Event: Touch's Gallatin Fire Wins 125th of the
Result: National Championship

Location: Grand Junction, Tennessee

Post Date: Apr 9, 2024

Submitted By: Tessa Hughes

National Champion Touch's Gallatin Fire is posed by scout Mark Haynes, joined by owner Alex Rickert (behind), handler Mark McLean (right), NFTCA officials, and well-wishers. [Photos by Jamie Evans]

Our 2024 National Champion, Touch's Gallatin Fire, set Ames Plantation afire with his bid for the championship this year and soared above his competitors to seize the trophy with five beautiful finds in his three-hour race. The white, orange, and ticked 8-year-old pointer, owned by Alex and Bryana Rickert of Bozeman, Montana, was handled by Mark McLean of Doerun, Georgia, and scouted by Mark Haynes of Brownsville, Tennessee, for his win.

Gallatin Fire ("Bob") was whelped in January 2016; his sire is House's Ring of Fire, a grandson of HOF CH Erin's Bad River. His dam is Touch's Sandy, a daughter of National Champion Touch's White Out. Gallatin Fire's pedigree is star-studded in that our champion is one of 16 dogs qualifying for this year's National Championship, which traces their lineage back to a National Champion that has become a bright spot in any dog's pedigree, Whippoorwill Wild Agin.

In addition, Ring of Fire's dam was a dog named Grace's Snow, and she is a granddaughter of another well-known National qualifier, Sir Lancelot. Our breeder of this year's National Champion is Keith Wright, a new addition to the National Field Trial Champion Association Board of Directors and a man who has done much to improve the English pointer field trial breed with his "Touch" line of dogs.

(Note: There were three qualified descendants of Whippoorwill Wild Agin who did not compete this year: Rampage and Erin's Happy Hour deferred; Rampage is a great-grandson of Wild Agin through Broken Halo (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Docheno Chad Smith's Mae); Happy Hour is a great-grandson through Erin's Miss Faye (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Butler's Jill); Como Thunder also qualified but scratched; he is a grandson through Skyfall (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Sparkles).

The Championship Brace
In the Championship brace, Gallatin Fire was braced with last year's National Champion, Miller's Blindsider, a pointer male handled by Jamie Daniels (Judd Carlton, scout). As we broke away, our new champion was moving quickly on the right side of the Out Front Field, exhibiting that smooth, flowing gait for which the "Touch"-bred dogs have become famous, with his head held and tail high and his tail snapping in a happy way. In approximately two short minutes, both dogs were through the Out Front Field. At 11, we crossed over Buford Ellington into Morgan Field, with Gallatin Fire making a strong cast on the right. Blindsider quickly joined him at 13 in Morgan Field. Daniels called point for Blindsider at 17 on the right-hand side of Morgan Basin. Blindsider stood with head and tail high, looking elegant, as Daniels went in to flush a large covey for his dog, with Blindsider also holding well for the shot. At 20, both dogs were again to the front before we reached L. B. Avent House Place. As the handlers crested the hill, Daniels pointed out to McLean that Gallatin Fire was pointed in cover off to the right. McLean then called point for his dog at 24 at L. B. Avent Cornfield. Gallatin Fire looked beautiful on point, standing in cornstalks with his head held high, and McLean flushed a large covey for him. He held perfectly for wing and shot.

Continuing on, Gallatin Fire soon caught up with Blindsider, and both dogs were seen casting in the lower part of Turner field on the right at 26. Gallatin Fire then swept up the left-hand side of Turner, whereupon his scout, Haynes, called point for him at 30, with Fire standing in the farm road and Blindsider backing in the cornstalks behind him. Both dogs looked outstanding, and Gallatin Fire again held perfectly for the flushing of the quail and the report of the gun. Upon release, both dogs were next seen to the front around Turner Basin by 38.

When we reached Mary Scott at 56, both dogs were temporarily out of pocket, and both handlers were absent to the right, searching for their dogs. Daniels and Blindsider returned first across Mary Scott by 59. At 1:05, Blindsider was again sighted at the far-left side of No Man's Land. At 1:11, when we crossed Mary Scott the second time, Miller's Blindsider was making a strong cast on the left-hand side. McLean then called point at 1:13 in Turner Pines for Gallatin Fire. This was an outstanding find, with Gallatin Fire standing magnificently in heavy cover for his handler, not moving a muscle while birds boiled out. Fire and the judges accompanying him then held up temporarily to wait on Blindsider to make the approximate two-minute loop around Locust Lane and rejoin them. Blindsider rejoined them at 1:21, crossing over Turner Road, and both dogs were into the Tennessee Field by then.

Gallatin Fire and Blindsider made strong casts into the second part of the Tennessee Field at 1:25 on the far right-hand side. Both dogs continued into the next field at 1:27, casting into the far side.

At 1:29, Gallatin Fire had returned to McLean, but Blindsider had not returned to Daniels. At 1:31, Gallatin Fire was in Morgan Field, hunting hard to the front on the left, and by 1:34, he had moved into the gap of the next field.

At 1:37, as we were crossing the road into Kyle's Barn Field, Gallatin Fire was still moving on to the front with Blindsider returning to the front at 1:38 to join him. At 1:49, McLean called point for Gallatin Fire again, this time just before No Man's Land. Again, Gallatin Fire looked beautiful on point, head and tail high. Again, he handled his birdwork to perfection. At this time, Daniels decided to pick up Blindsider, requesting his tracker.

By 1:55, Gallatin Fire was making a strong cast on the right at Edward Clark South before we made it to the ditch crossing. At 2:04, the new champion was still to the front as we made it into Jim Braddock Field. At 2:13, he made a good cast on the right at Tobe Polk, and he was again spotted at 2:18 to the front in the Long Mudhole Field. At 2:24, he showed nicely at Edward Clark South of Pines. At Clemmie Clark, he was again spotted to the front at 2:36.

Gallatin Fire crossed National Championship Drive at 2:39. At 2:46, he was in Morgan Swamp, still moving on to the front. In the field beyond Morgan Swamp, at 2:49, we again spotted him, and as we crossed over Ellington and made our way forward at 2:54, Gallatin Fire was still moving strongly to the front. He swept back into the Out Front Field at approximately 2:57, casting from left to right. His scout stayed in the soybean edge cover behind him and discovered him on point at 2:59. Again, he looked as fresh on point as he had with his first find, head, and tail still high and very intense. McLean flushed and shot for his beautiful dog, which Gallatin Fire again handled to perfection, and that concluded his brace. Interestingly, we could call this find a "lucky covey" since both this year and last year's National Champion scored a find on a covey at this location, with Blindsider striking birds here at the beginning of his brace last year and Gallatin Fire hitting birds here at the conclusion of his brace.

Our Judges
We were pleased our judges remained consistent this year as from the previous year. First, we had Jadie Rayfield of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, also serving as a director and Vice President of the NFTCA, coming to us to judge for the eighth time. Jadie has been involved in all phases of field trials for 50 years. Jadie and his father began training bird dogs together when Jadie was a young boy, and they campaigned numerous dogs together. Jadie generously acts as a judge for other open and amateur stakes and has also served in leadership positions with other field trial organizations. He relies on his wealth of knowledge and experience and gives all contenders a careful and courteous eye. He is unfailingly cheerful and energetic in the saddle, and he does not miss anything going on about him in the field.

We were also delighted to have Dr. Stan Wint of Gardner, Kansas, also an NFTCA Director, join us for the sixth time. He has more than 30 years of significant experience in the world of field trialing. The "Superman" began his career in walking dog stakes with dogs such as Hall of Famer Honky Tonk Attitude and won his first championship in 1992. Dr. Wint has adjudicated in AKC trials as well as horseback shooting dog and Amateur and Open All-Age American Field events. Dr. Wint continues to breed and raise his own field trial dogs. He has a great sense of humor and an unending well of patience for competitors, dogs, handlers, gallery members, and all aspects of field trialing. He genuinely loves the sport and showed each contender his undivided attention.

Tom Shenker returned to us again from Hurtsboro, Alabama, for the fifth time to round out our panel of judges. Tom's father was a professional trainer, and so Tom brings a lifetime of experience to us with that background, given Tom's exposure to bird dogs, horses, and field trials at an early age. Tom manages the Easter Plantation in Hurtsboro. Tom competes in Open All-Age and Derby stakes, and his dogs are well-known and respected contenders. Tom always shows leadership and magnanimity in the saddle, showing courtesy and patience to all contenders, never riding off and leaving a dog or handler behind. We were fortunate to have Melody, Tom's lovely wife, and Garrett, the Shenkers' son, join us for a day. Melody brightened everyone's mood, and together, she, Jadie, and Dr. Wint kept us laughing.

Coordination of the National Championship - Behind the Scenes
A great deal of complexity and effort goes into putting on a trial of this magnitude. It is a complicated endeavor to ensure that the judges and the reporter have horses saddled, fed, and trailered from place to place. In addition, all of these people need to be fed, have a place to stay, and know where they are supposed to be each hour of the day. On top of that, all the handlers, scouts, and owners need to know where they are putting their horses and dogs, when they are breaking away, if there will be a delay, etc.

People who have never served in an official capacity for this trial may wonder why the Ames group goes to all the effort of saddling, washing, and trailering club officials' horses. The answer lies in part in the length of the trial and the braces, plus the extra time those in any official capacity spend meeting with the public.

Almost every afternoon and evening of the trial, club members, the judges, and even this reporter wanted to have the opportunity to meet with those who participated in that day's running as handlers, breeders, scouts, or owners. It is significant to have managed to bring a dog to the National Championship, and you ought to have an opportunity to have a drink at the end of the day with the club officials and enjoy the experience. Those of us serving in any official capacity can't be there at the end of the day if we are feeding and washing our horses, moving our trailer, and scrounging for our dinner.

Thus, Ames envisions all this work and ensures it is done for the club officials, which is a remarkable act of grace. There is a great deal of tireless work the Ames team does behind the scenes, rising early at 3:30 a.m. and staying late in the evenings, taking care of stock and grounds. There is even an on-site veterinarian, Dr. Amy Weatherly, who checks on the health of all the horses and administers medications. The Ames crew works like a well-oiled machine - if you notice, each morning, at the far-left end of the red barns, the Ames's horse trailers roll in, and the barn crew starts unloading horses well before the morning breakaway and neatly tying them to the trailers. What you may not see is that if the dogs pick up early, those trailers magically show up at road crossings and pick us up, which saves us valuable time and saves our horses, which are going every day, all braces, in all conditions. It also allows this reporter to handwrite (in a truck on the way back to the Manor House) those brace synopses you see on the Ames Plantation website and hand them over to Jamie and Dee Evans of Ames Plantation Cultural Resources for posting.

In addition, Ryan Braddock, Chris Weatherly, Matt Backus, and Rick Carlisle are also in the field with us, ensuring we are safe and staying on course, ensuring the gallery is not straggling or running over the judges or the dogs, and also quietly helping me identify the many fields, house places, and crossing points on the courses. We also have security staff on horseback herding gallery members and ensuring the road crossings are safe for dogs, horses, and humans. We also have paramedics who ride, and they are very much needed, as we did, unfortunately, have someone injured during a fall from a horse this year.

When I stand on the aforementioned road at the conclusion of a brace, I am thankful to see our faithful NFTCA President Charlie Frank Bryan pull up in his truck to drive me back to the house to get cleaned up. He is consistent in showing unfailing good humor and leadership in his long-standing role. And last but not least, for me personally, I am grateful, and I think we all enjoyed having Joe, my husband, join us to ride, help me get tacked up, too, and also celebrate his birthday with us again this year.

Opening Reception and Drawing for the Championship
At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, we gathered at the Ames Manor House for a reception to honor the 2023 National Field Trial Champion, Miller's Blindsider, an English pointer male handled by Jamie Daniels. Many guests attended to celebrate our champion, as we traditionally gather before the drawing.

We then convened immediately thereafter at Bryan Hall to conduct our drawing for the running of the Championship. First, the NFTCA Secretary Rick Carlisle, who chaired the meeting, recognized others attending the drawing, including his wife, Kay, his son, Ben and his family, and his youngest son, Jordan. He also noted that NFTCA President Bryan and his wife, Pat, were present and that Bryan would be assisting with the drawing. Carlisle went on to indicate that he, Carlisle, would be serving as the backup judge and would be riding each brace in that capacity. He also indicated he would be videotaping the dogs' finds.

Carlisle also noted that several directors were either here or would be with us later, including Dr. Fred Corder, his wife Rita, and Bryan and his wife, Pat. He also indicated that Dr. Terry Terlep and his wife, Marilyn, were on their way to join us later, as were Matt Rhea and his wife, Kristen. Other directors unable to attend included John Ivester, Dale Bush, the Vice President and his wife Cathy, and Bobby McAlexander.

Acknowledgment of Ames Staff, Volunteers, Directors, and Attendees
Carlisle also recognized Jamie Evans with Ames Plantation as the Official Photographer (Jamie, along with his wife, Dee, work in Cultural Resources and also work with this reporter to ensure this reporter's morning and afternoon brace synopses are posted on the Ames Plantation website and Facebook page).

Carlisle also noted that Ryan Braddock of Ames Plantation would serve as Front Marshal, and Chris Weatherly, also of Ames Plantation, would serve as Back Marshal.
Carlisle also thanked Jane Rhea and Libby McKnight, who would be on hand at Ames Manor House to assist each night as we hosted the hospitality event for owners and handlers in the afternoon their dogs ran.

Carlisle also recognized various other members of the Ames Plantation staff, including the Assistant Center Director, Matt Backus. Matt will take over for Carlisle as the new Executive Director upon Carlisle's retirement after 43 years, effective April 1, 2024. Matt was elected as the new Secretary/Treasurer of the NFTCA, as Carlisle resigned from this position effective February 18, 2024.
Also joining us was Dr. Allan Houston, a cultural biologist with Ames, who provided detailed and helpful announcements at each breakaway. James Morrow drove the truck with the medical equipment and dog boxes.

Carlisle also recognized the many hard-working members of Ames Plantation, including Ames Security: Aubrey Green, head of security, and we also recognized he plans to retire after this year, so we gave him a round of applause for his many years of service. Green organizes Joe Thompson, Chris Kelley, Jacob Jenkins, Kerry Kimery, and Mike Kee on horseback and Ken Crawford and Marylin Woody on the roads. In addition, Carlisle recognized the Fayette County Sheriff's Department for allowing two deputies from the Sheriff's Department, Deputy Moses Allen and Deputy Ricky Wilson, to assist us at times with road traffic.

Steeple Bell is also commended for his invaluable assistance in providing detailed notes regarding each nominated contender's registration, coloring, DOB, owners, handler, breeder, win record and detailed pedigree. Bell also provides a wonderful write-up for amesplantation.org on each dog's history and pedigree. The pedigree and win information I supply regarding each competitor is based almost entirely on the wealth of information Bell generously provides. Ken Blackman was also recognized for his assistance in counting gallery members each day.

Memorabilia, Awards, Prizes, Gifts and Hospitality For Championship
Carlisle also paused to recognize those who had donated memorabilia, awards, prizes, gifts, and hospitality for the Championship.

Carlisle announced the winner of the Joe H. Hurdle Top Dog Award, a memorial award to honor Mr. Hurdle and given to the dog that acquires the most points each year to qualify for the National. The dog's owner receives a pin handcrafted by David Kelley of Kelley Jewelers, Somerville, Tennessee. The 2024 winner was Haney's All In, owned by Stacey and Steve Croy and handled by Mark McLean. All In accrued 2,492 points in the season to secure this prestigious award.

Carlisle also recognized the ladies at the Rhea Clubhouse from Hickory Valley, Grand Junction, Saulsbury, LaGrange, Bolivar, Middleton, and Somerville, TN, who assisted with refreshments each day, including snacks, hot chocolate, drinks, water, and coffee. In addition, First Baptist Church, Grand Junction, Tennessee, continued its tradition of providing sausage and biscuits every morning while they last.

Carlisle also noted that Todd Kellam of UKC would join our event and ride at least some of our braces. Todd stayed with us at the Manor House and rode in the gallery while paying lively attention to all proceedings. We enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know him better and discuss all things canine with him.

Carlisle also generously expressed thanks to our numerous sponsors, including:
The family and friends of Mike Perkins for the donation of the M.G. "Mike" Perkins Memorial Trophy.
The family and friends of Barry H. Saunders for the donation of the Barry H. Saunders Memorial Trophy for permanent possession by the winning handler.
The Waldo and Pearl Dodge Commemorative Belt Silver Belt Buckle is given to the winning owner.
An Anonymous Donor who contributed $2,000 to the purse.
Whippoorwill Wild Card Memorial Breeders Award to the breeder of the winning Dog.
Nestl Purina PetCare, the Official Dog Food Sponsor, provides the winner with a year's supply of pet food, each handler with a sample, and the handlers, owners, and club officials with a one-of-a-kind 2024 National Championship Souvenir Cap.
The Bank of Fayette County provided a cash supplement of $2,000 to the purse.
Tucker Trail Saddles awarded the winning owner a saddle, bridle, headstall, and saddle bags.
Jeff Haggis provided a Haggis Trooper Saddle to the handler of the National Champion.
Hardeman Co. Chamber of Commerce provided refreshments at Bryan Hall before the drawing.
Hunt & Field Magazine and Lauren Abbott, editor, were on hand to provide the official program, reporting, publicity services, and complimentary copies of the Special Edition featuring Dogs, Owners, and Handlers.
John and Susan Ivester provided owners, handlers, and officials of the 125th Running with a commemorative hat pin of a one and only original design by Barry Saunders.
Tennessee Tractor also provided two John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles for officials during the trial.
SportDOG Brand and Gun Dog Supply, Inc. provided the handler of the 2024 Champion with a SportDOG Brand SD-1825 Sport Hunter.
Sportsman's Pride Pet Food sponsored a Brunswick Stew and Barbeque Dinner Thursday night during the running.
An Anonymous Donor provided a hand-crafted Trooper Saddle to the winning scout by the Saddle Guy.
Garmin International provided three Garmin ALPHA 200/T5X training devices and collars; one each for the winning owner, handler, and scout, and four units for use during competition.
Garmin also gave the winning handler a Tri-Tronics Bark Limiter Deluxe and a Tri-Tronics Pro550 Remote Trainer.
Area Wide Communications donated six two-way radios for Ames Security patrol during the National Championship.
Spalding Laboratories provided bio-beneficial insects to Ames Plantation.
David Kelley Jewelers provided a handcrafted Joe Hurdle lapel pin.
Glovers' Eats-N-Sweets, Somerville, Tennessee, furnished lunches daily in Bryan Hall.
5 Star Equine Products provided three saddle pads, one each to the winning owner, handler, and scout.
Predator Management Solutions provided two weeks of professional trapping by Doug McKenzie.
Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors Association (TWHBEA) donated $500 to the winning handler and provided the handler riding a registered Tennessee Walking Horse.
Park Cities Quail Coalition made a monetary contribution.
Mid-South Farmers Co-Op also provided two tons of #327 - 11% protein horse feed for use by Ames Plantation for their horses during the trial.

Additional Comments
Carlisle noted that tracking collars would be provided. The first dog in the brace would be provided with an orange collar, and the second dog would be provided with a blue collar. He emphasized that the dog's brace is over, and the dog is disqualified the moment the handler requests the receiver unit.

Thereafter, Carlisle announced we were going to begin our drawing, noting that two dogs were held out of the drawing, with the understanding they could compete the following year: Rampage, a pointer male owned by Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart, and Erin's Happy Hour, a pointer male owned by Mike Sweet, and handled by Judd Carlton. Carlisle noted we had several handlers running dogs and that we would have to accommodate that in the drawing as we obviously could not draw the same handler to run against himself in a brace.
With those preliminary statements out of the way, we conducted our drawing, which we also videoed and aired on social media, with Matt Backus, given he is our new Executive Director, effective April 1, 2024, announcing the running and cataloging the running order.

Rick Carlisle's Retirement and Recognition of His Service
Backus recognized Dr. Carlisle, retiring Executive Director of Ames Plantation and outgoing Secretary/Treasurer, for his 40+ capable and generous years of service to the sport and the Center. The audience gave Carlisle a rousing round of applause in recognition of his contributions to our sport. We will cover Carlisle's significant contributions to horseback field trialing in terms of Ames Plantation leadership, as well as his field trial judicial service elsewhere, his long career with Ames, and his service with the NFTCA in a separate issue of the Newsletter coming this spring/summer.

Dogs were then drawn by Backus and announced, and Bryan recorded the running order. Carlisle also read the rules of conduct for the running of the Championship, and he also indicated that running would begin Monday at 8 a.m. for the morning braces and at 1:15 for the afternoon braces at the appropriate breakaway sites unless otherwise provided by the judges and officials. After we concluded our drawing, we closed the evening meeting.

At the Kick-Off Party Sunday evening, a silent auction was well-attended by guests, with proceeds going to fund the important work of the Bird Dog Museum. Several items were available for bidding, including jewelry, tracking and training collars, handmade baskets and pottery, glassware, and many other noteworthy and valuable items. Last year's National Champion, Miller's Blindsider, was recognized, and handler Jamie Daniels then stepped up to the podium to make a few remarks about his dog and his talented performance.

Commentary on Field Trial Bird Dogs
It bears mentioning that there are standards for choosing a National Champion in our sport. The National Championship is open to any dog that has qualified appropriately according to the standards set out by the NFTCA, Inc. as published in the UKC Field. The trial is judged by three highly competent judges with many years of experience in the sport. They do not, let me repeat, they do not judge the dogs merely on the bird contact they have during the three-hour heat. As my father, a lifelong dog man, said many years ago, "If it were that easy to judge, they'd just hand anybody off the street a stopwatch and a little clicker and let them have at it." On the contrary, much more goes into the consideration of what makes a great champion bird dog. The judges consider the gait of the dog, whether he has style and grace, whether he carries his head and tail high, and how happily he is snapping his tail as he goes along his way. They consider how he hunts the country and whether he is still hunting and moving with speed and stamina when he finishes his brace. They consider how he looks on his game: Is he standing with his head and tail high, intense on point? There are so many other things a pointing dog does that weigh for or against him in the three hours. Is he staying to the front or coming from behind? Is he crouching down at the find or after the shot? Is he running away in his brace or running with wild abandon and yet some studied grace, i.e., "almost out of control"?

The sport doesn't require these high-caliber dogs to labor extensively by running in extremely challenging conditions and winning two significant championships to qualify to compete and then completely flip by whittling down the judging requirements for the highest award to a mere determination of which dog manages to find the most birds in a three-hour heat. To do that would be madness. It takes so much more than that to win the National Championship, and it is worth it to sit in the saddle, ride every brace, and watch the competition unfold. If you haven't experienced it, I urge you to make the trip and enjoy yourself; it is an experience not to be missed.

The Braces of the 125th National Championship
Brace 1 - Monday Morning. Our first brace brought us our first English setter competing in the Nationals. Highground Toby, a setter male, was handled by Lori Steinshouer. Toby is sired by Highground Tonka and out of Lying Eyes, who can trace his lineage back to the Tekoa Mountain Patriot line of setters. Texas Wild Rex, a pointer male handled by Allen Vincent, was our other competitor in our first brace. Rex is another Wild Agin descendant through Wild Agin's son, Whippoorwill Forever Wild, another previous qualifier for the National.
The dogs started us off in the first breakaway from the barns at 8 a.m. Conditions were overcast, 48 degrees, and muddy, with standing water on the course in many places. After moving quickly through the first two fields, both dogs turned left and were missing for a few minutes after approximately 6. Vincent then ventured to the right as the course turned to the left at approximately 7, searching for Rex, and Judge Rayfield, carrying his tracker, accompanied him. Bubba Spencer, Vincent's scout, called point for Rex but waved it off. By the time we reached Buford Ellington, Vincent had Rex for the crossing at 12, but Steinshouer did not have Toby. She went down Buford Ellington to the right, looking for her dog. Rex is a snappy, high-headed running pointer, and he made a strong cast in Morgan Field on the right-hand side and was next sighted in Morgan Field Basin. Steinshouer returned to the front at 23 with Toby, a rangy, classy running setter who is happy going at his work, when we crossed Turner Road. At that point, Vincent no longer had Rex. When we went through Turner Field at 31, Vincent was still looking for Rex. Vincent requested his tracker at Turner Basin at 40. Toby returned at 46 shortly after we passed Turner Basin.
Toby was absent after we left Turner Basin at 46 and did not return to the front by the time we got to Govan Hill at 59. At 1:13, Toby was sighted at Mary Scott Basin, making a strong cast. At 1:28, Toby showed to the front when we crossed National Championship Drive for the second time. At 1:40, we crossed over Turner Road into Tennessee Field, and Toby continued to the front. At 1:45, Steinshouer called point for Toby at the big oak at the corner of Tennessee Field. On relocation, however, no birds were flying, and Toby suffered an unproductive. At 1:57, Toby was picked up by Steinshouer in Morgan Field, thus concluding the brace.

Brace 2 - Tuesday Morning. Poor weather conditions delayed the starting of the second brace until the following morning. Lester's Storm Surge, a pointer male handled by Korry Rinehart (Nick Thompson, scout), and Nighthawk's Rebel, handled by Luke Eisenhart (Carlton, scout), comprised our brace. Surge is another of the 16 descendants of Whippoorwill Wild Agin, a son of Ransom (Wild Agin x Sparkles), and his dam is Beane's Line Dancer. He is also a brother to Lester's Shockwave, another of this year's competitors. Surge is a popular sire of other field trial dogs, with one of his sons, Game Surge, being on hand as another competitor this year. His bracemate, Rebel, is sired by Touch's Red Rider and is out of Tee's Funseekin Belle; he is also Wild Agin progeny through his granddam, Windbush Tiger Lilly (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Beaucoup's Daisy).
Conditions were sunny and cold at 32 at the morning breakaway. Both dogs were away strong through the second field gap at 3. When we reached Buford Ellington Road at 10, neither handler nor dog were with us. Storm Surge, a beautiful dog running with his head and tail held high, returned to the front at 12 at Morgan Field. Rebel was not with us when we entered Morgan Field, and Judge Wint stayed back to wait on Rebel and Eisenhart. Storm Surge was to the front going through the Chute out of Morgan Field at 15. Rebel and Eisenhart returned to us at 17, with Rebel looking classy as he moved through the country.
When we crossed over Turner Road at 26, Tom pointed out Rebel in the far-left corner of Turner Field at 30. Surge circled the entire Turner Field at an extremely fast clip and came to his handler at 31. Surge continued hunting hard and to the front through Turner Basin at 40. Rebel was also sighted to the front. Judge Shenker pointed out both dogs in Tom Hurt Field at 49, standing stationary. We rode up a covey of at least five quail as we rode through Tom Hurt. We found Rebel pointing and Surge backing, both dogs looking beautiful. As Luke went in to flush, a bird got up behind the dogs, and Luke shot. Rebel held nicely for his find. All was in order, and both dogs continued. Surge was spotted at 54 at the Mary Scott crossing with his handler and continued. Eisenhart requested Rebel's tracker at 1:17 after we crossed over Mary Scott again, thus concluding his brace. Storm Surge was absent briefly while his handler searched for him. However, he was to the front again in Mary Scott Field at 1:29. Rinehart called point for his dog at 1:39 in Turner National South and flushed a large covey, with Surge standing perfectly for wing and shot. Surge then continued into the Tennessee Field and Morgan Field at 1:48, with Surge still to the front, making a brilliant cast to the right. He then crossed over National Championship Drive. Rinehart called point for Surge but then waved it off. He and Surge returned to Morgan Field at 1:56. At 2:00, Surge was to the front making a beautiful cast before Kyle's Barn. He then made a nice cast on the left-hand side at 2:08 in No Man's Land. At 2:19, Surge showed to the front just before Keagan's Crossing. At 2:26, Surge had another find near Ryan Braddock's house. A large covey was flushed for Surge, and again, he stood beautifully for wing and shot. After the flush, all action was paused briefly as a loose horse was secured on the course. At 2:32, we continued into Jim Braddock. At 2:36, Surge cast into the left past Jim Braddock. At 2:41, Surge was still running strong, casting on the right in the field before Tobe Holt. At 2:47, Storm Surge made a strong cast to the left at Edward Clark North. Korry rode up a covey of 8-9 birds in the same vicinity as his dog at 2:48. After the three-hour brace, Surge continued strongly to the front at Edward Clark south of the pines.

Brace 3 - Tuesday Afternoon. Our next brace was comprised of Lester's Shockwave, a pointer male handled by Korry Rinehart (Nick Thompson, scout), and Woodville's Yukon Cornelius, a setter male handled by Mark McLean (Ike Todd, scout). Shockwave won the 2022 National Championship. He is also a brother to Lester's Storm Surge. Yukon Cornelius, our second setter to compete, is the setter competing most closely related to English setter two-time National Champion Shadow Oak Bo (Bo is his grandsire through Cornelius's dam, A Tarheel Miss Bo; Yukon's sire is Caladen's Davinci).
Conditions were sunny and 62 at the afternoon breakaway. Both dogs showed to the front at 3 in the far side of the East Pasture. At 8, Shockwave was in the soybean field to the left, making a sweeping cast. Shockwave is a notable dog for the way he moves across the ground alone, with an easy sweeping gait, fast and classy. At 13, Shockwave showed to the front as we were entering Buster Graves. Yukon had not been seen since shortly after we left East Pasture at 4. Rinehart had his dog at Ames Road at 20, but Yukon had not yet returned. At 22, after we crossed over Ames Road, Yukon returned to the front, and Shockwave was also the front as well. Yukon is an eye-catching setter, running with head and tail high, quite striking to see as he covers the country.
At 36, as we were entering the Chute, both handlers had their dogs to the front. After a brief absence at 45, Yukon showed to the front. At 53, Shockwave was sighted at the front before Sam's house. At 56, Shockwave showed to the front again at Sam's. At 1:00, point was called for Shockwave just past Sam's on the right in heavy briars. Shockwave looked beautiful on point, standing with head and tail high. However, even after relocation, no birds were found. Both dogs were to the front at 1:13 at Lawrence Smith's going into Turkey Bottom. At 1:16, both dogs were to the front in the Alfalfa Bottom and made strong casts in the bottom at 1:18 from the left to the right.
Rinehart called point at 1:15 in the Turkey Bottom but waved it off. At 1:25, in the field after Pine Hill, Yukon was to the front. At 1:32, at Terry's Seven Acres, he was again to the front. Shockwave also showed to the front at 1:40, just past the Agronomy Unit. Yukon again was sighted in the same location at 1:41.
Thompson then called point for both dogs at 1:46 at Miller's Cove. Both handlers went into flush, and McLean pointed out a rabbit, which Judge Shenker acknowledged. Both handlers then collared their dogs and continued. At 1:57, both dogs showed in the bottom before we got to Caesar's Ditch. At 2:01, both dogs were found on point on Pine Hill; however, after an armadillo was seen in the vicinity, both handlers elected not to flush and took their dogs on. McLean called point for his dog at 2:08 at Cox's Ridge but waved it off and elected to put his dog in the harness at 2:11. Rinehart did the same, thus concluding the brace.

Brace 4 - Wednesday Morning. Touch's Shadow Rider, a pointer male handled by Mark McLean (Todd, scout), and Erin's Wild Atlantic Way, a setter male handled by Luke Eisenhart (Carlton, scout), made up our next brace, leaving the horse barns at the morning breakaway at 8 a.m., with conditions sunny and 33 degrees. Shadow Rider is sired by the great Touch's Smooth Rider, and Shadow Rider inherited his sire's smooth and flowing way of covering the country. On the bottom side, Shadow Rider is Whippoorwill-bred, with his dam, Touch's Gold Dance, a descendant of Whippoorwill War Dance. Wild Atlantic Way is a beautiful Erin-bred black and white setter, sired by Erin's Hidden Shamrock and out of T T's Southern Miss.
Both dogs showed strongly through the Out Front Field, with both dogs in the lane by 3 minutes. Before we reached Buford Ellington at 8, Atlantic Way was going up the hill with Eisenhart. At 10:30, he was sweeping into Morgan Field to make a beautiful cast on the right. His bracemate had not yet crossed over Ellington to join him. At 12, however, Shadow Rider was quick to catch up into Morgan Field, with Atlantic Way moving into Morgan Basin.
At 19, the setter was to the front at 19 at L. B. Avent House Place. At 22, both handlers had their dogs to the front as we crossed over Turner Road. Eisenhart pointed out Atlantic Way going up the left-hand side of Turner Field at 25. At Turner Ditch crossing, Atlantic Way was again sighted at 39 to the front, and McLean was searching for Shadow Rider. At 41, Shadow Rider returned to the front, as we were at the Turner Ditch Crossing. Eisenhart pointed out Atlantic Way in the Tom Hurt Field at 45, making a strong cast on the left-hand side. McLean was riding up the right-hand side with Shadow Rider making an impressive cast on Spencer Govan Hill.
Atlantic Way was next sighted at the front at 58 at the Mary Scott Road crossing. Shadow Rider returned to the front after we next crossed Mary Scott. At 1:21, we were summoned to a find by Shadow Rider at Turner National Pines. We found him in cover, standing with head and tail high. When McLean went into flush, birds flew, and Shadow Rider stood firm for wing and shot. We then returned to the front across the Tennessee Field, and both dogs were sighted in the next field at 1:29. As we crossed into Morgan Field for the second time, both dogs were casting well in the field. Then, McLean called point for his dog in the far-left corner or "neck" of the field at 1:32. Again, Shadow Rider stood well for the find, looking classy. Birds boiled out again. We continued, and at Kyle's Barn at 1:33, both handlers had their dogs to the front. At 1:36, McLean called point again for Shadow Rider on the left at Kyle's Barn Field, and the birds lifted before McLean could dismount. McLean dismounted and shot for his dog, who again looked beautiful on point. In Edward Clark South at 1:39, Atlantic Way was making a fine cast on the left. Eisenhart's scout, Carlton, rode up a covey of birds as we rode through this field.
At 1:45, Shadow Rider was setting a fast pace through Edward Clark NW when Eisenhart decided to put Atlantic Way into the harness, thus concluding his brace. At 1:48, Shadow Rider was still firmly to the front. At 2:02, at Tobe Polk Field, Shadow Rider was still casting well to the front. At 2:09, Todd, Shadow Rider's scout, called point at Edward Clark North. Shadow Rider stood beautifully, head and tail high in corn stalks for the flush of one quail by McLean and for the shot. Then, as Todd rode to assist McLean, Todd rode up several quail in the covey further away from the dog.
At 2:11, Shadow Rider made a strong cast on the left alongside Rube Scott Road. At 2:20, he showed to the front again, making another good cast at Edward Clark South on the left-hand side. At 2:23, the dog was sighted at Edward Clark South of Pines. At 2:34, Todd called point for Shadow Rider again in the Supermarket Field, and again, Shadow Rider handled his find well, standing perfectly for wing and shot. At 2:37, he made a beautiful cast on the left in the field before Morgan, and then we returned for the last time across Morgan Field. Shadow Rider turned left toward Heartbreak Hill with Todd in pursuit and returned toward McLean. He finished the three hours well in the last pasture before the red barns, swinging a wide and fast arc around from left to right at a swift pace after time was called with McLean in pursuit at pickup, still running and hunting.

Brace 5 - Wednesday Afternoon. Touch's Malcolm Story, a pointer male handled by Mark McLean (Haynes, scout), and Nosam's Sweet Water, a pointer male handled by Larry Huffman (Thompson, scout), comprised Brace 5, leaving from the afternoon breakaway with sunny conditions at 62 degrees. This author had just reported Sweet Water winning the 2024 Alabama Open Championship, the second win needed to qualify him for the National. Sweet Water is sired by Whippoorwill Mayhem (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Sparkles) and out of House's House Fly, a daughter of the fine sire, House's Line Up. Malcolm Story's breeding particularly caught my attention because he is not only sired by Touch's Knight Rider, another great Keith Wright-bred dog, but his dam is Blackhawk's Sunflower (Rock Acre Blackhawk x Southern Sunflower). This makes Sunflower a full sister to the famous Sparkles, dam of a great many champions. I have to say, for readers who may have never seen the champion sire of these sisters compete, you missed a show. Rock Acre Blackhawk was a beautiful black and white pointer, so fast, and you knew when he was turned loose, he was going to find a bird. He had that "sparkle" on point, that extra wow factor, and perhaps that's why they named his daughter Sparkles. I don't know, but all this blue blood may explain Malcolm Story's long history of championship wins.
Back to our brace, both dogs were out of the East Pasture by 2, with Sweet Water returning to East Pasture at 4 to make a cast along the topside and then Malcolm Story returning. Both dogs then swept back out of the field and into the soybean field to the left. At 12, Sweet Water and Malcolm Story were on the left on the other side of the East Pasture. At 21, both dogs were crossing Ames Road.
Both dogs showed to the front at George Kemp East at 24. Sweet Water made a strong cast to the front at 33 on the south side of Cedar Hill and was moving at a fast clip across the levee at 34. At 41, we saw him making a strong cast in the Chute. At the Strawberry Patch, Sweet Water was moving on, but McLean had not seen Malcolm Story for some time.
In the field past the Strawberry Patch at 52, Sweet Water showed to the front again. Malcolm Story returned to the front again at 54 at Sam's. Both dogs showed to the front at 57 again, moving quickly and hunting hard. At 1:01, Sweet Water was to the front at Lawrence's house. At 1:04, Malcolm Story was seen casting well at Lawrence Smith's House Place. Both dogs were casting well at 1:15 in the Alfalfa Bottom. The gallery held up momentarily at the ditch, given that Malcolm Story was absent and Sweet Water went through the ditch, causing Huffman to cross over and retrieve him. Huffman returned with Sweet Water at 1:19. At 1:25 at Marshall Jack Harris, Sweet Water was still running strong and to the front. At 1:29, McLean requested his tracker at Kerry's Seven Acres. At 1:30, Huffman also made the decision to pick up.

Brace 6 - Thursday Morning. This championship brace has been covered.

Brace 7 - Thursday Afternoon. Our next brace was comprised of Haney's All In, a male pointer handled by Mark McLean (Ike Todd, scout), and Game Surge, a pointer male, handled by Fred Corder (Stegan Smith, scout). Haney's All In is another son of Ransom and thus another of the 16 descendants of Wild Agin. All In's dam is the extraordinary "Golden Goose," Haney's North Star, so named because she is the dam of another two qualifiers in this year's Championship, Haney's Storm Warning and Haney's Hurricane Seeker, and the dam of other competitors winning on the circuit now. Game Surge is sired by Lester's Storm Surge (thus a grandson of Whippoorwill Wild Agin through Ransom). Game Surge's dam is Game Maggie, and her grandsire is Ransom.
Although a rookie to the Nationals, All In has been a sensation this year and last year, having won, among other accolades, the 2023 Tarheel Open Championship, the 2023 U. S. Open Championship, the 2024 Continental Championship, the 2024 National Free-For-All, and runner-up in the Georgia Quail Championship. Game Surge, also a rookie, has been sweeping the country, securing runner-up in the 2024 Continental Championship and winning the 2023 All-America Derby Championship and the 2023 National Pheasant Championship, among other placements.
Conditions were 67 degrees and sunny for the afternoon breakaway. Both dogs showed us why they were champions by streaking away with beautiful gaits, running with heads and tails high. At 3, Dr. Corder called point for Game Surge in the middle of the East Pasture in the pines. Surge stood beautifully intense, with his head high, nose almost vertical, and tail poker straight. Corder went in to flush, indicating birds were running on the ground. Surge stood perfectly for wing and shot.
At 8, Haney's All In was seen to the front in the soybean field on the left, and Surge was in the green field on the right. All In again showed to the front at 14 at Buster Graves. We then spotted Surge at 15 to the front after we crossed over Buster Graves Drive. At 18, both dogs were to the front crossing over Ames Road.
At the Horseshoe Field, Surge made a beautiful cast on the right at 29 with All In moving forward. At that point, the young horse Smith (Surge's scout) was riding objected strongly to crossing the cornfield toward Surge, and the gallery gasped in alarm. However, Smith showed us how well he could ride by simply slipping from the saddle to the ground with ease when the horse reared, catching his colt's bridle, and then easily remounting to pursue Surge.
At 31, Game Surge returned to the front just past the Horseshoe Fields. Surge again showed to the front at the Chute at 38. All In was next spotted on the left, just past the Chute at 41, making a beautiful cast.
Surge was seen to the front at 45 and headed into the Strawberry Patch. He was into Sam's at 50. At 55, All In showed to the front right before we reached the church. Surge again showed to the front at 1:07 at Lawrence Smith's Cabin, making a cast to the left.
At 1:11, both dogs were to the front and all the way to the end, making beautiful casts in Turkey Bottom. As we moved up the hill out of the Alfalfa Bottom, we found Surge on point at 1:17. However, even after relocation, no birds were moved.
At 1:24, McLean made the decision to pick up All In at Marshall Jack Harris. At 1:28, Game Surge was moving to the front, coming up on Tyler's Test. At 1:37, he was still to the front at Wolf's Crossing. At 1:52, he was to the front, crossing over Caesar's Ditch, whereupon Dr. Corder chose to put him in the harness, thus concluding the brace.

Brace 8 - Friday Morning. Erin's Perfect Storm, a pointer male handled by Eisenhart (Carlton, scout), and Westfall's True Grit, a pointer male handled by Andy Daugherty (Vincent, scout), comprised our next morning brace with conditions quite chilly at 49 degrees and overcast. Perfect Storm is another Wild Agin grandson through his sire, Chelsea's Thunder Bolt. His dam is Erin's Bet On Me, a daughter of Erin's Whiskey River and a sister of Erin's Redrum. True Grit is a grandson of Erin's Bad River, descended through his son, Erin's Brave Heart. True Grit's dam is Westfall's Irish Bell, a Wiggins-bred female, and, on the bottom side, she also goes back to Caladen's Rail Hawk.
Both dogs were in the field after the Out Front Field at 2, and then both were out of the gap and on to the front by 3. At 5, they were in the lane going past Heartbreak Hill. Storm showed to the front again at 8. When we crossed Buford Ellington at 11, both dogs were ahead of us moving into Morgan Field.
Storm is a classy going dog, and he moves with great speed. He took the right side of Morgan Field, making a beautiful cast, and True Grit took the left but swept across to the right at the end. He, too, is a warrior dog who always hunts to the front with a high head and tail. Storm had a brief absence but had returned to the front at the end of Morgan Field by 14. As we crossed into Turner Field, only Storm was ahead of us at 25. He made a beautiful cast on the right at 26. He swept all the way around the lower part of the field, and Eisenhart called point for him at 27 on the left-hand side beyond the farm road in heavy cover. He stood with head and tail high, looking breathtaking, for wing and shot. He was next found on point in Turner Pines at 39, again looking magnificent on point. Again, all was in order for the find. At that point, Daughterty made the decision to request the tracker for True Grit, thus concluding his brace.
At 51, Storm was again sighted to the front at the end of Tom Hurt. We next caught sight of him at the end of 54 at the end of Dunn's Dam, going around the bend to the left. As we headed up toward Mary Scott at 58, Storm was in the pocket with Luke. At 1:01, he made a beautiful cast all the way around the far-left side of Mary Scott Basin, moving at a fast clip to the front. At 1:07, he was seen to the left in No Man's Land. At 1:09, Storm scored another find at the end of No Man's Land, looking perfect once again on his game and handling both wing and shot in a mannerly fashion. At 1:22, as the gallery left Locust Lane, Storm was making a strong cast on the left of Turner Pines. Eisenhart called point his dog again at 1:25 at the end of Turner National on the right. One lone bird flew out from under his dog's nose, yet Storm never moved a muscle. It was a lovely thing to watch. Continuing on, Storm picked up speed as we crossed Turner, and he moved quickly into the Tennessee Field at 1:22. At 1:30, he was at the far end of the Tennessee Field and moving through the gap.
At 1:35, Storm was sighted crossing from left to right in Morgan Field to the front. Luke called point for him at 1:40 by Kyle's Barn. As the judges rode up, Eisenhart asked if they saw the birds fly and if they saw the rabbit running. Judge Shenker confirmed he saw the rabbit running, so Eisenhart chose to take Storm on without flushing. At 1:49, Storm was to the front at No Man's Land. At 1:56, we were in Edward Clark South with Storm still to the front. At 2:05, Storm was still moving forward at a fast clip as we passed Ryan Braddock's house. At the second Keagan's ditch crossing, he was still to the front at 2:15, and he was still hustling. The gallery was sitting up watching this dog moving quickly through the country, wondering if he could finish as strong as he started. He made a good cast to the front from the right to the left at 2:16 in Tobe Polk. From that point forward, he was heartbreakingly not seen again. At 2:43, Eisenhart requested his tracker, thus concluding his brace.

Brace 9 - Friday Afternoon. Ascension, a pointer male handled by Rinehart (Thompson, scout), and Westfall's River Ice, a pointer male handled by Daugherty (Vincent, scout), comprised our afternoon brace on February 16. It was 66 degrees and overcast for the 1:15 breakaway. Ascension is a grandson of House's Line Up via his sire, Reloaded, and his dam is the great amateur champion, Dialed In, a daughter of National Champion Miller's Dialing In. Dialed In's dam was Rester's Zumba Girl, whose sire was National Champion, In the Shadow. River Ice is a grandson of Rock Acre Blackhawk via his sire, Westfall's Black Ice. His dam is Westfall's Quick Gold.
Both dogs moved away at a strong clip in the East Pasture, and Ascension chose the middle path through the field and did not reappear. At 2, we saw River Ice sweep around, tuck in toward the middle, and appear to point. As we picked up speed toward him, we soon discovered that River Ice was not pointed but was instead backing Ascension in the pines in the middle of the field. Rinehart flushed and shot for his dog, who looked beautiful, and all was in order. Continuing on, we had just exited the East Pasture when Daugherty called point for River Ice at 8 on the right in the hedgerow. He looked classy pointed, as well, and Daugherty flushed a large covey for his dog, who stood wing and shot.
Ascension was to the front at 19 after we crossed over Buster Graves. Both dogs were at Ames Road at 21 and to the front at Cedar Hill at 24. Ascension was next spied moving through the Horseshoe Fields at 31 and swept into the Apple Tree Field at 33 to make a nice cast. Ascension is an easy-moving dog, covering quite a bit of country as he goes. River Ice is also a veteran of this sport, and it is easy to see why he wins, as he always runs with his head and tail held high.
At the beginning of the Chute, River Ice showed to the front at 35. Ascension, at 42, was on the left-west side of the Agronomy Shed, and River Ice was far to the front on the right side of the Shed. Ascension was next seen to the front at 49 as we were leaving the Agronomy Unit. Daugherty requested River Ice's tracker at 53, and Rinehart requested Ascension's at 55.

Brace 10 - Saturday Morning. Our next brace was our coldest brace of the trial. It started with a harsh wind blowing at 28 degrees and overcast as Game Heir, a pointer male, Corder handling (Smith, scout), and Miller's Heat Advisory, a pointer male, Carlton handling (Eisenhart, scout). Heir is a son of multi-champion Dominator's Rebel Heir, and his dam, Game Snow, is a daughter of National Champion Lester's Snowatch. Heir is a beautiful dog with a lovely way of going and looks striking on point. Heat Advisory's pedigree is covered under Miller's Blindsider because he is a full, albeit younger, brother to him, and he shows many of the same characteristics as Blindsider, being a beautiful and strong dog that can take both harsh weather conditions and tough terrain.
Both dogs left at a very fast clip from the Out Front Field and were on through those first two fields quickly, in the lane at 5 to the front, headed toward Heartbreak Hill. At 9, Carlton called point for Heat Advisory to the left at the Elm Tree. Heat Advisory looked staunch on point, head and tail high, and stood firm for wing and shot. All being in order, both dogs were quickly casting to the front at 13 in Morgan Field after Heat Advisory rejoined his bracemate. At 20, Heat Advisory showed to the front at L. B. Avent House Place and was then on across Turner Road and into Turner Field. At 22, Dr. Corder was moving around the other side of Turner Road to rejoin the gallery with Game Heir at 22 in Turner Field. At 27, point was called for Heir in Turner Field, and Heat Advisory backed. Heir looked beautiful on point, but even after relocation, no birds were produced. We continued, and after both dogs were back on course, at approximately 30, Judge Wint rode up a large covey of birds nearby in the field. At 32, Heat Advisory was to the front again as he approached Turner Basin. At 35, Heat Advisory again struck birds around the right side of Turner Basin, again looking magnificent on point and standing perfectly solid for wing and shot. Heir and Heat Advisory were flying into Turner Basin at 38, and at 48, they were moving at a fast clip, leaving Tom Hurt. At Mary Scott, the gallery held up as both handlers searched for their dogs. At 1:00, Heat Advisory returned to the front, swept into Mary Scott, and moved quickly around Mary Scott Basin. At 1:13, Game Heir was also spotted to the front again as we crossed the road at Turner National. At that point, Carlton was out searching for Heat Advisory. At Tennessee Field, at 1:29, Game Heir was spotted going through the gap. At 1:32, at Morgan Field, Carlton, not being able to locate Heat Advisory, requested his tracker and Dr. Corder chose to conclude Game Heir's brace at that time.

Brace 11 - Saturday Afternoon. Conditions remained cold for the afternoon brace, with the thermometer remaining at around 36 degrees, but at least with the sun peeping out for us. Whippoorwill Vette, a pointer male, Huffman handling (Thompson, scout), and Bonner's Bulletproof, a pointer male, Anderson handling (Haynes, scout), started us off from the afternoon breakaway at 1:15. Vette is another descendant of the Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Sparkles cross, this time as the son of National Champion Whippoorwill Justified. His dam is S J Kentucky Sue, a daughter of Miller's Dialing In. Bulletproof is a son of National Champion Miller's Speed Dial, and his dam is Miller's Martha White, sired by multi-champion and Hall of Fame inductee Miller's Happy Jack.
Both dogs set a rapid pace from the breakaway and were out of the East Pasture by 7. Vette showed to the front in the soybean field at 12. Bulletproof was spotted at 14 to the front in the cornfield beyond. At 16, Bulletproof was at Buster Graves, and Vette was there by 20. We next saw Vette at Cedar Hill at 23. At 29, both dogs were in the Horseshoe Fields making nice casts, with Anderson having to turn Bulletproof off his line. At 38, both dogs were in the Chute to the front. At 42, both dogs were past the Agronomy Unit. At 46, they were making exciting casts in the green field on the left-hand side as we moved toward the Unit. At 48, Bulletproof was past the Strawberry Patch. Vette returned to the front at 51, just past Sam's. Huffman called point for his dog at 54 at Sam's with Bulletproof backing. Vette looked beautiful on point, and when Huffman flushed, several birds boiled out in all directions, but Vette stood firm for wing and shot. At 1:03, as we were leaving the Church, both dogs were to the front. At 1:14, Bulletproof cast on the left in Turkey Bottom with Vette, then making a strong cast all the way around. At 1:18, Vette kept on with his aggressive casts, bringing it all the way around Alfalfa Bottom, with Bulletproof bringing up the other side. At 1:20, Anderson called point for Bulletproof at Pine Hill, and Bulletproof stood well for the flush and the shot. At 1:24, both dogs were to the front in the far distance at Marshall Jack Harris, moving from left to right. At 1:30, both dogs were in the far distance at Kerry's Seven Acres, moving quickly and making a strong cast. Bulletproof scored another find at 1:34 at the Agronomy Unit with Vette backing. Bulletproof again looked classy and was mannerly for his second find as well. Many birds were flushed again at this find. Both dogs were on the other side of the Chute at 1:39 on opposite sides. At 1:42, both dogs were at Wolf Crossing. Vette was next seen at Jack Harris House Place at 1:45, and Bulletproof joined him shortly thereafter. Both dogs crossed Caesar's Ditch at 1:52, and their handlers made the decision to pick them up at 1:56.

Brace 12 - Monday Afternoon. Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Jack, a setter male handled by Alex Mauck (Thompson, scout), and Como Thunder, a pointer male, originally comprised our next brace. However, Thunder's handler, David Russell, decided to scratch Thunder due to an injury. This caused Haney's Hurricane Seeker, the bye-dog, to move up to this brace. Hurricane Seeker, a pointer male, is also handled by Russell (Joey McAlexander, scout).
Conditions were 32 degrees and sunny at the morning breakaway at 8 a.m. for our start. Jack is a dog to watch, given he is a direct descendant of the great Tekoa Mountain Patriot via frozen semen. His dam is San Jac's Gypsy, a granddaughter of Hytest Sky Hawk. Hurricane Seeker is another Wild Agin grandson via Ransom and another son of the "Golden Goose," Haney's North Star. He is a full brother to another competitor, Haney's All In, and a half-brother to yet another, Haney's Storm Warning.
Both dogs were away to the left at a rapid pace in the Out Front Field, exiting the first two fields by 3. At 10, McAlexander, Hurricane's scout, called point for him at A. T.'s House Place. When we arrived, Hurricane stood firm, looking very intense on his game, and when Russell flushed for his dog, quail flew in all directions. Hurricane held for wing and shot. At 12, Owyhee Jack was to the front and in Morgan Field. Jack is a big-running setter, carrying his head and tail well, and is very classy-going. Hurricane is also an aggressive hunting dog, exciting to watch, as well, running hard and hunting well.
After his find, Hurricane hustled to return to the course but first angled to the far-right side of Morgan Field with his scout in pursuit. By 17, Hurricane was again on course and to the front. Both dogs crossed Turner Field at 23. We next saw Jack at 32 at the end of Turner. He was again sighted in Turner Pines at 38 and was next seen at the far end of Tom Hurt at 49. At 56, Thompson, his scout, called point for him at Will Dunn's Dam but waved it off, and then point was called again. At the flush, Jack marked flight of birds, and Mauck shot, but Mauck indicated he was going to pick him up at the road crossing at 57. At 1:17, Russell, having never again seen Hurricane since Turner Field, requested his tracker, thus concluding the morning brace.

Brace 13 - Monday Afternoon. Touch's Fire Away, a pointer male handled by Randy Anderson (Haynes, scout), and Haney's Storm Warning, a pointer male handled by Chris Cagle Sr. (Cagle Jr., scout), were our afternoon brace. Conditions were 58 degrees and sunny for the breakaway at 1:15 p.m. Fire Away is a son of House's Ring of Fire, and his dam is Touch's Maswood Anne. Haney's Storm Warning's sire is Valiant, so he is a grandson of HOF Miller's Happy Jack, and his dam is the aforementioned Haney's North Star.
Both dogs left at a rapid pace on the right-hand side of the East Pasture, made casts all the way around the field, and were out the far side by 3. At 7, we saw Storm Warning again on the left before we reached the gap to leave the soybean field. At 8, both dogs were in the soybean field. We next saw Fire Away at 15 beyond Buster Graves's Drive, and he was not spotted again until we saw him making a beautiful cast in the Horseshoe Field at 29. At 34, a gallery member informed that point was being called for Storm Warning on Cedar Hill. We reached the dog on the edge of Cedar Hill, where he stood looking magnificent, head and tail completely vertical. However, even after relocation, no birds were flying, and Cagle took his dog on. At 47, Fire Away showed to the front by the Agronomy Unit. At 49, Storm Warning was to the front at the Demonstration Field, and Fire Away was to the front at the end of the Strawberry Patch. At 57, Storm Warning was just past Sam's Water Truck. At 1:02, just past the church, Fireaway was on the right, coming up the hill.
At 1:05, both dogs were spotted at Lawrence Smith. At Lawrence's Barn, we saw Fire Away again running hard to the front. At 1:12, both dogs had reached Turkey Bottom and were cast into the Alfalfa Bottom by 1:14. Fire Away had moved on up to Pine Hill by 1:18. At 1:23, Storm Warning was to the front as we left Pine Hill.
At 1:28, at Kerry Kimery's Seven Acres, Fire Away was to the front. At 1:32, Haynes, scouting for Fireaway, called point for him near the Ag. Unit. However, no birds were flying for Fire Away, and Anderson chose to pick him up. At 1:37, Chris Cagle Jr., scouting for his dad and the dog he co-owns, called point for Storm Warning at the north end of the Chute. Arriving, we saw Storm Warning again looking outstanding on point, and he handled the flush and shot with impeccable manners, remaining motionless even when Cagle went back to his horse to get water for him. At 1:50, Storm Warning was to the front at Jack Harris House Place. At 1:53, at Caesar's Ditch Crossing, Cagle Sr. put Storm Warning in the harness, thus concluding his brace.

Brace 14 - Tuesday Morning. Conditions were 39 degrees and sunny for the morning breakaway from the red barns. Rester's Cajun Spirit, a pointer male, Carlton (Jamie Daniels, scout), and Erin's Code of Honor, a pointer male, Eisenhart (Rinehart, scout), moved at a fast clip, leaving the Out Front Field by 3. Cajun Spirit is a son of Miller's Blindsider. On the dam side, he is out of Rester's Amazing Grace and is our 15th Wild Agin descendant, with Touch's Whippoorwill Road being his great granddam (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Whippoorwill G M B). Code of Honor is sired by Erin's Redrum, and his dam is Erin's Miss Maggie, a granddaughter of Elhew Sinbad and also a granddaughter of Wild Agin on her dam side via Erin's Miss Faye (Whippoorwill Wild Agin x Butler's Jill).
Code of Honor was past Heartbreak Hill by 9; at 10, he was already moving into Morgan Field on the right, making a nice cast. At 10, Carlton went right down Ellington Drive to search for his dog. At 11, Code of Honor was to the front in Morgan Basin, and Carlton returned with Cajun Spirit quickly sprinting to the front in Morgan Field at 13, as well.
At 25, point was called for both dogs, and they shared an excellent divided find at the west end of Morgan Basin. All was in order for the firing of the guns and for the flush.
At 29, both dogs were to the front again at Turner Road. At 30, Cajun Spirit was moving up the left-hand side of Turner Field at a rapid pace. Both dogs were at Turner Pines at 40. At 43, both dogs were at the far end of Turner Pines. At Wilson Dunn, Code of Honor was to the front again at 54. At 56, at Dunn's, both dogs were spotted to the front. At 1:01, Code of Honor made a beautiful cast around the far side of Mary Scott Basin and was not seen again until we crossed over Mary Scott at 1:11. At 1:15, he showed when we crossed over Mary Scott again as we headed into Locust Lane. At Turner National, at 1:23, both dogs were to the front.
As we turned into Morgan Field, Carlton picked up Cajun Spirit at 1:34. Code of Honor continued, casting in the Tennessee Field, heading across the road toward Kyle's Barn. At 1:41, Eisenhart called point for him again, and when we arrived, Code of Honor was standing up handsomely on his birds. He handled his find impeccably. At 1:46, he was again casting well to the front. At 1:57, he was at Edward Clark NW of Pines. At 2:05, however, Eisenhart chose to pick up Code of Honor, as well, thus concluding the Championship.

2024 National Championship Judges

Grand Junction, Tenn., February 12
Judges: Jadie Rayfield, Tom Shenker, and Dr. Stan Wint
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 27 Pointers and 4 Setters
Highground Toby, setter male, by Highground Tonka-Lying Eyes. Lori Steinshouer, owner and handler. With
Texas Wild Rex, pointer male, by Whippoorwill Forever Wild-Washita River Wild. Aaron Bolli, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.

Lester's Storm Surge, pointer male, by Ransom-Beane's Line Dancer. Tommy & Bonnie Hamilton, owners; Korry Rinehart, handler. With
Nighthawk's Rebel, pointer male, by Touch's Red Rider-Tee's Funseekin Belle. Rick Leverich & Sheree Lucero, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Lester's Shockwave, pointer male, by Ransom-Beane's Line Dancer. Tommy & Bonnie Hamilton, owners; Korry Rinehart, handler. With
Woodville's Yukon Cornelius, setter male, by Caladen's Davinci-A Tarheel Miss Bo. Carl Owens, owner; Mark McLean, handler.

Touch's Shadow Rider, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Touch's Gold Dance. Bruce & Karen Norton & Dr. Reuben Richardson, owners; Mark McLean, handler. With
Erin's Wild Atlantic Way, setter male, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-T T's Southern Miss. Sean Derrig, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Touch's Malcolm Story, pointer male, by Touch's Knight Rider-Blackhawk's Sunflower. Alex Rickert, owner; Mark McLean, handler. With
Nosam's Sweet Water, pointer male, by Whippoorwill Mayhem-House's House Fly. Jeff Busby, owner; Larry Huffman, handler.

Touch's Gallatin Fire. With
Miller's Blindsider, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Nick Berrong, owner; Jamie Daniels, handler.

Haney's All In, pointer male, Ransom-Haney's North Star. Steve Croy, owner; Mark McLean, handler. With
Game Surge, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-Game Maggie. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler.

Erin's Perfect Storm, pointer male, Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Erin's Bet On Me. Bradley E. Woodie, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler. With
Westfall's True Grit, pointer male, by Erin's Brave Heart-Westfall's Irish Bell. Ryan Westfall, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.

Ascension, pointer male, by Reloaded-Dialed In. Ted Roach, owner; Korry Rinehart, handler. With
Westfall's River Ice, pointer male, by Westfall's Black Ice-Westfall's Quick Gold. Bradley H. Calkins, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.

Game Heir, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Game Snow. Dr. Fred Corder, owner and handler. With
Miller's Heat Advisory, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. John Mathys, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.

Whippoorwill Vette, pointer male, by Whippoorwill Justified-S J Kentucky Sue. Dale Bush, owner; Larry Huffman, handler. With
Bonner's Bulletproof, pointer male, by Miller's Speed Dial-Miller's Martha White. Chris Cornman, owner; Randy Anderson, handler.

Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Jack, setter male, by Tekoa Mountain Patriot-San Jac's Gypsy. Steve Croy, owner; Alex Mauck, handler. With
Como Thunder, pointer male, by Skyfall-Catch Me Dot. B. K. & Rachel Blackwell, Doug Arthur & David Russell, owners; David Russell, handler. [Scratched].

Touch's Fire Away, pointer male, by House's Ring of Fire-Touch's Maswood Anne. Greg & Carmen Adams, owners; Randy Anderson, handler. With
Haney's Storm Warning, pointer male, by Valiant-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle, owner; Chris Cagle Sr., handler.

Rester's Cajun Spirit, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Rester's Amazing Grace. Allen R. Linder, owner; Judd Carlton, handler. With
Erin's Code of Honor, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Miss Maggie. Allen Linder, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Winner-TOUCH'S GALLATIN FIRE, 1675102, pointer male, by House's Ring of Fire-Touch's Sandy. Alex Rickert, owner; Mark McLean, handler.

Mark McLean (handler) and Alex Rickert owner of Touch's Gallatin Fire.