Result: Tarheel Open Championship

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Mar 26, 2025

Submitted By: Ruthann Epp

Tarheel Open Championship (l-r): Jeff Arnold, Erin's Code of Honor with Judd Carlton, John Ivester, Scott Little (judge), Ellen Winall, Claudia McNamee, Gary Winall, Bill Bruchey, Cliff Monroe (judge), Greg Robinson, Rester's Johnny Ringo with Luke Eisenhart, Nida Giddens, Sammy Giddens, Gene Brown, David Melnick, and Mike Sweet.

The 2024 Tar Heel Champion is Erin's Code of Honor, a white and liver male owned by Allen Linder of Livingston, Tennessee, and handled by Luke Eisenhart of Leesburg, Georgia. The runner-up champion for the 94th running of the Tar Heel Championship is Rester's Johnny Ringo, a white and liver male also handled by Luke Eisenhart and owned by Cecil Rester of Angie, Louisiana, and Dr. Reuben Richardson of Montgomery, Alabama.

Erin's Code of Honor ran in the morning of the third day. He was very stylish on every find, with a high head and total intensity. His first find was at 5, a divided find with bracemate Touch's Shadow Rider at 11 and another find at 40. He ran strong and made big casts that sometimes you missed because he was leaving one field as the gallery entered. Pick up was called as we got to the second course starting point. Eisenhart and Carlton spurred their horses, running down the hill out of sight. They made it back with a dog on the end of the rope within time.

Rester's Johnny Ringo ran a super big race always to the front and was found on point at 50 with all in order. He never slowed and finished the hour strong.

Judges for this long-time event were Scott Little of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Cliff Monroe of Mooresboro, North Carolina, both of whom have been successfully involved with bird dogs, hunting, and field trials for much of their lives. They were very attentive to the workings of the 37 dogs. Mornings were cool, and the rest of the time, it was uncharacteristically warm with blue sky and sunshine. Despite the heat, 41 coveys were pointed; numerous other dogs showed their hunting skills and running prowess as well.

Others that made a notable performance were Comanche, handled by Luke Eisenhart; Haney's All In, Woodville's Long Hard Ride, and Touch's Shadow Rider, handled by Mark McLean; Rester's Cajun Spirit and Miller's Heat Advisory, handled by Judd Carlton; and Smokerise Buck II, handled by Calvin Curnutte.

This year's running over the 8,000 acres of the beautiful North Carolina field trial grounds was met with great anticipation. The 2nd Annual Carolina Jamboree, through social media, did much to promote the two-plus weeks of field trials being held. Each day had a nice crowd of riders in the gallery, including owners of the dogs in competition, those who wanted to bring a horse and ride, and those new to the sport who wanted to see these field trial grounds and be a part of the camaraderie that the Jamboree postings had alluded to. Sponsors for the Tar Heel Championship included Purina, the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, Hog-Slat, Quality Wildlife Services, and the Carolina All-Age and All-Age Derby Jamboree.
John Ivester was there from beginning to end, making sure that everything ran smoothly and that everyone had what they needed. Marshaling duties fell to Sammy Giddens, Lefty Henry, and Gary Miller. The dog wagon driver, Greg Robinson, was always in the right place and made sure coffee, soft drinks, and snacks were available. Calvin Curnutte provided the judges' books and assisted wherever needed. Nida Giddens rode every morning and then left the gallery in time to have the lunch spread ready when everyone made it back to the barn and then cleaned up before going back out. In my opinion, that is the most demanding job of all. Thanks, Nida!

The Hoffman headquarters and grounds give participants one of the best venues in the country. The field trial area manager and the North Carolina Field Trial Association work diligently to have grounds that most can only wish for.

This is one of the oldest state-owned field trial areas in the country and should be showcased as a model for other states to copy. Grounds and birds are the most important things for field trialers because, without them, there can be no field trial, but it is nice when improvements to the headquarters are made as well. This year, the barn had a new roof, the paddocks had improvements, and hookups were added for camping, to name a few things.

Hoffman, N. C., October 17
Judges: Scott Little and Cliff Monroe
TARHEEL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 31 Pointers and 6 Setters
Winner-ERIN'S CODE OF HONOR, F1696057, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Miss Maggie. Allen Linder, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-RESTER'S JOHNNY RINGO, F1695797, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Rester's Amazing Grace. Cecil Rester, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Sidenotes
Steve and Stacey Croy hosted and cooked a seafood extravaganza on the first night of the championship. On Saturday, the North Carolina Field Trial Association sponsored a barbecue arranged by Johnny Atkinson with his team, and a handlers' dinner was hosted by John Ivester at one of the restaurants in Southern Pines, North Carolina. There were lots of field trial stories told these nights, some true and some expanded upon, but everyone had a great time, and new friendships were made and others rekindled.

The Carolina Jamboree had close to two dozen sponsors, who provided funds to cover some of the expenses normally incurred by the clubs or the handlers themselves. Raffle tickets were sold for $5.00 each, and there were several drawings with great prizes from sponsors. At the conclusion, monetary prizes were given for dogs and handlers with the most points from winnings in the four trials. Field trialers and owners Carl Owens and Claudia McNamee were key in making the Jamboree a success, along with Hayden Dobbins, an outdoor photographer and marketing specialist who said, "You need people and sponsors to make the Jamboree idea work." Maybe other areas will try a similar style in the future to get more people involved in this sport that is so dear to us.