Result: Region 16 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Lake City, Florida

Post Date: Feb 11, 2025

Submitted By: Don Price

Region 16 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship (l-r): LeRoy Griffis (judge), Paul Daniel, Chad Adams (judge), Lance Servais, Jim Womack, Maryann Womack, Brian Peterson, Dakota Hall, Mike Moses, Maria Bassham, Violet Romero, Rylan King, Chester Stokes, Joe Hicks, and Chip Jenkins.

The Region 16 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship drew 30 and began on Friday, January 3, 2025. The Championship was held just south of Lake City, Florida, on the private hunting plantation of Chester Stokes and simply called "The Farm." Chester is a gracious host and really enjoys the trials and sharing his property with bird dog folks. Chester had much success as an amateur handler in years past and campaigned an all-age champion for a while on the major circuit. His walking horses have won at the highest level, with his horse, Game World, winning the World Grand Championship a few years ago. Mr. Chester Stokes was voted by the Region 16 trustees as the 2024 Region 16 "Sportsman of the Year."

The Farm is a beautiful venue of scattered pines, wiregrass, and some blackjack oaks. Three courses are utilized, and they are bird-laden. Every entry had an opportunity for multiple finds. Leroy Griffis is the manager, Joe Hicks assists with the dog training, and Dakota "Doc" Hall and Rylan "Stick" King round out the crew. They all had The Farm perfectly prepared for the trial.
Paul Daniel, Region 16 President, served as chairman for this renewal. He was assisted by the other three Trustees from Florida--Don Price, Dr. Kent Cantrell, and Mike Moses. Paul was also the head cook. Maryann and Jim Womack pitched in to help with the food, as did John Hicks. Everyone was well fed with pork loin and chicken on the grill Friday night and steaks on Saturday night.

Judging this year's renewal was ably handled by three well-qualified gentlemen. Chad Adams, Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Randy Bradshaw, Claremont, North Carolina, were advertised. Randy was unable to make it, so Charlie Ward, Monticello, Florida, agreed to fill in for Randy. Charlie sustained a pulled muscle on the first day of running and was unable to continue. Leroy Griffis was marshaling and had ridden every brace and agreed to take over for Charlie. The decisions of the judges were well received by all in attendance.

The Winners
Touch's Dancing Nancies, a 6-year-old Pointer female, handled by her owner, Dr. Kent Cantrell, scouted by Paul Daniel, took home the championship trophy. Nancy ran in the ninth brace and carded five evenly spaced finds with perfect manners on each. She also had one unproductive. Nancy ran a big race to the front and was exactly what the judges were looking for in a champion.

Erin's Young Offender, a 4-year-old Pointer male, handled by his owner, Alan Atkins, scouted by Roger Key, was awarded the runner-up champion title. Offender ran in the very first brace of the trial with a white frost covering the ground. Offender recorded four stylish finds during his hour. He, too, ran a big forward race. He set a high mark to be overcome, and only Nancy was able to defeat him. No doubt, it was a close decision for two outstanding performances.
There were others who rendered good performances and pressed the winners. Listed in the order that they ran were Neely's Special Business, handled by John Neely; Erin's Demolition Man, handled by Paul Kelly; Just Sayin, handled by Mike Moses; and Erin's Grey Ghost, handled by John Neely. I must mention CKC Gun Runner, handled by Dr. Kent Cantrell, in the sixth brace, who was putting on a stellar performance until a juvenile mistake on his fifth find just at pickup.

Lake City, Fla., January 3
Judges: Chad Adams and Leroy Griffis
REGION 16 AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 27 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-TOUCH'S DANCING NANCIES, F1680402, pointer female, by Touch's Big Whiskey-Blackhawk's Sunflower. Dr. Kent Cantrell, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-ERIN'S YOUNG OFFENDER, F1692325, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Irresistible Bess. Alan Atkins, owner and handler.