Quail Forever Championship Trial
2008 Champion, Crosswinds Truckin Fritz
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 Ed Murdock, NSTRA 1st vice-president, presenting Eric Griffiths and Second Chance Scooby with the 1st runner-up Belt Buckle and a 225# certificate for ProPlan Dog food compliments of NSTRA's major sponsor - Purina Pet Products |
 Ed presenting Scott Boomershine and Boomer's X Rated with a knife set from Shuler's Great Outdoors Corp. for his 2nd runner-up win. |
 Ed presents Angela Healan and Mickey's Harmonica with the NSTRA wall plaque for 3rd runner-up win. |
2008 Quail Forever/NSTRA Championship
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January 9 thru January 12 were the dates for the 2nd running of the Quail Forever/NSTRA Championship held at the Four Star Plantation in Elberton, Georgia. We were welcomed by our gracious hosts, Danny and Nancy Brownlow. The Brownlows offered us the use of their plantation for an entire week which included a 2 day pretrial. There are many camp sites on the grounds with a rock road to each hook-up area. It would be hard to guess the number of tons of rock that Danny hauled to make sure the campers were able to drive to their sites. Those without campers stayed at the Elberton Inn in Elberton. The clubhouse was open throughout the day for use by everyone. Three fields featured 148 dogs which was a “beat your bracemate” elimination for Wednesday and Thursday on 3 fields. Friday’s elimination consisted of the top 6 dogs from A field, and the top 5 from B and C fields. On Saturday we went back to the “beat your bracemate” format for the duration of the trial. The pre-trial was expertly ran by David and Angela Healan. It was a great chance for trialers to see the lay of the land for the Championship event. The Brownlows, along with Danny’s sister, Shelia, and friends Alan and Pam Crowell were on hand each day to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to the trial officials, trialers and their families. There’s never a doubt from one meal to another that the menu will be different each day and consist of great food served with a smile; we’re talking dessert at lunch and dinner each day. We can’t thank these fine people enough for their special southern hospitality. Also on hand every evening was Beth and Carlton Cooper, Danny and Nancy’s daughter and grandson. Son-in-law, Ernie, was busy judging the trial during the day, but was also on hand each evening. It is truly a family affair.
On Wednesday morning Ed Murdock, trial chairman and David Healan, co-chairman held a meeting for the trial personnel to go over boundaries and make introductions. The trial would start around 8 a.m. each morning after field cleaners took care of any left-over birds from the day before.
A field judges were Ernie Cooper and Shelley Dunn, with Stan Perdue as field marshal and B.J.Carroll handling the birds for the day.
Ed and David were once again on hand to present the gifts to the Final Four. The first presentation was made to the 3rd runner-up, Mickey’s Harmonica, owned and handled by Angela Healan from the Georgia Region. Mickey earned his first championship on Friday during an elimination round of the 2008 QF Championship. He has 23 lifetime points, 18 of which are first place points. He is a 3 year old German Shorthair Pointer, from the sire – Magnum’s Touch of Gold and dam – Monica Bonnie Parker. Mickey’s first placement came on 11/4/06 at the Millstone Trial. He also placed 1st during a qualification round of the 2007 QF/NSTRA Championship. Angela was presented with 112.5 # of Purina Pro Plan; a unique metal wall hanging incorporating the NSTRA logo; a trophy and belt buckle from NSTRA; and a Winchester Knife Set compliments of Shuler’s Great Outdoors Corporation. Our hats are off to Angela and Mickey for a great week; congratulations from your NSTRA friends.
Second runner-up was Boomer’s X Rated, owned/handled by Scott Boomershine of the Indiana Region. Johnny is not new to the winner’s circle, having won the Trial of Champions in 2007 at Amo, Indiana. He is a 4 year old, English Setter Male, from multiple champion Boomer’s Super X and Rockpoint Trixie. Johnny is a 5 time NSTRA Champion earning his first championship on 3/12/06. He is also a NSTRA National Champion after his win at the TOC. Johnny’s first win came in September, 2005. He has also placed during a qualification round at the 2006 Quail Invitational in Florida, the 2006 Grand National in Colorado, and the 2007 TOC in Amo, Indiana. He was 2nd runner-up during the 2007 Indiana Region Finals and placed during a qualification run during the 2007 Purina Endurance Classic. Scott was presented with 112.5 # of Purina Pro Plan; the metal wall hanging ; a trophy and belt buckle from NSTRA; and the Winchester Knife. Congratulations Scott and Johnny for another championship win and phenomenal week.
Our first runner-up was Second Chance Scooby, 4 year old English Setter Male, owned and handled by Eric Griffiths of the Michigan Region. Scooby is from the sire – See Johnny Run and dam – Killion Diamond Kate. He earned his first championship on November 3, 2007 at the Pigeon River Trial. Scooby’s first point came on February 26, 2006 at the Rush Creek Farm Trial. He continued on his quest with an accumulation of 27 lifetime points, 14 first place points and 13 other points. No doubt we will hear more about this fine setter and his competitive handler in time to come. Eric was presented with 225# Purina Pro Plan from Purina and a shotgun, compliments of the Georgia Region. The Georgia Region is to be commended for this generous gift along with all their help in holding the pretrial and helping with the championship. Eric also won the metal wall hanging; a trophy and belt buckle from NSTRA; and the Winchester Knife Set. A big “hats off” to Eric and Scooby for a great job.
WINNER: The winner of the 2008 Quail Forever/NSTRA Championship was Crosswind Truckin Fritz, 7 year old, German Shorthair Pointer Male, owned by Kevin Townsend of the Michigan Region handled by brother, Scott. Fritz was whelped 3/16/2000, his sire being – Harrison’s Blue Jesse, and dam – Stars Lacy Baby. Fritz earned his 1st championship on 3/9/03 and is now a 12 time NSTRA champion. He is also a 2 time National Champion and 3 time Regional champion. He has 221 lifetime points of which 139 are first place points. Fritz’ first placement came on 6/23/02 at the Mil-Run Farms trial. In May, 2003, he placed 2nd runner-up during the Michigan Regional elimination. In October, 2003 he was 3rd runner-up during the DOY championship. Fritz was the Michigan Regional Champion in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In June, 2005 Scott handled Fritz to a 1st runner-up win at the Grand National Championship following in October, 2006 with a 3rd runner-up slot at the DOY Championship. In January, 2007 Fritz was crowned the 2007 Quail Forever/NSTRA National Champion only to follow with the 2008 QF/NSTRA Championship. What a triumphant win for this special duo. Kevin, Scott, and Fritz were presented with 450# of Purina Pro Plan. They also received a shotgun from the Georgia Region; the ornamental metal wall hanging; a trophy and belt buckle from NSTRA; and the Winchester Knife Set from Shuler’s Outdoor Corporation. Our best wishes to the Townsend Brothers and their special dog “Fritz”.
Once again, thanks to the Brownlows, Purina, Bob Bertram, QF, Ed Murdock, David Healan and the Georgia Region for all their hard work. To the trial officials, thanks for making our job so much easier; it’s a great feeling knowing that we have the utmost confidence in your abilities, whether that be judging, marshaling or bird handling. You did a super job, again.
Until we meet again, happy trialing.
A Few Highlights: Be sure to ask Jay Wade his directions for caring for a Filson Leather Hunting Jacket. Jay has a special way of preserving the jacket. I believe that the story is told that when he was finished there was nothing left but the buttons. That’s all I know.
Although Garry Foster, NSTRA Treasurer, and Ted Dewey, NSTRA President, were not on hand for long, they were present for the evening meal on Tuesday. Both had to leave early Wednesday morning. Second Vice-President, Frank Llano, was on hand during the week and also running his dog, Buck.
Shelia Steele, Danny’s sister, received a “You are here” gift from Danny and Nancy each day. Example, you could be lounging on the beach, but “YOU ARE HERE”. We were glad Shelia chose being with us rather than lounging on the beach; we’re just not sure that she was glad. She’s a great sport.
We also noticed that Roger Drake took in some “boys to raise”
during the trial. Thanks to Roger, as someone had to do it.