Event: Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk Wins 2025
Result: U. S. Complete Southeastern Open Regional Championship
Location: Hoffman, North Carolina
Post Date: Jun 25, 2025
Submitted By: David Huffine
U. S. Complete Southeastern Regional Championship. First row: Cliff Monroe with Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk and David Huffine with Sweet Grass Skeeter. Second row: Tony Bingham, Mike Rosano, Bob Youngs (judge), Ronnie Rogers (judge), Gretchen Adsit. Joined by participants.
Mohawk Mill Knight Hawk, a 6-year-old white and liver pointer male, bested a 46-dog field to win the 2025 Southeast Open Regional Championship of the U.S. Complete Shooting Dog Association held February 12, 2025, at the J. Robert Gordon Field Trial Grounds in Hoffman, North Carolina. The 2025 champion is sired by Mohawk Mill Pirate's Legacy. His dam is Katie Lee's Wild Side. Tony Bingham, veteran pro from Shelby, North Carolina, masterfully handled the champion for owners Ellen and Gary Winnall.
The runner-up champion was Sweet Grass Skeeter, a 4-year-old white and orange English setter male, owned and handled by David Huffine. Skeeter is out of Sweet Grass Slim and Seranoa's Glimpse of Glory.
The Championship took place on the famed Hoffman Field Trial Grounds, which has six continuous courses carved out of longleaf pine and wiregrass in the 63,000-acre Sandhills Gamelands. Trials at Hoffman began in 1954. They were primarily horseback trials until a few years ago, when U.S. Complete began holding both its National Championship and this Regional Championship on the grounds. The facilities are wonderful, with a comfortable clubhouse for lunches and dinners. A multitude of kennels are available for the comfort of traveling dogs over the week, and a barn and numerous corrals are on site for horses.
In this reporter's opinion, Hoffman is the best test of a dog and walking handler in North Carolina. The handler and dog must be fit to handle the sugar-sand and changing elevations of the North Carolina sandhills, and the dogs must be adept bird-finders, as there are no daily releases.
Only early release birds are available on the grounds. This season's bird numbers and quality were exceptional and likely the best in at least a decade. The North Carolina Field Trial Association has made vast improvements, and the future looks bright for field trialing at Hoffman.
This year, the Southeastern Championship immediately followed the U.S. Complete National Championship, creating almost two weeks of walking Championships. It was exhausting for the volunteers, but well-received by the participants.
THE JUDGES
The Championship was fortunate to have two experienced and capable judges. Bob Youngs of Hoffman judged for his second year. Bob has years of experience training, showing, scouting, and judging bird dogs. He has an excellent eye and a wonderful judicial demeanor. Ronnie Rogers filled the other judge's saddle. Ronnie is from New Market, Tennessee. He is an exceptional dog trainer, field trialer, and horseman. We were fortunate to have Ronnie's experience and judgment for the Championship.
CHAMPIONS' SUMMARY
The champion ran in the 13th brace on Hoffman's Course 3 and broke away at approximately 10:45. His bracemate was Henry's Suzieq Dot, a snappy and stylish English setter handled by David Theroux. Hawk ran a big, forward race. His first find was at 6 in a feed patch with all in order. He appeared to be lost at 30, with Tony searching the front. The gallery wagon called point with Tony approximately 700 yards to the front. Tony retreated to the find and flushed the covey. Tony loosed his dog, which went to the front, where he handled in front of his bracemate and the other judge. Tony caught the front at about the 60-minute mark.
The runner-up champion was braced with Santee River Pawley Girl, a pointer female handled by Bingham for Brace 8. Both dogs broke away on the Course 4 straightaway. Tony's dog was lost shortly after breakaway. Skeeter began slowly but extended his range after the first road crossing. He was seen standing at about 400 yards near the water hole. There was some delay after Bobby Phillips told the handler he had the wrong pants for flushing in the briar patch, but a covey of birds was produced. Skeeter's second find was at 57, where he was again seen standing at a long distance. He held until his handler arrived to flush a nice covey feeding in sparse cover.
THE RUNNING
The Championship began on Wednesday morning after a rain delay. Millers Dusty Version, a pointer female handled by Mark Hughes, and Mohawk Mill Charmer, a beautiful and stylish English setter owned and handled by Ashby Morgan, broke away on Course 1 in 37-degree dampness. Mark's dog was a bit wide at 14 but settled in nicely with a good forward race. Charmer stayed in the pocket for the entire brace with good ground application. The pair shared a find on a large covey of birds at 58.
Brace 2 matched My Way Coal Train (PM-Bingham) with Super Storm Cliff, an English Setter male handled by Adam Dubriske. Tony's dog had a breach of manners at 12 and was up. Cliff continued alone with a medium race. He handled well for Adam. He produced a find at 42 after an impressive relocate, which he followed with an unproductive at 46. Cliff finished his hour.
Jamie Leitch handled his dog Can Am Cooper, a handsome pointer male in Brace 3. He was braced with Smoke Rise Doc (PM-Bingham). Cooper had an unproductive at 25. Tony picked his dog up at 27. Jamie followed suit at 32.
Birds were out in full force for Brace 4. Mohawk Mill Big Stuff (PM-Morgan) was braced with Miller's Special Upgrade (PF-Hughes) on Course 4. There were so many birds that it was difficult to keep up with the dogs and the handlers. Big had finds at 13, 42, and a divided find at 48. He also had a back at 22. Mark's dog had an unproductive at 14, followed by finds at 22, 42, and the divided find at 48. Both dogs had moderate races. The gallery wagon count of birds seen was seven coveys for the hour.
Apparently, Brace 4 produced its birds as well as Brace 5's birds. Suemac's Wicked Sister (PF-Bingham) and Neo, an English setter male handled by David Theroux, ran hard and worked hard but produced no birds.
Thursday's running suffered a rain delay as well. Brace 6 broke away at 9:40 with low clouds hovering over Course 1. Ralphy's Chase Hill Rip, a handsome pointer male handled by Brian Ralph was paired with Emert's Grouse Ringer T, an English setter male handled by Daryl Grantham. Rip had bird contact at 38, but no birds were seen thereafter.
Brace 7 consisted of Devil's Rib Doc, a pointer male handled by John Roland, and West Wind Big Jake (PM-Hughes). Doc had finds at 28 and 30 near the army camp. No other birds were seen, and both dogs shortened near the end of the brace.
Brace 8 is described in the Champions' Summary above.
Smoke Rise Hanna (PF-Bingham) and Pool Brook Dobby (ESM-Dubriske) were on the remainder of Course 4 for the ninth brace. After an early unproductive, Hanna had a long race with good style. She had a find at 48 but no further bird work. Adam's dog also had an unproductive at 5 and finished with a modest race.
Brace 10 was a late afternoon run on Course 5. Ralphy's Hillbilly (PM-Ralph) broke away with Movelle's Chewy, a pointer male handled by Gerald Movelle. Brian's dog had a medium race but had a breach of manners at 25 and was up. Gerald also collared his dog at 25 to end the day.
Blue Water Zeb (PM-Bingham) moved up as a bye dog in Brace 28 to fill a scratch in Brace 11. His bracemate was Double Deuce Zeke (PM-Hughes). There was no morning rain delay, so both dogs broke away on Course 1 at 8:10. Both dogs had satisfactory races but produced no birds.
Lincoln County Jack (ESM-Grantham) and Sweet Grass Slim (ESM-Huffine) were paired in Brace 12. Slim had two early finds followed by an unproductive. However, Slim went left instead of straight at time and could not be produced at pickup. Jack had a back and a nice race.
Brace 13 is described in the Champions' Summary.
Crowd-favorite Cliff Monroe started the afternoon running The Treasure Chest (PM) in Brace 14. Mooselook Texas Star (PM-Dubriske) joined Chess on Course 4. Cliff's dog hit the front early and was rarely seen. Cliff called for the tracker at 35. Adam's dog was not running a Hoffman race, and Adam leashed him at 35.
Quickmarksman's Dan (PM-Dubriske) and Saddle Up Sadie (PF-Hughes) were up for a 2:30 Brace 15. Dan had a quick find at 2 but shortened and was picked up after an unproductive at 48. Sadie had a nice forward race but was under birds at 31, ending her day.
Mohawk Mill War Hawk (PM-Bingham) and A Distant Spec (PF-Hughes) were braced together in Brace 16. Tony's dog had a bold race but unproductives at 9 and 30. Mark's dog had a more modest race with an unproductive at 50 but no bird work.
Beaver Meadow Bit (PF-Hughes) and Sweet Grass Skipper (ESM-Huffine) were on the line at 8:12 on Course 1 for Brace 17. Bit had an unproductive at 4 with Skipper backing. Mark called for the tracker at 39. Skipper had an unproductive at 40. His handler didn't like his performance and collared him.
Brace 18 matched Smoke Rise Bull (PM-Bingham) with Once In A Bluemoon, a pointer male owned and handled by Frank Joyal. Bull had an unproductive at 6. His normal big race shortened, and Tony examined him to find that he had injured his foot. Bull was properly placed on the dog wagon. Frank's dog handled wonderfully but had a rare bird miscue at 45 and was up.
Brace 19 had Mohawk Mill Shake Up (PM-Monroe) braced with Mulberry Fields Molly (PF-Hughes). Shake Up ran a fine forward race, producing a find at 15. He finished boldly but had no more bird work. Molly backed Shake Up at 15. She finished with a modest race but no finds.
The afternoon braces brought multi-champion Smoke Rise Jake (PM-Bingham) to the line with Seldom Rest Jack (ESM-Ralph) for the breakaway on Course 4. Jake had an unproductive at 37. He wasn't running his normal race and seemed under the weather. Tony picked him up at 50. Brian's dog ran a nice, medium race but finished with no bird work.
Tenacee Rowdy, with Greg Isenberg handling, and Tooth Acres Ron Takahara, with Ross Penland handling, were in Brace 21. Rowdy looked great going. He had an unproductive at 15 and wasn't seen thereafter. Greg called for the tracker at 25. Ross's dog looked great but had a modest race. Ross opted to leash him at 22.
Brace 22 matched Lincoln County Buddyboy (PM-Bingham) with Miller's Hopped Up Version (PF-Hughes). Both dogs ran moderate races but were picked up by their handlers at 35.
Bob's Elhew Sage (PF), with Hall of Famer Bobby Phillips handling, was braced with Kelly's Rainbow Ray (PF-Hughes). Both dogs broke away, showing exceptional gait and style, with Sage having a bigger race. Bobby found her standing at 46 on the left side of the course.
Mark's dog backed. Bobby's initial flushing attempt produced no birds. Mark took his dog on as Bobby began a relocation. Sage worked hard and trailed birds for a long distance. Unfortunately, the running birds flew before Sage stopped. Mark's dog had an unproductive at 57 but finished the hour.
Brace 24 kicked off on Course 4 with 61 degrees and a stiff wind. Doodle Ridge Elroy (ESM-Hughes) was braced with the 2024 Champion, Erin's Battle Cry (PM-Bingham). Elroy left early, and Mark called for the tracker at 20. Tony's dog wasn't showing his usual race in the heat and wind. Tony collared him at 25.
Greg Isenberg brought another handsome pointer, Tenacee Franklin, to the line for Brace 25. My Way Little Bud (PM-Bingham) was his bracemate. Franklin ran a solid, shooting dog race and was forward and stylish in the warm temperatures. He finished with no bird work. Bud went to the front but wasn't seen much. Tony called for the tracker at 25.
Island Blue Genes (ESM), handled by Earl Drew and scouted by his better half Margaret Drew, was braced with Tooth Acres Bennie the Jett (PM-Penland) in Brace 26. The end of Course 5 and all of Course 6 had not been used throughout the trial, and the birds had not been disturbed. Gene had two finds after the road crossing. Another covey was seen flying, and Gene was found standing. He finished his hour. Ross's dog had a lengthening race with good style. He suffered an unproductive at 17 and had a back at 45. Ross picked him up after the back.
The final Brace of the Championship broke away on Course 1. Backwoods Wild Fire Blaze (PM-Hughes) was braced with Aristotle (ESM), handled by Calvin Curnutte. Both dogs had exceptional races, which would have put them in contention had they had bird work. Unfortunately, neither dog could produce birds.
Hoffman, N. C., February 12
Judges: Ronnie Rogers and Bob Youngs
U. S. COMPLETE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 39 Pointers and 16 Setters
Winner-MOHAWK MILL KNIGHT HAWK, F1685481, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Pirate's Legacy-Katie Lee's Wild Side. Gary S. Winall, owner; Tony Bingham, handler.
Runner-Up-SWEET GRASS SKEETER, F1693872, setter male, by Sweet Grass Slim-Seranoa's Glimpse of Glory. David Huffine, owner and handler.
PAUL WALKER OPEN DERBY CLASSIC
Seventeen derbies faced off in the Paul Walker Derby Classic. Hifive's Sweet Basil, a snappy pointer female owned by Eric Rizza and handled by Adam Dubriske, took first place. Wayward Stewed Tomatoes, a setter male owned by Bruce Mueller and handled by Mark Hughes, was awarded second place. Mark also took third place with Highlander's High Voltage, also a setter male, owned by Katie Myers.
Paul Walker Derby Classic. First row: Adam Dubriske, Mark Hughes, David Huffine. Second row - Eric Rizzo, Clif Monroe, Bob Youngs (judge), Ronnie Rogers (judge), Tony Bingham, Gretchen Adsit.
PAUL WALKER DERBY CLASSIC - 17 Entries
1st-HIFIVE'S SWEET BASIL, F1705357, pointer female, by Hifive's Ruff Runner-Wild Apple Siri. Eric Rizza, owner; Adam Dubriske, handler.
2d-WAYWARD STEWED TOMATOES, F1705611, setter male, by Wayward Flyin Tomato-Doodle Ridge Fern. Bruce Mueller, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
3d-HIGHLANDER'S HIGH VOLTAGE, F1711458, setter male, by Long Gone Porky-Kelly's Rainbow Krin. Katie Myers, owner; Mark Hughes, handler.
AFTERWORD
The U. S. Complete contingent at Hoffman has established a wonderful team that has worked together to facilitate two championships at the venue in 2025. Tony Bingham is responsible for ground operations, which may include recruiting judges, securing "loaner" horses, buying groceries, and consulting with the trial chairman on "in-trial" matters. Margaret Drew shepherds all of us, reminding us of what must be done, what should be done, and covering for us when we don't do it exactly right. Gretchen and John Adsit work tirelessly to see that lunches are available in the clubhouse and stretch dinner leftovers to help greatly with our tight budgets. Gretchen recruits Hoffman friends to assist, and their help is essential.
Greg Roberson drives the dog/gallery wagon and is an absolute delight. He is reliable and timely, but he is also engaged in the trials, following each dog and handler attentively.
The Cape Fear Field Trial Club thanks both the Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Field Trial Association for making this trial possible. Hoffman has 52 horse stalls, corrals, and numerous kennels, all with running water, which makes a multi-day trial easy on the organizers and the competitors.
The Club also thanks Purina for its sponsorship of the Championship. Our trial and many others would not occur without the support of Greg Blair and Purina.