Result: Continental Amateur Trials

Location: Greenville, Florida

Post Date: Feb 13, 2024

Submitted By: Steve Standley

Amateur All-Age Winners (l-r): Tiffany and Tom Bass (judges), Randy Floyd, Cecil Rester with Game Surge, Fred Corder, Woody Watson with James Pond Knightranger, Gary Futch, Kent Cantrell with Touch's Lone Dominator, and Polly and Tim Moore.

The Continental Field Trial Club held its annual amateur stakes on November 17, 2023, over the vast acres of Livingston Place. These historic grounds, formerly known as Dixie Plantation, have never looked better. The cover was blocked and groomed to perfection, the habitat ideal for the many wild bobwhite quail who thrive there.

Continental Field Trial Club President Randy Floyd has worked on this property for over 30 years. Tall Timbers Research, from Tallahassee, Florida, owns Livingston Place and its successful management throughout the plantation belt stands on its own. The field trial community owes a debt of gratitude to Tall Timbers for allowing these trials to continue.
John Michael McCormick is the assistant manager here and is an asset in every way. Ben Melvin joined the team in the recent past and has learned his trade well. Gloria Hagan grew up on Dixie; her heart and eyes are on every part of this place. Thomasville, Georgia, resident Til Hankley comes each year to drive the dog wagon. He is always on time and where he needs to be. CFTC board member Dr. Charles (Kent) Cantrell rode every brace, and we appreciate his insights.

The judges were Dr. Tom and Tiffany Bass of Ft. Meyers, Florida. Dr. Bass is a general surgeon with his own practice. Tiffany is a nurse, and she manages the business. Their history is mostly in the AKC Brittany world. They are a formable team, both in competition and in their judging endeavors. Their decisions were well received. The Club was fortunate to have their expertise in the field.

The top three dogs in the Amateur All-Age stake took advantage of the weather conditions, time of day, and what Livingston Place has to offer. The venue presents a canvas for a field trial dog and handler to make their statement. All three of the place dogs excelled in their effort.
First-place dog Touch's Lone Dominator (Kent Cantrell), and the second-place dog, James Pond Knightranger (Woody Watson), both appeared in the first morning brace. There were plenty of birds as Knightranger connected at 16, with Dominator scoring at 24. Both classy finds occurred before the first crossing. The pair used the open country in good form as they hunted ahead past Moccasin Creek, through the long fields, and their approach to Pike's Peak. Knightranger stood well in gridded cover on his approach to Acorn Hill. All was stylish. Moments later, the report of Cantrell's gun marked the second successful find for Dominator. Numerous coveys flushed wild as we finished the brace at the top of Acorn Hill.
Game Surge (Fred Corder) made his presence known in the sixth brace of the day. He was high and tight for his find at 8 near the Cadillac Field. Next, a strong cast was rewarded at 13 with perfect manners on display. He continued to ply his trade with eye-catching form to be successful again at 51 on Kudzu Hill. He finished strongly.

The Amateur Derby was contested in the afternoon heat with the worst hunting conditions of the trial. Nonetheless three prodigies distinguished themselves in a manner that points to bright futures for these derbies. Miss Arkansas, owned by Mike Lemons, garnered the first-place award with a front-running race and one clean find behind the office. Fred Corder handled Miss Arkansas. He also handled his Game Nation to second place honors with his performance from Boyd Corner, through the Big Woods, across the sand road, and ahead to finish strongly. Mo's Curtain Call performed in the highest heat of the day as she was released at 2:35. She gained the front, ranged freely, and maintained contact with her handler, Tim Moore. She took advantage of the Long Field in fine form, crossed the main road, and jumped in the water tank. The remainder of her time was most remarkable as she took in all the forward country on past the chimney to the distant wood line. She ran a deep swinging ark in a rightward bend to finish strongly, earning the third-place award.
All these derby performances were remarkable and were expertly handled for a thoroughly enjoyable stake.
These grounds are magical, and this writer highly recommends seeing them in person.

Greenville, Fla., November 17
Judges: Tiffany Bass and Tom Bass
AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 20 Pointers
1st-TOUCH'S LONE DOMINATOR, 1692275, female, by Miller's Blindsider-Pearl Again. Charles Cantrell, owner and handler.
2d-JAMES POND KNIGHTRANGER, 1701200, male, by Touch's Blue Knight-Rester's Katie Lee. Woody Watson, owner and handler.
3d-GAME SURGE, 1700091, male, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Maggie. Fred Corder, owner and handler.

AMATEUR DERBY - 8 Pointers
1st-MISS ARKANSAS, 1705667, female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Snow. Mike Lemons, owner; Fred Corder, handler.
2d-GAME NATION, 1704928, female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Belle. Fred Corder, owner and handler.
3d-MO'S CURTAIN CALL, 1705285, female, by Miller's High Heat Index-Osceola's Seminole Wind. Tim Moore, Jim & Theresa Morrell, owners; Tim Moore, handler.

Amateur Derby Winners (l-r): Randy Floyd, Tiffany and Tom Bass (judges), Til Hankley, Cecil Rester with Miss Arkansas, Kent Cantrell, Woody Watson, Fred Corder with Game Nation, an unidentified spectator, Gary Futch, Tim Moore with Mo's Curtain Call, Ben Melvin, Polly Moore, and John Michael McCormick.