Dog trials held in county

By Sandy Morris

Thirteen pointers and one English Setter were entered in the sixth annual Region 7 American Field Trial Clubs of America (AFTCA) Amateur All-Age Championship and the M.G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby Classic held on Friday, Jan. 22.

Trainers, owners, and highly skilled hunting dogs from across Texas and surrounding states traveled to the Crooked Tree Ranch in Shackelford County for the regional championship that is a qualifying trial for the AFTCA National Amateur Invitational Championship.

Gunna Be A Rockstar, a male pointer owned and handled by Dr. Buck Neil, was named the 2021 Champion, earning the owner an original painting of his winning dog by artist Leah Brigham. 

Baja Blues, a pointer male also owned and handled by Neil, was named runner-up. 

In the M.G. Perkins Amateur All-Age Derby, there were six contenders.  

Texas Cool, another pointer male owned and handled by Neil, took first place honors.  

Second place went to Reed’s Super Spirit, a pointer female owned and handled by Jason Super.

Third place was awarded to Wheat’s Slim Shrek, a pointer male owned and handled by Joshua Wheat. 

The competition was scheduled to began at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, but fog delayed the start of the trial until past noon.

Once the trial began, birds were found on every course throughout the trial.

The organization thanked Virgil Moore and Charlie Collier for judging the 2021 event and Buck Neil for chairing the event.  John Benoist was thanked for taking on the job of dog wagon driver duties and Tyson Traw received a nod for helping keep riders on course and for finding those who were lost. 

Purina, who is a long-time sponsor of the event, also was recognized for their support.