Result: Georgia-Florida Invitational Field Trial Club

Location: Boston, Georgia

Post Date: May 5, 2023

Submitted By: Maria Bassham

The 60th annual spring running of the Georgia-Florida Invitational Handlers' Trial was held on the beautiful grounds of Seminole Plantation in Boston, Ga. The trial started on Friday, March 10, but could only run four braces that first day due to a storm system that quickly rolled in. Saturday's running picked up the two remaining braces and ran eight that day to complete the all-age dogs. Four braces of derby dogs ran on the crisp, cool Sunday morning, bringing the spring trial to a conclusion before lunch.

We sincerely thank the Rankin Smith family, the Knox family, Wallace Reed, and the entire staff of Seminole Plantation for allowing us to run on their beautiful South Georgia plantation. Thank you to our sponsors and club members for keeping this field trial up and running for 60 years. We couldn't do it without you. Ag-Pro sponsored Friday and Saturday's lunches and the delicious catered meals were enjoyed by all that attended. Serving tables with white tablecloths and round guest tables were set up in the entry of the barn, with a few stalled horses admiring the spread. Thank you to Andrew Campbell of Northfield, Mass., and Gary Futch of Statesboro, Ga., for riding in the judicial saddles. We wouldn't be able to hold trials like these without these two gentlemen selflessly sharing their expertise and time watching these canine athletes.

We had several dogs that weekend whose ground effort was much appreciated. We were eagerly hopeful and would have loved to have seen them have some bird work. One of our handlers got to run in his very first field trial. Daniel Ward entered his dog, Shot, and ran in brace No. 4 on Friday. He was braced with Michael Hill, who could experience the competition's thrill. Shot and bracemate Dot had points that did not result in a flight of birds, but the judges and gallery's support and encouragement were exciting to be a part of. They both completed their hour-long brace and had their dogs when time was called. It was a fabulous learning experience for Daniel and Shot and one I'm sure won't soon be forgotten.

The Winners

The first-place winner of the Open Shooting Dog was Tallokas New Business ("Chance") and handler Jason Loper. Chance was last fall's Derby winner of the Handlers' trial held at Burnt Branch. The handsome male pointer ran Saturday morning, brace No. 1, after the storm delay of Friday afternoon's braces. His bracemate was Pine Straw Half N Half and Lee Phillips. Chance had three nice, crystal-clear finds during his hour on the ground. He ran a consistently forward, strong race and was working for his handler. Chance also stood to honor one of Half's finds. He did have one unproductive at the end of his powerful shooting dog race but was with his handler at the 60-minute mark.

The second-place winner was Real Thing Dolly and Tommy Rice, Jr. Dolly ran in the last brace of the all-age on Saturday afternoon. She was braced with "Stacey" and Jason Sanders. Dolly had a solid start to her race and was impressive to watch. She had two nice, immaculate finds in her hour on the ground. Dolly handled well and was with her handler at the brace's end.

Pinewood's Blue By U ("Blue") and Shon Powell were the third-place winners. Blue ran on Friday morning in brace No. 2 against "Spec" and Tommy Rice III. At 10, Blue had his first find, and covey was up. He ran a clean, forward race and handled well. His second find came at 57, and he held steady to wing and shot. He was with his handler at the end of the brace when time was called.

The Running: 24 entries
Brace No. 1: Dixie Heir (Lee Phillips) and Stolen Thunder (Terry James Chastain, Jr.)
Brace No. 2: Spec (Tommy Rice III) and Blue (Shon Powell)
Brace No. 3: New Penny Thunderer (Terry James Chastain, Jr.) and Real Thing Cuz (Tommy Rice, Jr.)
Brace No. 4: Shot (Daniel Ward) and Dot (Michael Hill)
Brace No. 5: Chance (Jason Loper) and Pine Straw Half N Half (Lee Phillips)
Brace No. 6: Jake (Devin Harden) and Sister (Dustin Kirby)
Brace No. 7: Bill (Denis Curry) and Bones (Jesse Graffam)
Brace No. 8: Day Money (Wallace Reed) and Sully (Ben Stringer)
Brace No. 9: Bill (Shon Powell) and Nonami's Bandit (Ray Pearce)
Brace No. 10: Sioux Bull Run (L. J. Lundstrom) and Reba (Bubba Reed)
Brace No. 11: Cash (Ben Stringer) and Spike (Charles Morton)
Brace No. 12: Real Thing Dolly (Tommy Rice, Jr.) and Stacey (Jason Sanders)

Boston, Ga., March 10
Judges: Andrew Campbell and Gary Futch
OPEN SHOOTING DOG [One-Hour Heats] - 24 Pointers
1st--TALLOKAS NEW BUSINESS, 1701627, male, by Miller Unfinished Businses-Tallokas Sun Dial. Tallokas Kennels, owner; Jason Loper, handler.
2d--REAL THING DOLLY, 1695583, female, by Mayhaw's Perfect Storm-Erin's Miss Rosebud. Thomas Rice, Jr., owner and handler.
3d--PINEWOOD'S BLUE BY U, 1698292, male, by Ransom-Pinewood's Jenny Bell. Tom Bell & Shon Powell, owners; Shon Powell, handler.

The Open Derby: 7 entries

Unfortunately, no bird work was seen this Sunday morning. The three dogs that placed ran their 30-minute braces with style, and all three handled well. First-place winner, Real Thing Ann Dorst ("Ann"), ran an impressive, forward race in the first brace of the Derby stake. She was pleasing to watch. The second and third-place winners, Foshalee Ice ("Ice") and Pine Straw Bodacious ("Tuff"), competed in brace No. 2 together. In their 30 minutes on the ground, each dog stopped for a point, with the other stopping to honor. No birds took flight, and both points were unproductive for each dog. The dogs handled nicely and were seen across the top of the field when time was called.

OPEN DERBY - 7 Entries
1st--REAL THING ANN DORST, 1700677, pointer female, by Erin's Tough Grit-Dekle's Chasehill Maria. Thomas Rice, Jr., owner and handler.
2d--FOSHALEE ICE, unreg., pointer male, breeding not given. Foshalee Plantation, owner; Chris Rehberg, handler.
3d--PINE STRAW BODACIOUS, 1698807, setter male, by Pine Straw Black Hawk-Pine Straw's Tupelo Honey. Michael Reeves, owner; Lee Phillips, handler

Open Shooting Dog Winners (from left): Jason Loper with Tallokas New Business, Thomas Rice, Jr. with Real Thing Dolly, Shon Powell with Pinewood's Blue By U, Gary Futch (judge), and Andrew Campbell (judge).