Event: 2023 Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Quail Classic and The "Big" Derby
Result: Bear Pond Field Trial Club

Location: Leslie, Georgia

Post Date: Jan 3, 2024

Submitted By: Prepared by Claudia McNamee

Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Classic Winners (l-r): Cliff Mesnard (judge), Luke Eisenhart, Judd Carlton with Erin's Wild Atlantic Way, Hailey Moreland, Christy Swearingen, Cody McLean, Jerry Raynor with Touch's Gallatin Fire, Mark McLean, Gary Futch, Jimmy Wallace (judge), and Debbie Hofer. (Not pictured): Miller's Blindsider.

The fourth annual Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Quail Classic and The "Big" Derby were held on the beautiful grounds of Round Pond Plantation in Leslie, Georgia. Under overcast skies and cool temperatures, the Open began on Monday, November 13, 2023, and continued through to mid-day on Wednesday, November 15, with 32 contenders vying for three top-dog placements. The Derby stake began after lunch on November 15 and concluded mid-day on Thursday, November 16, showcasing 18 newcomers to the field.

The judicial saddles were filled by two highly experienced dog men, Cliff Mesnard of Modesto, California, and Jimmy Wallace of Prospect, Ohio. These two judges watched all contenders with keen interest and an appreciation for the sport's nuances. They openly enjoyed the job they had undertaken, and we are grateful for their time and attention.

Heartfelt thank you to the Walker family for their hospitality and for allowing us to experience these impressive Round Pond grounds and amenities. There are few venues with the offerings that Round Pond has, and we are all fortunate to experience such a quality venue. Quail were plentiful throughout the trial, with coveys found on all courses throughout each day. An estimated 65-70 coveys were put into flight over the three and a half days of running. Thank you to Neil Walker, Tracy Swearingen, and Luke Eisenhart for readying the property and taking care to reroute certain course legs for better flow and scouting. Thanks to Will Dunn and Tracy Swearingen for marshaling every brace and Clayton Cook for driving the dog wagon. Christy Swearingen and Debbie Hofer prepared daily hot lunches and prepared dinners for the judges; meals were delicious, and no one went hungry! And, of course, a boundless thank you to Purina for all they do to support this sport!

Before delving into this year's winning performances, this writer would like to acknowledge, as we all did throughout the stake, how great a trial this was because of the number of winner-worthy performances. The judges repeatedly commented on how many exceptional performances they were privileged to watch. So many demonstrated what Robin always strived for in his own dogs -- a strong, forward race with consistent hunting and pushing to the edge of course limits. Style and intensity on game with knockout finishes were always a Robin Gates hallmark.

OPEN ALL-AGE WINNERS
Erin's Wild Atlantic Way ("Cap") claimed top honors with five finds and an exhilarating race. Owned by Sean Derrig and handled by Luke Eisenhart, Cap was one of only three setters in this stake. His performance was punctuated by covey finds at 6, 14 (divided), 16, 20 and 31. Cap exhibited singular hunting prowess, high style, and class on the ground. Always hunting forward the entire hour, he finished with determination, pushing the course limits.
Touch's Gallatin Fire earned second place with five finds perfectly timed within the hour at 3, 15, 35, 43, and 56. Owned by Alex Rickert and handled by Mark McLean, Gallatin Fire hunted diligently and with great focus on the task at hand. He consistently pointed his birds with style and perfect manners, finishing with a strong, forward race. It should be noted that he won this prestigious trial in 2021 and continues to command attention whenever let loose...always a compelling contender on the all-age open circuit.
Miller's Blindsider requires little introduction as he earned his place in bird dog history when named National Champion this year. Owned by Nick Berrong and handled by Jamie Daniels, Blindsider, in typical fashion, effortlessly covered the course he drew with confidence and skilled intention. He also hunted up five coveys in his hour at 5, 10 (with a nice relocation), 23, 34, 38, and 54 and finished out front with another hour in him if allowed. Great job!

HONORABLE MENTIONS
As noted earlier, this stake showcased a number of worthy performances in addition to the three named winners. Six other contenders equally impressed the judges and deserve mention here in order of their running: Touch's Shadow Rider (Owner: Karen Norton; Handler: Mark McLean), Rester's Johnny Ringo (Owner: Cecil Rester; Handler: Luke Eisenhart), Nighthawk's Rebel (Owners: Rick Leverich and Sheree Lucero; Handler: Tracy Swearingen), Johnny Come Lately (Owner: Nonami Plantation; Handler: Ray Pearce), Haney's All In (Owners: Stacey and Steve Cory; Handler: Mark McLean), and Erin's Perfect Storm (Owner: Brad Woodie; Handler: Luke Eisenhart). In total, nine dogs vied for top honors, and combined with robust bird work, this presented us with one of the best all-age stakes in recent memory. Robin would be so very proud!
Leslie, Ga., November 13
Judges: Cliff Mesnard and Jimmy Wallace
ROBIN GATES MEMORIAL OPEN ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 28 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-ERIN'S WILD ATLANTIC WAY, 1684809, setter male, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-T T's Southern Miss. Sean Derrig, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2d-TOUCH'S GALLATIN FIRE, 1675102, pointer male, by House's Ring of Fire-Touch's Sandy. Alex Rickert, owner; Marc McLean, handler.
3d-MILLER'S BLINDSIDER, 1674983, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Nick Berrong, owner; Jamie Daniels, handler.

OPEN "BIG" DERBY
Eighteen young contenders were brought to the line for the "Big" Open Derby on Wednesday, November 15. Thank you again to judges Cliff Mesnard and Jimmy Wallace for their time and experience in watching these young hopefuls and placing the three who they thought had the most enthusiasm and future potential. This portion of the event was run in continuous 30-minute heats, starting immediately following the last all-age brace.

Nonami's Smokin Joe, owned by Ted Turner and Nonami Plantation and handled by Cody McLean, was named the top derby. There was no contention surrounding this decision because Joe clearly earned it with two finds and a strong forward race!
Erin's Happy Hour, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, snagged second place with two clean finds and an all-age worthy race and finish... lots of potential here!
In third place came Comanche, owned by S. Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart, with three dug-up finds and a great big race!
THE BIG DERBY - 17 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-NONAMI'S SMOKIN JOE, 1703258, pointer male, by Touch's Malcolm Story-Beane's Sky Liner. R. E. Turner, owner; Cody McLean, handler.
2d-ERIN'S HAPPY HOUR, 1703435, pointer male, by Erin's Southern Comfort-Erin's Country Nell. Mike Sweet, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
3d-COMANCHE, 1705324, pointer male, by Touch's Red Rider-Southpoint's Dixie Chick. S. Tucker Johnson, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

The Big Derby Winners (l-r): Jerry Raynor, Cody McLean, Will Dunn, Mark McLean with Nonami's Smokin Joe, Hailey Moreland, Cliff Mesnard (judge), Judd Carlton with Erin's Happy Hour, Gary Futch, Jimmy Wallace (judge), Luke Eisenhart with Comanche, Christy Swearingen, and Claudia McNamee (reporter).