L.J. Confidential is big winner


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L.J. Confidential is big winner

The annual Fitch Farms Galena Plantation Trial, a qualifier for the National Championship, started on Dec. 10, featuring 15 braces.

The winner was L.J. Confidential, handled by Steve Hurdle. L.J, in the 11th brace, impressed judges Tim Hammons and J.D Bumpus with six perfect finds and an equally exceptional ground effort. His first find was at 3, with his bracemate reluctantly backing. He scored again with a divided find at 12. After a brief absence and search by scout and handler, he was found standing at 40. After the flush and shot, he hunted on, nailing two more finds at 45 and 55, with his bracemate backing again at 55. With two minutes left he took off far to the front, and was found on point at 7 minutes after pickup time, a dramatic finish to an exciting performance.

Second place went to Quester, handled by Ray Warren. Quester started strong with finds at 3 and 9. He had an unproductive at 11, during which his bracemate failed to back. After another find at 20, he swung far to the left front when the course turned right, a move that gained him his next find at 28, thanks to his scout. Upon returning to the front, he had four more finds at 42 50, 54, and 57. He finished strong to the front, with the judges happy to ride on to watch the end of the show.

Touch’s Knight Rider took third place, handled by Ike Todd. He ran a consistent big forward race with finds at 7, 35, and 45, with another strong finish. The judges felt that all three of these performances were exceptional, all of championship quality, but that the winner was chosen based on what they believed was the most outstanding all-age race.

Courtesy photo

Jonathan Burch (back) holds derby Misty Morn Covey Rise for Joey McAlexander and the gallery.

Photo by Sue Watson

Handler Steve Hurdle and L.J. Confidential (left) took first place in the Fitch Farms/Galena Plantation All Age Field Trials in December. L.J. Confidential is owned by Bruce Hawkins and Mike Stephens. On right is second place winner Quester with Carlisle Buford (owned by the Fornear family). Not shown is third place winner Touch’s Knight Rider (owner Keith Wright) and handler Ike Todd. Also shown second row, from left, are Billy Jones, Karen Hurdle, Ronnie Jones, Sonny Hawks, Sonny Jackson, Ray Warren, and Gary Courtney. In rear on porch, left to right, are judge Tom Hammons, Vicki Swords, W.O. Fitch, judge J.N. Bumpus, Buddy Smith, Charles Eoff and Grace Jones.

Courtesy photo

Open Derby Winners (from right to left) – first place, Dunn’s Greater Man held by Randy Downs for Will Dunn, owner/handler standing behind Downs; second place, Misty Morn Covey Rise held by Bobby McAlexander (for owner/handler Joey McAlexander), behind them Julie Lofton and Ronnie Jones; third place, Jazzland Hawk held by handler Stanley Downs, behind him owner John Holland. On the porch are Billy Jones with judges J.D. Bumpus and Tim Hammons.

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