Central Prairie Field Trial report
Central Prairie FTC
November 5, 2022
The Central Prairie FTC held their fall trial on Nov. 5, 2022 at the Ellis farm in Orchardville, Il. The bad news for the day was that the weather was not the best for holding a field trial. A lot of rain Friday night that did stop about 7 am, just prior to starting the trial. Wind gusts all day were very trying for dogs finding and handling birds. The good news is that we had a very big entry with 45 dogs. Handlers came from Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois to compete. The quality of entries was great, as each stake was hotly contested. Again we are so blessed to have the Ellis farm to hold our trials. The grounds were in very good shape for this fall trial. Judges for the trial were Jeff Hainline, Rick Stanford, Frank Christy, Brad Hargis, and your scribe. Lunch was prepared by Jae Crunk. This farm allows to have two courses are we could not have handled 45 dogs.
Amateur Shooting Dogs
First place went to Sadie, RSF handled by Mike Fox. Sadie had 3 finds, 1 unproductive with a strong forward race. Sadie was always hunting in the most likely areas. Second place went To Roxie PF, for Craig Hiatt. Roxie must like Orchardville as she always does well here. Roxie had two finds and a reaching big race always to the front. Danny Draffen’s PM Red was awarded third with a huge race and one find. So many quality dogs ran in this stake and a placement was significant..
Amateur Derby
Trigg, PM for Stephen Fuess took home first place. Trigg had 1 broke find 1 unproductive and a strong race always staying on the edges. Stephen Fuess also had the second place dog with Bert, SM place on a great race always to the front. Travis Patterson’s BF, Artie took home third with 1 find and a strong race.
Amateur Puppy
First in the puppies went to Boomer PM for Travis Patterson. No birds on the course today for the puppies so placements were decided by race. Second place also went to a Travis Patterson entry, Artie BF. It was very close between these two entries. Third place went to Bell, PF for Marla Stockrahm. Bell ran a strong forward race for Marla. Marla’a husband Brian has just recently let Marla run dogs and she is doing a good job.
Amateur Gun Dog
First place went to Diamond, GSF for John Landolina with 2 finds and 2 backs. Second went to Jack RSM, for Jack McCuane with 2 finds and 1 unproductive. Cam PM, for Danny Draffen took home 3rd place with 1 find, 1 back, and 1 unproductive. These are dogs that anybody would love to wild bird hunt behind.
This trial is a NBHA trial and we need to thank Purina Pro Plan, Gun Dog Supply plus national sponsors Garmin, Mule Hunting Clothing, and Gun Dog Central. Despite the weather conditions, this was a very good trial. Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy a day for field trialing.
