Florida Open All-Age Championship

Remembering the Florida

This week marks the third anniversary of the last Florida Open All-Age Championship, conducted the second week of January at Chinquapin Farm through 2022. Started as the Suwannee River Open All-Age in 1969, becoming a Championship ten years later in 1979, the trial stood for excellence, attracting the top all-age handlers and owners throughout its history. Key to its success was the dedication and generosity of its sponsor, Edward L. (“Ted”) Baker. Read more

Handler’s Prayer For One More Cast

Oh, I long for one more entry To ride behind of a crisp morning When we gather on the pipeline For the prayer for a safe ride Yes, I long to swing up on Monty My old handling horse I swapped for When my buddy lacked gas money And I’d just won the Derby Read more

Leonard

June 7, 2024 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Remembrances | Comments

I reported my first field trial in January 1995 and my last in January 2022, both at Chinquapin Farm, both the Florida Open All-Age Championship. Many in between all over the continent and every year the Florida. All but a few on borrowed horses. Read more

My Love Affair With Chinquapin

January 10, 2024 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Remembrances, Ted Baker | Comments

My long life (85 years) has been marked by good luck. None so great as meeting Ted Baker and gaining his invitation to report the Florida Open All-Age Championship which I did from 1995 through 2022. As a result, I watched the continent’s best all-age dogs in competition head to head annually over twenty-seven consecutive years on wild quail. Just think of it. Read more

When January Comes

October 17, 2023 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry, Remembrances, Ted Baker | Comments

When January comes I will be here at home First time since 1994 Won’t be at Chinquapin The second week Of that cold month at home I spent in North Florida From 1995 through 2022 Read more

Silverwood at Chinquapin

February 28, 2023 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Great All-Age Dogs, Poetry | Comments

“What was the best race You ever saw?” “Silverwood’s at Chinquapin 2002” Read more

Chinquapin Second Week January

January 13, 2023 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry | Comments

Oh, Chinquapin I miss you so This first January Without your trial Read more

The Florida Championship

January 9, 2023 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry, Remembrances | Comments

The Florida Championship is no more A glorious trial is over forever Like all things conceived by mortal man It had a beginning and has come to an end It was unique in many ways Embodied the best of the field trial game Wild quail on sloping prairie-like land Wire grass cover over sand Read more

When January Comes

December 24, 2022 | Florida Open All-Age Championship, Poetry, Ted Baker | Comments

When January comes I will be here at home First time since 1994 Won’t be at Chinquapin The second week Of that cold month at home I spent in North Florida From 1995 through 2022 Read more

How the Florida Open All-Age Championship Was Different

November 30, 2022 | Florida Open All-Age Championship | Comments

1. No mud — ever, on Chinquapin Farm, even after heavy rain. No creeks, much less rivers. Three man-dug ponds, one at Big House, one on second morning hour course, one on second hour afternoon course. Soil: sand over lime rock, everywhere. Cover: wire grass, everywhere. No crop fields. No wooded areas that cannot be ridden through on horseback. Read more