Event: Char-Lee Trial
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
Post Date: Jan 11, 2024
Submitted By: Mike Tiberii
Open All-Age Winners (front, l-r): Myakka Time Shifter with Beth Brown, Myakka Lucy Diamond with Petie Brown, and Cross Country Ryan with Katie Lyon. (Standing): Tiffany Bass (judge), Tom Hennes, and Tom Bass (judge).
The Char-Lee Field Trial of the Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida was held at the Cecil B. Webb field trial grounds in Punta Gorda, Florida, on November 25-26, 2023. Entries were slim until the night of the drawing, Friday the 24th, and then magically appeared. We drew 36 dogs for three stakes, and all started! Unlike many other venues, we run a continuous course, with a maximum capacity of 24 dogs a day, limited by daylight and available dog boxes on the dog wagons.
Saturday, with afternoon temperatures in the mid-80s, atypical of late November, was a full day. We ran the shooting dog stake of 16 dogs: 12 in the morning, four in the afternoon, followed by eight derby dogs in the afternoon. Derby dogs, being a bit unpredictable, led to concerns about finishing in daylight, and this held true, as we had a renegade in the last brace that took 45 minutes to chase down. The dog was finally caught and returned to camp under headlights.
Sunday's running of the All-Age went without incident, and we picked up the last brace at noon as anticipated.
The judges had a lot of thinking to do about their placements, as the birds seemed to have vacated the premises; unlike training sessions earlier in the week when bird contact was adequate, the trial days proved otherwise. There is always lots of discussion about scenting conditions, overworking the birds, etc., yet Sunday afternoon after the trial, some training was done, and voila, birds appeared. It's a strange game we play, indeed.
An interesting feature of this, and all our trials, is the presentation of rotating trophies. In this trial, they are the Harry Spratley trophy for the Amateur All-Age winner and the Super Cells trophy for the Shooting Dog winner.
Beth Brown and her dog Jack once again captured the Harry Spratley trophy. This being her third time, the trophy is retired. Congratulations to Jack and Beth.
The Super Cells trophy went to Molly and Tom Hennes. Congratulations to both!
Our judges had their work cut out for them. High temperatures and a scarcity of birds meant a lot of deliberation. Their decisions were well received. Dr. Tom Bass and Tiffany Bass for the All-Age, Vince Feltner and Justin Muzynski for the Open Shooting Dog, and Dave Vernasco and Roger Shelswell for the Open Derby. A big thank you to all of you.
Our Saturday night cookout, with an awards presentation for the completed stakes, was a success. A comfortably warm evening contributed.
Thank you to all our entrants, judges, and club members for a successful and fun trial. We hope to see you again soon.
Punta Gorda, Fla., November 25
Judges: Tiffany Bass and Tom Bass
OPEN ALL-AGE - 11 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-MYAKKA TIME SHIFTER, 1670324, pointer male, by Guard Rail-Myakka T Marie. Beth Brown, owner and handler.
2d-MYAKKA LUCY DIAMOND, 1665013, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.
3d-CROSS COUNTRY RYAN, 1697550, pointer female, by Bluebar Clay-Pinehill Elhew Daisy. Tom Hennes, owner and handler.
Judges: Vince Feltner and Justin Muzynski
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 13 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 1 Brittany
1st-CROSS COUNTRY RYAN, 1697550, pointer female, by Bluebar Clay-Pinehill Elhew Daisy. Tom Hennes, owner and handler.
2d-COTTONWOOD BUD, 1700637, pointer male, by Sandhill Stud-Cross Country Lexus. Tom Hennes, owner and handler.
3d-MYAKKA REBEL, 1669365, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.
Open Shooting Dog Winners (l-r): Cross Country Ryan with Tom Hennes, Cottonwood Bud with Katie Lyon, and Myakka Rebel with Petie Brown.
Judges: Roger Shelswell and Dave Vernasco
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-HOLOPAWS BIG BAD JOHN, 1703930, pointer male, by Myakka Freddie Freeloader-Myakka Rebel. Kayleigh & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
2d-HIGBY MATTIEL, 1699678, pointer female, by Panola Bacon-Higby Bon Hiver. Judith Hamilton, owner and handler.
3d-MYAKKA ABBY ROAD, 1702966, pointer female, by Myakka Freddie Freeloader-Myakka Rebel. Petie Brown, handler.
Open Deby Winners (l-r). Holowpaws Big Bad John with Justin Muzynski, Higby Mattiel with Judith Hamilton, and Myakka Abby Road with Petie Brown, joined by spectators.