Result: Sandlapper Field Trial Club

Location: Mcbee, South Carolina

Post Date: Mar 20, 2024

Submitted By: Reporters Sammy and Nida Giddens

Open Derby Winners (front, l-r): Chris Catanzarite with Backcountry Champagnesupernova, Drew Bastian with Backcountry Snake Eyes, and Cecilia Lezzani with Jesse's Prime Candidate. (Back, l-r): Lefty Henry, George Kimbrell (judge), John Ivester, Stephanie Ivester, Bill Britt, Tim Ruff (judge), Sammy Giddens, Kyle Boone, and Andrea Cerofolini.

"Through appreciation, it makes what is outstanding in others belong to us as well." Amongst wonderful weather, we enjoyed coming together for the 6th annual Sandlapper Shooting Dog Trial, hosted by John Ivester, at Sawtooth Plantation in McBee, South Carolina.

Purina has been a long-time supporter of the Sandlapper Field Trial Club, and many thanks go out to Purina and Greg Blair for their contributions with the new sponsorship.

Great success belongs to club members Tim Ruff, Bill Britt, and Butch Lilly for putting in the work and showing their true dedication to field trialing. With the hospitality of John Ivester's superb Sawtooth Plantation grounds, the expertise skills of our very own Grill Master Harry Cook Jr., and not to forget the delicious warm soups and baked goods provided by Butch Lilly's wife, Gayle--all combined, was a gracious bonus for a successful trial.

It was also a memorable time to honor two of our late passing members, Dr. Billy McCathern and Tom Hall. Dr. McCathern, aka "Billy Mac," once served as South Carolina Shooting Dog President and was the oldest member of Sandlapper Field Trial Club since it began in the late '60s. He was a strong supporter and very instrumental in the club, for no one loved birddogs more than he did. Tom Hall was a highly regarded member whose life was lost in an unfortunate accident just weeks before the trial. Tom's presence was sorely missed.
Now time to recognize our winners for the January 25-28, 2024, Sandlapper Field Trial Club's Amateur Shooting Dog.

Harbor City Express ("Dan"), owned and handled by Tommy Brigman and scouted by Kyle Boone, ran in the second brace. Dan has a great bird-finding ability, displaying an outstanding nose. Dan is an honest, front-running dog who excels for his handler. Dan kept enough contact with his handler while pounding a big shooting dog race with six finds--five were limb finds. While going down the end of a feed strip, finishing the hour with a strong forward race, Dan had his sixth find. When winners were announced, Dan's performance was described as "spectacular."

Miller's Last Call ("Bill"), owned by Scott Griffin and Derek Bonner, handled by Scott Griffin, and scouted by Tim Ruff, ran in the first brace. Scout Tim Ruff found him on this first point. Bill continued on to the next find. Bill displayed very stylish points with lots of eye appeal. He is a powerful, classy dog with a flowing, reaching gate. Bill finished out front with lots of stamina left.

B K Bonafide Stallion ("Cash"), owned and handled by Harry Cook and scouted by Tim Ruff, ran a smooth, forward race, making intelligent casts with very little scouting needed. Great rapport was evident between Cash and his handler/owner. Cash had two finds and showed great style and manners throughout the flush and shot. Cash finished the hour showing great animation while reaching far to the front.

McBee, S. C., January 25 - One Course
Judges: Sammy Giddens and George Kimbrell
H. COOPER AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 33 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-HARBOR CITY EXPRESS, 1695399, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Mohawk Mill Zeva. Tom Brigman Jr., owner and handler.
2d-MILLER'S LAST CALL, 1702165, pointer male, by Miller's Speed Dial-Lester's Wildfair Lady. Scott Griffin, owner and handler.
3d-B K BONAFIDE STALLION, 1692825, pointer male, by Fastforward's B K Gunner-Wiggins Miss Stella. Harry Cook III, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby
Jesse's Prime Candidate ("Slick"), owned and handled by Jesse Brown and scouted by Chris Catanzarite, ran the second brace. Even with hot, humid conditions Slick ran a forward race carrying his head and tail high. Slick handled well for his handler and demonstrated strong shooting dog potential. Slick had three stylish finds.
Shoulder's Lone Wanderer ("Earl"), owned and handled by Jesse Brown and scouted by Chris Catanzarite, ran in the first brace; He ran with a stylish animated forward displaying eye-catching appeal. Earl showed a special connection with his handler. He had two finds and finished with lots of class and high style.
Harbor City Moon ("Tucker"), owned and handled by Tommy Brigman and scouted by Kyle Boone, ran the best derby race, but unfortunately, no birds were moved. Tucker's ground efforts were animated and forever forward. This young dog shows excellent potential to be a top shooting dog in the future.

Judges: George Kimbrell and Tim Ruff
OPEN DERBY - 11 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BACKCOUNTRY CHAMPAGNESUPERNOVA, 1701699, pointer female, by Dragonfly-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
2d-BACKCOUNTRY SNAKE EYES, 1701700, pointer female, by Dragonfly-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
3d-JESSE'S PRIME CANDIDATE, 1701162, pointer male, by Jesse's Cold Shoulder-Toccoa River Calamity Jane. Jesse Brown, owner and handler.

Judges: Sammy Giddens and George Kimbrell
AMATEUR DERBY - 6 Pointers, 1 Setter and 1 Irish Setter
1st- JESSE'S PRIME CANDIDATE, 1701162, pointer male, by Jesse's Cold Shoulder-Toccoa River Calamity Jane. Jesse Brown, owner and handler.
2d-SHOULDER'S LONE WANDERER, 1702386, pointer male, by Jesse's Cold Shoulder-Pinehill Lucky Lady. Jesse Brown, owner and handler.
3d-HARBOR CITY MOON, 1704585, pointer male, by Harbor City Crusher-Waybetter Bella. Tom Brigman Jr., owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Winners (front, l-r): Andrea Cerofolini, Cecilia Lezzani with Jessie's Prime Candidate, Jessie Brown with Shoulder's Lone Wanderer, and Kyle Boone with Harbor City Moon, joined by Drew Bastian, Lefty Henry, George Kimbrell (judge), John Ivester, Stephanie Ivester, Bill Britt, Tim Ruff, Sammy Giddens (judge), and Tim Brigman.