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Result: United States Open Championship

Location: Greensboro, Alabama

Post Date: Mar 11, 2025

Submitted By: Ruthann Epp

United States ChF24

United States Open Championship (l-r): Ann Forrester, Schley Rutherford, (judge), Champion Bandit's Hill Avenger with Jerry Raynor, Mark McLean, Mike Sweet, Ruthann Epp (judge), Runner-up Champion Miller's Heat Advisory with Korry Rinehart, Gary Lester, Luke Eisenhart, and Judd Carlton.

The 2024 United States Open Champion is Bandit's Hill Avenger, handled by Mark McLean of Doe Run, Georgia, and owned by Ann Forrester of South Fulton, Tennessee. Ann was on a horse watching Avenger's and McLean's performance in the 12th brace. The handsome white Pointer ran a strong forward race. His first find was under the cedars at 20. He then disappeared out the front. He showed up at the end of the wild woods and then traced the edge of new ground before again disappearing to the front. About 5 minutes after pick up was called, the call of point was heard in the distant front. The judges kicked their horses and sped across the creek and over the hill to see the big stylish Pointer male standing at the edge of the tree line in the hayfield. McLean walked in front of his dog, a covey boiled out, and the crack of the gun echoed through the heavy air just before darkness set in.

Miller's Heat Advisory, who always makes a good showing on these grounds, was named United States Runner-up Champion for the second year in a row. The white and orange Pointer was handled by Judd Carlton of Cairo, Georgia, and owned by John Mathys of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Heat Advisory ran the first afternoon of the trial. He had a strong forward race with a find at 18. He took the entire bottom in New Ground and Gum Springs and finished strong.
This was a top-notch stake. Numerous dogs did great jobs-- Erin's Code of Honor had two finds and a big race; Miller's King Poast had three finds and big casts; Touch's Malcom Story was braced with King Poast; he also had three finds and was wide-ranging; Haney's Silver Dollar had five finds and showed well; and Rester's Cajun Spirit had a find and a good race with a super cast.

The judging duties went to Dr. Justin Howard, a busy and outstanding veterinarian and field trialer from Sardis, Alabama, and Ruthann Epp, a long-time field trialer from Marion Junction, Alabama. Unfortunately, Dr. Howard's horse took a wild jump near the end of the first brace that sidelined the judge, so Schley Rutherford, the marshal and president of the club, stepped in to complete the task.

Greensboro, Ala., December 6
Judges: Ruthann Epp and Schley Rutherford
UNITED STATES OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 28 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-BANDIT'S HILL AVENGER, F1702642, pointer male, by Touch's Smooth Rider-Bandit's Hill Daisy. Ann Forrester, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
Runner-Up-MILLER'S HEAT ADVISORY, F1685672, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. John Mathys, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.

Open Derby
The winner of the United States Open Derby is Erin's Bold Ruler, a pointer male handled by Luke Eisenhart and owned by Claudia McNamee and William Bruchey. Bold Ruler had an exciting, fast-paced race with three finds at 6, 14, and 29; the final cast and find right at pick-up clinched the win with speed and style. Second place went to Erin's Copper Colt, handled by Judd Carlton and owned by Allen Linder; it was a very close second. Colt made a super cast and had two finds and an unproductive. Third place went to Rester's Cash'n In, handled by Luke Eisenhart and owned by Cecil Rester and Reuben Richardson. He had a pretty race with plenty of run, style, and one find.

Other derbies that did a good job were Erin's Legacy and Erin's Katie Elder; they were braced together, and both had a great race and a strong finish. Erin's War Eagle had a good race, one find, and one unproductive.

Handlers in the two stakes that competed were Judd Carlton, Luke Eisenhart, Mark McLean, and Patrick Siebels from Georgia, Gary Lester from Kentucky, Korry Rinehart from Mississippi, Jerry Raynor from North Carolina, and Tom Shenker from Alabama. Ann Forrester and Mike Sweet represented the owners. The weather was mostly cooperative--some braces had to deal with wind, but temperatures were in the 30s and 40s until the last day, which was in the 60s.

Thanks are in order to Greg Blair and Purina for sponsoring these two stakes this year and many years prior. Thanks also to the club members and local field trialers who worked together to host a great trial. These grounds are possible thanks to the State of Alabama Forever Wild Program and the State Lands Division.

OPEN DERBY - 17 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 COPPER COLT, F1712950, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erins Redrum Maiden. Allen Linder, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
3d-RESTER'S CASH'N IN, F1706926, pointer male, by Rester's Johnny Ringo-Rester's Katie Lee. Cecil Rester & Reuben Richardson, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

United States ODF24

Open Derby: Erin's Bold Ruler with Mike Sweet, Schley Rutherford (judge), Ruthann Epp (judge), Erin's Copper Colt with Judd Carlton, Gary Lester, and Rester's Cash'n In with Luke Eisenhart.