Event: Piney Woods Trial
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
Post Date: Apr 9, 2025
Submitted By: Petie Brown,
Open All-Age (l-r): Paul Daniel, Justin Muzynski with Checkmates Country Sunshine, and Judith Hamilton with Higby Mattiel. (Back row): Vince Feltner, Page, and John Castelli.
We were graced again this season with the presence of Robert Franks from Arkansas, who usually spoils us by flying in with catfish for the night of the drawing. Thankfully, Robert knows how much the club members enjoy his company, even without a fish fry, and it's dry enough that he could not stick the dog truck.
A drizzle of rain came on Friday evening around the time of the drawing announcing a front moving in. Judith Hamilton, the trial's chair, set up the All-Age judges, who were looking forward to running their dogs in other stakes; however, with bad weather moving in, creating high winds and gusts, they decided to scoot out. Deb Ozner and George Hickox from Georgia judged the All-Age Saturday with Tom and Tiffany Bass of Fort Myers, Florida, taking on the Shooting Dog, rounding out the judicial saddle. Their expertise was much appreciated, as were their decisions. Sunday became a day of scratches as competitors headed home, many driving through the mess. Out of an abundance of caution, due to the lightning alerts, the Derby stake was cancelled. Kindly, the Muzynskis, who carry dogs for the field trialers, took out anyone who wanted a fun run once the weather calmed.
Saturday evening's festivities included the acknowledgment of the two rotating trophies for this trial and the generosity of Purina and Greg Blair. Purina kindly donates hats, judges' gifts, and Purina Pro Plan to the winning placements. The Lester White Memorial Trophy went into circulation in 1954 for the Piney Woods Field Trial Club, becoming the Lester Alford Memorial Trophy in 1984, and is awarded to the All-Age winner. The Shooting Dog trophy was recently put into circulation in honor of Don and Sharon Wood and Frank and Mercy Fonseca. Many of the Funseeker prodigy are still running today, and this reporter distinctly remembers Don exclaiming, "I'm eighty with the best dogs I've ever had in my life!" We all witnessed and enjoyed the friendly rivalry as Don would exclaim, "I just want to beat Beth!" or Dave Vernasco, "I just want to beat Don!" Excuse me, but isn't it a competition of dogs? May the best dog win!
Thankfully, we have someone who will muck stalls for us at a nominal fee, making clean up less of a chore, so we can focus on saying goodbye to new and old friends. Our Georgia judges departed impressed with the grounds and hospitality, saying, "We'll be back!"
The Winners
The one-hour All-Age Saturday morning under windy conditions didn't seem to bother the birds or the numerous pigs that caught several dogs' attention. Within 15 minutes of the breakaway, we were onto the second brace. Just after the one-hour turn, Beth Brown asked for her tracker as her scout had made a wide cast to no avail. The tracker showed Myakka Time Shifter standing just beyond the wide cast behind palmettos. The only thing you can do is honor your dog. Coming in third was Higby Mattiel, owned and handled by Judith Hamilton, with her bracemate Checkmates County Sunshine placing second, owned by Vince Feltner and handled by Paul Daniel. Both dogs were more lateral, understandably, due to the hellacious windy conditions. First place went to Arnold's Notorious Ranger, owned by Jeff Arnold. "Joe" had a strong all-age run with a finish that said he wasn't.
The judges had plenty to see and discuss on the Shooting Dog stake with birds moving ahead of the front and the persistent windy conditions. Manatee Sam pleased his handler, Justin Muzynski, with a strong performance, earning third. At the one-hour turn, Myakka Rebel, owned and handled by Petie Brown, placed second with a stylish find backed by her bracemate, Higby Bon Hiver ("Bonnie"), owned and handled by Judith Hamilton. Rebel pointed a single five minutes later as she was coming in from the front. First place was well earned by Myakka Maxed Out, owned and handled by Beth Brown. Max is an all-age dog, and Beth kept him in check for a big shooting dog run, where he beautifully handled a huge covey with style as his bracemate failed to back. All those birds exploding and the other dog moving created a lot of tension.
Jeff Arnold with Open All-Age winner Arnold's Notorious Ranger.
Punta Gorda, Fla., January 18
Judges: Deb Oxner and George Hickox
OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 12 Pointers
1st-ARNOLD'S NOTORIOUS RANGER, F1696986, pointer male, by Erin's Country Rebel-Notorious Lola. Jeff Arnold, owner and 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-HIGBY MATTIEL, F1699678, pointer female, by Panola Bacon-Higby Bon Hiver. Judith Hamilton, owner and handler.
Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Beth Brown with Myakka Maxed Out, Petie Brown with Myakka Rebel, and Justin Muzynski with Manatee Sam. (Back row): Judith Hamilton, Tiffany Bass (judge), Vince Feltner, Tom Bass (judge), and John Castelli.
Judges: Tom Bass and Tiffany Bass
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 18 Pointers
1st-MYAKKA MAXED OUT, F1670323, pointer male, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Beth Brown, owner and handler.
2d-MYAKKA REBEL, F1669365, pointer female, by Elhew G Force-Myakka Hey Jude. Petie Brown, owner and handler.
3d-MANATEE SAM, F1690412, pointer male, by Holopaw's Axel-Hot Digity Dot. Kenneth & Justin Muzynski, owners; Justin Muzynski, handler.
Katie McEwen and Miller.