Result: Continental Amateur Field Trial Club

Location: Greenville, Florida

Post Date: Feb 1, 2023

Submitted By: Steve Standley

Amateur All-Age Classic (front): Dr. Kent Cantrell with Showtime Game Changer, Bobby Dubose with Dubose's Wander Bog, and Joe Rentz with Rester's Cajun Justice. (Back): John Michael McCormick, Judges Justin Hunt and Jason Williams, Randy Floyd, Larron Copeland, Shannon and Destiny Braden, Steve Standley, Ben Melvin, Til Hankley, and Cecil Rester.

The Continental Field Trial Club began its annual amateur all-age and derby stakes over the grounds of The Livingston Place on November 4. This beautiful and historic venue was once again made available through the generosity of Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, Fla. We also thank club president and plantation manager Randy Floyd, his staff and club officials Larron Copeland and Dr. Kent Cantrell. The latter attended daily to insure smooth running. Assistant manager John Michael McCormick and enthusiastic associates, Shannon Braden and Ben Melvin were very helpful in all ways. Gloria Hagen is fun, warm and generous with her comments as she makes sure that we are fed, housed and on our best behavior.

The all-age stake was judged by noted dog trainer and horseman extraordinaire, Jason Williams of Blakely, Ga. Justin Hunt, also of Blakely, filled the other judicial saddle and his commitment and positive attitude were welcomed.

Sponsor Purina, along with their representative Greg Blair, is irreplaceable in our sport and their commitment to the Continental FTC is highly appreciated. AgPro of Boston, Ga., can always be counted on for support for this club.

We saw a lot of birds in the air through the first morning afield. An incredible crop of cotton that would warm the heart of any farmer awaited harvesting. The dogs negotiated their way through these crop areas with little problem. It is always great to see these grounds and the wild quail that thrive here. Jason Williams guides most of the hunts that are offered on these grounds. He has a client that hunts all over the world and Jason shared that gentleman's description of The Livingston Place as the best "pure hunting there is." As Jason said, "The horses may not be as highly groomed and the tack may not be as shiny as some places, but this is the real deal here. The dogs are of the highest quality as are the grounds, staff and true wild birds."

Continental Field Trial Club Board member, Dr. Kent Cantrell shared with me that he has run Touch's Dancing Nancies over these grounds 5 times and had 19 finds during those braces. Kent also expressed his opinion that he doesn't know why anyone would run a field trial bird dog anywhere else if the possibility existed to run it over these grounds.

In the amateur all-age, Larron Copeland's Showtime Game Changer garnered the first place award. This pointer offered a forward all-age race over the 2nd course. There were plenty of places that he could have gotten away, but he was shown often enough, stood well for game and finished well.
Dubose's Wander Dog, owned and handled by Bobby Dubose earned his 2nd place by offering well-handled finds at 20, 25 and 55. This performance was during very warm conditions and Wander Dog displayed great heart. This Dubose entry has placed here before and is always a threat.
Rester's Cajun Justice garnered 3rd place ribbons. He hunted through the famed first morning course on the first day and didn't waste the territory. Cecil Rester's strapping competitor ran the country in eye-catching form, stood for game 3 times, and his range was impressive.

The amateur derby had 8 starters for the 30-minute braces. As earlier described temperatures were less than conducive. Nonetheless these young dogs acquitted themselves well and the winners are as follows:
First place was won by Johnny Ringo, owned and handled by Cecil Rester of Angie, La. As Cecil later commented on his prodigy, you will hear his name in the future. This writer would agree.
The second and third place derbies are both out of Mega Mike, owned and handled by Justin Hunt from Blakely, Ga. Hunt's Rollin' the Dice, 2nd, and Hunt's Fireball, 3rd displayed the talent and training and show the potential to become successful all-age dogs. Justin Hunt is an excellent young amateur handler and he brings a lot to the game.
This is an excellent trial and this writer hopes that lovers of the sport support this club and this very special venue. Don't miss the experience!
Greenville, Fla., November 4
Judges: Justin Hunt and Jason Williams
AMATEUR ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 11 Pointers
1st-SHOWTIME GAME CHANGER, 1684556, male, by Miller's Unfinished Business-Moehill Carolina Dial In. Larron & Laura Copeland, owners; Larron Copeland, handler.
2d-DUBOSE'S WANDER DOG, 1684553, male, by Heard Hill's Memory Lane-Dubose's Snow White. Bobby Dubose, owner and handler.
3d-RESTER'S CAJUN JUSTICE, 1691667, male, by Whipoorwill Justified-Rester's Katie Lee. Cecil Rester, owner and handler.
Judges: John Michael McCormick
AMATEUR DERBY - 8 Pointers
1st-JOHNNY RINGO, 1695797, male, by Miller's Blindsider-Rester's Amazing Grace. Cecil Rester, owner and handler.
2d-HUNT'S ROLLIN THE DICE, 1701416, male, by Touch's Mega Mike-Gone With The Wind. Justin D. Hunt, owner and handler.
3d-HUNT'S FIREBALL, 1701417, male, by Touch's Mega Mike-Gone With The Wind. Justin D. Hunt, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby (front): Cecil Rester with Johnny Ringo, Justin Hunt with Hunt's Rollin' The Dice, and Shannon Braden with Hunt's Fireball. (Back): John Michael McCormick and son, Judge Jason Williams, Dr. Kent Cantrell, Larron Copeland, and Randy Floyd.