Event: Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age and Heartland Open Derby
Result: Pony Express Field Trial Club
Location: Gentry, Missouri
Post Date: Apr 23, 2025
Submitted By: Steve Auxier
Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age (front, l-r): Andy Daugherty and Tommy Smith's daughter with Westfall's True Grit, Matt Cochran with Wild Covey Strike Zone, and Allen Vincent with I'm Gallant. (Back row, l-r): Thomas Smith, Tommy Smith, Bill Westfall, Stan Truska (judge) Linda Smith, Ethan Kelly, Howard Burbach (judge), Colton Carpenter, and Steve Auxier.
The Pony Express Field Trial Club members came together and hosted a successful event! This year's event was not only highlighted by amazing performances but also maintained the camaraderie that everyone looks forward to each spring.
We would like to thank in advance all the bird dog breeders, owners, handlers, and all of the sponsors for this National Qualifying event. Without their support, this event would not be possible! Sponsors for this year's event included Purina Pro Plan and SportDOG.
The Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age commenced on March 12 over the rolling north Missouri countryside known as Smith Farms, west of Gentry, Missouri. The field trial venue, which is owned by Mrs. Linda Smith, has been laid out with three continuing courses to showcase all-age dogs. The grounds include horse corrals and dog kennels that are available on site for all participants.
For all spectators and owners present, a Polaris ATV was provided so those who did not want to ride a horse could view the field trial. The Pony Express Field Trial Club provided horse hay and all meals for participants and spectators. We would like to thank Mr. Bill Westfall for bringing his Polaris and assisting the dog wagon with transporting dogs to areas that were a challenge for the dog wagon.
Smith Farms has a quail program with habitat designed to sustain wild quail and pheasants, PLUS birds are released every day prior to the day's running, where every entry could have ample opportunity to find game.
The judges for the Larry Smith Open All-Age were Mr. Howard Burbach of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and Mr. Stan Truska of Panama, Nebraska. The judges for the Open Derby were Dr. Pat McInteer of Falls City, Nebraska, and Mr. Howard Burbach. The Pony Express Field Trial Club is truly honored to have these fine gentlemen in the judging seats. The judges had many great performances with multiple pieces of birdwork and good races. The judges noted they enjoyed the field trial, grounds, nice dogs, hospitality from the Pony Express Field Trial Club, and multiple bird contacts by all dogs.
Heartland Open Derby
This year's derby stake was an exciting one to watch, with many solid performances. This derby is key as it finalizes the year for points for the Top 12 derby dogs in the nation! The Heartland Open Derby is a 45-minute derby testing overall stamina and endurance for these fine athletes. This derby showcased several Top 12 derbies in the nation that were qualified to run two weeks later in the American Derby Invitational Championship held in Grovespring, Missouri.
First place was credited to Wynona's Rebel, handled by Mr. Allen Vincent. This young dog showed extreme range with several nice pieces of birdwork. Wynona Rebel has been in the winners' circle multiple times throughout the season. This win secured his position in the American Derby Invitational Championship.
Second place was Beeler's Final Solution, handled by Mr. Scott Beeler. This young dog ran an extreme race and showed several nice all-age casts to secure second in this competitive derby.
Third place was Raymonds Patsy. This nice female has also been very competitive on the circuit this year for Allen Vincent's string, placing multiple times. She had several nice finds and an overall nice performance.
Gentry, Mo., March 12
Judges: Howard Burbach and Pat McInteer
HEARTLAND OPEN DERBY - 7 Pointers
1st-WYNONA'S REBEL, F1717783, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-White Smoke's Angel. Bruce Sooter, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
2d-BEEKER'S FINAL SOLUTION, F1717889, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Bandit's Hill Lady. Scott Beeler, owner and handler.
3d-RAYMONDS PATSY, F1712582, pointer female, by Raymond's Double Rebel Jess-Raymond's White Out. William Raymond, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age
The Winners
Westfall's True Grit, handled by Mr. Ryan Westfall and scouted by Mr. Andy Daugherty, started off strong with a find at 12 next to the cedar tree on the fence line. He was credited with multiple finds at 16, 24, 29, 36, and 45, showing his strong desire to find birds and all age stamina/endurance with his performance finishing far to the front. True Grit has been very competitive at Smith Farms in his career.
Wild Covey Strikezone was handled by Mr. Andy Daugherty, with his strong stamina and desire to find birds. Strikezone scored his first find at 9, 13, 18, 34, and 46. This young dog showed to the front for his handler and finished the hour strong.
I'm Gallant, handled by Mr. Allen Vincent, was turned loose with bird finding on his mind. I'm Gallant had multiple finds during his hour scoring at 12, 15, 19, 25, 34, 44, and finished his hour with endurance reaching the horizon!
Judges: Howard Burbach and Stan Truska
LARRY SMITH HEARTLAND OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 26 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-WESTFALL'S TRUE GRIT, F1663635, pointer male, by Erin's Brave Heart-Westfall's Irish Bell. Ryan Westfall, owner and handler.
2d-WILD COVEY STRIKEZONE, F1697326, pointer male, by Open Range Terminator-Open Range Ice Breaker. Bill Westfall, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.
3d-I'M GALLANT, F1696254, pointer male, by Valiant-Double Swami Dexie. Jay McKenzie, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.
Heartland Open Derby (front row, l-r): Wynona's Rebel with Matt Cochran (scout), Beeler's Final Solution with Scott Beeler (handler), Larry Huffman (scout), and Raymonds Patsy with Allen Vincent (handler). (Back row, l-r): Tommy Smith's daughters, Thomas Smith, Dr. Pat McInteer (judge), Howard Burbach (judge), and Steve Auxier.