Result: Sunshine Field Trial Club

Location: Lake City, Florida

Post Date: Jan 27, 2023

Submitted By: Don Price

Open All-Age Winners (from left): Jamie Daniels with Erin's High Note, Haley Moreland with Woodville's Yukon Cornelius, Slade Sikes with Chinquapin Legacy, and Ray Warren. (Standing, from left): Judd Carlton, Jerry Raynor, Judges Erik Small and Ricky Furney, Mark McLean, Howard Brooks, and John Milton. (Seated): Don Sparrow.

Once more the end of October arrived and we were focused on returning to the bird laden sandhills of Chinquapin Farms for the Sunshine Open All-Age Classic and Open Derby. There had been much speculation about the future of the Sunshine, and the Florida Championship, since the passing of Ted Baker. Thankfully through the generosity of the Baker Family we were allowed to continue to hold the Sunshine. The Board of Directors of the Florida Championship, along with the Baker Family, has decided not to continue with the Florida Championship. While the Florida will certainly be missed in January, everyone understood the reasoning for their decision.

If I may, let me provide some brief information about the Sunshine Club. Many years back in the Fifties the Sunshine Club had been running trials. For many years the Club was inactive and in 1968 myself and Claudos Spears decide to bring it back to life. In the fall of 68 Mr. Ted allowed us to run on Chinquapin. We ran amateur stakes and an Open Shooting Dog stake. Since our interest was mainly in all-age dogs so we decided to begin holding an Open All-Age and Open Derby following the amateur. Our goal was to get a National Qualifying Stake. In the mid-eighties. The Sunshine became a National Qualifier. Later we obtained Purina Top Dog and Top Handler Points. This was about the time John Milton had become involved in field trials and, with the passing of Claudos Spears in 1988, John came on board with me to continue to hold the Sunshine.

Sunshine, hot, dry, dusty, poor scenting conditions, plenty of birds, best describes the conditions for this year's renewal. The grounds were in great shape and ready for our arrival as always. Slade Sikes and his crew always do an amazing job of preparing for the trial. John Milton prepared a delicious meal for everyone on Saturday after the running. "T" Hicks and Belinda Sikes prepared the lunches and we had the usual breakfast biscuits and muffins at the nine o'clock crossing. Greg Blair and Purina provided dog food for the winners. The Sunshine is certainly thankful to Greg and Purina for their continued support.

Judging this year's trial was ably handled by Ricky Furney of Leesburg, Ga., and Erik Small of Tallahassee, Fla. I don't need to go into their qualifications as both are household names in the field trial world. Ricky judged for us last year and Erik in years past. Their decisions are always well received.

To say this year was a tough trial, with the conditions being so bad, would be an understatement. Thirty-one of the best all-age dogs in the southeast were drawn and thirty actually started. However, as the old saying goes, the cream rises to the top. Each winner ran on the first morning course which to my knowledge is the first time this has happened.
Chinquapin Legacy, owned by Chinquapin Farms, no stranger to the winner's circle, placed first for his handler Slade Sikes. Legacy recorded three perfect finds in his hour, one a true limb find, a big race and strong finish. Woodville Yukon Cornelius, owned by Carl Owens, was second. He is handled by Mark Mclean and likewise seems to find his place in the winner's picture at Chinquapin. He has recorded two seconds and a runner-up Championship on these grounds. Rudy also carded three nice finds a big race and strong finish. Legacy and Rudy ran in the first brace on Monday morning. Erin's High Note was third. Note ran in the first brace on Sunday morning and was handled by Judd Carlton for owner, Mike Moses. Note tallied two nice finds and a good race with a big finish. Note is in his first year and he is beginning to demonstrate consistency as he has placed in his last two trials.

Six derbies were run under some very hot, dry, and trying conditions. The three winners were all placed on all-age potential ground races. While a small stake in numbers the future for these contenders looks bright. Rester's Cajun Spirit was first, Erin's Iron Man second, and The Farm third.

Lake City, Fla., October 29
Judges: Ricky Furney and Erik Small
OPEN ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 28 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-CHINQUAPIN LEGACY, 1668768, pointer male, by Chinquapin Reward-Hilltopper Solid Anne. Chinquapin Farms, owner; Slade Sikes, handler.
2d-WOODVILLE'S YUKON CORNELIUS, 1673091, setter male, by Caladen's Davinci-A Tarheel Miss Bo. Carl Owens, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
3d-ERIN'S HIGH NOTE, 1696464, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Erin's Quickmarksman's Mae. Mike Moses, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers
1st-RESTER'S CAJUN SPIRIT, 1695796, male, by Miller's Blindsider-Rester's Amazing Grace. Allen Linder, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
2d-ERIN'S IRON MAN, 1699569, male, by Dominator's Bull Marker Bud-Erin's Wild Callie. Sue Graunke, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
3d-THE FARM'S STAN, 1702888, male, by Just A Honky Tonk-Arcanum's Lady Aston. E. Chester Stokes, owner; Leroy Griffis handler.

Open Derby Winners (from left): Dakota Hall with The Farm's Stan, Ray Warren with Erin's Iron Man, and Slade Sikes with Rester's Cajun Spirit. (Standing, from left): Leroy Griffis,
Judge Erik Small, Jamie Daniels, Judge Ricky Furney, and Judd Carlton.