Result: Georgia Derby Classic and Open Shooting Dog Championships

Location: Waynesboro, Georgia

Post Date: Apr 4, 2023

Submitted By: Nell Mobley Mike Jackson John R Kimbrell

Georgia Derby Classic Winners: Miller's Upgraded Design with Janet Hinkle, Miller's Little Duce Coupe with George Tracy, and Great River Stallion with Doug Ray, joined by other owners, judges, club officials, and attendees.

Signs can be seen on the street light post in Waynesboro welcoming field trialers and visitors to the "Bird Dog Capital of the World."

Since 1903, trials have been held annually. For many years, the trials were staged on the property of various landowners. For the past 32 years, we have been fortunate to have permanent grounds at DiLane Plantation to run our trials. The U. S. Corp of Engineers owns the property and leases it to the Georgia government for the Georgia Field Trial Association to run our trials. Our only expense for using the grounds and clubhouse is cleaning them after the events.

Ryan Mickel, Wildlife Technician 3, and his staff use and prepare three courses. Ryan is an enthusiastic young man who has our sport at heart. He works diligently to prepare the grounds to perfection. Wildlife quail can again be seen due to his hard work and expertise. Chuck Miller releases pen-raised birds at 6 a.m. each morning to supplement the wild quail population.

The pairing of the dogs was held at the home of Nell Mobley, GFTA secretary, on Friday, January 6. The drawing was conducted by Gary Futch, President, John Ray Kimbrell, Stake Manager, and Mike Jackson. Chuck prepared drawing sheets, with Mary Kimbrell taking care of the judges' books.

Entries were somewhat down this season. Ten derbies were drawn for the Derby Classic and 43 for the Shooting Dog Championship.
Gary Futch, Mike Jackson, and Jack Schwarz served as marshals. John Ray Kimbrell continues to serve as stake manager and driver of the dog wagon. Bird Dog Motors allows us to use a pickup for the duration of the trials.

Derby Classic
To name the top three dogs, Derek Bonner of Mooresboro, N. C., and Scott Griffin of Charlotte, N. C., were riding in the saddles. Both sportsmen were attentive as they watched each dog perform. They own and run their dogs in competition and know the qualities to look for as each dog covers the course.

After five braces, Miller's Upgraded Design (PM) captured first-place honors. He is owned by Allen Linder and handled by George Tracy. Design was a classy running young dog with finds at 2, 47, and backed bracemate at 7, all with good style. The hour was completed with a medium, forward race. Second place went to Miller's Little Duce Coupe (PF), owned by Allen Linder and Madison McDonald and handled by George Tracy. Coupe had finds at 17, 25, and 43, all in order with good style. Coupe ran a good forward race and finished the hour to the front. Doug Ray handled Great River Stallion (PM) to third place. Great River Kennels own Stallion. He had clean finds at 12 and 15 and a stylish stop to flush at 13. The hour ended complimented with a nice forward medium race.

The Others

The first hour of the stake began on Wednesday morning with Marsh's Blind Luck (Rice) and Jackson's Vogue (Jackson). It was a short hour for these two derbies. Luck made a mistake on birds at 30 and was taken up by the handler. Vogue did not heed his training at 16 and was harnessed.

Shoemaker's Wicked Sister (Tracy) and Great River Stallion (Ray). Sister had all in order, stylish finds at 14, 30, and 41. Birds were not lifted with a point at 49. She ran a medium race. Stallion's performance is covered earlier.

Miller's Upgraded Design (Tracy) and Tallokas New Business (Loper). Design's performance has been covered. Business was running well with finds at 7, 14, and 30. Birds were not seen with a point at 12. He was lost with Loper requesting a tracker at 48.

Waybetter Thor (Tracy) and Cold Creek Thrill Tuff (Rice). No birds were noted at 8, followed by stylish finds at 45 and 49. Thor ran a solid forward race. Tuff carded a find at 40 and backed his bracemate at 15. He had a nice forward race for the hour.

The final brace of the stake ran on course 2. Miller's Little Duce Coupe (Tracy) and CS Four Season's Gunner (Ray). Coupe's performance has been covered. Gunner ran a moderate race to finish the hour. He had a find at 37 and honored bracemate at 17 and 25.

Waynesboro, Ga., January 11
Judges: Derek Bonner and Scott Griffin
GEORGIA DERBY CLASSIC - 10 Pointers
1st-MILLER'S UPGRADED DESIGN, 1700308, male, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Walden's Ice Breaker. Allen Linder, owner; George Tracy, handler.
2d-MILLER'S LITTLE DUCE COUPE, 1700309, female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Walden's Ice Breaker. Allen Linder & Madison McDonald, owners; George Tracy, handler.
3d-GREAT RIVER STALLION, 1702396, male, by B K Bonafide Stallion-B K Hirollins Wild. Great River Kennel, owners; Doug Ray, handler.

GEORGIA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP

Two gentlemen from North Carolina accepted the invitation to judge the Open Shooting Dog Championship. Whitley Stephenson is from Smithfield, and David Huffine is from Wilmington. They have filled judicial saddles and know the qualities to look for in a Shooting Dog Championship. They rode and watched all entries intently.

Following 22 braces, John Ray Kimbrell, Stake Manager, announced a champion and runner-up. Miller's Southern Gossip (PF) received top honors. George Tracy handled him for owner Allen Linder. Gossip ran on course 3, the final brace of the day. This 4-year-old ran a solid forward race, always to the front. Stylish finds were carded at 2, 8, 12, 23, 26, and 28. Can you beat that performance?

I'm Spartacus (PM), handled by Doug Ray for owner Jett Ferebee, was named runner-up. Spartacus was loosed on course 1 following lunch. His race was a little short initially, but as the hour progressed, he got stronger. His finds at 34 and 54 were a sight to see. No birds were lifted with a point at 38.

The Others

The first brace of the stake began at 8 a.m. on Thursday with Cheap Thrill (Rice) and Calico's Sky's The Limit (Tracy). Thrill started well with a nice find at 14. He was not seen for some time resulting in a request for the tracker at 34. Limit had multiple finds at 26, 38, and 58, all in order. A no-show of game was recorded at 4. The hour was filled with style, and she was credited with a medium-range race.

Erin's Tough Grit (Rice) and A Buccaneer (Ray). Grit was lost, and the retrieval device was requested at 20. Buccaneer had nice finds at 14, 38, and 56. He pointed at 22, but no game was seen. The race shortened at times, but the hour was finished with style.

Miller's Heat Seeker (Tracy) and Nella Belgian Brew (Rice). Multiple finds with birds lifted at 9, 48, and 55 were credited to Seeker. No game was lifted with a point at 4. He honored his bracemate at 18 and 30. He was to the front when time was called. Brew had three nice finds within the first 30 minutes; one early at 2, another at 18 and 30. She backed bracemate at 9. She was not pleasing her handler and was harnessed at 45.

I'm Spartacus (Ray). His runner-up performance was covered. Miller's Strolling For Gold (Tracy) was not pleasing Tracy resulting in a request for the tracker at 40.

Proof Nation (Rice) and Jackson's Front Money (Jackson). Money knew his plan: to point birds, run with style and finish his time. Early in the hour, he had a nice find at 10. No birds were seen with a point at 30. This would not stop Money. He had stylish finds at 40, 45, and 50. Watch for this pointer male in future trials.

Miller's Flowers and Lace (Tracy) and Pavo Thrill (Rice). A short hour for these two dogs. Lace pointed at 5, but no birds were seen, and Tracy chose to pick up. Thrill pointed at breakaway, but no game was noted. He moved on a find at 12 and handler harnessed.

Touch's Flo Rider (Jackson) and Charitable Deed (Rice). Rider had stylish finds at 7 and 14 but moved after flush and taken up. Deed carded good finds with style at 14, 24, 28, and 39. The hour was finished with a moderate race to his credit.

Miller's Just Plain Rowdy (Tracy) and Hillhavyn's Wild Child (J. Tracy). Rowdy was missing early in the hour with a request for the retrieval unit at 14. Child is credited with finds at 24 and 34. She continued but was not pleasing her handler and was taken up at 48.

Grand Prairie Thrill (Rice). Thrill suffered a front leg injury and was picked up at 2. Absolute Dominator (Ray). Following no show of birds at 10 and 26, Ray picked up.

Lewis Bluegrass Punchline (Rice) and Miller's Special Cinderella (Tracy). Punch Line was taken up by the handler for a breach of manners. Tracy chose to end the hour for Cinderella at 56.

Smooth Talkin (Ray) and Miller's Blazing Hot Chick (Tracy). Talking had a nice find at 14 and honored bracemate at 10. No birds were seen, with a point at 56. Talking had a wide race at times. The hour was finished. Hot Chick seemed to know what to do when she was turned loose. Good style was witnessed at 10 and 19. A nice back of bracemate at 14. She finished the hour and had a strong forward race.

Oahe Buck (Rice) and Miller's Upgrading The Ante (Tracy). Buck had a no-show of game at 7 and 23 and was picked up by the handler. Following a second unproductive, Ante was picked up.

Hatteras Sand Storm (Ray) and Waybetter Rocky (Tracy). Storm moved on birds at 7 and was picked up. Rocky knew what he needed to do when he was turned loose. He honored his bracemate at 7 and proceeded with stylish finds at 14, 37, 43, and 51. When time was called, he could be seen to the front with a nice forward race.

R Q's Saddle (J. Tracy) and Miller's Big Iron (Tracy). Saddle had well-spaced stylish finds at 16, 17, 19, 34, 44, and 58--a nice forward race to watch throughout the hour. Iron was not pleasing his handler resulting in pick up at 14.

Walden's Ridge Rain Storm (Ray) and Miller's Million Dollar Penny (Tracy). A find was witnessed at 20 for Storm. Ray requested the retrieval unit at 34, along with Tracy, for Penny. The final day of the stake has arrived with three braces and a bye-dog to run.

Miller's Lock and Loaded (Tracy) and Real Thing Dolly (Rice, Jr.). Finds were carded for Loaded at 8, 17, and 24. The handler requested the tracker at 45. Dolly suffered unproductives at 5 and 22 and was taken up.

The Secret (J. Tracy) and Hatteras Rip Tide (Ray). Secret had a limb find at 7 and honored bracemate at 59. She ran a moderate race, wide at times, and finished the hour.

Miller's Automatic Upgrade (Tracy) and Tommy Two Spot (Ray). Tracy requested the tracker at 27. Ray picked up Tommy Two Spot at 20.

The final brace of the stake saw Real Thing Cuz (Rice, Sr.). Cuz pointed at 25, all in order. He continued with a medium race.

Judges: David Huffine and Whitley Stephenson
GEORGIA OPEN SHOOTING DOG CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 42 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner-MILLER'S SOUTHERN GOSSIP, 1690150, pointer female, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Erin's Little Rose. Allen Linder, owner; George Tracy, handler.
Runner-Up-I'M SPARTACUS, 1695668, pointer male, by Miller's Upgraded Version-Miller's Special Edition. Jett Ferebee, owner; Doug Ray, handler.

Some Sidelights
Birds were pointed in every brace. The handlers reported that nice grown birds were sighted. Pat Johnson raised the birds.

Many individuals and businesses contribute annually to the Georgia Field Trial Association. I am very proud to hear statements such as "we do not receive local recognition anywhere we go to equal Waynesboro's support."

The Burke County Chamber of Commerce funds advertising in the UKC Field. Ashley Roberts, Chamber of Commerce President, is on hand to help in many ways during the trials.

An oyster roast is hosted on Thursday evening by the Chamber. Ashley solicits sponsors to defray the cost. Owners and handlers receive gifts from the Chamber.

Nestle Purina continues to host the owners'/handlers' dinner. They also provide feed certificates to the winners, feed samples to be distributed, and hats. Greg Blair is commended for ensuring everything is on hand before the trials.

Gary Futch, Mike Jackson, and Jack Schwarz serve as marshals. Mike has been coming from Indiana for seven years to help. John Ray has served as stake manager for over 15 years.

Chuck Miller releases birds and takes care of more duties than I can name. Vice-President Art Lively manages Green Ag and employs Chuck. He allows Chuck to be away from the job to help.
Lunches were provided daily by the GFTA. Cates Firestone and Salter Building Supply provided dinner for the judges on Saturday evening.
The Corner Store provided ice daily for the All-Age and Shooting Dog stakes. The fish fry is always a highlight. The Exchange Club members prepare the meal. David Steele, who owned the 2022 Derby winner, and Bill and Muriel Primm, who owned the Shooting Dog champion, funded the fish fry.

Operation Round-up is a program of Planters Electric Membership Corporation. Through funds from the program, they provide a grant to assist with the purchase of birds. Quail Unlimited also provides funds.
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a banquet annually for its members. Business of the Year is recognized along with Citizen of the Year.
To my surprise, I was recognized as Citizen of the Year for my service as secretary of the GFTA since 1981. Field trials have been a significant part of my life. Waynesboro citizens are aware of the financial impact that our trials have on our economy.

At 87 years of age, the time has come for me to begin training someone else to assume my duties. My grandson, Craig Elliott, has been elected as secretary. Craig has been active in the sport for several years. I will continue to be active as long as my health permits.

Georgia Open Shooting Dog Championship Winners (front row): Nell Mobley, Muriel Primm (owner), Miller's Southern Gossip with Janet Hinkle, I'm Spartacus with Peyton Gumby, Kaley Lee, Doug Ray (handler), and judges, club officials, and attendees. George Tracy handled the champion.