Result: Region 6 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Huntingdon, Tennessee

Post Date: Mar 7, 2024

Submitted By: Lisa Little, Region 6 Secretary

Region 6 Amateur All-Age Championship Winners (l-r): Elton Bray (judge), David Russell, Gary McKibben with Como Thunder, Jonathan Burch (judge), David Williams, Matt Pendergest with Dialed In, Meghan Henry, Amy Pendergest, and Jim Pendergest.

The Region 6 Amateur All-Age Championship commenced on December 8-10, 2023, with 26 talented competitors. The Buck Tuck Field Trial Club hosted the trial in Huntingdon, Tennessee. The club officers would like to thank David Williams and his family for the use of the grounds and facilities during the championship. We would also like to thank Sportsman's Pride for the advertising sponsorship and donation of $975 in gift cards to be awarded to the winners. As with any field trial, it takes a team of dedicated individuals to make the event run like a well-oiled machine, and Huntingdon is no exception.

Club officers Jonathan Burch and Elton Bray served as judges, each bringing a wealth of competing and judging experience to the position. David Williams, Michelle Williams Clark, Gary McKibben, Joe Hughes, and Scott Little served as marshals and scouts when not competing. John Burrow, Phillip Barnett, and Lebob Stanfill took on the responsibilities of dog wagon drivers. Rounding out the jobs at the trial were Tessa Hughes, Michele Clark, and Lisa Little, making sure that hot meals were prepared throughout each day. Each of these individuals' contributions makes for a great trial.

The following information concerning the running of the competitors is from the notes left to the author by the judges, as the author was not able to ride each brace. The pre-release and feeding program of quail that David Williams has created at the Huntingdon grounds has proven to be productive, with an overall count of 35 finds during the 13 braces of competition. Not one brace went without birdwork.
Taking top honors as champion in the trial were awarded to Como Thunder and his handler, David Russell.
Como Thunder ran in the 11th brace of the trial, which was pushed to the first hour brace on Sunday morning due to a severe storm on Saturday. During his brace, he had one find, two divided finds with bracemate Storm's End, an unproductive, and a back. Como Thunder's birdwork, handling, and up-front run impressed the judges to bestow the championship to him. Como Thunder is co-owned by Billy Blackwell, Doug Arthur, and David and Rachel Russell. The 4-year-old pointer male is white, liver, and ticked in coloration. Como Thunder's sire is Skyfall, and dame is Catch Me Dot.
Receiving the title of Runner-Up Champion was Dialed In and her owner/handler Jim Pendergest. At 10 years old, the white and orange pointer female hasn't missed a beat or let her years of competition slow her down. Dialed In ran in the 12th brace of the trial on the second course Sunday morning. She showed her bird-finding expertise with four impressive finds and a well-handled brace.
Dialed in continues to show class and style, adding this title to her many championships.
The champion received an M & W bridle and rein set from Region 6, plus $575 in Sportsman's Pride gift cards. The runner-up received an M & W breast collar from Region 6, plus $400 in Sportsman's Pride gift cards. The officers of Region 6 AFTCA and the Buck Tuck Field Trial Club would like to thank all the handlers for their entries and express appreciation to all the individuals who helped make the trial a success.

Huntingdon, Tenn., December 8
Judges: Elton Bray and Jonathan Burch
REGION 6 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 23 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-COMO THUNDER, 1687714, pointer male, by Skyfall-Catch Me Dot. B. K. & Rachel Blackwell, Doug Arthur & David Russell, owners; David Russell, handler.
Runner-Up-DIALED IN, 1655274, pointer female, by Miller's Dialing In-Rester's Zumba Girl. Jim Pendergest, owner and handler.