Result: U. S. Complete Amateur Invitational Championship

Location: Felton, Delaware

Post Date: May 16, 2024

Submitted By: Thor Kain

Super Storm Winner of the U. S. Complete Amateur Invitational Championship.

March 8-9 brought the top amateur dogs on the U. S. Complete circuit to Felton, Delaware, for the Amateur Invitational Championship. The Norman G. Wilder Recreation Area is maintained by the State of Delaware and has a long history of being used for field trials and other bird dog events.

The dogs invited to this year's renewal were Chippokes Cracker Jack (Flanders), Chippokes Fancy Lady (Flanders), Henry's Susieq Dot (Theroux), Double Deuce Zeke (McMillen), Caliber Peak Hundredth Meridian (Gomes), No Limit (Kain), Super Storm (Kain), Lightning Flash Remington (Dix), Jake The Joker (Crandall), Twiggy (Monroe), Blue Ribbon's Harper Bella (Festa), and Ledge Hill Chippewa (Levesque).

Bart Hasting from Seaford, Delaware, and Chad Wheeler from Riner, Virginia, judged this event. To say Bart has been around bird dogs, competed with them, and judged them for a while would be an understatement. He's judged from the Deep South to the West and everywhere in between. Chad Wheeler is another experienced judge who's sat in the judicial seat all up and down the East Coast and as far west as Wisconsin.

The course for day one was challenging due to heavy coastal flooding in the region. Some rerouting was required which brought more turns in the course than normal. All the dogs on day one navigated the course without issue despite the challenge from Mother Nature. The judges commented on the following dogs as putting down solid performances on day one. Double Deuce Zeke with a forward race and three-find performance, and Lightning Flash Remington had a solid race, breathtaking pointing style, and two-find performance. Chippokes Cracker Jack with a hard-charging ground effort and three solid finds. Blue Ribbon Harper Bella with a solid ground race and a beautiful find that required a relocation. Super Storm with a fancy forward race and three far-reaching finds. It should be noted that all the dogs finished clean the first day, and as this championship is a two-day performance, it does not mean that the other dogs were out of the mix after day one. The above-listed dogs were just the standouts on day one.

Day two brought cloudy skies and cool temps. Super Storm, handled by this reporter, was in the first brace and put down a big going ground race with five pretty finds, several of which he found way to the front. He finished strong, going out the front. Chippokes Cracker Jack followed Super Storm's performance with a memorable one of his own. He remained in the pocket for most of the hour, requiring little handling, and he also stood five times as pretty as a dog could be. These performances earned Super Storm the title of champion and Chippokes Cracker Jack runner-up honors.

On behalf of the U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Association, I would like to thank Bart Hastings and Chad Wheeler for their time in the saddle. The State of Delaware for allowing use of the grounds and facilities. Garmin for providing products to the winners. Last but not least, a big thank you to Greg Blair and Purina. Their continued support of dog food and other sponsorship opportunities to not only U. S. Complete but also the sport of field trialing is appreciated.

Felton, Del., March 8
Judges: Bart Hastings and Chad Wheeler
U. S. COMPLETE AMATEUR INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 6 Pointers and 6 Setters
Winner-SUPER STORM, 1675530, setter male, by Pennstar-Straight Forward. Thor Kain, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-CHIPPOKES CRACKER JACK, 1691321, setter male, by Skyview New Edition-Grid Iron's Sorrell's Penny. Lee Flanders, owner and handler.

Chippokes Cracker Jack Runner-Up in the U. S. Complete Amateur Invitational Championship.