Result: North Carolina Open Quail Championship
Location: Hoffman, North Carolina
Post Date: May 13, 2024
Submitted By: Derek Bonner
North Carolina Open Quail Championship (front, l-r): Touch's Malcolm Story with Jerry Raynor (scout) and Rocky River Halo with Ellen Winall (scout). (Second row): Mark McLean (handler), Scott Griffin, Mack Hilliard (judge), Derek Bonner, Whitley Stephenson (judge), Larry Cox, Gary Winall, Brian, and Phil Stevenson (handler). (Third row): Gretchen Adsit, Lynn Deaton, Greg Robinson, and Brian Tiffany. (Fourth row): John Adsit, Jennie and Jim Emerson, and Fred Potts.
The 2024 running of the North Carolina Quail Championship began on March 17. It was welcomed by great weather and a field of 20 all-age dogs. Mack Hilliard and Whitley Stephenson judged this year's renewal. Both men are well-versed in the field trial world: Mack, a seasoned pro of many years and many championship wins, and Whitley, a competitive amateur handler. These two men rode attentively to each entry. We certainly appreciate their efforts. With several good performances to choose from when it was all said and done, they chose Touch's Malcolm Story as the champion and Rocky River Halo as the runner-up champion.
Malcolm Story had a good all-age race and two nice finds to garner the championship for handler Mark McLean and owner Alex Rickert. Rocky River Halo had three well-spaced finds to earn the runner-up title for handler Phil Stevenson and owners Carl Lefler and Phil Stevenson.
Touch's Midnight Rider, Haney's All In, and Woodville's Yukon Cornelius also gave noteworthy performances.
No trial is accomplished without the help of a lot of people. I'm incredibly grateful to Randy Bradshaw for shouldering a lot of the responsibilities for this championship. Thanks to board members Scott Griffin, Chad Adams, and Larry Cox for all they do to make this trial successful.
Once again, thank you to Debbie Bonner for her awesome mandarin orange cake. Our gratitude is also extended to Sean Derrig, the owner of last year's champion, Erin's Wild Atlantic Way, for sponsoring our supper on the first night of the trial. As always, we're grateful for the continued support of Greg Blair and Purina and their sponsorship of this championship and our sport at all levels.
We look forward to seeing you all for next year's renewal.
Hoffman, N. C., March 19
Judges: Mack Hilliard and Whitley Stephenson
NORTH CAROLINA OPEN QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 15 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-TOUCH'S MALCOLM STORY, 1675103, pointer male, by Touch's Knight Rider-Blackhawk's Sunflower. Alex Rickert, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
Runner-Up-ROCKY RIVER HALO, 1703164, pointer male, by Southpoint's Speedy G-Lone Tree Last Snow. Carl Lefler & Phil Stevenson, owners; Phil Stevenson, handler.