Event: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida (Jan 15, 2022)
Result: Associated Field Trial Clubs of Florida -- Piney Woods Trial
Location: Punta Gorda, Florida
Post Date: Feb 28, 2022
Submitted By: Don Wood
When they come, they can't believe their eyes. Open space dotted with palmetto plants and pine trees. The birds? They can be anywhere. Wild birds never supplemented, with their own brand of tricks. Some days they seem to be behind every bush other time you can not find a feather.
We were fortunate to have two out of town guests at this trial. Payton Gunby came down from south Georgia and David Therox from New Hampshire. David brought his grouse dog Dot, while Payton brought one of her trial dogs G. We hope they both return many more times.
The social side of the activities got off to a fast start with Paul May's daughters hosting a birthday dinner for all Friday night before the drawing. There was plenty of chilli left over to take care of lunches for the rest of the trial.
Saturday night we had our usual cookout with many tasty sides provided by the ladies. Our cookout is always a fun time. At that time the awards that have been earned during Saturday running are announced and past winners are read from the rotating trophies. At this trial the Lester Alford Bowl is awarded with winners going back to the 1960s.
Judges for this trial were Scott Ford and Mike Tiberii for the All-Age and Vince Feltner and Paul Daniel for the Shooting Dog Stake. The decisions were well received.
We would like to thank our sponsor Purina for their assistance with our trials. In addition to their assistance with our ad, they also provide dog food for the winners. Their assistance is much appreciated.
The weather was overcast with temperatures staying under the 80 mark. Sunday morning we were greeted with rain and a threat of thunder storms. After consulting with radar we delayed the start until 10:00 a.m.
THE WINNERS
The Open All-Age is a one-hour stake and is normally run first. Beth Brown is always a competitor in any all-age stake but a broken wrist has kept her from riding and she has had to turn her dogs over to her sister and her daughter. This has not kept her out of the winners' circle, in fact some people have said that her dogs are doing better now. Myakka Time Shifter, handled by Sandy Arthur her daughter, impressed the judges and all of the spectators with a two find effort to gain first place. Second place was taken by Kent Cantrell with Always Dreaming. Third was also taken by a Cantrell dog, Dancing Bear.
Three braces of the Shooting Dog Stake were run Saturday afternoon and the balance Sunday morning. After the rain delay the action started. The third place dog started the action with a nice find at 15. Then the show began with Matt's Big Orange Banche placed first, handled by Matt Ford scoring four finds and his bracemate Myakka Freddie and Freeloader, placed second, scoring on two finds.
Punta Gorda, Fla., January 15
Judges: Scott Ford and Mike Tiberii
OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats]--8 Pointers
1st--MYAKKA TIME SHIFTER, 1670324, male, by Guard Rail--Myakka T Marie. Beth Brown, owner; Sandy Arthur, handler.
2d--TOUCH'S WILD ROSE, 1692275, female, by Miller's Blindsider--Pearl Again. Dr. Kent Cantrell, owner and handler.
3d--SOUTHERN BEAR NECESSITY, 1687113, male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir--Southern Sparkling Jule. Dr. Kent Cantrell, owner and handler.
Judges: Paul Daniel and Vince Feltner
OPEN SHOOTING DOG--8 Pointers, 2 Setters and 1 Brittany
1st--MATT'S BIG ORANGE BANCHE, 1644111, pointer male, by Lester's Snowatch--Mississippi Kite. Matt Ford, owner and handler.
2d--MYAKKA FREDDIE THE FREELOADER, 1654682, pointer male, by Funseeker's Rebel Tey--Nacho Myakka Miley. Beth Brown, owner; Petie Brown, handler.
3d--THAT'S MY Q, 1666311, pointer female, by Rester's Pro Line--Stowey's Little Diamond. Payton Gunby, owner and handler.