Result: Region 5 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship

Location: Pinkneyville, Illinois

Post Date: Apr 3, 2021

Submitted By: Dan Crunk

The Mid-South Bird Hunters held this Walking Championship on April 3-4. Our club would like to thank AFTCA for selecting us to run the Region 5 Amateur Walking Shooting Dog Championship. Our club takes the responsibility of holding trials very seriously and we especially are dedicated to conducting quality championship events.

The draw for the running was less than we had hoped but still drew fifteen dogs for the Championship. Due to injuries, sickness and family issues, we lost several dogs the week preceding the trial.

The trial was held at the Pyramid State Park. Running was on the Denmark side both days. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources does such a great job of providing quality field trial grounds for many clubs and organizations throughout the year. The courses on the Denmark side provide ample objectives for the dogs. We are fortunate to have Pyramid State Park in our backyard.

Judges were Larry Chamberlain and Mark Meir. Thanks to both of these men for stepping up and judging this Championship. Both are experienced judging horseback and walking stakes. Larry and Mark both have competed in the horseback shooting dog competitions and both have trained field trial dogs.

On Saturday, Jae Crunk prepared the lunch for all the handlers, judges, friends and families. Due to COVID restrictions, sandwiches in a sack lunch were served. Nobody went away hungry. Sherry Hargis also prepared an evening meal on Saturday night. Thanks to both ladies for feeding us.

Rick Stanford planted the birds both days and I will tell you that the dogs had to hunt to find game. A dog running the paths was probably not going to find birds. Your scribe drove the dog wagon both days.

Last but far from least, Brad Hargis chaired this year's Championship. Brad has chaired so many trials and continues to plan and run excellent events. The field trial community is fortunate to have an individual such as Brad that is willing to put in the time and effort for all of us participants. Putting on a field trial is not easy. If you don't believe this, I would suggest that you jump in and try it. You will have a greater appreciation for those that do chair after hosting one yourself.

THE WINNERS

Anytime a club hosts a championship, you just hope you get a championship performance so that it is not necessary to move the trial status to a classic or weekend trial. Well, out of the very first brace came the champion. There was no doubt after the first two dogs ran that the bar was set.

Hainline's Silver Star carded five finds in her hour. Jeff Hainline of Bellevue, Ill., is the proud owner and handler of this seven-year-old white and black female pointer.

Star ran a big race. She was always to the front and always going to the objectives where quail should be. Jeff shared with this scribe that this was Star's first championship title. She has 27 previous placements, several runner-up championship placements, and was the 2018-19 NBHA National Amateur Shooting Dog of the Year. Star and Jeff have also accumulated several dog of the year awards. Needless to say, Star has been knocking on the door for championship honors for several seasons

The runner-up champion came from the 6th brace, Craig's Running Roxi owned and handled by Craig Hiatt of Edgerton, Mo. Roxi is a five-year-year old white and liver pointer female. Roxi was sired by Mac's Silver Dollar and the dam being Hilo Southern Tea.

This trial season Roxi has had three runner-up championships, five 1st place finishes several second and third place finishes. To say the least when Craig and Roxi come to the start of a brace, the two of them are a threat to place.

Roxi had six finds for her hour run, one back, and one unproductive. Roxi is always stunning on the ground and on point, she catches every one's eye. Her race was big, to the front and checking all the right objectives.

THE RUNNING

The winner, Hainline's Silver Star, was braced with Mike Roper and Royal Rock's Lotta Hard Cash. Mike's dog had one find, a back and then was picked up as not pleasing the handler.

Thumper's Anything But, owned and handled by Mike Duvall. This pointer female that had one find for her hour and had a medium race. Bracemate Ken Black's pointer female had a moderate race and finished her hour with no bird work.

Entries in the third brace were Buck's Little Flirt, a pointer female handled by Buck Barley. Flirt had one find and then was ordered up. Brad Hargis had the second dog in this brace, Harg's Diamond, a pointer female. Towards the end of the hour with no bird work, Brad elected to pick up his entry.

The fourth brace featured Faith's Maximum Justice, pointer male for Kenny DeLong had two finds and then went with a bird and was picked up. Bracemate Stellar's Natural Disaster for Mike Duvall, pointer female, had two finds and then was picked up for an indiscretion on a bird.

No. 5 featured Touch's Valiant Lady, pointer female for Keith Lowery had a find and then went with the bird. Bracemate Bullfrog's Happy Patch, pointer for Jeremiah Siebert also took too many steps on a bird and was picked up.

No. 6 had the runner-up champion and her one hour was covered earlier. Roxi's bracemate was Rocky Ridges Perfect Storm, pointer male for Mike Roper. Perfect Storm had five finds for his hour and two backs. I am sure Mike had to be satisfied with this hour's production.

Big Trouble Duke, pointer male for Steve Heenan did not have any birdwork and was picked up before time. Duke was covering the ground while down. Bracemate was J. D. Waters' Rattle and Shake, pointer male. J D's entry had five finds but the dog's race was short on this day.

No. 8: Winkelman's Little Sugar, pointer female for Mike Duvall was a bye dog in the last brace of the stake. Sugar had one find and a moderate hunting effort for birds the whole hour.

We thank Purina for continuing to support our trials. I know personally that my dogs love ProPlan and the feed and keeps them in great shape.

Thanks to our Judges, all who brought dogs, and the Mid-South Bird Hunters Club members for all their work.

Pinckneyville, Ill., April 3

Judges: Larry Chamberlain and Mark Meir

REGION 5 AMATEUR WALKING SHOOTING DOG

CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] -- 15 Pointers

Winner--HAINLINE'S SILVER STAR, 1655907, female, by Silver's Knight Rider--Fancy Fiddler Girl. Jeff Hainline, owner and handler.

Runner-Up--CRAIG'S RUNNIN ROXIE, 1665573, female, by Mac's Silver Dollar--Hilo Southern Tea. Craig Hiatt, owner and handler.