Result: West Kentucky Field Trial Club

Location: Dixon, Kentucky

Post Date: Jan 2, 2024

Submitted By: Joe Hopkins & Mary Sue Schalk

Open Puppy Winners (standing, l-r): Terry Boatright, Mike Crouse (judge), and Vincent Major (judge). (On the ground): Boatright's Audubon Outcast with James Kleve (scout), Crouse's Irish Trooper with Mary Sue Schalk (scout) and Anna Katherine Schalk (handler), and Crouse's Irish Rose with Judd Woodward.

There are many great families in sports: the Mannings in football, the Williams sisters in tennis, the Currys in basketball, and the list goes on and on.

In the world of field trials, the game is blessed with the Crouse Kennel team of Mike Crouse and Mary Sue Schalk of Crouse Kennels in Dixon, Kentucky.
With deep roots within the horseback sector of the game, their love, compassion, and support of field trials grow and live far beyond their personal roots and extend well into its people as well.

At any West Kentucky Field Trial event, it is common practice that winning connection photos are captured in front of the stone fireplace in the clubhouse at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area field trial grounds just outside of Paducah, Kentucky. Unique to this setting, however, is a sacred backdrop consisting of some of the hallowed memories of the famed conquerors of the Quail Championship Invitational hanging on the walls. Legends such as Safari, Oklahoma Flush, Wrapup, Builder's Addition, Fiddler, Barshoe Buzzsaw, Miller's Silver Bullett, House's Rain Cloud, Miller's True Spirit, Hytest Sky Hawk, Dunn's Tried'n True, Valiant, just to name a few with the list going on and on.

But what you won't see on those walls are the hundreds of photos taken in the same exact location featuring the many faces of individuals being introduced to the game for the first time, watching, volunteering, judging, or maybe handling their first horseback trial or being given the opportunity to further discover a passion that may lie within these prospects. Opportunities to become a larger part of the field trial fabric are few and far between, especially for outsiders or those who aspire to join the community with no pre-existing connective tissue, so to speak.
The Crouse Kennel team, however, has an open-door policy for anyone who has a passion or flickering interest in field trials, and it's proven in the roster of people and events they've championed over the years.

Although these efforts may not find themselves in the history books, they undoubtedly deserve equal recognition and praise of the field trial community, and they will certainly live forever in the hearts of those individuals whom those opportunities help serve.

This maiden voyage walking trial held at the personal grounds of the Crouse Kennel operation is proof of their dedication and belief in doing their part for the game and facilitating the unique fellowship a field trial offers and can create. Their engagement, passion, and hard work are pillars of the existence of their operation and the NBHAs alike, and we hope this event and partnership can continue in perpetuity.

Seasoned veterans, amateurs, professionals, new trialers, and spectators alike from numerous different states were all in attendance for the two days running in picturesque November weather. Matt Schalk never disappoints in treating attendees with his culinary talents along with the rest of the West Kentucky team, which includes Vincent Majors, Cora Clary, and Sarah Clary, providing all the necessary trial infrastructure scouting, marshaling, and numerous other administrative roles. All of their hard work is clearly evident, and their passion is a model for success.

A true measure of this trial's success was measured in the number of questions, all wondering when these great people would host another great field trial and, if so, everyone's readiness to commit to that future date.

To say that the National Bird Hunters Association is proud to align with the energies of the Crouse Kennel team would be an understatement, and the organization would further like to take the opportunity on behalf of the participants of the trial, the NBHA, and the field trial community as whole, to thank the formidable father-daughter duo of Mike and Mary Sue for all that they do and what they stand for.

The flagship sponsors of the NBHA also share in these attributes, and it's proven in their unwavering year-on-year support of the National Bird Hunters Association, its administration, its clubs, and its participants. This esteemed roster of sponsors not only supports our events but believes in the vision to grow them well into the future and preserve the bird dog and upland heritage. Those great sponsors include Purina Pro Plan, Gun Dog Supply, Garmin, Mule Brand Clothing & Apparel, OnX Hunt, Gun Dog Central, and Park Cities Quail Coalition.

The inaugural Crouse Kennel event drew 48 entries for the six different stakes. The Open Puppy stake ran first on Friday, November 3. Boatright's Audubon Outcast bested the field of six. She is a flashy setter owned and handled by Terry Boatright. Rounding out the field were two black and white pointer females, Crouse's Irish Trooper and Crouse's Irish Rose. The littermates were both handled by 2 -year-old Anna Katherine Schalk. The youngster has an enthusiasm for her bird dogs and her whistle! The Open Puppy stake kicked off the weekend in a grand fashion.

Following the puppies, the big dogs took to the field. Six entries ran in the Open Shooting Dog stake. James C. Kleve handled Stardust Outcast Coco to the first-place spot. The orange and white setter female ran a strong, forward ground race and finished strong. Earning second was Duke, a black and white unregistered German shorthair. Duke was handled by his owner, Judd Woodward, who was competing in his first field trial event ever. Congrats to this first-timer! Rounding out the field was female Irish setter Foxy Abralena, owned and handled by Mike Fox.

The Open Derby stake also drew six and was won by a strapping liver and white pointer male. Crouse's Comeback Kid was handled by Mary Sue Schalk, who owns the dog with M. D. Crouse. Outcast Siren Song, a tri-color setter female, was handled by James C. Kleve of Outcast Kennels for owner John Clough, who was on site for the event. Kleve also handled Boatrights Morning Star, another tri-color setter female, to third place. Morning Star is owned by Terry Boatright.

The Amateur Derby stake kicked off the day on Saturday, November 4. Boatright's Audubon Outcast returned to the winners' spot for owner/handler Terry Boatright. Taking second was PB Copper Strike, a sharp orange and white pointer male, who is owned and handled by Brian Stockrahm. Crouse's Irish Trooper returned to the podium with a third-place tie, handled by Mary Sue Schalk.

Twelve dogs were drawn for both the Amateur Shooting Dog and Amateur Derby stakes. Mike Fox returned to the winners' circle, this time taking first with Foxy Lady Sadie. She was forward, classy, and solid on her birds during her brace. A nice win for this 3-year-old Irish setter female. Joe Hopkins and All Out were in the second-place spot, also with bird work and a forward, honest race. The 9-year-old setter male hunts game like a pup! Enjoyed seeing this dog's enthusiasm on the ground. Rounding out the field was Vitali Grouseringer Pappy, a 4-year-old setter male. Pappy is owned and handled by Gary Vitali. He ran strong, handled well, and was easy on the eyes. A job well done for all, earning a spot in the top three in a field of 12.

Wrapping up the weekend was the Open Derby stake. Besting the field was a tri-color setter male, Boatrights Iron Eagle. Owned and handled by Terry Boatright, "Chappy" applied himself energetically to the course and found birds during his 30 minutes. Crouse's Comeback Kid earned the second-place spot with another strong ground race for owner/handler Mary Sue Schalk. Also returning to the winners' circle for third place was Boatrights Morning Star, this time handled by owner Terry Boatright.

Congratulations to all winners, owners, handlers, and scouts! More importantly, thank you to those who made this event a possibility. Those filling the judicial saddles included Mike Crouse, Vincent Major, Cora Clary, Joe Hopkins, and James Kleve. Those handling dog wagon details were Donna Boatright, Marla Stockrahm, Judd Woodward, and Joe Hopkins. What a wonderful field trial event! Best of luck to all those competing throughout the season.
We dedicate our first field trial at Crouse Kennel to the memory of Jim Crouse, "Uncle Jim."

Dixon, Ky., November 3
Judges: Mike Crouse and Vincent Major
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 4 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-BOATRIGHT'S AUDUBON OUTCAST, 1705038, setter female, by Audubon Americus-Circle B Burning Stardust. Terry Boatright, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S IRISH TROOPER, 1705640, pointer female, by Crouse's Quiet Man-Valley View Kentucky Shine. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Anna Katherine Schalk, handler.
3d-CROUSE'S IRISH ROSE, 1705639, pointer female, by Crouse's Quiet Man-Valley View Kentucky Shine. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Anna Katherine Schalk, handler.

NBHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Setters, 2 Irish Setters and 1 German Shorthair
1st-STARDUST OUTCAST COCO, 1695076, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Stardust. Sean F. Williams, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
2d-DUKE, unreg., German Shorthair male, breeding not given. Judd Woodward, owner and handler.
3d-FOXY ABRALENA, 1682017, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mila Fox, owner and handler.

Open Shooting Dog Winners (standing, l-r): Donna Boatright, Terry Boatright, Gary Vitali, Mike Crouse (judge), Vincent Major (judge), and John Clough. (On the ground): Stardust Outcast Coco with James C. Kleve (handler), Duke with Judd Woodward (owner/handler), and Foxy Abralena with Mike Fox.

NBHA OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-CROUSE'S COMEBACK KID, 1701214, pointer male, by Crouse's Heart of Dixon-Crouse's Skiptomylu. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
2d-OUTCAST SIREN SONG, 1703063, setter female, by Outcast Jericho Hilltopper-Outcast Clear Vision. John Clough, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHTS MORNING STAR, 1700324, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Star Breeze. Terry Boatright, owner; James C. Kleve, handler.

Open Derby Winners (standing, l-r): Mike Crouse (judge), Vincent Major (judge), James Kleve, and Mike Fox. (On the ground): Crouse's Comeback Kid with Mary Sue Schalk (owner/handler), Outcast Siren Song with John Clough (owner), and Boatright's Morning Star with Terry Boatright (owner).

Judges: Cora Clary and Vincent Major
NBHA AMATEUR PUPPY - 3 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 1 German Shorthair
1st-BOATRIGHT'S AUDUBON OUTCAST, 1705038, setter female, by Audubon Americus-Circle B Burning Stardust. Terry Boatright, owner and handler.
2d-PB COPPER STRIKE, 1705727, pointer male, by Erin's Southern Comfort-Three Stripe's Bullseye. Brian Stockrahm, owner and handler.
3d-CROUSE'S IRISH TROOPER, 1705640, pointer female, by Crouse's Quiet Man-Valley View Kentucky Shine. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.

Amateur Puppy Winners (standing, l-r): Joe Hopkins, Mike Fox, Terry Boatright, Adam Thomas, Vincent Major (judge), Scott Smith, Cora Clary (judge), Mike Crouse, and John Clough. (On the ground): Boatright's Audubon Outcast with Donna Boatright (scout), PB Copper Strike with Brian Stockrahm (owner/handler), and Crouse's Irish Trooper with Mary Sue Schalk (owner/handler).

Judges: Mike Crouse and James Kleve
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 1 Pointer, 9 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-FOXY LADY SADIE, 1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner and handler.
2d-ALL OUT, 1658806, setter male, by All In-Walnut Hills Rocket Onpoint. Joseph & Brittany Hopkins, owners; Joe Hopkins, handler.
3d-VITALI GROUSERINGER PAPPY, 1683688, setter male, by Vitali's Grouseringer Stogey-Vitali Grouseringer Purdy. Gary J. Vitali, owner and handler.

Amateur Shooting Dog Winners (standing, l-r): Tom Meisel, Scott Smith, unidentified participant, John Clough, Terry Boatright, James Kleve (judge), Adam Thomas, Brian Stockrahm, Vincent Major, Mary Sue Schalk, and Mike Crouse (judge). (On the ground): Foxy Lady Sadie with Mike Fox (owner/handler), All Out with Joe Hopkins (owner/handler), and Vitali Grouseringer Pappy with Gary Vitali (owner/handler).

Judges: Mike Crouse and Joe Hopkins
NBHA AMATEUR DERBY - 3 Pointers, 7 Setters and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-BOATRIGHTS IRON EAGLE, 1700325, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Starbreeze. Terry Boatright, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S COMEBACK KID, 1701214, pointer male, by Crouse's Heart of Dixon-Crouse's Skiptomylu. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHTS MORNING STAR, 1700324, setter female, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Starbreeze. Terry Boatright, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Winners (standing, l-r): Tom Meisel, Scott Smith, unidentified participant, John Clough, Adam Thomas, Donna Boatright, Mike Crouse (judge), Mike Fox, James Kleve, Brian Stockrahm, and Joe Hopkins (judge). (On the ground): Boatrights Iron Eagle with Mary Sue Schalk (scout); Crouse's Comeback Kid with Vincent Major (scout); and Boatrights Morning Star with Terry Boatright (owner/handler).