Result: Central Carolina Amateur Field Trial

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Mar 22, 2021

Submitted By: Sammy and Nida Giddens |

Amateur All-Age Winners. Front row, from: Gary Winall and Ellen Clements with Mohawk Mill Image, and Greg Robinson with A Scoot'n Rebel. (Hirollins Gone and Doneit not pictured). Behind: John Outlaw with his baby Dakota Rose, Bobby Deaton, Sammy and Nida Giddens. Back row: Judges Tony Bingham and Gary Whitworth and Alford Wood.
HOFFMAN, N. C. -- The Central Carolina Club's amateur trial was held February 24-26 at the Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds Hoffman, N. C., which offers six continuous one-hour courses considered by many to be the finest all-age courses in the country. Most of the courses have long edges and rolling hills which gives the handler the opportunity to show the judges his big running dog hitting the edges.

Throughout the six courses are coveys of quail that were preleased in September and October. Thank you to John Ivester and his team for the releasing of the quail and to Lefty Henry for keeping the quail fed. These birds behave like wild birds. It takes a real bird dog to be capable of finding and pointing these quail.

We are fortunate to have great facilities on these grounds: electrical hookups for trailers with living quarters or campers, a large barn with 52 horse stalls and fifteen outside corrals, 100+ dog kennels, a comfortable clubhouse which has men and women bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and large dining/gathering room.

Thank you to the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, the Sandhills Wildlife team led by Lee Criscoe and the North Carolina Field Trial Association for providing these great grounds and facilities.

Thank you to the officers of the North Carolina Association: President Ray Joye, Vice-President Dennis Snyder and Secretary-Treasurer John Ivester. We appreciate all the time and effort you contribute to this wonderful sport so that all of us can enjoy running our dogs in the trials.

Thank you to Purina Pro Plan and Greg Blair, area manager, for your generous sponsorship of our trial. It is through your support that we are able to continue this trial.

Thank you to our gallery dog wagon drivers, Alford Wood and Ted Riley. They know all the courses, turns and twists, and always have the dogs on the line in a timely manner. Everyone looks forward to their hot coffee, cool sodas and water and delicious assorted snacks at the morning and afternoon breaks. And thank you, Fred Potts, for providing delicious donut holes for all to enjoy at the morning break.

The Best Western, now known as "Surestay Plus", in Southern Pines, providied special rates for our judges and field trial participants. Your staff always strives to make our stays a pleasure.

Thank you to Jason Vuncannon and his staff at Aberdeen Supply Company in Aberdeen for your support for needs of our horses and dogs.

Due to the Covid epidemic we could not gather inside as a group, so box takeout lunches consisting of grilled pork sandwiches, hot dogs with homemade chili, chips and moon pies for dessert were prepared daily by Nida Giddens. Unfortunately, we were unable to have our Saturday night dinner but we thank last year's winner, Derek and Deb Bonner, for providing a delicious orange pineapple cake for Saturday's box takeout lunches. We were also unable to have our annual auction to raise money for the "Quail Fund for Hoffman". Anyone willing to make a donation to help the "Quail Fund" please contact Sammy Giddens at (919) 418-3794.

Hunter Wilcox was greatly missed at our trial. He was always willing to lend a helping hand whether it be scouting, sharing great humor or helping with a sick horse or dog. On Saturday, we were all delighted to have Hunter's wife Louise Wilcox, his daughter Tara and Louise's sister join us at lunch and ride with us on the afternoon courses. Many great stories and memories were shared.

All were happy to meet the youngest member of our Hoffman field trial group--John Outlaw's baby girl, Dakota Rose. So precious. She is about three months old. This was her first field trial and she even got to ride with her dad on his horse!

Judges for the Amateur All-Age and the Amateur Derby were Tony Bingham from Shelby, N.C., and Gary Whitworth from Lincolnton, N.C. Both judges are experienced and knowledgeable and have judged multiple championships.

Tony Bingham is an accomplished pro handler and trainer for walking, shooting and all-age dogs. Tony is an experienced judge. He was born riding horses and watching and training bird dogs with his dad, Henry Bingham. Henry went to his first field trial with Gary Whitworth.

Gary Whitworth is also an accomplished pro handler and trainer for walking, shooting and all-age dogs. He has helped develop many of the dogs we see on the circuit today. Gary was pictured training dogs in the well known book, Training Pointing Dogs, by Paul Long.

Both judges worked smoothly together and displayed attentiveness and good sportsmanship to each handler throughout the trial. The club and handlers all appreciate the judges for their dedication, diligence and attention given each handler and their dogs. The judges' decisions were well received.

The drawing was held at the home of Sammy and Nida Giddens. Twenty-seven all-age dogs and sixteen Derbies were drawn.

Just before breakaway of the first brace, Sammy Giddens, president of the Central Carolina Club, ask everyone to have a moment of silence in memory of our dear friend, Hunter Wilcox, and prayers for other field trial friends battling medical issues -- Ray Joye, Larry McDonald, Bill Faust, and Gary Winall's mother.

AMATEUR ALL-AGE WINNERS

Mohawk Mill Image, handled by Gary Winall and scouted by Ellen Clements, was named the winner. He was braced with Bonner's Excalibur, handled by Derek Bonner and scouted by Tim McClurg.

The dogs were released in the middle of course No. 3 and continued on past the clubhouse where course No. 6 connects. Both dogs were highly competitive running strong to the front and searching for birds. As we reached the top of the hill viewing down course No. 6, both dogs were crossing creek out front 500+ yards. Image swung to the left and pointed standing tall and stylish. Excalibur came in and backed proudly. Gary flushed and a large covey exploded.

The dogs were released. The course takes a sharp right turn when approaching the back side of the new loop, crosses course No. 4 and goes over to connect back to course 6. With adrenaline flowing, both scouts had their ears in tune listening to handlers and watching to make sure not to leave dogs behind. A high yell from both handlers was heard. "There they go," as the judges, gallery and scouts watched the dogs go out of sight finishing this exciting brace.

A Scoot'n Rebel, handled by Gary Miller and scouted by Johnny Atkinson, was second. Rebel drew course No. 4 which is a course which can be difficult for many dogs. Four minutes after release the dogs have to make a hard right turn. Rebel was racing half way down the long edge as she was pointed out by her handler, Miller. The dog and handler connected as she continued down the long straightaway and took another sharp right turn then another sharp left turn. Rebel continued her cast on left edge and at 25 pointed a covey that is not often seen. She finished her race displaying a fluid gait and good carriage of tail while flowing through the course finishing the hour.

Third was Hirollins Gone And Doneit, handled by Warren Parrott and scouted by Whitley Stephenson. Hirollins drew course No. 6. Shortly after breakaway, "Gunner "took the long edge. As they crossed the road where the little water hole is, Parrott gathered up "Gunner" and he continued out front on course as we approached new loop and made a cast down the right edge hunting feed patches and switch grass areas where birds are known to be located. At 30 the birds were home! During flush, "Gunner" was stylish with high head and tail. He hunted up front along the remainder of the new loop as we headed back toward clubhouse.

Hoffman, N. C., February 26

Judges: Tony Bingham and Gary Whitworth

AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] -- 22 Pointers and 5 Setters

1st--MOHAWK MILL IMAGE, 1657438, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Pirate--Bevy's Mean Girl. Gary S. Winall, owner and handler,

2d--A SCOOT'N REBEL, 1682765, pointer female, by Rivertons Funseek'n Scooter--Deep Creek Willow. Gary Miller, owner and handler.

3d--HIROLLINS GONE AND DONEIT, 1679825, pointer male, by Fastforward's B K Gunner--Littlewing B K Tia. Warren Parrott, owner and handler.

AMATEUR DERBY WINNERS

First was One Last Time, handled by Tim McClurg for owner Nan Hilliard who was recovering from a back injury. "Brenda" made a forward cast on the left side of Kerry Field on left side when she pointed on edge of the plum thicket at 30. This is a very tough place to flush. After McClurg attemped to flush, he ask for a relocation. "Brenda" made an excellent relocation and pointed the birds on the opposite side of the plum thicket. "Brenda" was stylish on point as the birds were flushed. She finished the course with a strong, forward race showing intensity and desire.

Mohawk Mill Big Stuff, handled by Gary Winall, showed consistently to the front and was found pointing a covey at 25. What a beautiful, stylish point for this liver and white pointer! He had a strong forward finish.

Earning third was Mohawk Mill Bad Boy, handled by Gary Winall. He ran a fast, forward, classy race while showing consistently to the front and exhibited traits desired in a promising young Derby which earned him this placement.

What a quality stake this was! We all look forward to seeing these Derbies continue to develop and run at Hoffman.

Thank you to everyone who supported our trial with your time and entries. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

AMATEUR DERBY -- 11 Pointers and 5 Setters

1st--ONE LAST TIME, 1686212, pointer female, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Legendary. Nan Hilliard, owner; Tim McClurg, handler.

2d--MOHAWK MILL BIG STUFF, 1691821, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior--Mohawk Mill Fantasy. Gary S. Winall, owner and handler.

3d--MOHAWK MILL BAD BOY, 1689634, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy--Miller's Fancy Lady. Gary S. Winall, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Winners. Front row, from left: Nan Hilliard with One Last Time, Gary Winall with Mohawk Mill Big Stuff and Ellen Clements with Mohawk Mill Bad Boy. Second row: Tim McClurg, John Outlaw holding baby Dakota Rose; Sammy Giddens. Third row: Judges Tony Bingham and Gary Whitworth; Nida Giddens, and Alford Wood.

Our youngest field trialer at the Central Carolina Amateur. John Outlaw (left) and his baby Dakota Rose, Nida and Sammy Giddens.