0000 National Championship Brace by Brace Synopsis

Red is a rookie contestant who has qualified with two championship wins: at this year's All America Prairie Championship and last year's International Pheasant Championship. Red was bred by Keith Wright and is by Touch's Knight Rider out of Whippoorwill GMA. This six year old, white and orange pointer male is owned by S Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart.

Chip has made a remarkable comeback just to qualify having had major surgery for a punctured lung in November of 2018. He won the West Tennessee OAA just months later in February, and his second qualifying win came as the Saskatchewan Open Chicken Champion this past summer. Chip is a white and orange four year old pointer male owned by Dr Reuben Richardson and Bruce and Karen Norton. He was bred by Derek Bonner and is by Ransom out of Nilo Discovery. Chip will be handled by Mark McLean for his rookie year run.

Joe has re-qualified for this year taking a runner-up at last spring's Missouri Open Championship, and further winning the National Chukar Championship. This will be his rookie year run since he did not come last year. Joe is a seven year old son of Funseeker's Rebel out of Deep Creek Rose who was bred by David A Uphoff. This white and orange pointer is handled by Larry Huffman and his owner is Larry Smith.

Patch returns for his second year. He made a commendable three hour run with five finds last year. He has re-qualified with a first at the Kentucky Quail Classic and a second at the Broomhill (Iron Nation) OAA. This four year old, white and orange pointer was bred by Keith Wright. Patch was sired by House's Ring Of Fire and is out of Touch's Sandy. He is owned by Matt Griffith and will be handled by Randy Anderson.

Salt is returning for his fifth year, having been picked up in all of his previous runs here. He has re-qualified for this year with a second place at the Kentucky Lake OAA. Salt is a nine year old, white and orange pointer male. He was bred by Dr J D Huffman and is by the former National Champion Whippoorwill Wild Agin and is out of Boxwood Bang. Salt is owned by Jim and Stephanie Bickers and will be handled by Larry Huffman.

The returning National Champion will run for his sixth year here and he is just seven years old. He has finished a three hour run in three of his past five visits to Ames Plantation. Jack is a white and orange pointer male who was sired by another National Champion, Miller's Dialing In. He was bred by Chris George (who was also the breeder of another recent National Champion) and is out of White Royal Pain. Jack was recently named runner-up in the Georgia Quail Ch., his fifth runner-up championship placement. He has twelve championship wins to his credit. Jack is owned by Will and Rita Dunn and is handled by Luke Eisenhart.

Jack has re-qualified for his third year with a second place at the Missouri OAA. He has been picked up early and lost on his previous runs here. In previous seasons Jack has claimed three championship titles: The Missouri, the Mid America, and the Border International Chicken Championships. This white and liver pointer is shy of five years old. He was bred by his owner, Ryan Westfall, and is by Erin's Braveheart and out of Westfall's Irish Bell. Jack is handled by Andy Daugherty.

This is Reb's fifth year to qualify, but his fourth year to run. He first qualified having won the Continental Championship as a derby, but deferred his run here that first year. Since then he has won five other championships: the Master's Open Quail Ch (twice), the Missouri Ch, the Florida Ch, and the All America Quail Ch (this year). He has been runner-up at the Georgia Ch and the All America Prairie Ch (twice including this year). He also took first place at the Missouri OAA this past spring. In each of his three past runs here he has completed his three hours with three or more finds. Jamie Daniels will be handling a dog which he bred. Reb is by Riverton's Funseekin Scooter, a former contestant, and is out of Pearl Again. This white and liver pointer male is just shy of seven years old and is owned by J W "Jim" Hamilton, Jr.

The recent winner of the Continental Championship, this rookie contestant had qualified taking firsts at the Dixie OAA Classic last spring and the D E Hawthorne OAA Border Classic this past summer. Big is a four year old, white and orange pointer male. Big is a son of the former contestant Touch's Knight Rider out of Blackhawk's Sunflower, and was bred by Keith Wright. He is owned by Alex Rickert and will be handled by Mark McLean.

Jack has re-qualified for this year with a win at the Kentucky Open Ch. This is his fourth year to qualify, but will be only his second year to run. He has not competed here for the past two years. His first year to run was back in 2017 when he was lost at the 1:47 mark with no bird work. Bred, owned, and handled by Sean Derrig, he is a handsome eight year old, white, black, tan, and ticked setter dog. His sire was Ridge Creek Cody and his dam is Erin's Skydancer. In addition to this past year's Kentucky, he has won two other championships, the United States Open and the International Pheasant, and has acquired five runner-up titles.

Bud is a white, black, and ticked pointer male just shy of six years old. He will be making his third attempt at the title this year having been picked up early, with finds, in both of his previous runs. Bud has re-qualified for this year with a second place at the Kansas Prairie OAA and a third place at the Stillwater OAA. He is by Westfall's Black Ice out of Westfall's Quick Gold, and was bred by William P Westfall. Bud is owned by Brad Calkins and handled by Andy Daugherty.

Bred and owned by Dr. Fred Corder, Bill has re-qualified for his second year winning the International Pheasant Championship, which was his first all age championship as his other two championship titles were won as a derby. He was picked up early on his first run here. He will be handled by Luke Eisenhart this year. Bill is a liver and white pointer male who is slightly less than four years old. Bill was sired by Caladen's Rail Hawk out of Game Creek.

This will be the sixth year for Sam to compete. He has completed a three hour run three times in the past years with his 2017 run the most memorable when he had eight finds. Sam has very recently re-qualified with a win at the Alabama Championship this past week, he took the runner-up at that trial in 2018. Sam is a two-time winner (2015 & 2016) of the Oklahoma Championship, too. This eight year old pointer male is by Lester's Snowatch out of High Point Jesse, and was bred by W M Harkins. The white and orange Sam is owned by Dan Hensley and handled by Randy Anderson.

This is the fourth year for Rex to qualify, but only his third year to run here. He was last here in 2018 when he finished a three hour run with three finds and two backs.  He has re-qualified by winning the National Pheasant and the United States Open Championships. He was bred by, is owned by, and handled by Sean Derrig. Erin's Redrum was sired by Erin's Whiskey River out of Erin's Wild Rose and is a littermate brother to another contestant, Erin's Longmire. Rex is a seven year old, white and orange pointer male.

Paul is a rookie contestant this year having recently qualified winning the Florida Championship, his earlier qualifying placement came this past fall with a first at the Sunshine (Florida) FTC OAA. He had been runner-up at the Florida Championship before, back in 2018. This four year old, white and black pointer male is by Chinquapin Reward out of Hilltopper Solid Anne. Paul was bred by E L "Ted" Baker, one of his owners with John Baker, and is handled by Slade Sikes. 

Duke is a seven year old, white and orange pointer male who will be returning for his second run here. Last year he got lost and was declared out of contention at the 1:48 mark. Duke has re-qualified with a third place at the Broomhill OAA. He is a son of the National Champion Touch's Whiteout out of B C Angelina, and was bred by Gary Baird. Duke is owned by Ric Peterson and will be handled by Randy Anderson.

Don is a six year old, white and lemon pointer male who completed his qualification by winning the US Chicken (Northern States) Championship this past summer. His previous qualifying win came back in 2016 at the North Dakota OAA. He was bred by Ray Hamilton and was sired by House's White Hawk out of Quinton's Black Eyed Sue. Don is owned by Remy Trafelet, owner of the Mercer Mill Plantation of Oakfield, Georgia. Don will be handled by Billy Wayne Morton.

Bob has re-qualified for his second year with a third place at the Sunshine (Florida) OAA. He was picked up at the 1:44 mark last year. He is a white and orange, four year old pointer bred by Keith Wright. Bob is a son of House's Ring Of Fire out of Touch's Sandy. He is owned by Alex Rickert and will be handled by Mark McLean. Bob's resume includes two championship wins as a derby, and a runner-up at last year's Georgia Quail Championship.

Bo re-qualified last spring winning the Masters Open Quail Championship, which was his fifth championship title. This eight year old, white and orange pointer will be returning for his fifth year. He has been lost or picked up early in his previous four attempts. Bo is by Lance's Last Knight out of Prairieland Lucy and was bred by Dwight Grace. He is owned by Carole and Eddie Sholar and will be handled by Mark McLean.

Tip is a rookie contestant this year having qualified by twice winning the Kansas Prairie OAA. This six year old, white and liver pointer dog is the latest and perhaps the last of the offspring from the Whippoorwill Wild Agin - Sparkles knick to qualify to run here. He was bred by Bob Walthall, is owned by Ric Peterson, and handled by Matt Cochran. This will be Matt's rookie year to handle here, too.

Maeve Derrig's newest contender, Chief is a white and orange pointer male less than three years old. He has qualified for his rookie year by winning last year's Georgia Derby Championship and this year's Southwestern Championship. Chief is the son of another contestant this year, Erin's Redrum, and is out of Daisy Bad River. He was bred by, and will be handled by Maeve's dad - Sean Derrig.

Mike is returning for his second year; he was lost early in his run last year. Mike has re-qualified with a third place at the D E Hawthorne Border Classic, and was recently named winner of the Mississippi Championship. This white and orange pointer is from the Whipporwill Wild Agin - Sparkles knick, and was bred by Bob Walthall. Mike is six years old. He is owned by Ric Peterson and will be handled by Larry Huffman.

This year's youngest contestant was qualified by the erstwhile scout Mark Haynes while Gary Lester was recovering from back surgery. Bud was placed first at the Hell Creek OAA and Kentucky Lake OAA, he had previously taken a runner-up at the All America Derby Championship under Gary's whistle. He was bred by Derek Bonner, a repeat breeding of Ransom with Beane's Line Dancer first made by Ronnie Beane. This white and orange pointer male is owned by Gary Lester who will handle him in this competition.

Chip returns having taken a runner-up at this past summer's Manitoba Championship, a trial which he had won back in 2017. This will be his third year to run at the National Championship. Luke Eisenhart will handle Chip this year for his owner Brad Calkins. His past runs have been under Robin Gates whistle when he was picked up early each time. He is a seven year old, white and orange pointer male. He was sired by Erin's Whiskey River (one of the "durable" former contestants) out of Erin's Wild Rose, and bred by Sean Derrig.

Bill is a rookie contestant who nearly qualified as a derby, winning the Continental Derby Championship but taking the runner-up at the Georgia Derby. He completed his qualification with a first place at the Blackbelt OAA this past fall, and garnered a second place at the Bluegrass Quail Classic. This orange and white pointer male has just turned three years old. His sire, True Confidence is also a contestant this year. Bill was bred by Clint Hutchison and is out of Hutchinson's Storm Chaser. He is owned by Dogwood Kennels (George and Cindy Watkins) and will be handled by Jamie Daniels. 

Joe returns for his second year having made a commendable three hour run last year. He has re-qualified for this year with a runner-up at the Southern Field Trial Championship. He is a four year old son of National Champion Miller's Dialing In out of Old Road Lou who was bred by Wallace Sessions. Joe is owned and handled by Gary Lester and is an orange and white pointer male.

Mack is a seven year old rookie contestant. His first qualifying win came at the 2018 Oklahoma Championship. This year he has steamed up the courses winning each of the four championships in which he was entered: the Oklahoma, the Manitoba, the Southland, and the Quail Championship Invitational. He recently took first places at the Pelican OAA and the Prairie OAA. Mack was bred by Patricia Kammerlocher and is by Miller's Happy Jack and out of Tina's Tear Drop. This white and liver pointer is handled by Randy Anderson for Jay McKenzie.

Bob is the eldest contestant this year at nearly eleven years old. He will be returning for his fifth year having completed one previous three hour run. Bob has re-qualified this year winning the Southeastern OAA Championship. He was runner-up at the Quail Championship Invitational. Bred by Robert J Saari, he is by Two Acre Bulldog and out of Bar P Annex. This white and orange pointer is owned by Frank and Jean LaNasa and handled by Luke Eisenhart.

Mike has re-qualified for his third run with first places at the Bluegrass Quail Classic and the Lee County (Georgia) OAA. He was recently named top qualifier at the Florida Championship. Mike was picked up on each of his past runs, once in deplorable weather and last year at 2:06 with three finds. Mike was bred by Keith Wright and was sired by House's Ring Of Fire out of Touch's Blaylock Bess. He is owned by Eddie Sholar and Ted Dennard, and will be handled by Mark Mclean.

Tim has only recently qualified with a first at the SoLaTex Cajun Classic. His previous qualifying win was at the American Derby Invitational where he was named champion without a runner-up. He also earned a runner-up at the National Derby Championship. Ike Todd was handling Tim during his derby year. Tim is a white and orange, three year old pointer male who was bred, owned, and now handled by Keith Wright. He is by Touch's Knight Rider out of Touch's White Assault.

Sam is a five year old, liver and white pointer male who has qualified for his rookie run here with a win of the Southern Field Trial Championship and a first place at the Bill Andrews Memorial OAA (the Central Carolina). He is also an amateur champion winning the Region 14 at Mortlach this past summer. Sam was bred by Jim Pendergest, was originally named Armed, and is by Reloaded out of Dialed In. Lefty Henry will be handling Sam for his owners John and Sue Ivester.

Returning for her fourth year, this liver and white pointer bitch has re-qualified with first places at the Sunflower OAA and the Hobart Ames Memorial OAA. Lulu has completed her three hour runs for the past three years with considerable bird finding skills. Now six years old, she was sired by Coldwater Warrior, a former contestant, and is out of Thunder Bess the sister of the former contestant Thunder Snowy. She was bred by Gary McKibben. Lulu has been owned by Doug Arthur since she was a puppy, and is now co-owned with Rachel Blackwell (daughter of Billy Blackwell a former winner here, as an amateur, with Warhoot Rogue). She will be handled by Steve Hurdle.

Dan is returning for his fourth year, having won the North Carolina Open Quail Ch and runner-up at the Tarheel Ch, a repeat for both placements. In his previous three runs he has been picked up after an hour and a half each time with not enough birds. This nine year old pointer male has a total of five open championships and four amateur championships (including this year's Region 3 Ch at Hoffman, North Carolina). He was bred by Sean Derrig and is by Erin's Stoney River out of Erin's Pretty Penny. Owned by stalwart John Ivester, he will be handled by Lefty Henry.

Frank is a seven year old pointer male who is only now making his rookie run here. He has, nevertheless, a long list of thirteen placements in the qualifying trials, reaching that cherished second first place in order to qualify at this past summer's North Dakota OAA. He is a liver and white pointer male sired by the durable contestant Miller's Happy Jack out of Fairchase Jiggs, and was bred by Tom Woods. Frank is owned by Dr Jim Mills and Steve Lightle, and is handled by Allen Vincent.

Hank has qualified for his rookie year with two championship wins in derby competition; the National Derby Championship and the All America Derby Championship. He is an orange and white pointer male who will be slightly less than three years old when he runs. His sire, Dominators Rebel Heir is also a contestant this year. Hank was bred by Scott Turner and is out of Erin's Little Rose. Hank is owned by and will be handled by Jamie Daniels.

Chaz is this year's veteran setter contestant, returning for his sixth year at ten years old. In his previous runs he has completed his three hours once and has been picked up or lost for the remainder. He has re-qualified with a third place at the Hell Creek (Miss) OAA. This white, orange, ticked male is by Wildwing Warrior out of Stardust Coco and was bred by Scott Kermicle, one of his many owners who also include John Sayre, and Robert and Sarina Craig. Chaz is handled by Steve Hurdle.