Result: Cumberland Field Trial Club

Location: Lavergne, Tennessee

Post Date: Apr 16, 2021

Submitted By: Ross Leonard

The Cumberland Field Trial Club conducted the second renewal of its Amateur Shooting Dog field trial April 16-18 at the Percy Priest Wildlife Management Area Field Trial Grounds near LaVergne, Tenn. The trial attracted 24 entries and is a points trial for the Purina Top Amateur Shooting Dog Award, Region 6 Shooting Dog of the Year, Southern Circuit Shooting Dog of the Year and AFTCA Amateur Shooting Dog Invitational.

We are indebted to Greg Blair and Nestl Purina for their sponsorship of our club and trial. It would be difficult to overstate the positive impact of Greg and Purina's enduring support of amateur field trialing. Thank you!

Judges for the trial were veteran amateur field trial competitors Jim Crayne of Centre, Ala., and Ron Lambert of Tiger, Ga. Both gentlemen have decades of combined experience competing in, managing and judging open and amateur field trials. The club members and participants greatly appreciated their efforts and dedication.

The Nashville area received torrential rains in the weeks and days leading up to the trial that led to flooding at the Percy Priest WMA -- much of it shares a shoreline with Percy Priest Lake. The lake is actually a reservoir created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is managed by the Corps to prevent flooding in heavily populated Nashville and surrounding communities.

Fortunately, the weather cleared by the start of the trial and was nearly perfect for the three days. Unfortunately, some parts of the grounds were under water and this caused some adjustments to field trial courses. We were still able to conduct a quality trial and it seemed everyone had a great time.

THE WINNERS

Earning first place was Windy Hill War Creek, owned and handled by Buddy Morrison of McMinnville, Tenn. "Doll" is an eight-year old pointer female and frequently appears in the winners' photos. She had five finds to the front with excellent manners and intensity on game.

Backcountry Bruiser was second for Pennsylvanian Chris Catanzarite. Bruiser, a four-year-old male pointer, ran in the first brace of the trial and was credited with five well-mannered finds. Bruiser ran a big race and had to be ridden after hard a couple of times and redirected to the course. It was Chris' first visit to Percy Priest in several years and the unfamiliarity of the grounds, no doubt, contributed to the rough spots. The difference in handle between the first and second place dogs may have been difference between first and second.

One Day Frost, handled by Lane Hodges of Griffin, Ga., placed third. "Jack" put down a smooth ground effort on the edges with two nice finds and a back of his brace mate to cap off a very successful season.

LaVergne, Tenn., April 16

Judges: Jim Crayne and Ron Lambert

AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] -- 19 Pointers and 5 Setters

1st--WINDY HILL WAR CREEK, 1657338, pointer female, by Erin's War Creek--High Drive Doll. Buddy Morrison, owner and handler.

2d--BACKCOUNTRY BRUISER, 1672645, pointer male, by Erin's War Creek--Backcountry Tornado. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.

3d--ONE DAY FROST, 1662762, pointer male, by Great River Ice--Honky Tonk Single Addition. Christopher Lane Hodges, owner and handler.