Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Monticello, Florida

Post Date: Dec 23, 2024

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

Open Shooting Dog (r-l): Terry Chastain with Melrose Big John, Greg Shepherd with Seranoa's Bozeman Kush, and Thomas Rice III, joined by Ed Chance (judge), Marcus Cornwell (judge), and spectators.

The 2024 Fall Handlers' Trial was held on the beautiful Norias Plantation in Monticello, Florida, November 1-2. The weather was unseasonably warm, but the 18 shooting dog contenders and six derby dogs gave it their all during their time on the ground.

We would like to thank our two judges, Ed Chance of Albany, Georgia, and Marcus Cornwell of Newton, Georgia, for their watchful eye and expert perception of these fine canine athletes. Thank you to Ag Pro for providing the handlers and gallery with an amazing lunch under the big oaks on both Friday and Saturday. A huge thank you goes out to the Ingalls family, David Harden, Devin Harden, and the Norias Plantation staff for inviting us to use their facilities and providing the beautiful grounds to run on.
The Running
The first brace of the Open Shooting Dog stake was "Jake" with handler Greg Shepherd and "Sister" with handler Dustin Kirby. Jake started the morning off strong with a nice find and birds up 11 minutes into the 45-minute brace. He had a second find four minutes later with another nice covey up. He later backed his bracemate, Sister, who had a productive find herself with birds seen and shot fired. Both dogs were with their handlers when time was called.

In the second brace were second-place winner "Bud" with Greg Shepherd and Johnny Come Lately with Ray Pearce. Bud had a clean find with a big covey up early in his brace. He ran a strong, forward race that was pleasing to ride along and watch from the gallery. With five minutes to spare, he stopped for a find with a relocation. He continued to hunt and was seen when time was called, securing himself in second place. Johnny Come Lately was picked up by his handler before the brace ended.

In the third brace were Milestone Rucker with Mark Henley and Mayhaw's Storm Chaser with Trey Mills. Both dogs did not perform to their handlers' liking and were picked up before time was called.

In the fourth brace were third-place winner, "Dolly" with Tommy Rice and Pinewood Blue with Shon Powell. Dolly's first find of her 45 minutes on the ground proved to have antlers, and not feathers, as two big bucks got up from the brush. Her second find was an impressive-sized covey that she held steady to wing and shot. She ran a clean, strong brace that left the judges wanting more. Pinewood Blue had a nice find with birds up midway through her time on the ground. Both dogs were seen when pick-up was called.

In the fifth brace was "Ann" with Tommy Rice and "Margie" with Dustin Kirby. Ann and Margie both finished their brace, with Ann having a classy, impressive find 15 minutes before the brace ended.

In the sixth brace were Pinewood Bill with Shon Powell and Smokin Joe with Ray Pearce. Bill held steady to wing and shot for his one find and was seen when pick up was called. Joe did not complete his brace.

In the seventh brace were Milestone Jet with Mark Henley and "Buddy" with Danny Tankersley. Both dogs were picked up before the end of their brace.

In the eighth bracer were "Cuz" with Tommy Rice and first-place winner Melrose Big John with Terry James Chastain. John had a nice, strong start to his winning brace with a nice sized, young covey up and held steady to wing and shot. His next point was honored by his bracemate, Cuz, and shot was fired. Cuz was next in, stopping for a find, with John backing, and birds were seen. Both dogs had one more find each before time was called and were seen with their handlers at pick up. It was an exciting winning brace for all to see.

In the ninth brace were "Chance" with Jason Loper and "Bo" with Michael Hill. Both dogs were picked up in the last brace of the Open Shooting Dog stake.

Monticello, Fla., November 1
Judges: Ed Chance and Marcus Cornwell
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 18 Pointers
1st-MELROSE BIG JOHN, F1708582, pointer male, by Brakenslide Ben-Melrose Rebel Lou. Terry Chastain Jr., owner and handler.
2d-SERANOA'S BOZEMAN KUSH, F1705695, pointer male, by Touch's Malcolm Story-Seranoa's On Guard Annie. Eddie Sholar, owner; Greg Shepherd, handler.
3d-REAL THING DOLLY, F1695583, pointer female, by Mayhaw's Perfect Storm-Eri's Miss Rosebud. Thomas Rice & Raymond Brown, owners; Thomas Rice, handler.

Derby winners
All three derby winners impressed the judges in their 30 minutes on the ground. They ran nice, clean races, and each of them finished with style and class.

OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers
1st-MILESTONE MARGO, F1718596, pointer female, by Broomsedge Rebel Bud-Broomsedge Island Gal. Kathy Vignos, owner; Mark Henley, handler.
2d-MERRILY FAITHFUL HEART, F1715850, pointer female, by Melrose Big Rambler-Melrose Ramblin Heart. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry Chastain, handler.
3d-DAN, unreg., pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Miss Maggie. Jason Loper, owner and handler.