Result: Southeastern Open Quail Championship

Location: Sasser, Georgia

Post Date: Apr 12, 2019

Submitted By: Dr. Don Real

True Confidence Winner of the Southeastern Quail Championship
SASSER, GA. -- Fifty-two entries competed over a five-day period on Chickasaw, Abigail, and Ecila Plantations near Sasser, Ga., to determine which would claim the title of Southeastern Quail Champion. When it was all settled, Judges Larron Copeland of Bronwood, Ga., and Kirk Law of Dawson, Ga., named True Confidence the champion. The ten-year-old white and orange pointer male is owned by Minnesota residents Frank and Jean LaNasa, and was handled by Luke Eisenhart.

True Confidence earned the nod with a five-find effort coupled with a smooth forward all-age ground race.

Runner-up honors went to Erin's Wild Justice, eight-year-old white and liver pointer male owned by Allen Linder of Cookeville, Tenn. He was also handled by Luke Eisenhart. The champion ran the last morning on the third course. The runner-up had the first course on the first afternoon and carded three finds, one of which was exceptional.

In the "Beginning", the Southeastern Quail Championship was run over Chickasaw, Southern Heritage (once part of Tallassee) and Tallassee Plantations. Tallassee then sold off a second significant portion which became known as Ecila Plantation. Not long afterwards, Tallassee itself was sold and the name was changed to Abigail Plantation. For the last many years, the Championship has been contested over Chickasaw and Abigail Plantations. Abigail is now owned by Richard Burke, who graciously agreed to continue the tradition of the Southeastern being contested over a portion of his grounds.

Tom Shenker, long a stalwart of the club as either the trainer, or manager, on Abigail has taken another position and was missed. Willis Wright, now the trainer, stepped up to continue the traditional assistance.

Ecila Plantation is now owned by Frank Foley and managed by Cody McLean. They have teamed up on a program to return Ecila to its former glory and are well on their way as evidenced by the bird count. Frank Foley offered to integrate his grounds into the former courses. His generosity was a lifesaver in view of the storm damage and increased water elsewhere. The result was three good courses over Chickasaw, Abigail, and Ecila Plantations.

More than ample birds were moved on all courses.

Hurricane Michael, which devastated much of Southwest Georgia, passed directly over the trial grounds. Afterwards, record rains made cleanup difficult, or impossible. The worst damage was to hardwoods in the lower areas but larger pines with higher areas of wind resistance were also blown over. The usual mowing was delayed; clearing roads and feed trails was made more difficult by wet ground. Whole areas had to be bypassed. The silver lining was the birds were pushed to higher ground by water, but they were often in masses of blown over trees. Some of the current courses had to be altered because of the bad conditions.

Lamar Childers, experienced as a course director, came down and met the reporter (Chickasaw), Willis Wright (Abigail), and Cody McLean (Ecila) and we rode horseback over the courses to tie them together. The first time through, handlers that have come to the Southeastern for years had no advantage over newcomers. Considering the courses were new, hurricane damage was apparent, and water was everywhere, the trial went very smoothly.

The Southeastern is never an easy trial to judge. Typically, almost all dogs have bird work and numerous ones couple that with good jobs on the ground. This year was no exception. We were fortunate to obtain the services of two judges capable of separating the multiple quality performances. Both Larron Copeland and Kirk Law are South Georgians who know what it takes to win in the piney woods. Larron puts on the Lee County trials and recently won the Continental Championship, an amazing feat for an amateur. Kirk was the early developer of National Champion Law's High Noon. Both have been north, trained dogs, and judged extensively. They were attentive, and willing and able to ride hard to watch every contestant. The club thanks them for their effort.

Purina and Garmin continued their support of the trial. Purina sponsored the Saturday barbecue luncheon and provided dog food for the winners. Jim Smith, their representative, attended the trial with his wife Connie. John Rex Gates, representing Garmin, provided a Garmin 550 Plus collar for the winner. Both contributions are appreciated.

A lot goes on behind the scenes at any event. Cody McLean laid out and flagged the new course on Ecila. He and his young assistant, Andrew Hancock, marshalled on their portion. Cody also came to the rescue when the Chickasaw Bird Buggy threw a tire rod end and provided the Ecila Bird Buggy.

Willis Wright furnished mounts for one of the judges and Lamar Childers, who served as overall course director. Lamar came early and helped get the barn and headquarters ready. Wilson Napier drove the bird buggy and kept it stocked with refreshments and made sure the dogs made it to the line.

Wayne's Restaurant in Dawson, Ga., did a commendable job with lunches.

This reporter handled the paper work and, with Lamar's help, made the sausage biscuits each morning for the first break. Everyone's effort contributed to the success of the trial.

THE WINNERS AND OTHERS

True Confidence is no stranger to the winners' circle. He has won eight championships including the International Pheasant, National Pheasant, and United States Chicken Championships and was runner-up in the 2018 Quail Championship Invitational to his kennel-mate, Erin's Wild Justice, the runner-up here.

Erin's Wild Justice is an eleven-time champion. His wins include the Continental, Georgia, Free-for-All, and Invitational Championships.

Multiple other dogs had good performances and received consideration. In the order of running they were: Dominator's Rebel Heir (Daniels), Funseek'n Hit Man (Daniels), Touch's Malcolm Story (McLean), and Stash the Cash (Lester). In this writer's opinion, the competition was more for the runner-up position than for the champion.

The new champion ran in the 24th brace with Erin's Hidden Shamrock, setter male under the whistle of Sean Derrig. The weather was cool and windy as they were released shortly after 9:00 a. m. on Ecila. Shamrock got things started with a stylish well handled find straight ahead at 1. Eisenhart showed his charge well ahead on the left side of the course. At 4 Confidence was far up on the left side standing stylishly on some high ground. The dog maintained his composure and manners at the flush and shot. Eisenhart regained the front with Confidence at 8. Derrig, meanwhile, was calling for Shamrock which also was covering a lot of ground. Eisenhart made the next leftward bend with Confidence and had him ahead on course where the dog powered forward and had a "dinger" of a find at 16 and another on the way back to the front. Both finds were well handled. Shamrock reappeared at 22 after a prolonged absence. Both dogs were shown well forward at 23.

Handlers reentered Abigail at 26. Just over the first hill at 27, Eisenhart raised his hat for Confidence and quickly called flight of birds. They were seen by the judge. He dismounted and shot sealing a fourth find for Confidence. Eisenhart then showed him well to the front several times. Confidence crossed the creek at 31. Derrig got Shamrock across shortly after and carded a good find with the stylish setter at 34. Both dogs continued their aggressive application on the ground. Both dogs showed at 37 in the young pines where the course turns clockwise toward the water crossing onto Chickasaw. The crossing occurred at 39. Confidence was seen on the first hill before bending left with the course. The handlers rode on the right before returning to the center. As the judges approached the rock crossing at 49, Confidence was seen making an impressive swing around the pond to the front. He continued the cast and was pointed out again far ahead on course. Meanwhile, Derrig was searching on the right for Shamrock which appeared ahead at a good distance on that side at 51. From dead ahead on course, the call of "point" was heard for True Confidence at 53. The dog had birds directly in front of him and handled the encounter with style and manners. Shamrock continued to roll on the right and scored his third find just before the clay road at 59. Confidence arrived just in time to back. He was credited with five finds, a back and a smooth forward all-age race. Hidden Shamrock had three finds.

Erin's Wild Justice (Eisenhart) and Ace's R Wild (McLean) got underway after the lunch break on the first day. On the breakaway, Ace's took the right side and Justice the left. Justice was shown on the hill across the big pond and again well ahead on the left. He crossed the dam on the left and had a "way in there" find on the next field edge at 10. Ace's was more abbreviated in range through the first gap but stretched out in the chute. Justice was returned from the left in the mid-chute at 16. The crossing onto Abigail was made at 22. Both dogs were found pointing at 26. After an attempt at relocation was fruitless, a double unproductive was charged.

The creek was crossed at 36. Justice was shown far to the right front at 39. Both dogs appeared ahead at 43. Following a good cast, Justice had his second find at 48. Ace's scored on a covey at 49 just before Ecila was entered at 50. Justice continued to run with ambition and show well. Ace's was more moderate in his application. Justice had his last find at 58 following a four-minute absence. Eisenhart blew the dog forward at time. Ace's was seen at pickup. Erin's Wild Justice had one exceptionally good find and two other good ones plus a smooth forward ground effort. He had one unproductive event. Ace's had one find and shared the unproductive event.

THE RUNNING

Spencer's Rambling Lawman (Rayl) started on the right and Dominator's Rebel Heir (Daniels) soon went over the rise on the left. Daniels sent his scout to the left and rode well ahead. Lawman made several appearances at moderate range as the hourglass field was approached. Daniels searched the near side of the hourglass field then made the gap at 12 still calling on Heir. The dog returned from the right at 18 near the end of the chute. Both handlers had their dogs for the crossing onto Abigail at 20. Heir made a nice cast forward at 27 and was found on point at 29 for a good piece of bird work. The creek was crossed at 34. Lawman was moderate in application but had birds at 34 and 38 which were handled flawlessly. Heir was more ambitious and had another good find to the right front at 40 followed by another at 45. Lawman had his third find just ahead at 46. Daniels regained the front at 47 with Heir whereupon the dog shared a divided find with Lawman at 50. Just after Daniels released him, Heir pointed again about 30 yards ahead at 52 and had birds. The dog maintained his usual good manners for the flush and shot. Lawman continued his moderate application. Heir ranged much more aggressively and had a final find at 59. Daniels blew his dog out at time. Lawman was seen at pickup. Heir had five individual game contacts and one he shared with Lawman which had three on his own plus the shared event.

Game Throne (Gates) and Dunn's True Issue (Eisenhart) began just a few minutes onto Ecila. Throne got out of pocket early then had an unproductive stand at 24 and was put in harness. True Issue ran a modest ground race overall but did make some good swings on occasion. He had a good find at 14 which was handled with style and manners. He showed ambition in the pretty country on Ecila and scored again at 31. Issue moderated for a time then stretched out after 47. The dog returned at 59 to Eisenhart who blew him out as time expired.

Nonami's King Ransom (Pearce) scored first on the left at 8, everything in good order. The forward party crossed back onto Abigail at 13. Pearce called point for Ransom at 14. The dog was standing on the right where he had his second well handled find. Ransom had a stop to flight at 16 while being brought back to the front. Gates showed Neely's Power Play on a distant edge at 19. He crossed over unseen and was returned from the left by the scout at 24. Both dogs ran well where the course bends toward Chickasaw. The water crossing onto Chickasaw occurred at 29. Both handlers were calling on their dogs as the call of "Point!" was heard far to the right front. Power Play had birds on a pond edge and Ransom was backing. After the rock crossing, Ransom had a good find ahead in a longleaf patch. Shortly after, Power Play had an encounter of similar quality near the fallen down tenant house. Gates regained the front at 49. Both dogs took in the entire edge of the next big field, crossed the clay road and went down the next field edge. Ransom returned to Pearce from the lower crossing and went up the middle rows of pines where he had another covey at 56. Ransom scored again at time. Power Play made a showy cast up the far-right edge at pickup.

Brace No. 4 has been described.

Shadow's Lord Magic (Gates) and Miller's Blindsider (Daniels) began deep in on Ecila. Point was called for Magic at 1. Everything transpired in order. Gates caught the front at 3. Blindsider took in lots of country and was shown well ahead several times. At 25 Magic was found pointing with Blindsider backing. Nothing was produced after an attempted relocation. At 31 the call of "Point!" came from far to the right. This time Blindsider was in front and Magic was in the backing position. Birds were flushed. As Gates was returning with Magic, the dog had a find at 36. Magic suffered a second unproductive at 41 and was up. Blindsider continued to run an aggressive but erratic ground race. Daniels called it quits at 51.

Greenfield's Queen (Furney) and Dunn's Tried'n True (Eisenhart). Will Dunn was mounted to support his recent National Champion. True made some good swings but wanted to check in frequently in the early going. His ground race got more aggressive as the heat progressed. Queen was seen infrequently so Furney asked for his retrieval device at 17. Rain began to fall heavily at 20. True had a nice, well handled find at 24. He scored on another covey at 29 followed by a single at 32. The water crossing back onto Chickasaw was navigated at 38. Point was called on the right at 42. The dog was adamant, but nothing could be put up. True showed impressively rimming the pond edge on the right despite the heavy rain. The dog was last seen well to the front at 52. He was found on point, but after time had expired. It was a commendable performance under the circumstances. The dog got better as the weather got worse.

After the first day, the judges had usable, but beatable performances.

The second day got started when Neely's Standing Ovation (Gates) and Awsum In Motion (Eisenhart) were released. Ovation showed on the far side of the big pond on the right at 5. Awsum was found pointing at 7 just before the hourglass field. Eisenhart produced a covey, the setter mannerly for the flush and shot. Sent on, he took the right side of the hourglass field where scout called point at 11. Meanwhile, Ovation showed on the right just after the gap and had birds at the beginning of the chute at 14. After his well-handled find, Ovation next showed in the distal chute. Eisenhart caught the front with Awsum in the mid-chute at 16. Both handlers had their dogs for the water crossing onto Abigail at 22 as the judges arrived. Ovation was the more ambitious heading toward the creek crossing and had a mannerly find at 34. Awsum followed with a well-handled covey at 37. Both Ovation and his scout showed well to the right front at 38. Awsum had an unproductive charged at 49 after a short relocation attempt failed. About sixty yards after crossing onto Ecila at 50, Awsum had his fourth find. The last ten minutes, the dog searched at modest range. Gates never made it off Abigail with Ovation.

Lester's Georgia Time (Gates) and Touch's Secret Agent (Furney) began their bid on Ecila. They shared a divided stand at 3 which proved unproductive after extensive attempts to relocate failed. Georgia Time had birds at 14 and Secret Agent followed at 16. Both finds were mannerly at moderate distance. Georgia Time had a similar second find at 18. Furney called point for Secret Agent at 25. The dog was styled up on a field edge to the right. He was mannerly at flush and shot. Georgia Time had birds in the pine rows on the left at 26. Furney regained the front at 28 just as Gates released Georgia Time. The dog pointed about sixty yards farther down the same pine rows. When nothing was flushed, he was put on the wagon. Meanwhile, Secret Agent handled a single at 34, after which he got out of pocket. Furney secured his retrieval unit at 40.

Funseek'n Hit Man (Daniels) against Erin's Lonestar Law (Derrig). Hit Man was shown well ahead early. It took Law a few minutes to line out. At 4 Hit Man was found pointing with Law honoring. Everything was in order. Hit Man continued his ambitious application. Law made an excellent cast to the distant left front which culminated in a good find at 10. Hit Man continued to run ambitiously. Derrig returned to the front and showed Law well ahead. At 16 the scout called point for Hit Man far ahead in what had been the front before a sharp left turn. Birds were precisely located; the dog was stylish and mannerly. Derrig controlled the front and sent Law ahead. The dog responded and was found on point at 24 following a four-minute absence. Birds lifted at a distance during a relocation attempt. No fault, or credit, was given. Both dogs returned to the front from their various adventures at 31 and continued to range ambitiously. Hit Man scored his third covey at 42. Derrig returned with Law at 43 and showed him well forward where the dog subsequently was pointing in the distance. It was a showy find. Birds were flushed at 46. Abigail was entered at 48. Soon after, Law pointed into a plum thicket on the left. Derrig encouraged him with the whistle. Birds flew and the dog stopped. Derrig dismounted and shot. Both dogs made it through the creek crossing ahead of the handlers who crossed at 53. They got into the country on the other side of the big wet weather ponds and were out at time, returned within the grace period.

Brace No. 10, the first of the afternoon: Touch's Blue Moon (C. McLean) and Touch's Wild Desire (Furney). Both handlers were on their whistles in the early going but it did not take the contestants long to respond. Blue Moon made a good swing down the hourglass field at 6. Furney searched hard for Wild Desire after pointing him out on the hill across the first pond at 2. Blue Moon was far ahead in the chute at 16. Furney got his retrieval unit at 20. McLean made the water crossing onto Abigail at 21 and showed his dog well forward at 25 and 27. Blue Moon was found pointing at 29 but was charged with an unproductive after a short attempt at relocation. The creek was crossed at 34. Scout called point for Blue Moon far to the right front at 39 for what turned out to be a quality piece of bird work. The course was regained at 45. Blue Moon pointed on a field edge at 47. Birds were not flushed initially. A stop to flush on a relocation ensued and McLean elected to put the dog in harness.

There was a lot of excitement for the second afternoon brace which pitted two-time National Champion, Lester's Sunny Hill Jo (Lester), against the reigning Purina Dog of the Year, Touch's Mega Mike (McLean). They were released on Abigail about seventy yards from the Ecila border. Jo pointed a single at 30 seconds and Mike backed him. Both dogs were stylish and well mannered. After crossing onto Ecila at 3, both dogs were under control for a time then out of pocket for a while. McLean showed Mike ahead at 12 and 15. Lester got Jo back from the left at 14. We had two handlers and two dogs at 15. Both contestants continued to run plenty and have acceptable absences. At 34 Mike had a good find following an extended cast. Everything was in order. McLean got him back to the front at 37. At 47 Will Dunn, riding in the gallery, spotted a dog on point in the distance. It turned out to be Jo which had a covey well located. After the shot, Mike also appeared. Both handlers returned to the course at 50 with their dogs. At 54 McLean raised his hat then called flight of birds which were seen. He dismounted and shot over Mike. Both dogs were out of sight at time but were returned in the grace period. Each dog had a good "field trial" find and each dog had a shorter one. Neither performance could be described as "smooth".

The last brace of day No. 2, Lester's Storm Surge (Lester) and Awsum Country Justice (Eisenhart). Justice pointed at a moderate distance at 4. Eisenhart could not get anything to fly and requested a relocation. While that was in progress, a single flushed near the original stand. He took the dog on. Storm Surge returned to Lester at 8 and had point called for him to the left at 14. The dog had birds, behaving appropriately for flush and shot. Eisenhart got Justice back at 14 and showed him ahead at 17. Justice found birds over the first hill on Abigail at 25 and handled them well. The judges crossed the creek at 30 preceded by the two handlers. Storm Surge pointed at 31 but was it was unproductive. Eisenhart elected to put Justice on the wagon at 36. Storm Surge found birds near the Southern Heritage line at 38. Chickasaw was reentered at 43 after which Surge made a good swing to the right front and showed well going around the next pond edge. He followed that with another good cast toward the fallen down tenant house but shortened near time.

Touch's Malcom Story (McLean) and Game Warden (Eisenhart) came to the line under a cloudy overcast sky with rain and severe weather forecast. They started on the right then crossed over on the first rise. It took a little time for each to get lined out. The judges entered the hourglass field at 7 and were through the gap at 9. Warden was shown on the right. Story was seen deep down near the deer food plot in the chute at 16. McLean called point near the end of the chute. The gallery rode up birds on the way to the find, but a single remained in front of the well-mannered dog. The crossing onto Abigail was made at 22 with both dogs. Warden scored to the right at 29. Story made the creek crossing ahead of handler and went into the right front. Both handlers made it through at 32. Story went up a far edge to the right front at 35. Eisenhart initially put Warden on the left but found him pointing just right of center at 41. He flushed birds and shot. McLean then spotted Story standing about fifty yards farther up the hill. He called flight of birds, but none were seen by the judge. Both dogs could have had the same covey. At 45 each dog pointed in the first block off the field road. Both handlers had to accept an unproductive. Shortly after, both dogs pointed again; this time birds flew, and each handler shot. Ecila was entered at 50. Warden suffered a second unproductive and was lifted. McLean sent Story forward where he made an impressive swing. At 56 the judge spotted the dog styled up on the far side of a low area a good distance ahead. Birds were put to wing after a long ride during which the riders had to pick their way through downed trees to reach the dog. McLean could not get his gun to fire so he clapped his hands. The dog had two good finds, one short divided find, and shared an unproductive episode with his bracemate. He needed the birds perhaps pointed down from him at 41 by his bracemate to increase his chances.

Miller's Speed Dial (Lester) and Touch's Red Rider (Eisenhart) began ten minutes in on Ecila. Both dogs showed their heels in the early going but showed frequently enough until about 10. Speed Dial returned about 20 after a ten- minute absence and went hard right where point was called by the scout. The dog had birds and maintained his composure and manners for the flush and shot. Speed Dial pointed soon after. Lester requested a relocation. After a rather wide search, the dog reestablished farther down the pine rows. When his flushing attempt proved futile, Lester put the dog in harness. Eisenhart had already asked for his retrieval device.

The final Sunday morning brace -- Touch's Smooth Operator (Furney) and Miller's Bushwacker (Daniels) -- began with ambition. Bushwacker pointed at 2 and Operator backed him. Furney moved on as Daniels asked for a relocation which failed. A moderate distance ahead at 6, Operator handled birds. Operator made a good swing and was pointed out at 8 on the left. Bushwacker was seen deep on the right at 9. He wanted to check in frequently but responded to the whistle. Daniels got Bushwacker back at 15 and showed him out front at 17. Both dogs were out for a time. Operator showed up at 26. His range moderate but he scored a second find at 32. Daniels got his retrieval unit at 37. Furney followed suit at 44.

The afternoon was cancelled because of severe weather predictions.

Severe weather pounded the area the night before and the temperature dropped to 45 . Chief's Rising Sun (Mathys) and Stash the Cash (Lester) were released to begin brace No. 16. Cash struck first with a find about forty yards from the breakaway. Rising Sun backed him. Everything was in order. Sun had his own covey on the far edge of the first field at 4 and also handled it well. He regained the front at 6. Both handlers were through the gap at 11. Lester called point for Cash at 12. The dog was standing in broomsage on the far side of the field before the chute. Birds flew and Cash was mannerly throughout. While this was transpiring, Sun attempted to swim a pond to return to Mathys. This was not successful, so the dog was returned from the left in the mid-chute at 18. Meanwhile, Cash had a stop to flush in the first longleaf patch on the right at 16. At 21 point was called for Cash in the distal chute. The dog had a large covey precisely located. Everything was in order as the quail blew into the swamp. Both handlers crossed the water onto Abigail at 22. Five coveys had been moved in 22 minutes. Cash took the far side of the wet weather pond and pointed over there at 27. He behaved appropriately as Lester flushed birds and fired his pistol. Lester lost his hat hurrying back to the front. Sun was running a more moderate ground race but was always ahead. The creek was navigated at 33. Point was called a good way in at 36. Sun was pointed and Cash was in the second position. No birds were produced. Returned to the course, Cash had well handled finds at 42 and 44. Sun had birds at 47 which he handled flawlessly. Cash continued to impress with his speedy application. He pointed again at 51 but Lester surmised that the birds had left and did not flush. Sun continued to stay in front but at a more moderate range than Cash. He had another game contact at 59. Cash was far ahead at pickup but was found in time. Stash the Cash carded six finds, a stop to flush, a back and a good finish. Rising Sun had three finds, a back, and an unproductive.

Touch's Gallatin Fire (McLean) suffered an unproductive at 2 and Sandhill Trig (Rayl) followed suit at 6. Point was called for Fire at 9. He was put on the wagon after a failed relocation effort. Rayl regained the front at 10 with Trig. The dog pointed at 17 but he too was up after a second barren stand.

Lester's Pete Rose (Lester) and Shadow's Next Exit (Gates) began the third morning heat on Ecila. Both dogs were ambitious in the early going. Lester showed Pete Rose going deep in to the front. Both handlers raised their hats. The dogs were on the right. Lester flushed for Pete while Gates accepted a back for Exit. When Lester requested a relocation effort, Gates moved on with Exit. Pete pinned the birds and was mannerly for the flush and shot. Lester regained the front at 12 with Pete. Both dogs ran aggressively and showed well. The call of "point" came from a hill way in on the right at 17 which was dead to the front before the course turned left. It was Next Exit which had the birds and handled them well. Gates had him back on course at 22. Lester came back at 24 with Pete. Gates rode aggressively to maintain contact with Exit. Lester had Pete at 32 and was able to turn him. The dog had birds at 40 on a pine edge. He pointed again at 43 and when no birds were produced, Lester tapped him on the head and the dog reestablished farther down the pines then moved on several times. The judge rode a bird up then noticed Pete standing there. Lester's gun failed to fire so he clapped his hands. Gates already had his retrieval unit. Lester went on from the episode at 50. Pete pointed again at 53. Lester took an unproductive at 57. Pete pointed again at 59 and had birds in front of him at time.

The first afternoon brace (No. 19) began when Chinquapin Legacy (Sikes) and Seminole Boss (Furney) were turned loose. The weather was still overcast, cold, and windy. Legacy made a good cast and was seen ringing the far edge of the first big pond. Boss was not as extreme early but soon took the hourglass field to completion. Sikes had Legacy for the gap at 9. Handlers reached the chute at 14. Sikes rode on the right looking for Legacy. Boss swam the pond and returned to Furney from the left at 16. Legacy pointed at the end of the chute, but the birds flushed unseen, so Sikes took him on. The crossing onto Abigail occurred at 22. Scout called point for Legacy on the near side of the first pond at 25. Birds left prematurely but the judge saw them; Sikes dismounted and shot. The dog exhibited good manners. Handlers had their dogs for the creek crossing and released them when the judges crossed at 31. Boss was seen far ahead. Point was called on the hill to the right front at 35. Legacy had birds and Boss was backing, everything in order. After being returned to the front, Legacy had another good piece of bird work. Furney had to get his retrieval unit for Boss. Legacy was out at time, but Sikes returned the dog within the grace period.

Lester's Private Charter (McLean) and Dakota Nation (Davis) got underway about 15 minutes into Ecila and after the bird buggy exchange. Scott Jordan was mounted to support Nation. Both dogs showed early, then Nation got out of pocket after 8. Davis got his retrieval device at 19. McLean was able to ride the course and intermittently show Charter. The dog was out of pocket for a while before appearing in the front at 17. Charter then made a cast deep to the right front. McLean rode to look as the judges waited where the course takes a left turn. Point was called far to the front at 20. The dog had birds. McLean returned to the course at 27. Charter had his second find at 36, also a good distance to the front. Just after returning to the course, McLean called point for the dog standing a football field ahead. After a stop to flush on relocation, McLeandecided to put Charter on the wagon.

The last brace of the afternoon matched Hendrix's Deacon Blue (Davis) with Chinquapin Bill (Sikes). Bill ran aggressively throughout the hour and had a good deep find at 6 and a shorter one returning to the front. Blue had finds at 8 and 10, both at a moderate distance. He was stylish and mannerly for both. Bill caught the front at 12. Blue nailed a single at 16 for his third find. Bill had No. 3 at 22 after being returned at 20 following a short absence. Blue had another find at 32 just after entering Abigail. Bill took the far side of the wet weather ponds as the course heads toward Southern Heritage. Point was called for him at 38. He had birds and handled them well. Bill caught the front at 44 followed soon after by Sikes. Blue had been showing frequently then disappeared, forcing Davis to use his retrieval device at 45. Point was called for Bill just after the water crossing onto Chickasaw at 50. The dog was standing on the hill to the right. Flight of birds was called but none were seen in judgment. Bill had another covey at 56 which increased his total to five, not counting the one where the birds lifted prematurely.

Lester's Shock Wave (Lester) and Shadow's Full Throttle (Gates) were released under a bright blue sky with a slight breeze blowing. A little rain had fallen during the night and the temperature was near 30 . Lester called point at 2 just off on the right. Everything was in order. Wave caught the front at 5. Throttle was far to the front. The handlers entered the hourglass field at 8. Both scouts were across the dam on the far side of the hourglass field. The judges stopped at the first gap at 11 to wait for the contestants when point was called by Lester's scout. The judges took opposite routes to the find which was on the far side of the wet area above the dam. Everything was in order. Lester rejoined the course in the mid-chute with Wave. The water crossing onto Abigail occurred at 27. Gates got his retrieval device at 20. Wave pointed at 34 off to the right. Lester requested a relocation which was unsuccessful. An unproductive was charged at 38. Wave had birds in front of him at 40 and behaved appropriately as they flushed, and Lester shot. The creek was crossed at 45. Wave pointed again at 49 to the left front near a stacked pile of downed trees. The dog was confident, but it proved to be his second unproductive stand.

Brace No. 23. Tee's Wild Man (Gates) and Wild Hawk (Carlton) began still on Abigail. The wind had increased in velocity. Wild Man struck first with a covey find on the right just after the breakaway. Gates regained the front at 3. Wild Man showed well as did Hawk. Carlton called point for Hawk at 11 across the field to the right. It was a good piece of work. Point was called for both dogs at 16. They were standing about a hundred yards apart. Both dogs had birds and were mannerly for the flush and shot. Both dogs made the first right turn on Ecila. Hawk regained the front at 27 after an unproductive stand. Both dogs were running well at this juncture. The scout called point for Hawk at 31. The dog was stylish and showed good manners as birds flew and Carlton shot. It was a good "in there" find. Man appeared after the find and both handlers and their dogs returned to the course. Both dogs continued to show their heels. Point was called at 42 at a considerable distance to the right. Man and Hawk shared in a divided find. At 47 Hawk pointed his fifth covey. A bird slapped him on the side of his head as it flushed and the dog aggressively defended himself, thus ending a formidable bid. Wild Man continued to impress on the ground. He had two finds.

Brace No. 24 has been described.

The first brace of the final afternoon paired Touch's White Knight (McLean) with Erin's Redrum (Derrig). Derrig showed Redrum on the first hill above the big pond on the right at 2. White Knight took the left side of the course, showed early, then disappeared. Redrum returned from his initial foray at 6. He had a good find in the right of the chute at 14 handled with style and manners. McLean asked for his retrieval device at 20 just before the water crossing onto Abigail. Redrum continued to impress with his application. At 48 the dog had a good find after a 5-minute absence. Derrig consulted with the judge, then decided to end his bid.

Erin's Longmire (Gates) and Chinquapin's Reward (Sikes) started just across the road onto Ecila. Longmire was moderate early. Reward was harder for Sikes to control. Longmire briefly picked up his pace then moderated again. When the participants reached the parked trailers, Gates put Longmire on the wagon; Sikes got his retrieval unit.

Everyone headed for headquarters to hear the results. The Southeastern had put another quality trial in the books.

Sasser, Ga., March 1

Judges: Larron Copeland and Kirk Law

SOUTHEASTERN OPEN QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] --

49 Pointers and 3 Setters

Winner--TRUE CONFIDENCE, 1622365, pointer male, by Two Acre Bulldog--Bar P Anex. Frank & Jean LaNasa, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Runner-Up--ERIN'S WILD JUSTICE, 1643384, pointer male by Whippoorwill Wild Agin--Sparrowhawk. Allen R. Linder, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Championship Winners. From left front: Tommy Davis with True Confidence and Judd Carlton with Erin's Wild Justice. Standing: Wilson Napier with revolving trophy, Luke Eisenhart, Lamar Childers, Dr. Ron Deal, Judges Larron Copeland and Kirk Law, and Willis Wright.