Event: Virgil Beasley Sr. Memorial Amateur Shooting Dog Classic
Result: Old Hickory Field Trial Club

Location: Lavergne, Tennessee

Post Date: May 23, 2024

Submitted By: Jeff Blackwell

Virgil Beasley Sr. Memorial Amateur Shooting Dog Classic (l-r): Justin Howard (judge), Will Roberts (judge), Allan Linder, Madison McDonald (handler), Miller's Flowers and Lace, Buddy Morrison (scout), Mike Rost, J Maple Jester, Scott Little (scout), Joe Hughes (handler), and Jeff Blackwell (reporter). (Not pictured): Rebel Gold and David Williams.

Six inches of snow and sub-zero temperatures caused our normal January running of the VBC to be delayed until April 19-21. It turns out that wasn't such a bad thing as five of the top six amateur shooting dogs competing for top prize in Region 6 points and five of the top ten in Invitational points were turned loose in hopes of winning one last trial of the season.

Mid-50 to low-60 degrees, cloudy and breezy, made for favorable weather conditions, considering late April in middle Tennessee can produce mid-80 temperatures. The first pairing of derbies was called to the line Friday afternoon to kick off the trial. Twelve derbies entered, one scratched, so eleven competed for three placements and prizes of Purina Pro Plan dog food thanks to our long-time sponsor Purina Feeds and Greg Blair. Judges Justin Howard and Dereck Layne named Millers Authentic Version first place winner. The beautiful Pointer male was handled by Fran Miller and scouted by Madison McDonald. Version had a pleasing ground race, and one find at 18 minutes into the 30-minute brace. He also had a steady back of his bracemate, which unfortunately was scored an unproductive. The second-place dog was Pointer male Nickajack Pale Rider, who also had one find 15 minutes into the brace. Rider was handled by Ross Leonard. Pointer female Southern Sweets Lane had her first find at the 9-minute mark but, after a long flush, was too eager to join her handler Brian Peterson in the cover. She had a perfect find at 20 minutes, but the earlier bobble garnered her third place.

The Virgil Beasley Sr. Amateur Shooting Dog Classic kicked off Saturday morning with 12 of the 21-dog field set to compete. Weather in the mid-50s, cloudy and breezy, welcomed a nice crowd of owners, handlers, scouts, club officials, and gallery. After a sincere welcome, club announcements, which included a huge THANK YOU to our sponsors Purina Feeds and Tennessee Farmers Co-op, and a prayer for safety, the trial was turned over to our judges from Alabama, Justin Howard, and Will Roberts. Thank you, Justin and Will!

As stated earlier, the "big dogs" were out for the final Region 6 trial of the season, and they did not disappoint. The sixth brace on Saturday produced the third-place finisher, J Maple Jester, with Joe Hughes handling. Jester scored a find at :38 in the Gas Line Field, at :18 at the Big Oak, and her final find at :08 at the end of the Banana Field. Her bracemate One Day Queen Bee and Lane Hodges shared the find at :38.
With four finds at :40 at the Power Line turn, :30 just before Devil's Garden, :18 in the Banana Field, and :01 before the Zig Zag and one back, Miller's Flowers and Lace and Madison McDonald earned second place honors in the fourth brace of the day. Lace and Madison have made a great team this season and are sure to be contenders next year.

The winner of the 2024 VBC was Rebel Gold with handler David Williams. Rebel won over the judges with five impressive finds during the third Saturday brace. The first at :44 before the Zig Zag that required a relocation find two was just before the Pond Dam at :33, another point and relocation in the Knob Field at :25 scored the third, number four came at :17 at the Power Line and the fifth at the Carp Pond field at :11. Rebel laid down a smooth forward race and handled with ease. Congratulations, David and Rebel!

Rebel and David were awarded an Orca cooler donated by TN Farmers Co-op (who also provided our barbeque lunch on Saturday), Lace and Madison earned a 30" Carhartt duffel bag, and Jester and Joe took home a Carhartt vest compliments of the Purina Events Sponsorship Program!

Since the trial, these participants have earned:
2023-2024 Region 6 (AFTCA) Amateur Shooting Dog honors:
Rebel Gold, High points winner
Southern Ritz Lane
Miller's Triple Digit Heat
J Maple Jester
Miller's Flowers and Lace

2023-24 Purina Top Amateur Shooting Dog: One Day Queen Bee

Congratulations to all these top dogs, handlers, and all who participated in making the 2024 VBC a special one.

LaVergne, Tenn., April 19
Judges: Justin Howard and Will Roberts
VIRGIL BEASLEY SR. MEMORIAL AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 20 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-REBEL GOLD, 1701829, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Rebel Maiden. David E. Williams, owner and handler.
2d-MILLER'S FLOWERS AND LACE, 1696283, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Allen R. Linder, owner; Madison McDonald, handler.
3d-J MAPLE JESTER, 1675700, pointer female, by J Maple Jake-Coldwater Queen Kate. Joe & Tessa Hughes, owners; Joe Hughes, handler.

Judges: Justin Howard and Derek Layne
AMATEUR DERBY - 10 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-MILLERS AUTHENTIC VERSION, 1704331, pointer male, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Allen R. Linder, owner; Madison McDonald, handler.
2d-NICKAJACK PALE RIDER, 1706953, pointer male, by Touch's Malcolm Story-Wildfair Joy. Ross Leonard, owner and handler.
3d-SOUTHERN SWEETS LANE, 1705876, pointer female, by Southern Shadows T Rex-Southern Ritz Lane. Lance Servais & Brian Peterson, owners; Brian Peterson, handler.

Amateur Derby (front, l-r): Dereck Layne (judge), Millers Authentic Version, Madison McDonald (scout), Nickajack Pale Rider, Caroline Leonard, Southern Sweets Lane, and Brian Peterson (handler). (Behind): Landon with Taylor Henley, Justin Howard (judge), Allen Linder, Fran and Jack Miller, Mike Rost, Ross Leonard, Lane and Darcy Hodges, and Lance Servais.