Result: Region 7 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Roby, Texas

Post Date: Apr 4, 2024

Submitted By: Dr. Buck Neil

Region 7 Amateur All-Age Championship Winners (front row): Buck Neil with Southern Twist and Tyson Traw with Texas Cool. (Back row): Jon Humphrey, Austin Bryant, Chris Cornman, Chip Martin, Alex Jacocks (judge), and Sean Anderson (judge).

The 2024 Region 7 Amateur All-Age Championship and M. G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby were held at the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in Roby, Texas, on February 16-17. The research ranch is a non-profit that focuses on managing and understanding Bobwhite and Blue Quail in their native habitat in West Texas. Region VII worked closely with Dr. Ryan O'Shaughnessy, Executive Director, and Jack Bonnell, Land Manager of the research ranch, to put on the Championship. Both are dedicated bird dog men who helped ensure the Region VII Amateur All-Age Championship went off without a hitch. Region 7 would like to thank these men and the Board of Directors of RPQRR for enabling this trial.

Region 7 would also like to thank our judges for this year's running: Dr. Alex Jacocks of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Sean Anderson of Alvord, Texas. Both men were focused and attentive to their judicial responsibilities. Thanks also to the many people who assisted in making this trial run smoothly and successfully. Chip Martin and John Benoit drove the dog wagon and helped with anything that needed doing. Tyson Traw, who served as Field Marshal and occasional scout, produced maps of the grounds for the participants, judges, and dog wagon driver, which kept everyone on the same page. Jason Super was always finding something that was getting ready to fall through the cracks and saving the day. Mary Ann Gustafson, Region 7 secretary/treasurer, worked remotely with Trial Chairman Buck Neil to assist with the pre-and post-trial paperwork. And to Karen Neil for providing delicious warm lunches and lasagna for Friday night's supper, which was enjoyed by all.

We also want to thank Purina for its continued support of our bird dog events. All placements received bags of Purina Pro Plan dog food.

The weather was in the low 50s, with 25 mph winds and gusts of up to 35 mph, which did not inhibit the dogs from finding birds. The covey count on Friday was 35+ coveys seen. Obviously, the RPQRR is doing something right.

Thirteen dogs competed in the Championship. Southern Twist, a 2-and-a-half-year-old white and orange pointer female, was named the winner. "Stormy" had two finds and a nice forward race. Runner-up was Texas Cool, a 5-year-old white and liver pointer male. "Bud" had eight finds in his hour, putting on quite the bird-finding display. Both dogs are owned and handled by Dr. Buck Neil.

Roby, Tex., February 16
Judges: Sean Anderson and Alex Jacocks
REGION 7 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 13 Pointers
Winner-SOUTHERN TWIST, 1701619, female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Lester's Mayfield Maid. Buck Neil, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-TEXAS COOL, 1690192, male, by Ransom-Good Times Girl. Buck Neil, owner and handler.

M. G. Perkins Amateur Derby
Six dogs competed in the M. G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby. First place went to Ain't Easy Being Me, owned and handled by Dr. Buck Neil. Second was Texas Sunnyhill Hank, owned and handled by Mike Rogers. Cool Customer took third, also owned and handled by Dr. Buck Neil.

M. G. PERKINS AMATEUR DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-AIN'T EASY BEING ME, unreg., male, by Texas Cool-Baby's On Speed Dial. Buck Neil, owner and handler.
2d-TEXAS SUNNYHILL HANK, 1703116, male, by Lester's Sunny Hill Jo-Phantom's Firefly. Mike Rogers, owner and handler.
3d-COOL CUSTOMER, unreg., male, by Texas Cool-Hey Suga Suga. Buck Neil, owner and handler.

M. G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby Classic Winners (front row): Tyson Traw with Ain't Easy Being Me, Mike Rogers with Texas Sunnyhill Hank, and Buck Neil with Cool Customer. (Back row): Jon Humphrey, Austin Bryant, Chip Martin, Alex Jacocks (judge), and Sean Anderson (judge).