Result: Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic, U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Futurity

Location: Camden, South Carolina

Post Date: Mar 31, 2026

Submitted By: Verlene Stephenson

Robert E. Lee Classic (first row, l-r): Smoke Rise Jake with Mark Hughes, Hope Beauford (judge), Mohawk Mill Shake Up with Cliff Monroe, Lisa Monroe, and Mohawk Mill War Hawk with Roger McPherson. (Back row): Dennis Beauford (judge), Tony Bingham, Nick Mellon, and Russ Fazio.

The annual U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic, Futurity, and the Les Hobbs Puppy Classic began on Wednesday, January 28, at 8 a.m. and lasted until Friday, January 30, 2026. Due to the forecast of significant snow on the East Coast, the Futurity and Puppy Classic were delayed to February 19, 2026.

This year's location was the well-known grounds of the Mid-Carolina Field Trial Club in Camden, South Carolina. Mid-Carolina grounds are in good shape this year due to the efforts of the members of the Mid-Carolina club. The grounds feature sandy walking paths, broom-straw patches, field and woodland edges, much like our NC sandhills areas.

In 1958, a group of high school buddies who liked hunting and playing cards together decided to start a field trial club. The Camden grounds have hosted field trials since November 5, 1959. In the 1980's, the SC House of Representatives passed a bill declaring the grounds as field trial grounds with the Mid-Carolina club responsible for the upkeep. It is now part of the Kershaw County Parks and still hosts horseback and walking trials, with several clubs using the grounds annually.

During the three days we were there for the Bob Lee Classic, we experienced very low temperatures at night, warming to the 40s and 50s during the day. Heavy frosts delayed the start times to 9:30 a.m. Ice patches remained from the ice storm the weekend before our trial started. Conditions during the day were sunny and breezy.

On Friday, the decision was made that, in the interest of the safety of animals and participants, the best thing was to head home and wait out the predicted snowstorm. We would be able to resume the Futurity and Puppy Classic later in February, following the U.S. Complete Open Invitational Championship, which was to be held on the same grounds.

The Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic was first run in 2003. The stake honors Robert E. (Bob) Lee for being a founder of our organization. The USCSDA Futurity began in 1996. A 30-minute puppy classic has always accompanied the Futurity, but beginning in 2017, it was renamed the Les Hobbs Puppy Classic. Les Hobbs was an avid supporter of the U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association, and a revolving trophy displaying his name goes home with the Puppy Classic winner each year.

We wish to thank our national sponsors, Purina and Garmin, for their continued support. Purina provided small bags of dog food and hats for participants. Futurity winners received certificates for multiple bags of dog food. Garmin provided a collar for the Futurity winner and a bark collar for second place. A new sponsor this year, Lion Country Supply, provided gift certificates for the four Futurity placements.

Special thanks go to our bird planters, Bryan Rathbone and Dave Hughes at the Bob Lee Classic, and J. D. Waters and Dave Hughes at the Futurity. Also, thanks to Butch and Gaye Lilly from the Mid-Carolina club, who always show up to help out. Gaye's chocolate clair dessert is always a hit. And thanks to all the ladies who offered to help out in the kitchen.

This was the third year the event was held at the Mid Carolina grounds. Does anyone remember the days when we were at the Drop Zone in NC? No water, electricity, bathroom, or shelter of any kind. It is SO much nicer to have grounds that have a clubhouse and water for the animals.

There was a total of 75 entries for this year's running. The entries were a bit lower than last year; however, this year we had several participants who were new to U.S. Complete. They all seemed to enjoy their experience, and we hope to see them again next year! Thanks for your support.

Warren Parrott and wife, Renee, provided a delicious spaghetti handlers' dinner Thursday night in honor of last year's Bob Lee Shooting Dog Classic winner, Hirollins Gone and Doneit. Thank you, Warren and Renee!

Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic
The Winners
Thank you to Dennis and Hope Beauford of Troy, South Carolina, for judging this renewal of the Classic. It was great to see Dennis and Hope again. They are always a pleasure to be around.
The winner was Smoke Rise Jake, owned by Fred Rose and handled by Tony Bingham. Jake had finds at 19, 24, a beautiful limb find at 33, a find and excellent relocation at 38, 49, 52, and 58. Jake had a big race and was always found up front on point.
The second-place dog was Mohawk Mill Shake Up, owned and handled by Cliff Monroe. Shake had finds at 10, 32, 40, and 58. Shake had a big, strong, and classy race. He was always to the front.
The third-place dog was Mohawk Mill War Hawk, owned by J. D. Waters and handled by Tony Bingham. War Hawk had his first find off the breakaway at 15, all in order. He went on to have a UP at 31 and stylish finds at 39 and 51. War Hawk also had a big, forward race.
The 36-dog stake had many top-quality bird dogs in it.

Camden, S. C., January 28
Judges: Dennis Beauford and Hope Beauford
ROBERT E. LEE SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 30 Pointers and 6 Setters
1st-SMOKE RISE JAKE, F1684876, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Smoke Rise Mariah. P. F. Rose, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
2d-MOHAWK MILL SHAKE UP, F1698765, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior-Legendary. Cliff Monroe, owner and handler.
3d-MOHAWK MILL WAR HAWK, F1691822, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk-Mohawk Mill Dolly. J. D. Waters, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.

U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Futurity
The 30th USCSDA Futurity was capably judged this year by Ronnie Rogers, from New Market, Tennessee, and Daryl Grantham, from Knoxville, Tennessee.

This year, 23 litters were nominated, with 26 entries from these litters. We are grateful to the breeders who nominated these litters and hope to receive even more great litter nominations next year.

The Futurity was postponed after the Robert E. Lee Shooting Dog Classic and began later on Thursday, February 19, at 8:30 a.m. We managed to get seven braces in on Thursday since we were expecting rain. Unfortunately, we had to take an unplanned break during the running on Thursday afternoon after the fifth brace. Just as that brace was ending, Gene Casale, who was riding in the gallery, had a horse wreck and suffered what seemed to be a head injury. The ambulance was called, and Gene was taken to the hospital. Thankfully, after scans and X-rays, Gene was released from the hospital and was able to join us later at the handlers' dinner. Gene, we hope you have fully recovered from your little adventure, and we will see you again next year.

Weather conditions for the Futurity were the exact opposite of those for the Bob Lee Classic. For the Classic, there was ice, frost, and freezing temperatures. For the Futurity, it was hot, temps in the high 70s, and the rain arrived just before lunch on Friday, thoroughly soaking everyone in that brace. Fortunately, it didn't last long.

Thursday night's handlers' dinner was provided by Nick Mellon and his wife, Valerie, owners of last year's winner, Hypointe Monarch Express. Words cannot adequately describe that dinner. It felt like a "black tie" affair. There were tables covered with tablecloths and chafing dishes loaded with delicious food. One whole table was filled with heavy hors d'oeuvres. (My personal favorite was the candied bacon.) Main dishes were smoked brisket and a low-country boil. Let me say that Nick and Valerie hit a home run with the handlers' dinner.

All placements received certificates for bags of Purina dog food. The first- and second-place winners received Garmin collars. All placements received a gift certificate provided by a new sponsor, Lion Country Supply. Handlers received small bags of Purina Pro Plan Sport.

The Winners
First place honors went to Suemac's Southern Ambush, owned by Roger McPherson and handled by Tony Bingham. This litter was bred by Gary and Ellen Winall. Ambush had the best ground race by a derby seen in a long time. She also had a beautiful and perfectly handled limb find.
Second place was Smoke Rise Rock, owned by Fred Rose and handled by Tony Bingham. This litter was bred by J. R. Hasty. Rock also had a great, forward race. He scored two finds, one of which was a stylish limb find.
Third place was Evan's Full Throttle, owned by Evan Smith, Ernie and Karen Saniga, and handled by Mark Hughes. This litter was bred by Mark Hughes. Full Throttle had three nice finds. She shortened in the middle but finished her brace strong.
Fourth place was Meghan's Macavator, owned by Meghan and Travis Riggs and handled by Sam Ridings. This litter was bred by Tommy Lloyd. Macavator had a good race, scored two stylish finds, and was pretty on point.

U. S. Complete Shooting Dog Futurity: Suemac's Southern Ambush with Roger McPherson, Tony Bingham, Smoke Rise Rock with Mark Hughes, Russ Fazio, Evan's Full Throttle with J. D. Waters, Meghan's Macavator with Sam Ridings, Daryl Grantham (judge), and Ronnie Rogers (judge).

Judges: Darryl Grantham and Ronnie Rogers
U. S. COMPLETE SHOOTING DOG FUTURITY - 24 Pointers and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-SUEMAC'S SOUTHERN AMBUSH, F1716176, pointer female, by Rocky River Halo-Mohawk Mill Lady Justice. Roger McPherson, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
2d-SMOKE RISE ROCK, F1716094, pointer male, by Smoke Rise Jake-Hasty's Dolly Parton. Fred Rose, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
3d-EVAN'S FULL THROTTLE, F1713964, pointer female, by Double Deuce Zeke-Braggabull. Evan Smith, Ernie & Karen Saniga, owners; Mark Hughes, handler.
4th-MEGHAN'S MACAVATOR, F1717847, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-Fly In The Sky. Meghan Riggs & Travis Riggs, owners; Sam Ridings, handler.

Les Hobbs Puppy Classic
The judges for the Puppy Classic were Mark Hughes of Grampian, Pennsylvania, and Tony Bingham of Shelby, North Carolina. Mark and Tony are both qualified, experienced field trialers.
The Puppy Classic began in the rain on Saturday morning, February 21. Thirteen entries were competing for the opportunity to take home the Les Hobbs revolving trophy.
Receiving top honors for first place was Green Valleys Golden Goose, owned and handled by Bryan Rathbone. Goose had everything the judges were looking for in a stellar performance. He had a very strong, forward, and consistent race. He hunted the objectives when needed and made big casts when needed.
In second place was CCUK Tar Heel Duke, owned and handled by newcomer Bradley Collins. Duke had a very flashy and fancy race, always swinging to the front, searching for the objectives.
Third place was Gale Force Wind, owned and handled by another newcomer, David Theroux. Wind was a bye-dog, with a consistent, flashy, and fast forward race, always staying at a perfect hunting range.
All three placements showed they had the stamina and potential for making it as derbies next year.
The Les Hobbs Puppy Classic concluded six days of some very good dogs doing what they love, and handlers also doing what they love. There were some great stories swapped, and many training tips shared. This is always a fun trial experience, and this year didn't disappoint. I'm hoping the new folks participating were convinced to come back next year. A big thank you to all of you who made this trial a success!!
And again, we thank our national sponsors, Purina and Garmin, and our new sponsor, Lion Country Supply.

Judges: Tony Bingham and Mark Hughes
LES HOBBS PUPPY CLASSIC - 4 Pointers and 9 Setters
1st-GREEN VALLEYS GOLDEN GOOSE, F1720937, pointer male, by The Treasure Chest-Mohawk Mill For Real. Bryan Rathbone, owner and handler.
2d-CCUK TAR HEEL DUKE, F1722533, setter male, by Mohawk Mill Lucky Charm-Phillips Moonlite Lily. Bradley Collins & Amanda Collins, owners; Bradley Collins, handler.
3d-GALE FORCE WIND, F1723241, setter female, by Super Storm Cliff-North Country Shooting Star. David Theroux, owner and handler.

Les Hobbs Puppy Classic: Green Valleys Golden Goose with Bryan Rathbone, Tony Bingham (judge), CCUK Tar Heel Duke with Bradley Collins, Mark Hughes (judge), Gale Force Wind with David Theroux, Nick Mellon, and Kelly Hays.