Result: Atlantic Coast Open Shooting Dog Classic

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Mar 31, 2025

Submitted By: G. B. Hatcher

Atlantic Coast Open Shooting Dog Classic (l-r): Hailey Moreland with Miller's Extreme Heat, Mike Tracy with Steel Valley Raven, Mark Hughes with Smoke Rise Jake, Chad Adams (judge), Derek Bonner (judge), Tony Bingham, Dave Hughes, John Adsit, Gretchen Adsit, Barbara Harris, Carolyn Quinn, and Greg Robinson.

In the history of the Atlantic Coast Shooting Dog Championship, 2025 will go down as the year it was not a championship. Prior to the start of the championship, we had a very respectable draw of 56 shooting dogs and six derbies. We had an excellent judiciary in Derek Bonner and Chad Adams. Derek is a respected breeder and amateur handler of Pointers, part of The Company. Chad's primary profession is training and showing Tennessee Walkers, and many field trialers look to his stables for field trial mounts. This is what initially introduced him to field trialing, but he has since gotten much more deeply involved as an amateur handler and as a sought-after judge. With Derek and Chad working as a team, you know you have compatible judges who will be on the same page. As things eventuated this year, that was an important attribute.

Meals are a critical component in planning for a successful trial. The Duplin County Field Trial Club is beyond fortunate to have Carolyn Quinn. We can turn that responsibility over to Carolyn, knowing it will be taken care of and the meals will be excellent. Carolyn, as she often does, recruited her sister, Barbara Harris, to assist. They make a formidable team in the kitchen, and their presence brightens everyone's day.

Greg Robinson is our multi-tasking dog wagon driver. With Greg, you can count on the dogs being in the right place at the right time, but his services extend far beyond that. He always has a supply of snacks and liquid refreshments available between braces, all personally taste-tested. His specialty is roasted peanuts, which he prepares every night. Anyone getting lost is advised to ride in a circle until they intersect the trail of peanut shells. Follow that, and you will eventually end up back at the clubhouse or in the rear of the dog wagon. Greg also serves as a liaison between the field trials and the grounds management staff. Cop a ride with Greg in the truck cab, and he will do his best to entertain you with stories and, if you're lucky (or unlucky?), maybe a song. Always worth the price of admission. In addition to all his other services, he's our unofficial chaplain. He prays for the safety of the dogs, horses, and trial participants before the start of the trial and says grace over the food before every meal. After Tuesday night's snow and accompanying frigid temperatures, I kidded him that maybe he was not as well connected as I thought with the man upstairs. His quick response was, "How do you know I didn't pray for snow?"

David Huffine, the club secretary, and stake manager, works for months taking care of the chores inherent in conducting a championship trial. He recruits the judges and does everything in his power to make sure all their needs are met. He handles all the pre-trial communications with the UKC including posting the ad for the trial. He also manages the all-important relationship with Purina, whose support means so much to the club. Judges' gifts and winners' trophies must be arranged as well. As the trial approaches, he takes entries, conducts the drawing, and communicates the running order to handlers, owners, and social media outlets.

Within each of the broad categories there are myriad details that must be tended to all along the way. If this is not remarkable enough, he does the same for the U. S. Complete National Championship, which is scheduled only two weeks behind this trial on the same grounds. David does a great job of everything except managing the weather. Apparently, he is not very well connected to the man upstairs, either. I am reasonably sure he did not pray for snow.

Finally, kudos to Lee Criscoe and his NC Wildlife Resources Commission staff for their continued improvements to these storied grounds. Through their excellent stewardship, the natural cover continues to improve every year. This ensures the bird program, spearheaded by John Ivester, stands a better chance at success. In a summer like last summer when the area experienced a severe and extended drought, feed plots fail. Natural cover and drought-resistant species like the warm season grasses established years ago become more vital to providing cover for the fall-released coveys. The coveys naturally get smaller this time of year, but there are still enough coveys to provide good competition. For the most part, when there were unproductives, they were in areas where birds had been seen in previous trials. Maybe the birds were more jumpy, or maybe they had been out to feed ahead of the incoming front.

We knew ahead of the drawing the 10-day forecast predicted frigid temps and a possibility of snow. We figured we could work around the low temperatures, and the forecast predicted little to no snow this far inland as late as the afternoon of the snow. By the end of the first day's running, we were beginning to see a few flakes of snow. By the next morning, everything was blanketed. The running was suspended until noon to see if we could safely continue. Ordinarily, the amount of snow on the ground would have only presented a minor inconvenience, but the lack of melting and the prediction of even lower temperatures overnight made for a more severe and unpredictable situation. We had one handler stuck in Georgia unsure when or if he would be able to get out. Two other handlers headed to another trial on the weekend would be impacted by any substantial delay. After much discussion, including seeking outside, more objective counsel, the decision was made to lay out the three possible options to the judges and let them make the final decision. They decided the best option was to downgrade the championship to a classic and name the top three dogs from the 14 that had been run to that point, canceling the remainder of the trial. The prime consideration was the safety of the people, dogs, and horses. This decision spelled financial loss to everyone involved. That is why it was imperative the decision be made by objective judges rather than club officials.

Judges Bonner and Adams named Smoke Rise Jake the third-place dog. He is owned by Fred Rose and handled by Tony Bingham. Tony runs in both walking and horseback shooting dog stakes, but make no mistake about it, Jake can run horseback. He shows the same versatility as his grandsire, Chasehill Little Bud. He had no finds but did have a mannerly back of his bracemate. His race was strong, but the two dogs placed ahead of him finished a little stronger. Fred has had many good dogs over the years, both Pointers and Setters. It is sad that his health prevents him from enjoying seeing Jake run as much as his earlier winners.

Second place was awarded to Steel Valley Raven. She is owned jointly by Ted Foust with partners Bill and Muriel Primm. She is out of champions Waybetter Rocky and Steel City Karen. She was formerly trained and campaigned by Jeanette Tracy. When Jeanette retired from the circuit, Raven was added to the string of brother Mike. Raven had a find in the first four minutes of her heat, everything in order. At 56, both dogs were seen pointing in close proximity to one another. Both handlers flushed, but no birds were produced, so both dogs were assessed an unproductive. This could have been a case of a mutual back.

The top dog was Miller's Extreme Heat, and she is certainly no stranger to the winners' circle. She has won four championships to go with numerous runners-up and classic wins. "Doll" is owned by Joe McHugh of Pavo, Georgia, and handled by Mike Tracy. She is out of the third and last litter of Miller's Bring The Heat and Just Irresistible. The progeny and grand-progeny of this phenomenal nick has accounted for countless wins, and the total keeps growing. The unprecedented production of these three matings has, in large part, elevated both sire and dam to Hall of Fame status. It's obvious she has a great rapport with her handler, but when released, she is independent and all business. She ran the last brace of the day. It was the seventh brace of the day due to lost dogs and early pickups. She had two solid finds and a back during her hour. She ran a textbook shooting dog race, finishing far to the front in the waning daylight. Hers was a championship performance and a pleasure to witness.

Unfortunately, the 2025 edition of the Atlantic Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship will only be remembered for regrets and disappointments. It was a living testament to the fact that the best-laid plans can be wrecked by things completely out of our control. We deeply regret we did not get to see whether the remaining 42 dogs could have challenged the performance of Miller's Extreme Heat. We regret we did not get to enjoy the fellowship that normally accompanies this championship. We regret that Smoot Carter and Worth Lewis came all this way and did not get to see their dogs compete. We regret the financial losses everyone suffered. While the disappointment stings, we deeply appreciate everyone's support and faith.

We will be back to try again next year. After all, isn't that what field trialing is about?

Hoffman, N. C., January 21
Judges: Chad Adams and Derek Bonner
ATLANTIC COAST OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 47 Pointers and 9 Setters
1st-MILLER'S EXTREME HEAT, F1685698, pointer female, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Joe McHugh, owner; Mike Tracy, handler.
2d-STEEL VALLEY RAVEN, F1696173, pointer female, by Waybetter Rocky-Steel City Karen. Ted Foust & Bill & Muriel Primm, owners; Mike Tracy, handler.
3d-SMOKE RISE JAKE, F1684876, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Smoke Rise Mariah. P. F. Rose, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.