Result: U. S. Complete Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic, Futurity, and Les Hobbs Puppy

Location: Camden, South Carolina

Post Date: Mar 4, 2025

Submitted By: Verlene Stephenson

U. S. Complete Bob Lee Classic Winners (l-r): Jameson Crandall (judge), Hirollins Gone and Doneit with Warren Parrott, Mohawk Mill Shake Up with Cliff Monroe, Bryan Rathbone, Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk with Mark Hughes, Chris Catanzarite (judge), and Tony Bingham.

The annual U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Association Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic, Futurity, and the Les Hobbs Puppy Classic began on Monday, January 13, at 8:00 a.m. and lasted until Sunday, January 19.

This year's location was the well-known grounds of the Mid-Carolina Field Trial Club in Camden, South Carolina. The Mid-Carolina grounds are in good shape this year due to the efforts of the members of the Mid-Carolina club. The grounds are sandy walking paths, broom straw patches, field and woods edges, much like our NC sandhills areas.

The Camden grounds have hosted field trials since November 5, 1959. In the 1980s, the SC House of Representatives passed a bill declaring the grounds as field trial grounds with the Mid-Carolina club responsible for the upkeep. It is now part of the Kershaw County Parks but still hosts horseback and walking trials, with several clubs using the grounds annually.

During the week, we experienced light rain on Saturday. But the heavier rain on Sunday morning meant a two-hour delay. Conditions were good for a field trial, with temperatures below freezing at night and warming to the 40s and 50s during the day.

The Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic was first run in 2003. The stake honors Robert E. (Bob) Lee for being a founder of our organization. The USCSDA Futurity began in 1996. A 30-minute Puppy Classic has always accompanied the Futurity, but beginning in 2017, it was renamed the Les Hobbs Puppy Classic. Les Hobbs was an avid supporter of the U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Association and a revolving trophy displaying his name goes home with the Puppy Classic winner each year.

We wish to thank our national sponsors Purina and Garmin for their continued support. Purina provided small bags of dog food and hats for participants. Futurity winners received certificates for multiple bags of dog food. Garmin provided a collar for the Futurity winner and a bark collar for second place. Also, our local sponsor, Stinger Supply, provided leashes for the Futurity winners.

This was the second year of holding the event at the Mid-Carolina grounds. Once again, the team of field trial chairmen Cliff Monroe and Tony Bingham attracted a new record of entries for the three stakes. There was a total of 105 entries for this year's running. A new record! Together, they planned for and made sure we had a first-class trial. Also, this year, we had several new participants to U. S. Complete. They all seemed to enjoy their experience, and we hope to see them again next year! Thanks for your support.
Carlos Escalante, owner of last year's Bob Lee Shooting Dog Classic winner, Miller's Hopped Up Version, sponsored Tuesday night's handlers' steak dinner with all the trimmings in the clubhouse. Thank you, Carlos and Chef Cliff.

Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic
The Winners
Thank you to Chris Catanzarite of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, and Jameson Crandall of Kilmarnock, Virginia, for judging this renewal of the Classic.

The winner was Hirollins Gone and Doneit, owned and handled by Warren Parrott. "Gunner" is no stranger to the winners' circle. He ran in the fourth brace on day one. In his hour, he scored seven polished finds. At 6 he was found on point just before the first field with his bracemate, Ralphy's Hillbilly (Brian Ralph) backing. Not long after, he was standing again in field No. 2, again with bracemate backing. At 15, Gunner was pointing in the sage grass just before "the hill," and his bracemate was again backing. At 20, he was found standing after the hill, and all was in order. At this time, Gunner was on the course by himself, as his bracemate was picked up for a breach of manners. He was found on point again at 37 in a birdy area just past the road crossing. Gunner had a covey find at 43 and his final find at 47. Gunner hunted forward at an acceptable range for his entire hour, never slowing down or coming from behind. He pointed staunchly with a high head and tail, completely steady on wing and shot for owner/handler Warren Parrott.

The second-place dog, Mohawk Mill Shake Up, ran in the 11th brace during day two. At 12, Shake was standing in the row of pines between the first and second fields with his bracemate, Ralphy's Chasehill Rip (Brian Ralph) backing. Shake's handler, Tony Bingham, produced a bird, and both dogs were moved on. At 15, after a big move up the woods edge, Shake was standing, and Rip was collared for failing to back. At 24, as we crested the hill, Shake was spotted standing to the left of the course in a birdy area with good cover. The find produced a pair of birds. At 34, Shake was on point adjacent to the fence that blocks the course from Field Trial Road. It was determined that the bird was likely on the other side of the fence, and the handler chose not to call point or flush. The fourth find was at 42 when Shake was found standing in a piney clearing before the end of the course. The fifth find was at 51 just before the finish. By the end of the hour, Shake had scored five finds and had run a forward ground pattern with style.

The third-place dog, Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk, ran in the 17th brace of the stake. Hawk (Bingham) was braced with Saddled Up Sadie (Hughes) just before lunch on the third day of the four-day stake. He had four well-spaced finds during the hour and ran a long-range race. Hawk was handsome on point with a high head and straight 12 o'clock tail. He was found standing at 8 after a fast and forward breakaway. Sadie was backing. Both dogs advanced and ran a huge ground race, being seen crossing the front occasionally before being found standing just before the road crossing at 32. Again, Hawk had the bird, and Sadie was backing. Both dogs moved on, and Hawk was standing again at 45. At the end of a strong finish, just as time was called, he pointed his fourth bird, and the hour was over.

The judges would like to mention the impressive performances by Tenacee Franklin (Greg Isenberg) and Caird's Lefty (Sam Ridings). These dogs were cause for discussion among the judges and narrowly missed earning a placement. The 54-dog stake had many top-quality bird dogs in it.

Camden, S. C., January 13 - One Course
Judges: Chris Catanzarite and James Crandall
ROBERT E. LEE SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 42 Pointers and 12 Setters
1st-HIROLLINS GONE AND DOINEIT, F1679825, pointer male, by Fastforward's B K Gunner-Littlewing B K Tia. Warren Parrott, owner and handler.
2d-MOHAWK MILL SHAKE UP, F1698765, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior-Legendary. Gary Winall, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
3d-MOHAWK MILL KNIGHT HAWK, F1685481, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Pirate's Legacy-Katie Lee's Wild Side. Gary Winall, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.

Futurity
The 29th USCSDA Futurity was capably judged this year by Daphne and Ronnie Rogers from New Market, Tennessee.

This year, 27 litters were nominated, with 36 entries from these litters. We are grateful to the breeders who nominated these litters and hope to receive even more great litter nominations next year.
Chris Catanzarite bred a litter (Springflow's Backcountry P x Apple Annie's Sweet Delight) that had six littermates entered. That is a new record.
Eric and Krysta Munden bred a litter (Miller's Heat Seeker x Wildland Warrior) that had four littermates entered.
And Tony Bingham nominated a litter (The Treasure Chest x The Lady Ex) that had three littermates entered.

The Futurity began on Friday, January 17, at 8:00 a.m. We managed to get in eight braces on Friday since we were expecting some rainy weather to come in. Rain did arrive for Saturday's running, making conditions less than favorable. But it wasn't bad enough to delay the action. However, the rain was heavier by Sunday morning, causing a two-hour delay. That gave everyone a chance to gather in the clubhouse to share stories and get to know each other better.

A handlers' dinner was provided Saturday night by Chris Catanzarite, owner of last year's winner, Backcountry Snake Eyes. The grill master was Daryl Grantham, assisted by his wife, Vicky.

After the dinner that evening, there was a surprise presentation. Bobby Phillips wanted to present a revolving trophy that would be given each year to the winner of the Futurity. This trophy was given in honor of Verlene Stephenson, Futurity Secretary since 2012. This was done to recognize her dedication and hard work keeping the Futurity alive and thriving.
All placements received certificates for bags of Purina dog food. First and second placements received Garmin collars. All placements received a leash provided by Stinger Supply in Boydton, Virginia. Handlers received small bags of Purina Pro Plan Sport.

The Winners
Unfortunately, by the end of the running of this stake, judge Ronnie Rogers was not feeling well and left for home before I could get notes from the details of all the braces. After returning home, he spent some time in the hospital. We hope you are fully recovered, Ronnie. I apologize for the lack of information concerning the winners.

First place honors went to Hypointe Monarch Express, owned and handled by Nick Mellon.
Second place was Backcountry Fearless, owned and handled by Chris Catanzarite. The first and second place dogs are littermates from the Springflow's Backcountry P x Apple Annie's Sweet Delight litter, bred by Chris Catanzarite.

Third place was Tenacee Stella, owned and handled by Greg Isenberg. Stella is out of The Treasure Chest x Twiggy, a litter bred by Cliff Monroe.

Fourth place was Green Valleys Sunkist Sue, owned by Bryan Rathbone and handled by Tony Bingham. Sue is out of the Hirollins Gone and Doneit x Santee River Iced Crush litter. Sue placed last year in the Les Hobbs Puppy Classic. I'm hoping this dog will place next year in the Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic. If so, she will be the first dog to place in all three stakes.

U. S. Complete 29th Futurity Winners: Hypointe Monarch Express with Nick Mellon, Daphne Rogers (judge), Backcountry Fearless with Chris Catanzarite, Tenacee Stella with Greg Isenberg, Green Valleys Sunkist Sue with Bryan Rathbone, and Ronnie Rogers (judge).

Judges: Daphne Rogers and Ronnie Rogers
29TH U. S. COMPLETE FUTURITY - 36 Entries
1st-HYPOINTE MONARCH EXPRESS, F1704239, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Nick Mellon Jr., owner and handler.
2d-BACKCOUNTRY FEARLESS, F1705245, pointer female, by Springflow's Backcountry P-Apple Annie's Sweet Delight. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.
3d-TENACEE STELLA, F1717417, pointer female, by The Treasure Chest-Twiggy. Greg Isenberg, owner and handler.
4TH-GREEN VALLEYS SUNKIST SUE, F1708535, pointer female, by Hirollins Gone And Doneit-Santee River Iced Crush. Bryan Rathbone, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.

Les Hobbs Puppy Classic
The judges for the Puppy Classic were Cliff Monroe of Mooresboro, North Carolina, and Tony Bingham of Shelby, North Carolina. Cliff and Tony are both qualified, experienced field trialers.

The Puppy Classic began on Sunday, January 19, after a quick lunch. Fifteen entries were competing for the opportunity to take home the Les Hobbs revolving trophy.

Bob's Elhew Coco, owned and handled by Bobby Phillips, received top honors for first place. In second place was Maggie, owned and handled by Warren Parrott. Both dogs ran big and classy. Coco was a little more independent in hunting, separating her from the second-place contender. Third place was Harper, owned and handled by Warren Parrott. Harper was also classy but with a shorter range.

The Les Hobbs Puppy Classic concluded a week of some very good dogs doing what they love and handlers also doing what they love. There were some great stories swapped and many training tips shared. This is always a fun trial experience; this year didn't disappoint. I'm hoping the new folks participating were convinced to come back next year. A big thank you to all of you who made this week a success!!

Again, we thank our national sponsors, Purina and Garmin.

Judges: Tony Bingham and Cliff Monroe
LES HOBBS OPEN PUPPY CLASSIC - 13 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BOB'S ELHEW COCO, F1708921, pointer female, by Tenacee Cooper-Bob's Elhew Smokie. Bobby Phillips, owner and handler.
2d-MAGGIE, unreg., pointer female, breeding not given. Warren Parrott, owner and handler.
3d-HARPER, unreg., pointer female, breeding not given. Warren Parrott, owner and handler.

Les Hobbs Open Puppy Classic Winners: Maggie with Teddy Poston and Harper with Warren Parrott. (Not pictured: Bob's Elhew Coco with Bobby Phillips.