To access information on the Banquet click on Activities and then Banquet

The Pyramid Barn purchase agreement has been signed (June 14, 2011)!  Site preparation completed.  Building to start going up 1/23/12.

TRIAL CHAIRPERSONS: Each member club is responsible for reporting their trial results and activity fees within 30 days of the trial to the appropriate chairperson and the secretary/treasurer of FTCI

Field Trial Clubs of Illinois 2010-2011

Summer Meeting and Dog of the Year Awards Banquet

 By Brian Sheehan

The Field Trial Clubs of Illinois (FTCI) held its annual summer meeting and Dog of The Year Awards Banquet July 16, 2011 in Jacksonville, Illinois.  The General Membership Meeting took place at the Comfort Inn in South Jacksonville at 1:00 P.M.  The meeting was called to order by FTCI President, Mark Johnson.  Business was conducted as usual with approval of the minutes from the winter meeting and treasurer’s report, discussion of the grounds and championship reports, and barn project updates (see addendum to this article).  Mrs. Mary Jo Trimble presented a Legislative and IFOR report.  In the last two years there have been 46 animal bills that have been brought into the General Assembly in Springfield.  Mary Jo stressed the importance that we as field trialers need to take an active role in the legislation that is introduced in our state. 

The floor was opened for any new business.  However, there were no new items brought up for discussion.  Then, an expert panel of field trial participants and judges was on hand for a question and answer session.  Members asked questions ranging from starting young dogs to judging expectations.  The panel included Sean Derrig, Gene Salmons, Terry Trzcinski, and Jeff Wagoner.  All of the panelists train, run, judge and are well known in their respective breeds and throughout the field trial community.  An interesting and rather entertaining discussion evolved focusing on the judging aspect of field trialing.

Following the lively panel discussion, a motion to adjourn the meeting was presented, seconded and members were given ample time to make their way to Hamilton’s Banquet Hall in downtown Jacksonville for a social hour, dinner and the Dog of the Year Awards.

Our celebration of the past year of field trialing kicked off around 6:30 PM with Johnson welcoming everyone to the 2010-2011 DOTY banquet and awards ceremony.  Richard Greene gave an invocation and Johnson thanked all those who worked behind the scenes to make this evening a success.  Special thanks went out to Pat Sheehan and Neveta Salmons who set up and planned the evening.  Jeff Wagoner and family again provided and ran a very successful raffle, always a highlight to the banquet.   Johnson then recognized the officer group and the FTCI Board of Directors thanking all for their hard work and dedication to the sport of field trialing.  The officers are Pat Sheehan (Vice President) and Neveta Salmons (Secretary/Treasurer).  The Board members include Mary Jo Trimble, Kim Amend, Terry Trzcinski, Brian Sheehan, Gene Salmons, Jim Lawless, Jeff Wagoner, Ron Hamp and Lori Rezzardi.   Extra thanks went out to Gene Salmons for his work on this year’s catalog.  Gene has overseen this important part of the evening for the last three years and has graciously agreed to continue as the chairman of the catalog for another year.  Thank you Gene!

We had several special guests with us for the evening.  Nestle Purina is a major sponsor of the Field Trial Clubs of Illinois, supporting our Junior Handler program, our three Winner’s Classics, along with our DOTY Awards Program each year.  Gail Inman and Terry Trzcinski were on hand to celebrate the evening with us; thank you Gail and Terry for all you do for the FTCI.  Another special thank you went out to Aaron McAfee.  Aaron is the President of the ECIPS Club and a member of the Illinois National Guard.  He recently returned from serving a tour in Afghanistan.  Thanks Aaron for your service to our country, it is good to have you home. Other special guests of the evening included past FTCI President Bud Walters and his wife Shirley, and this year’s Purina Open Shooting Dog Handler of the Year, Luke Eisnenhart and his wife Tammy.

After dinner, the awards program began with Phil Tiller at the podium to present the Distinguished Senior Service Award to Ron Hamp.  Ron started field trialing in 1969.  He ran his first field trial at Macomb and placed second.  It did not take long for Ron to have success.  His dogs won Shooting Dog of Year Awards in 1978 and 1980.  Ron has trialed setters his entire life.  Ron joined the Piasa Pointer and Setter Club in 1970 and served as the Secretary for several years.  Soon after, he joined the Macoupin County Field Trial Club where he has served as the club’s President for over 20 years.  He has served on the FTCI’s Board of Directors on two different occasions and is currently a member on the Board.  Ron has also judged many weekend trials, both horseback and walking, and has judged several Championships.  He is always ready to help young and new trialers learn about our sport.  Ron has been married to his wife Alice for 48 years and has two daughters and five grandchildren.  Congratulations Ron on receiving this well-deserved award.

Distinguished Senior Service Award recipient Ron Hamp (center) accepts his

Award from Phil Tiller (left) and Mark Johnson (right)

We then turned to the Dog of the Year (DOTY) Awards program.  Also recognized during the evening were several dogs from Illinois who did well in Regional and National competition.  The DOTY Chairman for each breed has the distinction of presenting the awards to the owners of the winners. The DOTY chairpersons are Steve McClure - Brittany, Angie Vicari - Continental Breed, Brian Sheehan - Horseback Pointer and Setter, Keith Lowry – Walking Pointer and Setter.   Ron Hamp graciously agreed to present the awards in Keith’s absence.  Junior Handler Points Chairman, Terry Trzcinski, with the assistance of Purina Representative, Gail Inman, presented our Junior Handler of the Year Award to Trenton Katzel.  Trenton thanked the FTCI, Purina, Jeff Wagoner, and his grandfather Paul Katzel for their assistance in making this award possible.  Trenton received a Purina jacket with his name and Junior Handler of the Year embroidered on it.  He also received a travelling trophy that was a tall as he is.  The Runner-up this year was Destiny Darmon.  Twelve other young handlers received bags filled with goodies from Purina.  The FTCI again would like to thank Purina for their sponsorship of this program.  FTCI encourages member clubs to sponsor some sort of event for our young handlers.  We need to include and involve our youngsters if we would like to see our fine sport continue in the future.  Be sure to check out the list of this year’s winners at the end of this article.

Junior Handler winner Trenton Katzel (center) surrounded by (left to right) Mark Johnson

Paul Katzel (holding the trophy) Purina representatives Gail Inman and Terry Trzcinski

Future field trialer (front row) Zach Katzel, Jacob Sheehan, Trenton Katzel,

Jason Birdsell, Jonah Sheehan, John Sheehan. (back row) Purina reps Gail Inman

And Terry Trzcinski

 Once the awards portion of the evening was concluded, Jeff Wagoner explained the Silent Auction and Raffle procedures for the evening. Special thanks were given to all the auction and raffle sponsors who help make our evening and DOTY Program a success.  Our sponsors this year were Purina, Dogs Unlimited, Heskett Saddles and Tri Tronics.  Silent Auction items were donated by Sean Derrig and Erin Kennels, Pat Sheehan, Gene Salmons, Heskett Saddle, and Mark Johnson.  Ron Hamp was the Chairman of another very successful fundraiser this year.  Ron and many others sold raffle tickets for a special drawing.  Zac Wagoner was asked to draw out the winning ticket for the raffle; Keith Richardson of Sierra Outfitters was the lucky winner.  Congratulations Keith and thank you to all who purchased a ticket to help support the FTCI. 

A special thank you goes out to the Wagoner family.  Jeff, his wife Kelly, and their children Zac, Lindsey and Bridgette put together a wonderful raffle and auction that helps the FTCI raise money to cover the cost of our banquet and DOTY catalog.  This is an extremely large undertaking and Wagoner’s graciously accept every year.  Thank you!

The Field Trial Clubs of Illinois would like to thank everyone who attended the banquet and awards program this year.  We would also like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and runners-up in this year’s Dog of The Year Awards and we wish all field trialers continued success in 2012.  Please see appended listing of all the dogs recognized at the 2010-2011 DOTY Awards banquet.

FTCI’s 2011 Dog of the Year

Winners and Runner-ups

Junior Handler                          2011                          Trenton Katzel            Winner

                                                                                    Destiny Darmon          Runner Up

Brittany                            Winner                                          Runner Up

Open All-Age                  Grand Junction Jake                                           Black Creek Deacon

                                                Richard/Carol Pulliam                                        Ron Harling, Jr

Amateur All-Age         Brisco’s Mr Stub                                                  Ru-Jem’s a Touch of Bourbon

                                    Ray/Mary Jo Trimble                                         Jerry/Ruth McGee

 Open Gun Dog                        Beeline Oh Suzannah                                         Matrix Grand Illusion

                                                Steve McClure                                                     Rodger/Mary Fiorito

 Open Walking Gun Dog   Sweetwater Billy Tucker                                       Jer & Ames Sweetwater Express

                                                Larry/Sue Bates                                                   Dennis/Pat Sullivan

 Amateur Walking Gun            DogSweetwater Billy Tucker                             Hy Steppin Maggie

                                                Larry/Sue Bates                                                   Chris/Gerilyn Sennott

 Open Derby                          Starlight’s Where There’s A Will                       Gambler’s Double Down

                                                Rebecca Walters/Teresa Richmond                   Ed/Donna Janulis

 Walking Derby                     SandRidge Double Bullet   Bark River            Queen of Diamonds

                                                Steve McClure                                                     Jeff Stanton

                                                                                                                                Co runner-up

                                                                                                                                Nikki’s Maggie Can Hunt

                                                                                                                                Robert Appleman

 Open Puppy                          Starlight’s Where There’s A Will                       Nikki’s Maggie Can Hunt

                                                Rebecca Walters/Teresa Richmond                     Robert Appleman

 Walking Puppy                    Dogwood’s Buckmark                                       Starlight’s Where There’s A Will

                                                Gene & Neveta Salmons                                    Rebecca Walters/Teresa Richmond

Continental Breeds

Open Gun Dog                     Jak's Miles Away Burr                                        Oaks Dream Keeper

                                                D Canterbury                                                       Terry & Kathy  Trzcinski

 Amateur Gun Dog               Snowy River Sambo Smokin                            PJ Wildfire's Lucky

                                                C & M Verdoorn                                                  Angie & Joe Vicari

 Open Derby                          Saginaw Redneck Cowboy                               Ch Super Shot Suzie

                                                Mark Johnson                                                      Ron Lee Chenoweth

 Open Puppy                          PJ Wildfire's Little Bud                                       CK Touchdown SIS

                                                Joe & Angie Vicari                                               Ron Lee Chenoweth

Horseback

Pointer and Setter Breeds

Open Shooting Dog                             Waubeek Brutal Sin                            Lawless Playboy Sam

                                                                Mark Livingston                                  Jim Lawless

 Amateur Shooting Dog                       Eldad Nicanor                                      Jaycee’s Rose Bud

                                                                John & Rita Shure                               John & Sue Campoli

 Open dDerby                                        Buckheart’s Tomahawk                    Sand Hills Soldier

                                                                Jeff Olsen                                              Zak Wagoner

 Walking Pointer & Setter Breeds

Open Walking Shooting Dog   Alabama Dixie Go                   Thornhill’s Fiddlin Addition

                                                J.D. Wirth                                Larry Langan

Open Walking Gun Dog                Covey Rise Willie                   

                                                        Gary Matevey

Open Walking Derby                          El Lancelot                                           Bob’s Spotted Rex

                                                                Danny Martin                                      Robert Baker

Amateur Shooting Dog                        Alabama Dixie Go                   Brouilett’s Creek Annie

                                                J.D. Wirth                                Rich Green

Amateur Gun Dog                   City Limits Jewels                    Clyde’s Royal Goldie

                                                Frank Masko                            Frank Masko

Amateur Derby                                    Sweetbriar Bob                                    Bob’s Spotted Rex

                                                Jim McNutt                              Robert Baker

 Amateur Puppy                                    Threat’s PJ                               Tilly

                                                Larry Langan                           Brad Hargis

FTCI’s Barn at

Jim Edgar Panther Creek

Is Ready for Use

This project started several years ago when FTCI signed a Donation Agreement with the IDNR to build two barns one at Jim Edgar Panther Creek (central Illinois) another at Pyramid State Park (southern Illinois).  After studying the options and determining just what we wanted, it was decided to proceed with fund raising at our summer meeting, selling raffle tickets until the winter meeting in 2010.  In the meantime, quotes were sought, land was prepared, and negotiations were taking place to make the barn a reality.  Members have been very gracious donating their time, effort and of course funds to erect the barn.  FTCI members and many out of state guest who trialed at JEPC in the fall of 2010 were delighted to have a spot to get in out of the weather; enjoyed the shelter and a place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.  Since then, more work has been done, stalls are completed and horses are delighted to get in out of the weather as well.

At the risk of missing some important contributors, we want to extend special thanks to a few who gave significantly of their time, talent, and personal resources to make the Jim Edgar site barn a reality.

Construction help and work crews lead by Pat Sheehan and Jeff Wagoner included: Judd Negus, Phil Tiller, Ron Hamp, Jeff Olson, Gene Salmons, Mark Johnson, Jim and Kay Lawless, Brian Sheehan and Danny Sheehan.

Special financial/material and equipment support came from many including:  Keith Wright, Jim Leitner, Phil Tiller, Sean Derrig and Erin kennels, Jeff Wagoner, Jack Hlustik,  Pat Sheehan, Jim lawless, Mark Johnson, the Max Eldred Memorial Fund, Piasa Pointer and Setter Club, Nestle Purina Corporation and the AFTCA 20^th Century Fund; and while many sold raffle tickets ,as part of our fund raising activity for both the Jim Edgar and Pyramid barn projects,  top ticket sellers include Jeff Waggoner, Pat Sheehan, Mark Johnson Terry Trzcinski, Ed Graves, and Joe Vicari. The FTCI would also like to thank the IDNR, especially Terry Musser and Director Mark Miller and his office for their assistance in getting this project completed.

 As you read thru the list there are clearly others who have and are supporting these projects. Thank you and Thank You again…. all; and of particular note readers will see the name Pat Sheehan frequently as it pertains to this project. Because of his tireless dedication and pursuit of this project the FTCI board and membership unanimously voted to name the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park Barn “THE PAT SHEEHAN BARN” …. A plaque so designating this is affixed to the facility.

With “one built” and “one to go”  we are now finalizing site preparation arrangements with the state at Pyramid state park and hope to have this facility up and available for use by field trailers late this fall. The material has been ordered and the down payment check has been cut.