Result: North-South Field Trial Club

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Feb 2, 2023

Submitted By: Lefty Henry

November 3 commenced the annual running of the North-South Amateur field trial at North Carolina's premier field trial grounds in Hoffman, N. C. This was the fourth trial of the year to run on the grounds. The fall changing of the clocks does not necessarily mean cool weather in North Carolina. The sun shined a little brighter and warmer during the trial than most bird
dog enthusiasts preferred. Shade and water were key elements to the winners' bids, and bird contact was ample for those dogs who hunted wood edges and moist bottoms.

The judicial seats for the Amateur Derby were Gary Miller and Bob Youngs. The field of nine was narrowed down to three standouts, with Miller's Grey Street, owned and handled by Dennis Snyder, winning the stake with a big running, perfectly gaited forward race. His animated style exhibited confidence in his game location. Grey Street's manners at flight were indeed acceptable for a fall derby. Second place was Hammer, a pointer male owned and handled by Grayson Francis. Hammer ran a stylish forward race that exemplified the type of drive you want to see in a young dog. Hammer did not have any bird contact during his 30 minutes. New Salem Willie, a pointer male, owned and handled by Larry Cox, ran a birdless brace but with good style and enthusiasm.

Rodney Poston of South Carolina and Rob Maguire of Virginia presided over the Hunter Wilcox All-Age Classic. The early drawing of the trial indicated that 16 dogs would compete for placements. Unforeseen health issues, schedule conflicts, and the forecasted heat
wave dwindled the field down to 12 as the first dogs came to the line behind the clubhouse for the start of the trial. Hot, dry, and dusty was the prevailing theme of the trial.

I'm A Southern Man, the bold and stylish setter owned and handled by Sam Giddens, was the clear winner of the stake. It was hot, and I'm A Southern Man never showed any indications that the steamy conditions would hamper his efforts. His race was wide, always forward, and with ease. He was a very happy dog and, at times, appeared to show his bracemate where to find water so they could continue the hour together. I'm A Southern Man earned two perfect finds and a back.

Rock, a pointer male owned and handled by Ray Joyce, was braced with the stake's winner. Soon off the breakaway, Rock had a find honored by his bracemate. It was a large covey, and each dog showed impeccable manners with birds flying in all directions.
Rock ran with determination. He had an unproductive going up the hill before the road crossing at the clubhouse. The water holes provided relief at the right time as he headed into the "New Loop." He handled the long fields and course turns with ease. He went on to
have a divided find with his bracemate and, at time, ran to the front and pinned a single.
Cape Hickory Bucky, a big pointer male, owned by Paul Gadd, was the third-placed dog. Bucky and his handler had a very joyful hour. Bucky ran wide and far and to the front. The morning dew was beginning to evaporate as his hour progressed. Bucky first found birds on the left side of the course at around 47, shortly after passing the soldier camp. The birds were held tight in a low moist area and exploded in all directions at flush. Bucky had a second find after time on a pair held up in a briary row on the left about a half mile past McGhee's Castle.

The Amateur Shooting Dog stake started after lunch on Saturday. It was hot, hot, hot by that point in the day. Six dogs were drawn, and four started their hour. Lucky Recharge, a pointer male owned and handled by Earl Drew, and Ms. Lady W, handled by Gary Miller, departed behind the clubhouse together. It was a challenging hour, but each dog was in good shape, and their stamina training paid off. Their race was as forward and far as possible, given the conditions. Lucky had a find in the shade at 52 and was honored by his bracemate. They finished the hour.

The second brace was Island Blue Genes, owned and handled by Earl Drew, and Miss Clinique, owned and handled by Gary Miller. The brace was cast off; however, shortly after passing the bunker, each handler stopped to water and evaluated their dogs. Together, the handlers determined the conditions were too harsh and decided to end their bid early.

The North-South Field Trial Club would like to thank everyone who pitched in and helped with the trial. We especially appreciate Purina's continued advertising support and Pro Plan dog food
donation to the winners.
Hoffman, N. C., November 4
Judges: Gary Miller and Bob Youngs
AMATEUR DERBY - 8 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st--MILLER'S GREY STREET, 1697743, pointer male, by Touch's Grey StreetHirollins Fancy Lady Dan. Denise Snyder, owner and handler.
2d--SADIE RIDGE HAMMER, 1701215, pointer male by Broken Halo-Rocky River First Choice. Grayson Francis, owner and handler.
3d--NEW SALEM WILLIE, 1698040, pointer male, by Wild Southern Knight-New Salem Katie. Larry Cox, owner and handler.
Judges: Rob Maguire and Rodney Poston
WILCOX AMATEUR ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 14 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st--I'M A SOUTHERN MAN, 1685724, setter male, by I'm Southern Style-A Tarheel Pretty Penny. Hunter's Creek Kennels & Sammy & Nida Giddens, owners; Sammy Giddens, handler.
2d--ROCKY RIVER LOADED, 1696572, pointer male, by Broken Halo-Morgan's Mountain Maggie. Carl Lefler & Phil Stevenson, owners; Ray Joyce, handler.
3d--CAPE HICKORY BUCKY, 1671550, pointer male, by Walnut Tree FredHomeboy Girl. Paul W. Gadd, owner and handler.
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 5 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st--LUCKY RECHARGE, 1681737, pointer male, by Bud of Piney Woods-Blue Ribbon Bella. Earl & Margaret Drew, owners; Gary Miller, handler.
2d--MS. LADY W, 1671582, pointer female, by Dunn's Tried'n True-Moonlite Magic. Earl Drew, Jr., owner and handler.