sue showed a strong race; she had an unproductive find at 5 but quickly had another successful find at 6 with Jill backing. Jill showed a strong race and handled well. Both dogs finished the brace.

Brace No. 4: Jack (PM/Mike Tracy) and Mayfield Branch Ricky (PM/Squire Lee). Jack had his first and only find at the end of the brace with Mayfield Branch Ricky backing. Both dogs finished the brace.

Brace No. 5: Dark Rebel (PM/Tommy Rice) and Tim (PM/Mike Tracy). Both handlers requested their tracking devices.

Brace No. 6: Twin Willow Troubadour (PM/Bobby Hartwig) and CS Main Play (PM/Steve Hurdle). Twin Willow Troubadour finished the brace with no bird work and a strong race. Hurdle requested the tracking device for CS Main Play.

Brace No. 7: Pete (PM/Steve Hurdle) and Tom (PM/Mike Tracy). Tom finished the brace with no bird work. Hurdle requested the tracking device for Pete.

Brace No. 8: Southern Shadows Kingpin (PM/Brian Peterson) and C S Tik Toc (PM/Steve Hurdle). Southern Shadows Kingpin had his first and only find at 6; he finished the brace. Hurdle requested the tracking device for C S Tik Toc.

Brace No. 9: T-Time Lane (PM/Brian Peterson) and Pete (PM/Mike Tracy). T-Time Lane (Peterson) finished the brace with no bird work. Tracy requested the tracking device for Pete.

Brace No. 10: Southern Sweets Lane (PF/Brian Peterson) and Dan (PM/Steve Hurdle). Hurdle requested the tracking device for Dan. Southern Sweets Lane finished with no bird work.

Brace No. 11: Southern Shadows T-Bird (PM/Lance Servais) and Cal (PM/Mike Tracy). Southern T-Bird finished the brace with no bird work but an impressive and strong race. Tracy requested the tracking device for Cal.

These young dogs displayed some promising talent, finding birds and working the ground despite the tough weather conditions and dry terrain they prevailed. Three placements were up for grabs, and the judges had a tough decision to make. In third place was Southern Shadows T-Bird, a pointer male owned and handled by Lance Servais. Second place was given to Jill, a pointer female owned by Tim Moore and Theresa and Jim Morrell and handled by Mike Tracy. First place was awarded to Sue, a pointer female owned by Tony Gibson, and handled by Steve Hurdle.

A special thanks to Purina for sponsoring the trial, to Mike Green and the Green family for providing their well-managed grounds, and a thank you to the members of the Sedgefields Field Trial Club for hosting and putting together yet another well-managed field trial.

OPEN DERBY - 22 Pointers
1st-SUE, unreg., female, breeding not given. Tony Gibson, owner; Steve Hurdle, handler.
2d-MO'S CURTAIN CALL, 1705285, female, by Miller's High Heat Index-Osceola's Seminole Wind. Tim Moore & Theresa & Jim Morrell, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
3d-SOUTHERN SHADOWS T-BIRD, 1705877, male, by Southern Shadows T Rex-Southern Ritz Lane. Lance Servais, owner and handler.

Open Derby Winners (back row, l-r): Brian Peterson, Roger Key, Mike Tracy, Robert Moorer, Anna Grace Tompkins, Tony Gibson, Alan Atkins, and Steve Hurdle. Dogs (r-l): Sue with Ted Roach, Jill with Will Dunn (scout), and Southern Shadows T-Bird with Lance Servais (owner)./i]