1st NatFTCh Von Bush Bush Biscuit – Deon Jordaan
2nd Zimbo Cheyenne Dancer (Belle) – Anne Cooke (Zim)
3rd FTCH Mountain Valley Ammo – Stuart Dewing
COM1 FTCh Dorset Jet – Bobsey Hart
COM2 Bagshot Boss – Robbie Crawford-Brunt
COM3 True Point Gem – Yvette Fraser
The 2014 National Field Trial Championships were held in Parys and convened by the Natal Field Trial Club.
The Judges of this prestigious event were: Dr Karl Aadnesgaard (Chief Judge) (Natal FTC), Dr Ted Lamb (Border FTC) and Mrs Rose Hoffman (Central FTC) and the two day event tested them to the extreme. Beautiful weather and an abundance of game birds contributed to the ultimate test of pointing dog’s manners and poise. The number of gamebirds truly exceeded those found in other events during the year by a large margin and even those field trials in previous years. A total of 29 Pointers and Setters qualified and were invited to participate in this showcase event of which 24 dogs were entered and drawn in the first round.
The winner of the 2014 NFTA National Championship event was NFTCh Von Bush Bush Biscuit, a lemon and white English Pointer Bitch owned by Deon Jordaan who won this event previously in 2011, also in Parys. Biscuit completed a fantastic season by also achieving the spectacular distinction of being placed in every event that she competed in during the season. She was awarded third place in the Western Cape FTC Champion stake, Border FTC Championship stake as well as the Natal FTC Championship stake and a Certificate of Merit in the Central FTC championship stake. She was awarded the 2014 Dog of the Year award.
Zimbo Cheyenne Dancer (Belle) owned by Mrs Anne Cooke (Zimbabwe) was placed second.
FTCh Mountain Valley Ammo added a third place in this years National Championships to her win at the Central FTC Championships and thereby earned National Colours. Ammo, a liver and White English Pointer Female is owned by Stuart Dewing from Cathcart.
A Certificate of Merit was awarded to FTCH Dorset Jet, an English Pointer Male owned by Bobsey Hart, also of Cathcart. Jet won the 2014 Western Cape Championship stakes in Bredasdorp earlier in the year and also earned National Colours.
Second Certificate of Merit was awarded to Bagshot Boss owned by Robbie Crawford Brunt, member of the Central Field Trial Club in Gauteng / North West Province. Boss showed unbelievable discipline throughout the trial and especially in the final stages towards sunset on the final afternoon when his manners were tested to the extreme by some of his fellow competing dogs. He emerged with flying colours and maintained his reputation as a real gentleman in the hunting field.
The final Certificate of Merit was awarded to True Point Gem owned by CFTC President Yvette Fraser. Although still a young dog, Gem is gradually building a reputation as a pointer to watch in future.
At the conclusion of the 2014 field trial season, National Colours were also awarded to Winston Kola who won the 2014 Border and Natal Championship stakes.
The performance of the Cathcart owners and their dogs must surely be congratulated.