Result: Duplin County Field Trial Club

Location: Faison, North Carolina

Post Date: Oct 31, 2024

Submitted By: G. B. Hatcher

The Duplin County Field Trial Club held its annual fall trial on October 4-5. Bill Faust and Dr. W. C. Sanderson were the prime movers in this club for many years. We lost Dr. Sanderson in 2017 and Bill in 2023. This was the second renewal since Bill's passing. The trial was held on Bill's training grounds owned by him and some of his friends for quite a few years. Since the 2023 trial, the grounds have been sold and are no longer available to the Club. A new venue had been arranged for this year's renewal, but Hurricane Helene had other plans. She dumped several inches of rain on the area only a few days before the start date. An assessment of the advertised grounds was made the weekend prior to the trial, and there were still areas of standing water with more rain forecast for the week. Fortunately, Sammy and Nida Giddens stepped in to save the day by offering to host the trial at Hunter's Creek Kennels, their home farm. As usual, cover was high and still green, but Sammy had done extensive mowing and had already released coveys for his training purposes. The farm has a natural loop that is about 30 minutes long. There are plenty of places where a dog could be lost. Some availed themselves of the opportunity. The Club purchased birds to be planted along the courses but most of the finds were on Sammy's pre-released coveys. They sat well but flew strongly when flushed. The weather was warm and sunny, fine for the people but not so much for the dogs. There was adequate birdwork to separate the winners. Case in point, Joe Edwards' derby, Come Back Buster, took first in both Derby stakes with multiple finds in each.

They say it takes a village to raise a child. The same could be said for putting on a field trial. In addition to hosting a field trial on their grounds, Sammy and Nida did everything in their power to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Sammy had spent countless hours on the tractor and bush hog before the trial and he spent hours in the saddle marshaling and doing anything needed by the handlers. Nida was a big help with the drawing and communicating last-minute changes. She also opened up her kitchen to help prepare lunches on both days. Carolyn Quinn took the entries, organized everything for the drawing, and communicated with the participants. Bill Faust once told Greg Robinson that Carolyn was the "pick of the litter" and that she is. She also orders the awards, takes the entry fees, and dispenses the winners' checks. In addition to all her other chores, she helped serve lunch on both days and prepared the lunch for Saturday. Mariana Hatcher provided a butterscotch pecan pound cake, and Laura Pittman brought brownie cookies to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. Kyle Whitfield brought his UTV for bird planting and use as a gallery wagon. A mechanical problem occurred, but Sammy stepped in to offer his. Kyle later was able to repair his machine, and it was put back into service as a gallery wagon. Hoss Earley performed bird planting duties on both days, which was no easy task. Reverend Andrew Brown provided refreshments and snacks for both days.
The Duplin County Field Trial Club appreciates the support of Nutrena and its local representative, James Costin. James and Nutrena donated a bag of its TRUE PROFESSIONAL premium food to the first place winner in each stake plus sample bags were available to attendees."

Sean Melvin and John Outlaw again did most of the heavy lifting of judging, but they were spelled by Daniel Bell, Kyle Whitfield, Hunter Prevatte, Marvin Roth, Will Herring, and Jason King. David Huffine, the club secretary, was hiding out in Montana, but we still managed to find things he could help with. Thanks to all who contributed, including everyone who entered and ran dogs. This trial was a testimonial to what makes field trialing such a great sport. Competitiveness took a back seat to camaraderie and sportsmanship.

Faison, N. C., October 4 - One Course
Judges: Daniel Bell and Kyle Whitfield
OPEN PUPPY - 6 Pointers and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-RAWLINSON'S CONFIDENT SECRET, F1716235, pointer male, by Confident Nation-Rawlinson's Big Secret. Worth Lewis, owner; Calvin Curnutte, handler.
2d-BELLA ZINGARA, F1708842, setter female, by Tioga-High Prairie Gypsy. John Fort, owner; Calvin Curnutte, handler.
3d-SUE, unreg., pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Miss Clinique. Gary Miller, owner and handler.

Judges: Sean Melvin and Hunter Prevatte
OPEN DERBY - 4 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-COME BACK BUSTER, F1705441, Irish setter male, by Come Back Billy Boy-Come Back Little Bit. Joe A. Edwards, owner and handler.
2d-STUMP HILL FARMS MAIL MAN, F1709114, pointer male, by Class Act Stud-Herring's Bell. Daniel Bell, owner and handler.
3d-HIGHTAILINIT ON FIRE, F1704944, setter male, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Hightailinit's Sugar N Spice. James Rickman IV, owner; Calvin Curnutte, handler.

Judges: Sean Melvin and John Outlaw
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 8 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 6 German Shorthairs
1st-RED OAKS SUNSHINE VON HEIDBRINK, R315-833, German Shorthair female, by Royalrun Sam Adams-Red Oaks Heart of Dixie. Jason King, owner and handler.
2d-SOUTHPOINT'S SPEEDY G, F1692332, pointer male, by Miller's Speed Dial-Bonner's Ransom Dot. Whitley Stephenson, owner and handler.
3d-PEARL'S DYNASTY, F1702010, setter female, by Merritt's Bear-A Tarheel Pretty Penny. Kyle Whitfield, owner and handler.

OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers, 3 Setters, 1 Irish Setter, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-COME BACK BUSTER, F1705441, Irish setter male, by Come Back Billy Boy-Come Back Little Bit. Joe A. Edwards, owner and handler.
2d-I'M CROSSROADS, F1706410, setter male, by Hot Blooded-Shamrock's Miss Grace. Sammy & Nida Giddens, owners; Sammy Giddens, handler.
3d-STUMP HILL FARMS ZIPCODE, F1705557, pointer male, by Class Act Stud-Herring's Bell. Daniel Bell, owner and handler.

Judges: Will Herring and Marvin Roth
OPEN ALL-AGE - 4 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 3 German Shorthairs
1st-SMOKERISE BUCK II, F1697777, setter male, by Smoke Rise Buck-Shagtime Hope. Fred Rose, owner; Calvin Curnutte, handler.
2d-I'M THE LONE RANGER, F1703796, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior-B K Deighton's Jewel. Sammy & Nida Giddens, owners; Sammy Giddens, handler.
3d-HEAFNER'S BRILLIANT BRUTUS, F1705756, German Shorthair male, by Highstanding Cutting Edge-Chicoree's Glitter and Gold. William Heafner, owner; Jason, handler.

Judges: Sean Melvin and John Outlaw
AMATEUR DERBY - 1 Pointer, 1 Setter, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-WHITEHALL'S FLEETWOOD MAC, F1703561, setter male, by Hot Blooded-Shamrock's Miss Grace. Kyle Whitfield, owner and handler.

Judges: Jason King and John Outlaw
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 3 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-PEARL'S DYNASTY, F1702010, setter female, by Merritt's Bear-A Tarheel Pretty Penny. Kyle Whitfield, owner and handler.
2d-BRITA LOVES HAPPY DELMY, F1704275, German Shorthair female, by Wilson's Right Is Right Sawyer-Wilson's Lovely Lady Mae. Abigail Grace Smith, owner; Robert Smith, handler.