Youthful Pointer ‘Zeva’ Wins National Open Shooting Dog Championship

Endurance and exceptional bird-finding ability helped Awsum Country Girl, a 3-year-old white and liver female Pointer handled by George Tracy of Glenville, Penn., and scouted by his son, Mike Tracy, to win the 2014 National Open Shooting Dog Championship. His win with “Zeva” marks the fourth time George Tracy has handled the winning dog at the national competition.

Fast on the ground, Zeva worked to the front and found an outstanding 11 quail coveys during the 90-minute horseback stake. “She always finds a lot of game and she’s got a lot of stamina,” says George Tracy.

Zeva is co-owned by Bill and Margie Ricci of Powhatan, Va., and Bill and Muriel Primm of Cream Ridge, N.J. “Zeva is a stylish dog with tremendous bird-finding ability,” says Bill Ricci, who did the early training with her.

“She is performing exceptionally well for a young bird dog,” says George Tracy, “Normally, dogs are 4 or 5 years old when they reach their peak.”

Zeva has earned 18 placements, most of them in open derby stakes. Last year she had several significant wins including the National Shooting Dog Derby Championship and U.S. Quail Shooting Dog Futurity. She was Runner-Up in both the Northeastern and Keystone Open Shooting Dog Championships. Zeva also won the Purina Top Shooting Dog Derby Award, which was awarded for the first time in 2013.

George Tracy also handled the winner of last year’s National Open Shooting Dog Championship, High Drive Rocky. In 2012, he won with Sugarknoll Snow Warning and in 2003 with Calico's Lap Dancer.

A total of 54 dogs were entered in the 53rd annual competition held at Sedgefields Plantation in Union Springs, Ala., in February.  To be qualified to enter, a dog must have placed in a Purina Top Shooting Dog Award points trial during the 2012- 2013 season, or the 2014 season.

Zeva is fueled by Purina® Pro Plan® SPORT Performance 30/20 Formula.