Event: Hale's Smooth Touch wins 2024 Running of the Swamp Fox Open Shooting Dog Classic
Result: Cock-N-Fire Field Trial Club

Late December in North Carolina would not be complete without unexpected weather and the Swamp Fox Classic. At the first brace breakaway in the morning, temperatures ranged from the low 40s to the low 60s, with misty conditions, light rain, fog, and heavy rainfall. Although unusual weather was expected for the week, the top shooting dogs, handlers, and owners east of the Mississippi gathered at the renowned Robert J. Gordon Field Trial Area, Hoffman, North Carolina. Despite the bad weather, the excitement of seeing talented dogs hunting on far hilltops, excellent food, and the friendliness of participants always make the Swamp Fox Classic the place to be in late December. The Swamp Fox Classic is skillfully managed by the Cock 'N' Fire Field Trial Club under the guidance of Allen "Coach" Johnson.

This year, 74 entries in the Shooting Dog competed for Swamp Fox honors. The Robert J. Gordon Field Trial Area is under the management of the N C Wildlife Department; their work maintaining the grounds is gratefully appreciated by all. The grounds were in top shape with abundant cover and plentiful numbers of Bobwhite quail. The bird management program conducted by the North Carolina Field Trial Association has resulted in abundant Bobwhite quail on the six one-hour courses. During the running, over 55 coveys were contacted by the Swamp Fox contenders [Thank you, John Ivester and "Lefty" Henry, for your hard work].

The responsibility of handling the organization of the Classic, soliciting sponsors, as well as making sure everyone is welcome, and all went effortlessly was again in the capable hands of Coach Allen Johnson. Assisting him were Jerry Raynor, Steve Browder in the saddle for every brace (handling marshaling duties), Cliff Brown, Mr. Legree and Raymond Brown (preparing meals), and Greg Robinson (driving the dog wagon, providing coffee, drinks, and snacks during breaks with humorous dialogue). Thank you all for a job well done.

A major sponsor of the Swamp Fox Classic is AgSouth Farm Credit, ACA; without their support, we would not be able to continue to host an event of this stature. A second sponsor we recognize as vital to our sport is the aid of Greg Blair and Nestl Purina, providing dog food for the winners and additional fiscal aid. The help of all sponsors is greatly appreciated.

This year's judges are familiar with the Robert J. Gordon Field Trial Grounds. Both judges are veterans of the judicial saddle, having handled the judging duties at numerous trials over the years. Mike Jackson, from Battleground, Indiana, and William Smith, from Moscow, Tennessee, are frequently sought after to judge major shooting dog and all-age bird dog trials. Both gave their complete, undivided attention to each dog that came to the line and was ready to lend a hand to all participants. Their decisions were well received by handlers and the gallery.

On days when the weather was good, it was enjoyable to see 25 onlookers riding in the gallery. There were many owners, wives, and children. To name a few, Dr. Debbie Ozner, George Hickox, Dr. Tom Jackson, Tiffany Le, Gavin Le, Kellan Le, Melissa Basilone, Miranda Basilone, Ed McTay, Megan McTay, Emma McTay, Parker McTay, and Kacey Tracy with her three youngsters.

The Swamp Fox Shooting Dog Winners
Our winner, Hale's Smooth Touch, came to the line on Course 4, breaking away at 1:35, with a bright sunny sky and 63 degrees. Illinois professional Shawn Kinkelaar handled the white and liver female for his owner, Dr. Jeffrey Hale, from Russellville, Arkansas. Smooth Touch hit pay dirt two minutes into her hour with a find of a covey as Course 4 makes a right turn. She was high and tight with a well-located covey of quail. Shawn sent his charge on, she was pleasing to watch as she roamed the Hoffman cover, always forward with a purpose (finding Bobwhite). Smooth Touch was found pointing seven minutes later. This, her second find, was a well-pinned covey. Shawn dismounted, quickly putting a covey to flight. Smooth Touch remained high and tight throughout. This stylish Pointer female continued her hour as she began always forward, constantly seeking her quarry, handled skillfully by Shawn. On this day, both handler and dog were in harmony. Smooth Touch's effort was rewarded with multiple finds (credited with five finds) and a strong ground race worthy of being named the top Swamp Fox dog.

Mohawk Mill King Pen, a white and liver Pointer male, took second in the Swamp Fox. King, recently purchased by Ed McTay, ran in the 23rd brace, handled capably by New Jersey professional Matt Basilone. King's owner Ed, his wife Megan, and daughter Emma were in attendance, riding to watch their dog in action. King broke away at 3:24 with a one-track mind, finding ol' Bob. At 3:44, Matt called point with King standing high and tight, indicating his quest was nearby. His handler quickly put a covey to the air as King maintained style and composure. His handler sent King on seeking quail as the dog hunted unwaveringly through productive cover on Course 5. King's effort was rewarded at 3:50 with a second find of a covey. After the second find, King was not through, pinning a third covey at 3:59. Matt once again sent his dog on as we crossed the road, and 15 minutes into King's cast, he was found again standing high and tight, near the water hole. Matt quickly, after dismounting, put a covey of quail to flight. After his fourth find, Matt sent King on, finishing the hour as strong as he began. Ed, his wife Megan, and daughter Emma were pleased with his performance.

The third-place dog came to the line in the 11th brace on Saturday afternoon (December 28), handled adeptly by Illinois professional Shawn Kinkelaar. Chelsea's Mae West, a white and orange female Pointer, is owned by Ron P. Hudson II and Brad Sadler of Port Royal, South Carolina. Chelsea's Mae West broke away on Course 4 with a single mission of locating Bobwhite (the temperature at breakaway 61 degrees). At 35 minutes into her quest for game, Shawn called point. He dismounted quickly, putting a covey to flight, his charge maintaining her composure. Shawn quickly sent her on in search of quail. Mae continued to maintain the front, hunting for productive cover with the urging of Shawn. Her efforts paid off as Mae made a cast; 44 minutes into her hour, to the front, a call of point could be heard. Again, Mae had a covey of Bobwhite pinned; handler quickly put them to flight. Releasing his dog, Shawn urged his dog to continue her effort to hunt the reachable cover where quail might be located. Mae finished as she began, attacking available cover, a forward ground effort rewarded with multiple finds.

Closest to the Winners
Handler Mike Tracy of Glenville, Pennsylvania, handled two dogs that impressed our judges. In the 16th brace, Miller's Extreme Heat, a Pointer female owned by Joe McHugh. Breaking away on Course 2, headed for the Army camp, 64 degrees, windy with rain, and stormy conditions in the forecast, Doll set out to find the quarry of the day (Bobwhite quail). Moments after breakaway, we were riding in heavy rain--windy conditions often blowing the heavy rain sideways. These conditions did not discourage Doll. Twelve minutes into her hour, she was found pointed just past the Army camp. A well-located covey, with Mike putting a large covey to flight. In these extreme conditions, Doll went on to pinpoint two additional coveys during her hour, finishing strong to the front at time. At lunch, the forecast of afternoon storms led our judges and club officials to cancel the afternoon running.

In the 31st brace, Mike Tracy guided English Setter female Pine Straw Hot Chocolate to a total of six finds. Hot Chocolate is owned by Mike Reeves. This brace began at 8:07 on Hoffman Course 1. At 23 minutes into her brace, Mike shouted point, Hot Chocolate standing with good style near the first sand road crossing. Mike got off his horse and soon put to flight a covey of quail. Into the mile-long field, Mike guided his charge; soon, at 37, he again hailed point, getting down to flush and putting a sizeable covey to air. Again, at 50 minutes into her hour, Hot Chocolate was pointing, indicating her quarry was near. Mike quickly dismounted, flushing another covey. Sending his charge on, she continued darting through the Hoffman cover in search of her target, striking a pose near time, Mike quickly putting a covey to flight.

Others:
Day 2, Brace 7. Breakaway at 8:04, temperature 47 degrees, cloudy, overcast. Steel Valley Raven (Mike Tracy) and Smoke'N'Mirrors (Matt Basilone) were released on Course 1. At 10, Raven suffered an unproductive. Raven, 26 minutes into her hour, was spied pointed in mile long field. Mike dismounted and flushed a covey, all in order. At 9:00, near the end of the brace, Smoke was found pointed just south of Nursery Road. Matt quickly dismounted, putting a covey to flight, all in order. I tried my best to negotiate a raise for Matt's helper, daughter Melissa. This was the first time seeing her since she was a baby. Melissa riding in the gallery, already a teen!

Brace 17 -- Breakaway at 8:02, temperature 45 degrees, and sunny sky. Bittersweet War Cry (Mike Tracy) and Thunderbolt's Wild Agin (Shawn Kinkelaar) were paired on Course 1. At 14, both dogs were found pointed, Mike and Shawn both shooting as the covey was put to air. Sending their dogs on, both were pointed out, traveling on the far hill in the mile-long field. At 48, Mike was heard calling point with Shawn's dog coming in for a back. Mike flushed easily, putting a large covey to flight. War Cry ended the hour with a strong forward cast.

Brace 20 -- Breakaway at 11:19, temperature 55 degrees, and sunny sky. This brace paired Miller's Lock and Loaded (George Tracy) and Red Lane Alert (Basilone). At 19 minutes into the hour, Lock and Loaded was found pointing in a plum thicket. He was high and tight, displaying grand style; George dismounted quickly, putting a covey to flight. Twelve minutes after George released his dog, point was called for Lock and Loaded. This time, George flushed but did not put the covey to air. Asking his dog to relocate, Lock and Loaded did not take long before he pinned his target, a large covey of quail was put to flight. George released Lock and Loaded, charging to the front still in quest for quail for the balance of his hour.

Brace 33 -- Breakaway at 10:04, temperature 50 degrees, and sunny sky. Mohawk Mill Jacked Up (Basilone) and Suemac's Wicked Sister (George Tracy). Matt elected to pick up Jack at 25. At 27, George indicated that Sis was pointed. Cantering to the pointed dog, George soon dismounted, flushing a large covey of quail, all in order. Releasing Sis, she rounded the turn in front of the camp at 47. Sis was pointed out by Peyton, standing tall and tight on the edge of a plum thicket. George dismounted and flushed another covey of quail. Sis let loose, she powered to the front and 14 minutes later was again found standing outside a blue stem cover, George flushing, put to air a covey, all in order. Nearing pick up, there was some confusion about time expiring.

Hoffman, N. C., December 27
Judges: Mike Jackson and William Smith
SWAMP FOX OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 62 Pointers and 12 Setters
1st-HALE'S SMOOTH TOUCH, F1693424, pointer female, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Touch's White Radiance. Dr. Jeffrey A. Hale, owner; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.
2d-MOHAWK MILL KING PEN, F1703198, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Big Stuff-Mohawk Mill Dolly. Gary Winall, owner; Matt Basilone, handler.
3d-CHELSEA'S MAE WEST, F1686810, pointer female, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Chelsea's Southern Chic. Ron P. Hudson II & Brad Sadler, owners; Shawn Kinkelaar, handler.