Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Punta Gorda, Florida

Post Date: May 6, 2026

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

Open Derby (r-l): Miles Green with Green's Florida, Tommy Rice with Standin' Rock Chief, Jason Armstrong with Strongdog Little Robin, Ed Epp (judge), and Sean Derrig (judge).

This year's Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club's Spring Handlers' Trial was held at the glorious Seminole Plantation in Boston, Georgia, on March 6 and 7, 2026. Spring weather turned a little prematurely warm that early March weekend with temperatures reaching the mid-80s. Thirty-seven canine athletes were drawn to run in the classic quail woods of Seminole, amongst majestic live oaks and soaring pines. Eleven of the 37 dogs were in the Derby stake that ran that Saturday afternoon. Lunch was catered both days by Fallin's BBQ out of Thomasville, Georgia. Everyone enjoyed socializing under the shade of big, moss-covered oak trees while taking a break and recharging for the afternoon braces.

We want to thank our judges, Sean Derrig of Sale City, Georgia, and Ed Epp of Tallahassee, Florida, for sharing their time and knowledge with us for the duration of the trial. We wouldn't be able to hold these trials without supporters like these two gentlemen, who have a passion for the sport. We would like to sincerely thank the Rankin Smith Family, the Knox Family, Wallace Reed, and the entire staff of Seminole Plantation for allowing us to run on their beautiful South Georgia plantation. A huge thank you to all our sponsors and members of this club for keeping this field trial running for 63 years. We couldn't do it without all of you.

The first dogs braced together that Friday morning were Johnny Come Lately, with handler Ray Pearce, and "Queen," with handler Ethan Whidden. "Johnny" had an impressive race with four finds over the course of his 45 minutes on the ground. He held steady to wing and shot each find and ran a clean brace. "Queen" had a beautiful find early on, but her handler opted to pick her up after two unproductives.

In Brace 2 were Easy Does It with Justin Hunt and "Bud" with Andrew Bozeman. The second brace of the day started off strong with both dogs stopping at 4 with "Easy" backing and flight of birds for Bud. Bud then had a stop to flush at 12. Both dogs stopped once again at 22 with a beautiful divided find and an abundant covey rise. Easy had two additional finds during his 45 minutes, and both dogs were seen when time was called.

The first-place winner, Nonami's Ben Lately with Ray Pearce, and the third-place winner, "Wayne" with Dustin Kirby, were in the third brace. Brace 3 was exciting as two of our future winners were braced together. "Ben" had a strong run with four solid finds. He held steady to wing and shot with each one, and birds were plentiful. Wayne started with a point at 5, resulting in a rabbit. He continued his impressive hunt with another find at 35. Both dogs were seen at pick up.

In Brace 4, "Rita" with Justin Hunt and "Willie" with Devin Harden were picked up and had no bird work.

Brace 5 saw "Buddy" with Danny Tankersly and "Boone" with Jessie Graffam. These four handlers asked for their trackers and picked up before the brace ended.

Brace 6 saw Sioux Bull Run with Jason Sanders and the second-place winner, Mayhaw New Money with Trey Mills. Mayhaw New Money ran an impressive race with four classy finds and a sizeable covey rise with each flush. Bull Run was picked up after several relocations, resulting in two unproductives.

In Brace 7, "Beth" with Shon Powell and "Mike" with Erik Small were picked up and had no bird work.

In Brace 8 were "Bee" with Marty Adams and "Lucy" with Ben Braswell. Due to rising afternoon temperatures, all four of these contenders were picked up by their handlers.

Brace 9 saw Merrily Rollin Thunder with Terry James Chastain III and "Lou" with Marty Adams. Lou stopped at 2 with flight of birds before the handler's arrival. He continued to move on without his handler firing a shot. At 6, he had a double relocation that resulted in an unproductive. Rolling Thunder stopped with a snappy find at 14. He also had a stop to flush and one additional find at 43. Both dogs stopped, facing each other, with a nice divided find at 21, and both handlers flushed and fired their guns. Lou had two more finds before the brace ended.

In Brace 10 were "Ken" with Shon Powell and "Jake" with Greg Shepherd. Both dogs stopped at 19 with a divided find. Both handlers shot after flight of birds was seen. Jake had one additional find at 41 and was with his handler when time was called. Ken was not performing to his handler's liking and was picked up.

Brace 11 saw Melrose Big John with Terry James Chastain III and "Joe" with Greg Shepherd. Big John's first and only find was a rabbit and a single bird that took flight. Joe stopped at 16 but moved on and continued to hunt. Both dogs came back with their handlers when time was called.

In Brace 12, "Bud" with Greg Shepherd and "Spur" with Tommy Rice III, and in the final brace, No. 13, were "Pearl" with Tommy Rice III and "Jack" with Matt Parramore. All four dogs were picked up by their handlers, bringing the Open Shooting Dog stake to its conclusion.

Boston, Ga., March 6
Judges: Sean Derrig and Ed Epp
OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 24 Pointers
1st-NONAMI'S BEN LATELY, F1713524, pointer male, by Nonami's Johnny Come Lately-Broomsedge Tiny Rebel. R. E. Turner, owner; Ray Pearce, handler.
2d-MAYHAW'S NEW MONEY, F1721752, pointer male, by Tallokas New Business-Diamond R Netta. Mayhaw Plantation, owner; Trey Mills, handler.
3d-ONE DAY WAYNE, F1715425, pointer male, by One Day Lucky Strike-Panda Express. Payton Gunby, owner; Dustin Kirby, handler.

Open Derby
First-place winner "Florida," with Miles Green, had three classy finds during the fifth brace of the Derby stake that Saturday afternoon. He held steady to wing and shot with each abundant covey rise.
In second place was "Chief" with Tommy Rice III. Chief ran a clean race during his 30 minutes on the ground, resulting in one strong find and flight of birds.
Third-place winner "Robin," with Jason Armstrong, was braced with the first-place winner. Robin also ran an impressive race and had two finds, resulting in third place.

OPEN DERBY - 12 Pointers
1st-GREEN'S FLORIDA, F1725464, pointer male, by Dogwood Cash-Meander Georgia On My Mind. Miles Green, owner and handler.
2d-STANDIN' ROCK CHIEF, F1711165, pointer male, by Oahe Buck-Bodacious May. Thomas Rice, owner and handler.
3d-STRONGDOG LITTLE ROBIN, F1710230, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Strongdog Rebel Annie. Jason Armstrong, owner and handler.