Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Quitman, Georgia

Post Date: Apr 22, 2025

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

Georgia-Florida Invitational (l-r): Jason Loper with Tallokas New Business, Jessie Graffam with Boone, Danny Tankersley with Captain's Blackbelt Buddy, Jeff Gibbons (judge), and John Neely (judge).

The 63rd Georgia-Florida Invitational Spring trial was held at the beautiful Hickory Head Plantation in Quitman, Georgia, March 7-8, 2025. The 28 open shooting dogs and 12 derby dogs competed over the course of two days instead of three due to incoming storms predicted for that Sunday. Temperatures were favorable with clear blue skies on Friday, and rainy, cloudy conditions were in place on Saturday.

We want to extend a huge thank you to Gordon Mooney and the entire staff of Hickory Head Plantation for doing a wonderful job hosting this event and welcoming all the participants. Thank you to everyone involved for the hospitality and for allowing us to compete amidst your beautiful South Georgia piney woods. Daily lunches were catered by Allen Popell and served on tables draped in white tablecloths set up next to the horse barn under a big oak tree. It was the perfect setting for everyone to eat, relax, and enjoy socializing before the afternoon braces.

Riding in the judicial saddles for the two days were John Neely of Albany, Georgia, and Jeff Gibbons of Prattville, Alabama. Thank you to these two fine gentlemen for giving their time and expertise and spending their weekend with us judging these canine athletes. Thank you to all of our sponsors and club members for keeping the field trial sport and this trial alive and running for 63 years.

The Winners
First-place Open Shooting Dog winner, "Chance," and handler Jason Loper got the trial off to an exciting start on Friday morning with his smart, winning brace. Chance had two good, classy finds with bountiful coveys up during his time on the ground and ran a very impressive forward race. He was very thrilling to watch and was pleasing to both judges. Chance was also the winner of the Derby stake in the Fall trial back in 2022.

Second-place winner, "Bonne," and Jessie Graffam ran in the second brace of the morning with another exciting 45 minutes on the ground. Bonne produced three abundant finds, holding steady to wing and shot, and the judges both enjoyed his stylish race.

Third-place winner, "Buddy," and Ray Pearce ran in the seventh brace Friday afternoon. Buddy also had three nice finds with a flight of birds. His race was competitive and placed him third in the judges' books.

Quitman, Ga., March 8
Judges: Jeff Gibbons and John Neely
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 29 Entries
1st-TALLOAKAS NEW BUSINESS, F1701627, pointer male, by Miller Unfinished Business-Tallokas Sun Dial. Tallokas Kennels, owner; Jason Loper, handler.
2d-BOONE, unreg., setter male, breeding not given. Jessie Graffam, owner and handler.
3d-CAPTAIN'S BLACKBELT BUDDY, F1706757, pointer male, by Crouse's Heart of Dixon-Crouse's Skiptomylu. Danny Tankersley, owners; Ray Pearce, handler.

The Derby
First-place winner, "Nell," and Tommy Rice III produced no bird work in her 30 minutes, but impressed the judges with her very strong forward race.
Second and third-place dogs were run by handler Terry James Chastain Jr. that Saturday afternoon. The second-place winner, "Grace," had one find, and 3rd third-place winner, "Thunder," had two. Both dogs ran a medium race and completed their time on the ground. All three winners handled well and showed enthusiasm while running with their bracemates.

OPEN DERBY - 12 Pointers
1st-ERINS TEEN IDOL, F1712926, pointer female, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Whitesmoke Ellie. Sean Derrig, owner; Thomas Rice, handler.
2d-MERRILY AMAZING GRACE, F1708589, pointer female, by Nonami's Johnny Come Lately-Melrose Goodbye Kiss. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry James Chastain, handler.
3d-MERRILY BIG THUNDER, unreg., breeding not given. Daphne Wood, owner; Terry James Chastain, handler.