Result: Region 6 AFTCA Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Huntingdon, Tennessee

Post Date: Mar 1, 2023

Submitted By: Co-Authors Kent Walker and Lisa Little

Thirty dogs were drawn for the renewal of the Region 6 Amateur All-Age Championship. The trial was hosted December 9-11, 2022, by the Carroll County Field Trial Club on their grounds in Huntingdon, Tenn. Many entries were already champions. Rarely do you get so many outstanding performances that, on any given day, many could win most trials in the country. Several dogs had multiple finds. Six dogs had four finds each during the competition. Bird finding was at a premium with 46 coveys pointed during the 2-and-a-half-days of running. Sixteen coveys were pointed on Day 1, eighteen on Day 2, and twelve more on the final half day.

The grounds in Huntingdon have been manicured to perfection thanks to David Williams' hard work and diligence. All courses are laid out so that an all-age dog can be shown well. Covey locations were distributed evenly on all three courses.

Judging this year's championship were veteran field trialers Mike Lemons of Conway, Ark., and Kent Walker of Collierville, Tenn. Both have raised, trained, and competed with their dogs for many years. These gentlemen had their work cut out at this trial with many commendable performances. Each brace was discussed, start to finish, with little separation between the winners and a handful of others. We are incredibly grateful for Mike and Kent's willingness to sit in the judicial saddle, the hardest job to have during a trial.

Emerging as champion was Pendy's Good Grace, handled by her owner Matt Pendergest. Grace was credited with a far-reaching ground race and four well-spaced finds with one divided find. Pendy's Good Grace was whelped by Matt and his father, Jim, in January 2015. The soon-to-be 8-year-old orange and white female pointer's sire is Reloaded, and dam is Dialed In. Matt and his father continue to find success with their line of pointers.

Claiming runner-up laurels was Rebel Dreams for owner/handler David Williams. Dreams had four extended finds with perfect manners on game. Her race was smooth, forward, and consistent throughout the hour. The 4-year-old liver and white female sire is Dominator's Rebel Heir, and dam is Rebel Maiden. David and Angie Williams and their professional handler son-in-law, Jamie Daniels, have had great success with the Rebel lineage.

As always, the support group in Huntingdon is first class. The daily meals prepared by Michelle Clark and Angie Williams were top-notch. The dog wagon team of drivers was always on time and ready to roll. Thanks to Lebob Stanfill, Dan Warrick, and Phillip Barnett. We would also like to thank our sponsor, Sportsman's Pride. Their sponsorship included assistance with the cost of advertising and gift cards for the winners. The champion received $600 in gift cards and a field trial bridle and rein set from Winner's Circle. The runner-up received $300 in gift cards and a field trial breast collar from Winner's Circle.

From the early weather forecast, the running of the trial seemed suspect, but as luck would have it, the rain was averted, and only a slight delay occurred due to fog on one of the three mornings. As a result, the skies stayed overcast with temperatures near 50 degrees each brace, making bird-finding conditions excellent, and the dogs didn't disappoint.

This was a quality trial with terrific grounds, ideal weather, outstanding competitors, and great hospitality. That combination is just hard to beat!

Huntingdon, Tenn., December 9
Judges: Mike Lemons and Kent Walker
REGION 6 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 28 Pointers, 1 Setter and 1 Irish Setter
Winner--PENDY'S GOOD GRACE, 1664858, pointer female, by Reloaded-Dialed In. Matt Pendergest, owner and handler.
Runner-Up--REBEL DREAMS, 1687736, pointer female, by Dominator's Rebel heir-Rebel Maiden. David E. Williams, owner and handler.

Region 6 (AFTCA) Amateur All-Age Championship Winners (from left): Jim Pendergest posing Pendy's Good Grace and Gary McKibben posing Rebel Dreams. (Back row): Megan Henry, Matt Pendergest, Judges Mike Lemons and Kent Walker, David and Angie Williams, and Michelle Clark.