Trial News

The Georgia Championships
21 March 2010
Pavo, GA

We started rolling in to Dales Aldridge's place Friday afternoon.  It's just a little north of Pavo, GA, which is a little east of Thomasville, GA , which is a little north of Tallahassee, FL- smack dab in the middle of the best quail habitat in the United States.  There is a reason that 50,000 ac. quail plantations have located here for the last 150 years.  And the weather was more than perfect, a "Chamber of Commerce" day for sure- brilliant sun and 75 degrees with low humidity.  
You can see by the picture that the wheat planted over the winter was up just a bit with all the rain we'd been having.  It was really pretty easy to walk through and the dogs had no problem with it, but the judges really had a hard time following the smaller dogs, Brit's and such.  But Jimmy Johnson and Eddie Green did a great job for us and proved up to the task, judging off horseback and doing a great job!  Stan Perdue and David Healan and Keith Koon kept us on track with Stevie Cunningham hiding the birds so well, I don't think any left the field.  

At the end of the first day, we had our awards banquet with Toby/Roberts in 1st, Dude/Corey Perdue in 2nd and Skye/Gunnyon in 3rd.  After and incredible dinner of grilled pork chops, vegetables and cobbler, with a smattering of fried pound cake and ice cream as an appetizer, we started seeing the old men start dozing off.  So, we knew we'd better get the awards banquet started.
The new President was announced and Ricky Gunnyon was elected President and Stan Perdue will be Vice President.  Angela Healan with be the esteemed Secretary/Treasurer once again.  The Sportsman on the Year was awarded to Dale Aldridge for his unselfish attitude and sportsmanship throughout the
year.  Dale is a great guy and he and his family are welcome additions to the Georgia Region Family!  
Young people even showed up- here's Katie Beth and Brandon (I think there's something going on here!)

Next we awarded the Jusge of the Year award to Stan Perdue.  Stan seemed to be at every trial we had, bad weather or good.  You could always count on him to be "on" your dog all the time and to make the correct call, on the spot.  It was a pleasure to have him following my dog and it is a pleasure to see him recognized in this manner.  
High Point Dog for the Georgia Region for 09-10 was Skye and Ricky Gunnyon.  Skye ran away with the High Point early in the year, and there was no catching him!  He was not only High Pint dog, but also the Most Improved Dog of the Year!  
The High Point Female of the Year went, once again, to Dixie of Angela and David Healan.






The Scott Clark Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Georgia Region member who is tireless in  her/his dedication to the Region- as typified Scott Clark, a dear friend of us all.  He may be a handler, gunner, spectator, Trial Chairman, or any member at all.  This year's recipient went to David Healan for his tireless work on behalf of the Region.  Thank you so much, David!
The Rookie of the Year Award went to Chris for his interest in the sport and his strong showing in his first trials.  Way to go!







Finally, we headed off to bed to rest for the second and final day of the Georgia Championships!  I woke up about midnight to pitter patter fo raindrops and looked outside to see rain, hard rain.  The next morning we met at the grounds and it was real, soaking wet!  Jimmy just saddled up (cowboyed up) and headed out for the first brace.  Eddie Green got injured, so we found another judge to take his place and off we went!  

By Sunday afternoon, the dust settled and a new Region Champion emerged.  6th place went to Skidrow/ Gene Thornton, 5th place Sadie/Keith Koon, 4th place Sky/Ricky Gunnyon, 3rd place Briar/Bodie Ray, 2nd place Toby/Donald Roberts and FIRST PLace and next year's Georgia Champion is DUDE/ Corey Perdue!  

Congratulations, Corey, on your fine Pointer Male, DUDE!  

A special "Thank You" goes out to Dale Aldridge and his tamily and friends that hosted this trial, the judges, Field Marshals, Scorers and everyone who pitched in to help.  We have a great Region thanks to people like you!