Result: South Carolina Field Trial Community Gathers for Annual Meeting and Awards

Location: Pamplico, South Carolina

Post Date: Jul 21, 2025

Submitted By: Katie Courtney

A group gives thanks to Kent Carraway for hosting the meeting. From Left to Right: Katie Courtney, Rodney Poston, Andrea Cerofolini, Paul Kelly, Kent Carraway, Mac Stidham, Cecilia Lezzani.

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Association of South Carolina Field Trial Clubs (ASCFTC) held its Annual Meeting in Pamplico, South Carolina, for a day of business, recognition, and camaraderie. Around 50 sportsmen and women from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia attended the event.

The meeting opened with a warm welcome and introductions of the current officers: Mac Stidham (President), Drew Bastain and Gray Watson (Vice Presidents), Paul Kelly (Treasurer), and Katie Courtney (Secretary). Attendees were invited to purchase raffle tickets and ASCTFC t-shirts, with proceeds supporting the association's ongoing efforts.

Special thanks were extended to Kent Carraway for hosting the event and to Raleigh Lowder of Quail Forever and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, who generously contributed to the raffle and spoke briefly on the organization's conservation work and partnership opportunities with the field trial community.

A Year of Growth and Gratitude
The 2024-2025 season proved active and successful, with 11 trials held and a total of 615 dogs entered. Horseback stakes led the way with 412 entries (211 Open, 201 Amateur), while Walking stakes drew 203. The South Carolina Open Championship saw 51 Shooting Dogs and 14 Derbies compete, while the South Carolina Amateur Classic hosted 24 Shooting Dogs.
The ASCFTC extended gratitude to key supporters, including Purina, Kalmbach Feeds, Southern Pines Land & Timber, and Gun Dog Supply. Looking ahead, leadership emphasized the importance of exploring sponsorship opportunities to help reduce trial costs and expand access to new participants.

Financial Update & Club Business
A financial overview was provided, with Treasurer Paul Kelly available for follow-up questions. The 2025-2026 trial schedule was distributed, with reminders to check americanfield.com and ASCFTC Facebook for updates.

New Initiatives & Invitational Announcement
The association announced no dog tax for the upcoming season and several exciting new awards for next year, including:
A custom portrait for the Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year
A $500 cash award for Amateur Handler of the Year (inclusion of open placements for amateur points if no prize money is accepted and an AFTCA win certificate is given)

Perhaps most exciting was the announcement of the South Carolina Amateur Invitational, scheduled for March 14-16, 2026. Hosted on wild birds at a private plantation, the event will invite the top 12 Amateur Shooting Dogs of the season.

Celebrating Excellence: Award Winners
The meeting concluded with the much-anticipated award presentations:
Open Shooting Dog of the Year: Belle Star ("Belle"), owned by Stanley McCain and handled by Scott Miller.
Open Derby Dog of the Year: Zero Tolerance ("Buzz"), owned by Marty Moore and handled by Scott Miller, dominated with multiple first-place wins.
Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year: B K Bonafide Stallion, owned and handled by Harry Cook III.
Amateur Derby Dog of the Year: Saturday Night Special ("Uno"), handled by Cook, showed strong promise for next season.
Walking Shooting Dog of the Year: Hirollins Gone and Doneit ("Gunner") retired on a high note as Walking Shooting Dog of the Year, owned and handled by Warren Parrott, who also earned Amateur Handler of the Year, edging out stiff competition.
Tony Bingham was named Open Handler of the Year.

Honoring Tradition & Sportsmanship
A touching moment came with the induction of Steve Browder into the SC Field Trial Hall of Fame, presented by his dear friend and mentor, Coach Allen Johnson. The H. Cooper Black Sportsmanship Award was also presented, with a surprise twist, to Secretary Katie Courtney, recognized for her tireless dedication to the association.

Raffle Prizes and Generous Sponsors
The meeting featured an exciting raffle with prizes generously donated by industry partners. Attendees went home with Purina Pro Plan bowls, leashes, hats, lanyards, and Quail Forever contributions, including hats, seed, game belts, and a premium pair of Orvis chaps. 5 Star Equine Products provided a high-quality saddle pad, and Triangle 7 Mohair and Leathercraft donated a free saddle cleaning, along with custom hats, adding a personal and practical touch that was well appreciated by the crowd.

Following adjournment, attendees enjoyed a delicious Southern lunch prepared by Matt White and contributed by members Gaye and Butch Lilly. From BBQ chicken and Perlo to banana pudding and pineapple cake, the meal was a fitting celebration of a successful year and a vibrant, growing community.

You can keep up with South Carolina Field Trials by liking and following ASCFTC on Facebook and Instagram. Contact us by email at ASCFTC3@gmail.com.

Important Dates to Remember for Trials Hosted by ASCFTC
SC Open Shooting Dog Championship will begin on Thursday, December 4, 2025
SC Amateur Classic will begin on Friday, January 9, 2026

Mac Stidham (left), Allen Johnson (right) present Steve Browder as an inductee into the South Carolina Hall of Fame.

Harry Cook III accepted awards for Amateur shooting Dog of the Year and Amateur Derby Dog of the Year.

Jammie Miller accepted awards for Open Shooting Dog of Year and Open Derby Dog of Year, both handled by professional Scott Miller