Result: National Amateur Pheasant All-Age Championship

Location: Gentry, Missouri

Post Date: Apr 24, 2025

Submitted By: Steve Auxier

National Amateur Pheasant All-Age Championship (front row, l-r): Allison Bell with Erin's Southern Comfort, Tommy Smith's daughters, and Tony King with Erin's Doc Holliday. (Back row, l-r): Jarrett Bell, Steve Auxier, Ryan Griess (judge), Thomas Smith, Bruce Bryant (judge), Sean Patrick Derrig, Joe Worsham, and Brian Sheehan.

The Pony Express Field Trial Club members came together to host the National Amateur Pheasant Championship for the second year! This prestigious trial is the second-oldest amateur field trial championship. This year's event was not only highlighted by amazing performances but also maintained the camaraderie that everyone looks forward to each spring. To host an event of this magnitude, we felt honored! Larry and Linda Smith have created an amazing field trial venue with over 2,500+ acres of rolling hills, long tree lines, waterways, CRP strips, and over 43 ponds. This layout consists of three consecutive one-hour courses to showcase the all-age performance. 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 has ample opportunity to find game. Larry's vision and his attention to detail to create an "experience" of hospitality for the field trialer and spectator was his goal. He would commonly say, "What is best for field trialing?" Smith Farms is designed with horse corrals, 56 dog kennels, a comfortable clubhouse, complimentary meals and hay for all, a Polaris ATV for spectators/owners, and onsite lodging for judges.

We would like to thank Mrs. Linda Smith for the opportunity to host this event on her beautiful farm. We would also like to thank all the handlers and all 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 Garmin. This event had some additional sponsors, including AKRS John Deere, Futuresone Brokerage and Risk Management, Haggis Saddles, The Saddle Guy, Conkey's Outdoors, Wild Covey Kennels, White Safety Equipment, Erin's Kennels, Good Life Fitness, and Certified Piedmontese Beef. For this event, we held several raffles and giveaways. We would like to thank Wild Covey Kennels, Good Life Fitness, and Erin's Kennels for the donated stud service of Ch. Erin's Wild Atlantic Way. On Friday night, we had a special NY strip barbeque dinner sponsored by Certified Piedmontese Beef and prepared by Mr. Tommy Smith. The steaks were done to perfection.

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 Championship were Mr. Bruce Bryant of Silver City, Iowa, and Mr. Ryan Griess of Sutton, Nebraska. The Pony Express Field Trial Club is truly honored to have these fine gentlemen in the judging seats. The judges noted a great trial with many dogs finding birds. They also noted the sportsmanship from everyone helping each other out with turning a dog loose, and always being willing to help. A great trial with great camaraderie from all.

The Running
Brace 1: Game Surge (Corder) and Worsham's Spitfire (Worsham).
The Championship started at 8 a.m. with clear skies and 38 degrees. Both dogs headed west with Game Surge scoring first at 10 on a pheasant, and all in order. Game Surge was not pleasing his handler and was picked up at 45. Spitfire had his first find at 38 on a pair of pheasants, concluding his brace.

Brace 2: Erin's Rebel Attraction (Sheehan) and Nemaha Tap Water (McInteer). Dogs turned loose heading north. Erin's Rebel Attraction scored with finds at 10, 16, 23, 34, 43, 49, and finishing his hour. Nemaha Tap Water scored his first find on pheasants at 16, concluding his brace.

Brace 3: Small's White Rambler (Small) and Erin's Doc Holliday (Bell). The final brace of the morning started off with both dogs making a big move to the south into the headwind. Both dogs showed their stamina and endurance fighting the headwind and reaching far to the front. This was an exciting brace to watch as dogs were credited on multiple finds of quail and pheasants, with some pretty birdwork. Like a boxing match exchanging punches, one dog would be on point with the other dog honoring. Small's White Rambler was credited with five finds, with his last find on pheasant causing a little too much temptation, ending his debut. Erin's Doc Holliday went on to score six finds and finished his hour reaching far to the front at time, showcasing his stamina and endurance.

Brace 4: Erin's Mighty Quinn (Derrig) and Intensive I'm On Fire (Auxier). Breakaway right after lunch. Both dogs headed west, making their move to the north along the far fence line. Both dogs got out of the pocket, which resulted in both handlers gathering up their dogs to regain order. Auxier picked up his female at 20 as she was not pleasing him. Erin's Mighty Quinn went on reaching to the front and was credited with several nice finds. This young dog showed his potential to be a top contender in the years to come!

Brace 5: Erin's Southern Comfort (Derrig) and Rebel Dream (Williams). Both dogs turned loose heading south, making the long lines to the east. Erin's Southern Comfort showed his stamina and endurance, pushing the front with many noted all-age casts. The judges noted several times that Southern Comfort would be found standing and then released, pushing the front to be found on point again. Southern Comfort was credited with four finds and a big finish into the distance at time. Rebel Dream, with the strong wind, was not pleasing his handler, and Williams elected to pick him up, concluding his brace.

Brace 6: Game Heir (Corder) and Phillips Linebacker (Small). The final brace of the afternoon. Both dogs are heading south towards the Tornado Shelter. The first find was credited to Linebacker at 12 on a trio of quail with Game Heir honoring. All in order, next showing an exchange of finds and backs for each dog. Game Heir had finds at 16, 22, 29, 36 up, and 46 up. With the strong wind, this brace showed to be an exciting brace to test the stamina of these fine athletes. Both dogs were credited with four to five finds each. Game Heir was found pointed on the north side of the pond with Linebacker honoring, but was unable to produce birds, concluding his brace at 46 with a second unproductive. Linebacker finished the hour with a strong finish. Linebacker had finds at 12, 18, 26, 38, and 44.

Brace 7: Game Nation (Corder) and Erin's Grey Justice (Derrig). Dogs broke away at 8 a.m. in the first brace of the morning. Game Nation was not pleasing his handler, and Fred elected to pick him up. Erin's Grey Justice was credited with multiple finds, with the first at 12, then 25, 33, and 41, and finished the hour.

Brace 8: B G K's Luke (Bell) and Rebel Gold (Williams). Dogs were turned loose heading across dead tree pond to the east and turning to the northeast. B G K's Luke was credited with eight finds in his brace, combining quail and pheasants! Rebel Gold was not pleasing his handler and was picked up concluding the hour.

Brace 9: Game Star (Corder) was turned loose heading west. She was found on point at 6. Corder called flight of pheasant on the back side of the draw, but the judges did not see the bird leave. Game Star was turned loose to the west, heading up the far south fence line. Game Star was not pleasing his handler and was picked up, concluding her brace.

Gentry, Mo., March 20
Judges: Bruce Bryant and Ryan Griess
NATIONAL AMATEUR PHEASANT ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 17 Pointers and 5 German Shorthairs
Winner-ERIN'S SOUTHERN COMFORT, F1693833, pointer male, by Erin's Lone Star Law-Erin's Irresistible Jane. Sean Derrig & Sean Patrick Derrig, owners; Sean Patrick Derrig, handler.
Runner-Up-ERIN'S DOC HOLLIDAY, F1704304, pointer male, by Erin's Lone Star Law-Erin's Little Lullaby. Jarrett Bell, owner and handler.

The National Amateur All-Age Pheasant Companion Derby was turned loose at 12:30 p.m. The weather had taken a turn with a storm coming from the south. With high winds, the derbies gave their best performances. Worsham's Samson for handler Joe Worsham was credited with one pheasant find and finished his brace with endurance, securing his first-place finish. Erin's High Octane for handler Jarrett Bell was credited with one find on a quail, showcasing his loftiness and desire to reach to stay on the front to lock in his second-place finish.

AMATEUR DERBY - 5 Pointers and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-WORSHAM'S SAMSON, F1717675, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Haney's Black Widow. Joe Worsham, owner and handler.
2d-ERIN'S HIGH OCTANE, F1712754, pointer male, by Erin's Grey Ghost-Erin's Sweet Justice. Jarrett Bell, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby (front row, l-r): Allison Bell with Worsham's Samson, and Steve Auxier with Erin's High Octane. (Back row, l-r): Bruce Bryant (judge), Jarrett Bell, Ryan Griess (judge), and Joe Worsham.