Result: Region 11 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Hornitos, California

Post Date: Dec 17, 2025

Submitted By: Tom Griffin

Region 11 Amateur All-Age Championship (front row, l-r): Terry Erickson, John Keel (judge), Tom Griffin with Pride N Joy, Kay Kelly, and Julie Kelly. (Back row): Marc Cuneo, Sean Kelly, and Kara Kelly.

The Region 11 Amateur All-Age Championship commenced on Saturday, October 25. The Championship was hosted by the Northern California Bird Dog Club and followed that Club's full complement of 30-minute qualifier stakes and the Brock Wells Shooting Dog Classic. The trial was held at the J. Ichord Hornitos Ranch. The terrain is classic Central California cow country--oak-studded hillsides, grassy ridgelines bordering long, creek-lined valleys, and distinct rock outcroppings. The ranch is acknowledged to be an exceptional venue for showcasing all-age performances. We thank the Ichord family for allowing us to run our dogs on these grounds.
Eight dogs competed in the Championship. The small entry was disappointing. Unfortunately, over the past several seasons, this has become more the norm than the exception. Jim Wolthuis and John Keel judged the Championship. Jim knows the grounds and all-age performances well, having handled and scouted numerous winning performances there. Over the past five-plus years, John Keel has judged many of the major trials in the Region and is well respected for his judicial acumen. The Region officers greatly appreciate their services.
Pride N Joy, a three-year-old pointer male owned and handled by Tom Griffin, was named the winner. No runner-up was named. "Lite" ran a far-reaching forward race with three well-spaced finds. At 25, he disappeared over the high ridge above the barbed wire fence that marks the boundary of the Ichord property. A dog who makes that move is prevented from regaining the front as the course turns southwest toward the cowboy gate by sheep fencing. The handler called and waited at the corner post where the barbed wire transitions to sheep fencing. After several long minutes, Lite was spotted returning along the stone wall fence, having found a way around the sheep fencing in the woods half a mile away. Lite ended the hour beyond the cattle pond at the end of course one.

A super big thanks to Team Kelly. Sean, his wife, Dr. Julie Kelly, his two daughters, and his friends helped in so many ways. They handled the dog wagon, bird releasing, lunches, and so many of the details that made for a smooth-running trial. Special thanks also go out to Greg Blair and Purina for their generous sponsorship.

Hornitos, Cal., October 25
Judges: John Keel and Jim Wolthuis
REGION 11 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 8 Pointers
Winner-PRIDE N JOY, F1703602, pointer male, by Quickmarksman's Ace-Sweet Child O Mine. Tom Griffin, owner and handler.