Result: Sandlapper Field Trial Club

Location: Mcbee, South Carolina

Post Date: Feb 5, 2021

Submitted By: Tim Ruff

Amateur Shooting Dog Winners. From left: Clayhill Bones with Bill Britt, Quail Cross Lucky Lady with Tim Ruff and Back Country Bruiser with Chris Catanzarite. Standing: Judges Lefty Henry and Calvin Curnutte.
MCBEE, S.C. -- The Sandlapper Field Trial Club held its annual spring field trial January 22-24 at John and Sue Ivester's beautiful Sawtooth Plantation in McBee, S. C.

It was a perfect weekend of excellent weather, cool mornings and sunny afternoons.

The Sandlapper is one of the oldest clubs in the Association of South Carolina Field Trial Clubs and it sets a consistently high standard year in and out for fun and competitive trials that are done right. For the past fifty years the small club has hosted excellent trials with great judges, friendly camaraderie, and beautiful grounds to bring your horse and dog to ride and run. Due to COVID everyone practiced social distancing to keep everyone safe.

The four pillars of the club, Dr. Billy McCathern, Gilbert Webber, Bill Britt and Tim Ruff have been such an important part of the South Carolina field trial community. This is always a popular event and attendees come from across the Southeast and beyond to participate. This team of gentlemen coordinate and marshal a trial in order to make it a pleasurable experience for all. A special thanks to Dr. Duerksen who stepped in to help with birds and wherever needed. Thanks, Doc, foryour help!

Many thanks to John Ivester for allowing the Sandlapper for the use of the consistently excellent Sawtooth Plantation. Lefty Henry also deserves recognition for his efforts in maintaining Sawtooth in its excellent condition and preparing the grounds for our event. Through hard work, John and Lefty have achieved an environment that successfully maintains early release quail through spring in a picturesque setting. The property is an ideal example of working field trial grounds with ample parking, corrals for horses, large barn, and outdoor shed for gathering and meals. The nearly 1,100 acres of grounds are completely fenced and adjoin the thousands of acres that make up the Sandhills wildlife management area.

One unique feature is a protective fence that was installed to deter feral pigs that surrounds the entire property. From the long breakaway the circular hour long course travels through rolling hills, beautiful and wide open vistas, planted food plots, thick cover blended with miles of wind blown broomstraw and heavily thinned pines. It is obvious that the hand of man has created a masterpiece of quail country that is appreciated by all visitors who appreciate the enormous resources and work that go into presenting such a venue for our enjoyment. The excellent "wide open" visibility in thick ground cover allows for an all age feel not normally experienced in our shooting dog society and makes handling a pleasure and a challenge. The challenge of keeping your dog on the course where all the country looks good with desirable objectives near and far, birds, coveys, scattered and beckoning.

This course rewards those who maintain the thread unfurled to the end of the spool between handler and dog. When the spool is gone who knows where you might find your dog because they are likely in birds.

Once again, thank you Mr. Ivester for your dedication to our sport and your generosity that allows us to compete on such world class grounds.

The Sandlapper would also like to thank the excellent judging team of Tim Ruff and Lefty Henry judging the Open Derby, and Lefty and Calvin Curnutte judging the Amateur Derby and Amateur Shooting Dog. Many scenic miles were ridden and the results reflect the good eye of dog men who know class when they see it. Many excellent dogs to look at and the best performances were rewarded. Thank your for the extreme effort and focus with so many god dogs to choose from.

The drawing was held at Bill Britt's house with Dr. Billy McCathern assisting to make sure Bill got it right.

And last but not least a huge thank you to Purina and Greg Blair for supporting this Purina and Invitational Points Trial. Purina's support over the years has helped make this a successful trial for many years.

The winners:

McBee, S. C., January 21 -- One Course

Judges: Calvin Curnutte and Robert (Lefty) Henry

OPEN DERBY -- 11 Pointers and 2 Setters

1st--SWAMPFOX JUST BRUCE, 1685141, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Legendary. Johnny Atkinson & Til Hankley, owners; Johnny Atkinson, handler.

2d--ANNA LAKE SAMANTHA, 1684880, pointer female, by Erin's Redrum--Brave Heart Cassie. Robert Matson, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.

3d--ONE LAST TIME, 1686212, pointer female, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Legendary. Nancy Hilliard, owner; Mack Hilliard, handler.

Judges: Robert (Lefty) Henry and Tim Ruff

AMATEUR DERBY -- 4 Pointers

1st--SWAMPFOX JUST BRUCE, 1685141, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Legendary. Johnny Atkinson & Til Hankley, owners; Johnny Atkinson, handler.

2d--ONE LAST TIME, 1686212, pointer female, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Legendary. Nancy Hilliard, owner and handler.

Judges: Calvin Curnutte and Robert (Lefty) Henry

H. COOPER BLACK MEMORIAL AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG

[One-Hour Heats] -- 23 Pointers

1st--CLAYHILL BONES, 1647930, male, by Clayhill Bopper--L F Party Girl. William J. Britt, owner and handler.

2d--QUAILCROSS LUCKY LADY, 1668561, female, by Clayhill Bones--Doc's Haven Meg. Gilbert & Kay Webber, owners; Tim Ruff, handler.

3d--BACKCOUNTRY BRUISER, 1672645, male, by Erin's War Creek--Backcountry Tornado. Chris Catanzarite, owner and handler.

Open Derby Winners. From left: Mack Hilliard, with Swampfox Just Bruce, Mark Hughes with Anna Lake Samantha, and Nan Hilliard with One Last Time. Standing: Judge Lefty Henry, Johnny Atkinson, Dave Hughes and Judge Tim Ruff.