Result: Southeastern Quail Championship

Location: Sasser, Georgia

Post Date: Apr 10, 2025

Submitted By: Claudia McNamee

Southeastern Open Quail Championship (l-r): Claudia McNamee, Charleigh Carlton, Shannon Grady-Nygard, Luke Eisenhart, Judd Carlton with Rester's Johnny Ringo, Willis Wright, Wilson Napier, Mike Sweet with Erin's Perfect Storm, Justin Hunt, Lamar Childers, Cheyenne Jackson, Dr. Dave Deal, and Dr. Ron Deal.

The 35th edition of the Southeastern Quail Championship began on March 1 and concluded on March 2. A total of 26 dogs vied for top honors, including three derbies. After two full days of running, Rester's Johnny Ringo ("Big") was named champion. This 4-year-old Pointer male bred and started by Cecil Rester from Angie, Louisiana, and owned by Cecil and Dr. Rueben Richardson from Montgomery, Alabama, was handled by Luke Eisenhart and scouted by Judd Carlton. Erin's Perfect Storm ("Colt") was recognized as runner-up and was also handled by Luke Eisenhart and scouted by Judd Carlton. Colt is a 5-year-old Pointer male owned by Brad Woodie. The honor of judging this Championship was placed in the hands of Lamar Childers of Cleveland, Georgia, and Justin Hunt of nearby Blakely, Georgia. Both of these capable dogmen have broad experience in field trialing and bird hunting and were well qualified to judge the 2025 renewal. They were professional, always focused on the task at hand, and impressed with the field of talent brought to the line.

This event was run on three continuous courses charted across three different properties--Chickasaw, Ecila, and Abigail Plantations. The combined grounds consist of open piney woods interspersed with scattered fallow fields with edges of ground cover. This year, less rainfall caused the numerous wet-weather ponds to be quite low--the lowest this writer recalls in recent years. Last year's tornado activity significantly affected this area, and there has been a tremendous cleanup effort since then. Many areas are more open, which allows for better visibility and dog-sighting. Despite a dryer season and habitat disruption, the quail population remains ample albeit more bird contacts were made in the mornings. Both days produced multiple and similar numbers of bird scores. Most dogs that completed the hour had birdwork, and most had multiple finds. Weather conditions varied with the first afternoon of running becoming quite warm. Temperatures ranged from mid-40s at the morning breakaway to mid-70s in the afternoon.

The Southeastern Field Trial Club wants to give heartfelt thanks to the three landowners who so generously allow the running of this trial on their beautiful lands: the Deal family (Chickasaw), Frank Foley (Ecila), and Richard Burke (Abigail). Without their combined support, this event would not take place, and we are so very grateful. Also deserving of special thanks for their hard work and longtime commitment is the Chickasaw team: Dr. Ron Deal (event aficionado and director), Lamar Childers (entry/drawing oversight, marshaling and judging), Wilson Napier (dog wagon and snacks), and Michael Jackson (barn duties and cooking lunches with his wife Alexa serving daily lunches). Others who assisted with marshaling duties were Willis Wright (Abigail) and Jason Armstrong (Ecila). And, of course, a boundless thank you goes out to Greg Blair and the Purina team for all they continue to do for our field trial sport.

The Winners and Honorable Mentions
Named champion was Rester's Johnny Ringo, a 4-year-old, white, orange, and ticked Pointer male. This young contender was bred and developed by Cecil Rester, with Cecil winning his first Open Derby stake. He is co-owned by Cecil Rester and Dr. Reuben Richardson. In this championship, Big ran under the whistle of Luke Eisenhart and was scouted by Judd Carlton. Big ran Sunday morning on Course 3 and had two finds in the first 30 minutes, the second of which was a limb find. His race and hunting style were consistently bold and courageous, pushing the course limits and securing his place as top dog with a quintessential all-age finish.
Earning runner-up was Erin's Perfect Storm, a 5-year-old, white, orange, and ticked Pointer male. Bred by Sean Derrig, Colt was also handled by Luke Eisenhart and scouted by Judd Carlton. Owner Brad Woodie had just come off the thrill of winning the 2025 National Championship with Colt and was delivered yet another prestigious win. Colt also ran in the morning on the second day but on Course 1. With zest and determination, he hunted up four coveys spread across the hour. He was always forward, effortlessly casting long and wide the entire hour and finishing with style.

In addition to named winners, several other dogs had memorable performances. Young derby contender Erin's Copper Colt (Carlton) and Haney's Last Call (Daniels) had usable but beatable hours on Courses 1 and 3 on the first morning, only to be displaced by the winners on the same courses the next morning. Woodville's Yukon Cornelius (McLean) had the race of the stake but the misfortune of his birds getting out of a thicket unseen in judgment. Others that were impressive but did not complete their hour for whatever reason include in the order of running: Touch's Shadow Rider (McLean), Dominator's Southern Beau (Daniels), Touch's Midnight Rider (McLean), and another young derby contender, Erin's War Eagle (Eisenhart).

Championship Running
A total of 26 dogs were entered, and 26 competed in this year's championship (24 Pointers, including three derbies and two Setters). Eight handlers participated, including Luke Eisenhart (8), Mark McLean (7), Judd Carlton (4), Jamie Daniels (3), Tracy Swearingen (1), Tom Shenker (1), Lee Philips (1), and Larron Copeland (1). Owners present included Mike Sweet from Sebring, Florida, for Erin's High Note; Dr. Ron Deal from Sasser, Georgia, for Coal Train; Steve Croy from Savannah, Georgia, for Haney's Easy Money and Haney's All In; Shannon Grady-Nygard from Bozeman, Montana, for Redeemed; and this writer, Claudia McNamee from Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia, for Erin's Bold Ruler and Erin's War Eagle.

Weather conditions over the two days weren't consistently ideal for running bird dogs, with warm temperatures in the mid-70s on the first afternoon and generally dryer than normal conditions overall. The runner-up and champion both came out of Sunday morning braces B7 and B9 on Courses 1 and 3.

The Champion
Rester's Johnny Ringo ("Big")
In last year's edition of the Southeastern, Johnny Ringo received an honorable mention for an impressive performance but didn't quite have all the cards to grab the title. This year, Big brought everything to the table and was deservingly named champion. The third brace (Brace 9) on Sunday morning proved to be Big's lucky run! Rester's Johnny Ringo for Luke Eisenhart and Woodville's Yukon Cornelius ("Rudy") for Mark McLean broke away with great enthusiasm; they were both prepared to make a strong bid for top honors. Neither contender had contact with birds in the first 15 minutes but both dogs were hunting forward, determined to change that. At 16, Eisenhart raised his hat just beyond the creek crossing and easily flushed a good-sized covey. Big stood stylish and statuesque for his handler, appearing proud to deliver his first find. Meanwhile, Rudy was impressing the judges and gallery with his signature race, traversing the terrain with grace and style and showing in all the right places. At 21, McLean spotted Rudy some distance ahead under a cluster of pines and yelled point. And then called, "Birds in flight!" Judges cantered up in order to catch the elusive quail mid-air, but neither one spotted the birds. A bad break for the McLean team as this would be Rudy's only bird contact, and with the race he was putting down, this find might have changed the outcome of the trial. Meanwhile, Carlton, who was scouting Big, called point at about 22 deep in the cover. This piece of birdwork was consequential in Big winning the championship. Judge Hunt described the location and covey flight as "a damn good one!"--it was the limb find of the stake. Both dogs completed their hours with strong, all-age finishes but with no further birdwork.

The Runner-Up
Erin's Perfect Storm ("Colt")
Sunday's first morning brace (B7) also delivered a decisive winner, with Erin's Perfect Storm demonstrating that he wasn't finished winning impressive titles this year for handler Luke Eisenhart. This brace paired up Coal Train (Phillips) and Colt under clear skies and temperatures in the low 50s, and these two athletes were eager to start their hours! Within three minutes of breaking away, the excitement began as scouts called point far to the right up on the ridge. Phillips was first to turn his mount and gallop up to where Coal was standing. It was then clear that both dogs were on point in the same area but not divided, and Eisenhart quickly followed. Unfortunately, Phillips wasn't able to produce birds after extensive flushing and relocation, and an unproductive was noted. However, while taking him on, birds got up, and Coal immediately put on his brakes; Phillips shot his gun as judges witnessed a clean stop-to-flush. The gallery then clearly heard a shot from Eisenhart indicating Colt's first find at 7. Colt pinned his second covey at 9 while catching the front; Carlton shouted, "Point!" and Eisenhart easily lifted another covey into the air. From here, both dogs caught the front effortlessly and continued their search independently from one another. Phillips called point for Coal at 17, and this time, a beautiful covey took flight for the flush as his charge stood stylish and perfectly still-- bravo! It wasn't another minute when Eisenhart's hat was in the air for Colt's third find of the morning at 18. For the next 18 minutes, both handlers sang to their dogs, guiding them through the beautiful Chickasaw Plantation country, keeping them forward and in pursuit of game. Finally, at 36, Coal had dug in around some thick cover, but the birds were elusive even after a long and thorough relocation. This was his second unproductive and the end of his title bid. Meanwhile, Colt had been running a true all-age race, only being spotted a couple of times, but was found on point at 54 minutes. A covey was flushed quickly by Eisenhart, and Colt went on to finish his hour in strong fashion, securing his place in the winners' circle. Job well done!

The Other Contenders
At 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, we cut loose the first brace of the Championship. Brace 1 (B1) paired Showtime Game Changer (Copeland) and derby Erin's Copper Colt (Carlton). Both dogs broke away with determination and purpose, with Colt securing the first find of the hour at 14. Stylish and focused, Colt stood patiently as his handler flushed a large covey into the cool morning air. Game Changer pinned what would be his only covey find at 18, just as we crossed onto Abigail Plantation. This nice piece of birdwork included a decisive relocation. These two contenders continued hunting forward, with Game Changer not "showing" the way his handler hoped, and at 42, Copeland asked for his tracker. Meanwhile the young Colt traversed the country doing a very good job despite losing a little steam in the final quarter. Colt finished his hour with birdwork and would be only one of four dogs that accomplished this feat in the 2025 edition.

Brace 2 (B2) presented Touch's Shadow Rider (McLean) and Erin's Code of Honor (Eisenhart). These two seasoned athletes broke away with great spirit and a sense of certainty that they would be rewarded for their efforts. Answering this call, Code of Honor (aka "Tip") nailed his first and second coveys at 3 and 7, respectively. On both finds, Tip's stance was stylish and fixed on his game, although his first was more impressive. Both dogs were running big, strong, all-age races, devouring the course. At 14, Rider was spotted with his head held high, and before his handler reached him, a large covey took flight for all to see! Tip was on course ahead, and at 19, scouts called point, and we found Rider and Tip in a striking divided find. Both handlers shot their guns and took their charges on. One more covey was dug up by Rider at 29 before both of these contenders decided to really consume the course and weren't seen again. With disappointment, both McLean and Eisenhart asked for their trackers at 55.

Brace 3 (B3) paired up Haney's Last Call (Daniels) and derby Erin's Bold Ruler (Eisenhart). As these two waited at the line, it was clear they had one thing on their minds, and within moments, they were off and running! The scent of game deep in the cover stopped Last Call at 13--head high and sure of himself, Daniels easily flushed a good size covey. His second find was a single but also indicative of good hunting prowess. Last Call finished his hour and made his handler proud with a strong race and finish. Bold Ruler hunted well in front of his handler but wasn't fortunate enough to pin down any quail in the process. Neither his handler nor the judges or gallery kept him in sight during the final quarter, and Eisenhart asked for his tracker at 51.

Brace 4 (B4) let loose after lunch at 2 p.m. Weather conditions were heating up, which didn't bode well for bird-finding in the afternoon. Southern Thunder (Shenker) and 2023's champion Miller's Heat Advisory (Carlton) came to the line full of promise, but the birds weren't moving. Southern Thunder finished his hour with a strong and consistent race but no birdwork. Heat Advisory wasn't pleasing his handler this day, and without any birdwork, Carlton asked for his tracker at 28.

Brace 5 (B5) presented Dominator's Southern Beau (Daniels) and Nighthawk's Rebel (Swearingen). Both contenders drove hard and fast off the breakaway, and it was almost immediately clear that Rebel had his own course in mind. We didn't see much of him, and Swearingen requested his tracker at 19. Beau fared better than his bracemate, making some notable moves and pinning his first find at 14. Stylish and memorable on his game, Beau went on to hunt up a second covey at 21. A good-sized covey lifted before his handler could reach him. The birds in flight were seen by the judges, and Daniels shot his gun. Beau continued to traverse the course for another 21 minutes but didn't have any further bird contact. Daniels asked for his tracker at 42, signaling that he had hoped to see more than what Beau was delivering on this day.

Brace 6 (B6) was the last brace of the first day, pairing up Haney's All In (McLean) and Touch's Lone Dominator (Carlton). Any running with All In (aka "Ray") is highly anticipated, given his win record and class, but magic wasn't in the cards this day. Ray pointed his first and only covey just off one of the sand roads, albeit always stylish on his game. He went on to run a strong forward race but as we were heading for the barn and kennels in the final 15 minutes of the hour, Ray seemed distracted. McLean asked for his tracker at 52, realizing this performance wasn't going to win the title.
At the end of Day 1, the judges had two dogs to consider. Erin's Copper Colt (B1), with one find, and Haney's Last Call (B3), with two finds, were the only contenders to finish the hour with birdwork. A total of nine coveys were pointed in the morning hours and three in the afternoon. Warm and dry conditions after lunch made scenting a challenge.

Day 2 running began at 8 a.m. Temperatures ranged from low-50s to mid-60s, with intermittent cloud cover through the completion of this event.

Brace 7 (B7) was described earlier in this report.
Brace 8 (B8) consisted of last year's champion, Miller's Blindsider (Carlton), and Haney's Storm Warning (Eisenhart). These seasoned contenders ran strong, forward races for the time they were on the ground, but neither had any birdwork, and both handlers asked for their trackers at 26.

Brace 9 (B9) was described earlier in this report.

Brace 10 (B10) kicked off Sunday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. and paired Haney's Easy Money (McLean) and Haney's Silver Dollar (Eisenhart). Somewhat cooler temperatures in the high 50s prevailed so we were hopeful that birds would continue to move and scenting conditions would produce some memorable birdwork. Both dogs sprang into action as they were released at the breakaway. At about 10, Silver Dollar came from the left side and caught up with his handler with ease, but this wasn't a good start. Eisenhart asked for his tracker at 29 after not being connected with his charge and having no birdwork. Easy Money was up front but having no luck digging up the elusive quail, prompting McLean to ask for his tracker at 34.

Brace 11 (B11) presented Touch's Malcolm Story (McLean) and Redeemed (Eisenhart), two dogs with very different backgrounds. Malcolm Story is a well-known and esteemed all-age competitor, and Redeemed is brand new to the open all-age circuit. Both dogs bolted down the breakaway path with determination, but as luck would have it, neither of their title bids were successful. At 22, Eisenhart asked for his tracker because Redeemed was charting his own course and was not in contact after the first 10 minutes or so. Malcolm Story, despite his nine years of age, still can run an impressive all-age race and was, on this day, out of contention. McLean also asked for his tracker in the first half of the hour. Neither dog had any birdwork.
Brace 12 (B12) matched Woodville's Long Hard Ride (McLean) and Erin's High Note (Carlton) and this pair of contenders wouldn't have good luck in their quest for quail either. Neither dog had any birdwork, and both handlers asked for their trackers at 31 and 24, respectively.

The final brace of the championship, Brace 13 (B13), matched Touch's Midnight Rider (McLean) and derby Erin's War Eagle (Eisenhart). Hopeful that the later hour combined with cool temperatures meant quail would be moving, handlers blew their whistles, and their charges burst onto the course. At 3, their scouts called point, and the two contenders stood side by side in a perfectly divided find. Within moments, a good-sized covey lifted about 20 yards upwind--a beautiful sight! At 10, as we crossed the road, Rider was seen staunchly pointed down to the left in a clearing. No birds were flushed, but then, on relocation, Rider unintentionally bumped a bird, and then an entire covey went up. Such a shame because it seemed the hour was going to produce the birds we'd been looking for all afternoon. With Rider up, War Eagle had the course to himself, but for a youngster, this may not have been the most ideal of circumstances. For the next 14 minutes, War Eagle hunted forward and was always in sync with Eisenhart.

Then, at 24, just beyond the grassy pond, there he was on point in style. Birds lifted easily with the flush, and onward we went. At 28, he checked back with his handler, something he may not have done with a seasoned bracemate but still doing a nice job. His next attempt was at 31, but this time, it resulted in an unproductive. Continuing on, as we approached the barn and kennels, Eisenhart asked for his tracker at 41. And that concluded the day and the trial.
This was a particularly tough trial due to warm, dry weather conditions. Birds moved early and probably very late. Bird hunters would have waited until 4:30 p.m. to turn loose, which is impossible to do in a field trial. All the winners and close rivals ran in the morning. Granted, the luck of the draw was important, but the champion and runner-up seized their opportunity in a definitive fashion. Congratulations to all!

This concluded the 2025 edition of the Southeastern Quail Championship.

Dawson, Ga., March 1
Judges: Justin Hunt and George Kimbrell
SOUTHEASTERN QUAIL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 26 Entries
Winner-RESTER'S JOHNNY RINGO, F1695797, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Rester's Amazing Grace. Cecil & Dr. Reuben Richardson, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-ERIN'S PERFECT STORM, F1692323, pointer male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Erin's Bet On Me. Bradley E. Woodie, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.