Event: Everglades Trial
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: Apr 3, 2025

Submitted By: Petie Brown

Amateur Shooting Dog Winners (front, l-r): Carol Muzynski with the plaque, next to her son, Justin with Holopaw's Rear Axel, Paul Daniel with Checkmates Country Sunshine, and Petie Brown with Myakka Rebel. (Second row): Matt Ford (judge), John Castelli (aka "Guppy"), Vince Feltner, Mike Tiberii, and Beth Brown.

Our Everglades trial is normally a three-day event, including a safe place to celebrate the New Year. However, this year, the calendar and entries altered the norm. Thankfully, the grounds are open for training in the weeks prior to the trial and after, which makes the trip south worthwhile. For a number of years, we have worked on qualifying our Shooting Dog stake for Purina Points, and this year, we opted to qualify by adding in the all-age dogs, which made for some very entertaining braces. The winner of the Shooting Dog stake also receives the rotating Robert Brown plaque; Rob was one of the founders of the AFTCF and, for over 50 years, set an example with his leadership.

Our judges were Mike Tiberii of the Babcock Ranch and Matt Ford from Punta Gorda. F. Becky Jacobs from North Port, Florida, joined Matt to judge the Derby. Mike is a long-time Brittany trialer. Matt started as a child with English Setters and then moved to Pointers. Becky has German Shorthairs, so diversity was well-embraced, and decisions were well-received.

The grounds have gone from post-hurricane super soaker to dry in short order. The ponds and water holes were still plentiful, but to be safe, all vehicles had plenty of water on hand for dogs and humans. The temperatures were a bit on the warm side for late December, but normal to those of us from Southwest Florida. We turned loose at eight on Saturday morning with three hours of running and were back out at two for another three hours.
On Saturday night, we enjoyed the delightful catered Purina dinner with salmon, pork tenderloin, many side dishes, and desserts so that we could barely roll ourselves around the campfire to replay our day and dwell on finishing the Shooting Dog stake in the morning. Thank you, Greg Blair and Purina, for all your support, which also includes dog food and hats for the winners.
Sunday morning, we finished up the Shooting Dog stake, heading back out at two for the Derby. Finishing up early, we took Monday as a training day and broke camp in a leisurely fashion.

The Winners
The Shooting Dog stake saw only five dogs finish out of 18 entries with birdwork. There was birdwork and serious hunting, but only five had both, giving the judges something worth discussing. Third place was taken in the first brace of Sunday morning in what Paul Daniel and Petie Brown were calling the "Hoover Brace." Paul contemplated picking his hoover up as Petie said, "It's boring until it isn't!" when Rebel slammed on point in the 55th minute with a single. On these grounds, you can bet the others ran off! Checkmate's Country Sunshine ("Tawna"), owned by Vince Feltner and handled by Paul Daniel, ran in the first brace of Saturday afternoon, which was quite warm. Tawna took second place with a clean find and an unproductive. Again, not saying there weren't birds there, but getting them up can be a challenge at times, especially if the dog is standing there for any length of time. First place most deserved went to Holopaw's Rear Axel, in the Muzynski string. "Alex" had a clean find and a stellar back when chaos ensued. By chaos, we were clearing an area that makes a sharp left at a water hole, which both dogs had been in, and the tendency is to go straight out into an open prairie area, which both dogs did with great intent, so the scouts were in action when point was called. Beth Brown was running the late Don Wood's Preacher as both dogs were seen on point, with Preacher slamming on point and Alex coming in to statuesquely back. A huge covey took flight as we approached, with Preacher unable to contain himself while Alex stood stellar.

The Derby is always a big question mark since most are from the same litter and the grandchildren to Guard Rail. Third place went to Petie Brown's Myakka Debutante ("Little Debby"), who ran tight in a tighter area and opened up and stretched out. Second place went to Beth Brown's Myakka Annie Get Your Gun, who stretched out even more than her littermate, and first place went to their brother, McEwen's Southern Pride. Miller definitely showed his independence taking first! It took every bit of energy from owner Katie McEwen and scout Justin Muzynski to present him to the judges who were anxiously awaiting his appearance.

Punta Gorda, Fla., December 28
Judges: Mike Tiberii and Matt Ford
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] -- 18 Pointers
1st-HOLOPAW'S REAR AXEL, F1690238, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Ken & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
2d-CHECKMATES COUNTRY SUNSHINE, F1702591, pointer female, by Nacho's Texas Rebel-Nacho's Drama Ma Ma, Vince Feltner owner, Paul Daniel handler.
3d-MYAKKA REBEL, F1669365, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.

Judges: Becky Jacobs and Matt Ford
OPEN DERBY -- 5 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-McEWENS SOUTHERN PRIDE, F1708288, pointer male, by Myakka Time Shifter-Nacho's Drama Mama. Debbie & Katie McEwen, owners. Katie McEwen handler.
2d-MYAKKA ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, F1708519, pointer female, by Myakka Time Shifter--Nacho's Drama Ma Ma. Beth Brown, owner and handler.
3d-MYAKKA DEBUTANTE, F1706240, pointer female, by Myakka Time Shifter--Nacho's Drama Ma Ma. Petie Brown, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Winners (left): Katie McEwen with McEwen's Southern Pride, Beth Brown with Myakka Annie Get Your Gun, and Petie Brown with Myakka Debutante. (Back row): Matt Ford (judge), Justin Muzynski, Debbie Jacobs (judge), and Laura Dykstra.