Arab Field Trial Club
The Arab, Alabama Field Trial Club held its spring trial at Ken Tolbert’s Murphy Farm training and trialing grounds near Oneonta, Alabama on March 22, 2014. The hundred plus acres of picked and standing corn, stripped sedge, and cut-over woods lines provide an excellent venue for dogs, owners, handlers, and horses. Already having adequate parking and a pleasant clubhouse, the facilities were upgraded this year by the Alabama Region of the NBHA to include a new covered awning with picnic tables. The grounds are a popular spot for both weekend and championship trials, and several Alabama Region clubs are indebted to Ken for his generous provision of these facilities. It seems that Ken and his entire family go the extra mile to welcome trailers and ensure the success of each trial.
The club would like to thank Purina Pro Plan for the dog food coupons, Gun Dog Supply for the gift certificates, and the National NBHA for their financial support. These corporate sponsorships are critical to the success of NBHA and state and regional affiliations. Thanks also to Oscar Whitt for the trophies, Terry Amberson for the lunch supplies, Ken Tolbert for judging and reserving and delivering the birds, Brud Powell for judging, Teresa Green, Tony Bailey and helpers for bird planting, and a host of others who simply did whatever was needed . Anyone who has organized a field trial knows that it is impossible to “pull-it-off” without the help of many volunteers with multiple skill sets. Special thanks go to Joe Barton, Tony Bullock, Dr. Stanley McCain, and Bob Fortune for making the long drives from Georgia and Tennessee to participate in the trial. In addition, Wes Hallman attended his first NBHA trial and provided much needed ATV support for dogs and judges. Wes has a very nice young dog that may run in the Alabama Region next year. Sportsmen like these who are willing to invest their time and resources into field trialing are essential to its continued survival and growth.
While there were several commendable performances in open and amateur shooting dog stakes, it seems that the Alabama Region of the NBHA has been blessed with an unusual number of outstanding derbies this season. Multiple finds, nice style, and good races don’t necessarily equate to automatic placements. Judges find themselves in the enviable position of separating truly excellent performances from the very good. The quantity and quality of derbies this year are testament to the breeding, training, and ownership commitments that are evidenced in the Alabama Region of the NBHA.
The Open shooing dog stake was won by Shadow’s Frigidaire (pictured above). “Fridge” ran in the first brace and had six well-spaced finds with a good race. Handler elected not to flush as he stood on his seventh find at pick-up. His style and character around game set him apart on this day. Second place went to “Big,” a relative newcomer to the Alabama Region. He opened with an excellent back of his brace mate and then went on to have a nice race with five flawless finds. Third place was won by Sand Mountain Andy with a nice race and four broke finds.
Joe Barton of Decatur, Georgia came to Alabama on a mission. He won first and second in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. First place went to Tattle with a fast, snappy race and multiple broke finds. She exhibited excellent style both running and pointing. Second went to Barton’s Brave Heart, a white and black male. His race and bird-finding ability could have easily won first on any other day. Third went to Attitudes High Finance (Myria), fresh off two-weeks of successful road trips to Arkansas and South Carolina.
The open derby was won by Sand Mountain Will with a huge race and three broke limb finds. Will and handler Oscar Whitt are obviously on the “same page.” Will has made an impression this field trial season with his run, style, bird-finding abilities, and handling. He is currently in contention for both state and National honors. Second went to Barton’s Double Barrel with an excellent race and multiple broke finds. His style and application were excellent; he could have won first on many other days. Third place went to Sand Mountain Icy, owned by Mike Otinger and handled by Terry Amberson. Mike also owns Sand Mountain Will and Sand Mountain Spirit. Icy has had a very good derby season and is currently in contention for state and National honors. A big, reaching race resulted in two excellent finds and a voluntary back. It should be noted that several other very nice dogs had good performances, but, with everything being equal, minor, derby infractions had to be considered in the final placements.
All in all, it was a good day. Nice weather, good dogs, good food, good friends, and aggressive, sportsmanlike competition.
