Funseeker's Rebel Earns
Joe Hurdle Top Dog Award; 2007 - 2008
Secretary of the National Field Trial Champion Association,
Inc., Dr. Rick Carlisle, announced the winner of the 14th annual
Joe H. Hurdle Top Dog Award at the drawing of the 109th Running
of the National Championship on Saturday, February 9, 2008. The
2008 winner was last year’s National Champion, Funseeker’s
Rebel, owned by Frank and Mercy Fonseca of Miami, Florida and
handled by Andy Daugherty, Groves Spring, Missouri. Funseeker’s
Rebel amassed a total of 2,588 points to the win the title this
year and most of those points were earned under his previous
handler, Fred Dileo, Climax, Georgia, who was tragically killed
in a truck accident on November 13, 2007.
The winning owner received a one-of-a-kind sterling silver
hatpin handcrafted by David Kelley of Somerville, Tennessee and
forged from silver provided by Mr. Hurdle’s daughters, Martha
McAlexander of Holly Springs, Mississippi and Jo Ann Fortson of
Panama City, Florida. Martha McAlexander was on hand to present
the award to Frank and Mercy Fonseca.