Event: 2024 Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Quail Classic and The "Big" Derby
Result: Bear Pond Field Trial Club
Location: Leslie, Georgia
Post Date: Dec 19, 2024
Submitted By: Claudia McNamee
Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Classic (l-r): Luke Eisenhart, Carol Belinger, Shelia Gates Wheaton, Neil Walker, John Wheaton, Tracy Swearingen with Erin's Wild Atlantic Way, Christy Swearingen, Carol Hill, Gary Hill (judge), Justin Swearingen (judge), Judd Carlton with Erin's Code of Honor, David Melnick, Harrison Lee (judge), Clayton Cook, Brian Sanchez, and Jerry Raynor with Woodville's Yukon Cornelius.
The fifth annual Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Quail Classic and The "Big" Derby were again held on the beautifully maintained and storied grounds of Round Pond Plantation in Leslie, Georgia. This year's autumn weather was anything but normal, with dry conditions and warm temperatures in the high 70s, which continued during most of this event. The Open began on Tuesday, November 12, and continued to late morning on Thursday, November 14, with 28 contenders vying for three top-dog placements. The Derby stake began immediately after the conclusion of the All-Age stake and concluded this same day, showcasing 13 newcomers to the field.
The judicial saddles were filled by three highly experienced dog men, Harrison Lee of Union Springs, Alabama, and Gary Hill of Sasser, Georgia, for the All-Age stake and Gary Hill with Justin Swearingen of Thomasville, Georgia, for the Derby running. These 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.
A 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 field trial locations with Round Pond's offerings, and we are all fortunate to experience such a quality venue. Quail were plentiful yet elusive throughout the trial with birds found on all courses. An estimated 35 coveys were put into flight over the three days of running. Thank you to Neil Walker, Tracy Swearingen, and Luke Eisenhart for readying the property, taking care to maintain rerouted course legs for better flow and scouting. Thanks to Tracy Swearingen, Luke Eisenhart, and Judd Carlton for marshaling in between running their dogs 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! A special treat was a fresh fish fry dinner (snapper & grouper from Carrabelle, Florida) caught and prepared by Neil Walker; the best fried fish this writer has ever eaten! Another bonus this year was that three sponsors stepped up to help make this event possible: Bennett Feed & Seed of Albany, Georgia, our friends at the Alabama Field Trial Association, and this reporter. And, of course, a big round of applause and heartfelt thank you to Purina and Greg Blair's team for all they do to support this sport!
Before describing this year's winning performances, this writer would like to acknowledge that the unusually warm and dry conditions put all contenders to a greater test. Scenting was more challenging and made for a higher competitive bar, clearly separating winners from their cohorts. Having said that, all of these athletes 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 for the second year in a row with three finds, an exhilarating race, and a quintessential finish in the last brace on Day 1. Owned by Sean Derrig and handled by Luke Eisenhart, Cap was one of only four Setters in this stake. His performance was punctuated by covey finds at 1, 6 (divided), and 40, with the 40-minute covey being the limb-find of the trial. Cap exhibited singular hunting prowess, high style, and class on the ground. Traversing forward the entire hour, he finished with determination, pushing the course limits, and had the judges and gallery up out of their seats!
Erin's Code of Honor ("Tip") earned second place with three finds timed at 15, 56, and 59 in the last brace of the trial. Owned by Allen Linder and handled by Luke Eisenhart, Tip hunted intentionally, with uninterrupted focus on the task at hand. His birdwork was stylish and flawless, showing in all the right places. He finished in strong fashion with a covey find at pickup. Tip continues to be a compelling force of nature on the all-age open circuit.
Woodville's Yukon Cornelius ("Rudy") snagged third place, and rightly so. This all-age circuit veteran, known fondly as Rudy, will be eight years young in January and still has what it takes! He's also one of only four Setters to compete in this stake--very exciting to have two Setters in this year's winners' circle. Owned by Carl Owens and handled by Mark McLean, Rudy effortlessly covered the course he drew with confidence, style, and skill. He only hunted up one covey in his hour at 16 but ran a formidable race and finished out front with another hour in him if allowed. Nice job!
HONORABLE MENTIONS
This stake also showcased several other contenders who finished their hour with birdwork but either didn't stay to the front throughout or didn't beat the winning races. Regardless, these six impressed the judges and this reporter and deserve mention in order of their running: Bandit's Hill Avenger (O: Anne Forrester; H: Mark McLean); Southern Thunder (O: Chris Campbell; H: Tom Shenker); Haney's Easy Money (O: Stacey and Steve Croy; H: Mark McLean); Haney's All In (O: Stacey & Steve Croy; H: Mark McLean); Dominator's Wild Bill (O: Jeff Arnold and Gene Brown; H: Judd Carlton); and Silver Wings (O: Tucker Johnson; H: Tracy Swearingen).
The all-age circuit is one of the toughest arenas to compete in because of the high standards placed on an increasingly smaller aggregate of dogs and handlers. We often overlook how incredibly skilled all of the contenders are and what they bring to the sport and breeding programs around the country. So, this writer would like to commend all 28 athletes and their teams of humans who competed in this event and will give it their all in future contests. Bravo!!
Leslie, Ga., November 12
Judges: Gary Hill and Harrison Lee
ROBIN GATES MEMORIAL OPEN ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 24 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-ERIN'S WILD ATLANTIC WAY, F1684809, setter male, by Erin's Hidden Shamrock-T T's Southern Miss. Sean Derrig, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2d-ERIN'S CODE OF HONOR, F1696057, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Miss Maggie. Allen Linder, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
3d-WOODVILLE'S YUKON CORNELIUS, F1673091, setter male, by Caladen's Davinci-A Tarheel Miss Bo. Carl Owens, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
OPEN "BIG" DERBY
Thirteen young contenders were brought to the line for The "Big" Open Derby on Thursday, November 14. Thank you again to judges Gary Hill and Justin Swearingen 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.
Erin's Bold Ruler, owned by Claudia McNamee and Bill Bruchey and handled by Luke Eisenhart, is fast and fancy running. He dug up two coveys, one at 7 and a second divided find at 15, finishing his brace forward with lots of hunt left in him!
Erin's War Eagle, owned by Bill Bruchey and Claudia McNamee and handled by Luke Eisenhart, snagged second place with an exceptional relocation on his one find and an all-age-worthy race--lots of potential here!
Rester's Knight Move, owned by David Melnick and handled by Judd Carlton, hunted intently and pointed two coveys with style at 27 and 30, which earned him third place. Given his running pattern and forward reach, this young contender will be one to watch!
Judges: Gary Hill and Justin Swearingen
THE BIG DERBY - 12 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-ERIN'S BOLD RULER, F1706515, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Justice-Erin's Miss Sam Houston. Claudia McNamee & William Bruchey, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2d-ERIN'S WAR EAGLE, F1710822, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Pearl. Claudia McNamee & William Bruchey, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
3d-RESTER'S KNIGHT MOVE, F1706925, pointer male, by Rester's Johnny Ringo-Rester's Katie Lee. David Melnick, owner; Judd Carlton, handler
The Big Derby (l-r): Tracy Swearingen with Erin's Bold Ruler, Clayton Cook, Neil Walker, Claudia McNamee, Luke Eisenhart with Erin's War Eagle, Justin Swearingen (judge), Gary Hill (judge), Carol Hill, David Melnick, Jerry Raynor with Rester's Knight Move, Alex Rickert, and Judd Carlton.