Result: Region 13 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Camden, South Carolina

Post Date: Jan 27, 2025

Submitted By: Jim Cipponeri

Region 13 Amateur All-Age Championship: Bill Branham (judge), Jim Cipponeri, Sean Patrick Derrig, Brian Sheehan, Chris Cagle with Haney's Storm Warning, Rich Hollister (judge), Mike Small with Phillips Linebacker, Ron Williams, Jeff Haggis, and Kelsey Hajek.

Weather conditions couldn't have been better as the region experienced dry, mostly sunny skies with temperatures ranging from the high 30s each morning and topping out at 60 in the afternoons. Birds were plentiful as there were many established coveys thanks to the multiple clubs that have released quail on Courses 1 and 2 this fall.

The Brittany National Gun Dog Championship ran for nine days just prior to the Region 13 Championship and released 15 coveys of very healthy and aged Bobwhites. Additional birds were supplemented each day and during every brace of the championship to ensure opportunity for all dogs regardless of when they ran.

Jeff Haggis, Blake Rizzo, and Kelsey Hajek had the unenviable task of seeding the courses each morning without the use of an ATV. Kelsey and Ashley Tilley provided lunch and snacks as well.
Ron Williams, our long-time dog wagon driver and parking lot Sergeant at Arms, never missed a beat. He had dogs on the wagon or at the line at every drop site or breakaway. Without the help of these people, we could not have conducted a trial of this magnitude. The drawing was held at Connie Husinka/Cipponeri's home. Fletch Orrin provided rosettes, and Dave Fletcher provided, wrote out, and delivered running orders and judges' books.

The Region was fortunate to secure two well-respected and knowledgeable judges -- Bill Branham and Rich Hollister. This duo has judged numerous championships and also competed and won a plethora of trials at every level. It's reassuring for the chairman to know that when the trial is turned over to the judges, they will make sure it's run without a hitch and done so in a fair, impartial, and enjoyable fashion. Entries came from Ohio, Indiana, Canada, Tennessee, and, of course, Michigan. We did have cancellations due to logistical problems and some health-related issues, but hope to see those regulars at Ionia next fall. The trial consumed two and a half days to complete the Derby and All-Age Championship. Greg Blair and Nestle Purina donated food to the winners and also provided sponsorship toward judges gifts.

Chris Cagle is a Michigan native who is now a transplant to another great field trial state, Tennessee. Chris has been involved with the "local landscape" of Michigan trials for over 40 years and cherishes the many memories and friends from his early days in the Great Lakes state. He and his family continue to support our trials in any way they can, and it's gratifying to see the success he and his son, Chris Jr., currently are experiencing on the national level.
Haney's Storm Warning, though only 4 years old, has frequented the winners' circle all over the country and seems to be able to adjust to any terrain or conditions he is presented with. "Speck" has now won this championship two years in a row, and his effort was witnessed by a gallery of over 20 spectators who were rewarded with a superlative effort.
Speck broke away from the clubhouse and rimmed all the fields he was presented with in a fast, forward, and flashy way of going. He searched for game and didn't just "run like the wind." He still kept in sync with his handler but ran a true all-age race. His exquisite style, on point, is one of his many trademarks that makes his performances such a pleasure to observe. All five of his finds were spaced apart and of the same akin.

Phillips Linebacker is a product of the Nathan Phillips winning lineup of Miller-bred dogs. He is owned by Nathan Phillips and Orrin Ingram. Mike Small quarterbacked the beautiful white Pointer male without a penalty or any interference. They were in the same playbook throughout the entire hour. Though he ran to extremes, he kept in communication with his signal caller throughout. Linebacker broke away from the scenic breakaway along Riverside Drive and encompassed all of Course 2 and then some. His race was similar to the champion and included three finds with exceptional style and intensity on point. The final one after time as he was found by the judge just prior to Logan's Lookout.

Haney's Hammerin Hank won the accompanying Derby stake with a big forward race and two limb finds. Small's White Drifter also had two stylish finds and placed second, while kennelmate Small's Hobo Ridge garnered third.

Ionia, Mich., November 2
Judges: Bill Branham and Richard Hollister
REGION 13 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 16 Pointers, 1 Setter, and 1 German Shorthair
Winner-HANEY'S STORM WARNING, F1691416, pointer male, by Valiant-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-PHILLIPS LINEBACKER, F1695679, pointer male, by Phillips Off Line-Phillips Silver Lady. Nathan Phillips & Orrin Ingram, owners; Mike Small, handler.

AMATEUR DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-HANEY'S HAMMERIN HANK, F1706891, pointer male, by Haney's All In-Haney's Two Dozen Roses. Jim & Connie Cipponeri, owners; Jim Cipponeri, handler.
2d-SMALL'S WHITE DRIFTER, F1706517, pointer male, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mound's Mainstreet. Mike Small, owner and handler.
3d-SMALL'S HOBO RIDGE, F1710588, pointer male, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mound's Mainstreet. Mike Small, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby: Brian Sheehan, Ron Williams, Chris Cagle (judge), Bill Branham, Haney's Hammerin Hank with Jim Cipponeri, Rich Hollister (judge), Small's White Drifter with Mike Small, Jeff Haggis (Region 13 Trustee), and Small's Hobo Ridge with Sean Patrick Derrig.