Result: Annual Alabama Youth Handlers of the Year Awards Ceremony

Post Date: Jul 8, 2025

Submitted By: Darron C. Hendley

The Alabama Youth Field Trial Association celebrated its 23rd annual Youth Handler of the Year awards on June 14, 2025, at the Union Springs Country Club. The express purposes of the AYFTA is to help perpetuate the sport of pointing dog field trials, promote youth involvement in the sport, provide opportunities for outdoor activities, to positively impact youngsters by teaching life lessons and building character, teaching sportsmanship and teamwork, and to expose field trials and its associated wildlife to youngsters all over the South.

Alabama youth field trials began 40 years ago. The first documented one was a small field trial in Fitzpatrick, Alabama, with just four or five kids under the age of 17. AFYTA now has seven annual youth field trials, some with over 20 dogs entered! AYFTA has taken the lead in promoting youth field trials in America. Field trialers around the country have taken note of our success in building the sport. Oregon, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and especially Georgia, have joined the fun. Much of the nationwide growth can be attributed to Chris Mathan and Claudia McNamee of Georgia, who administer the Youth Field Trial Alliance website that posts youth trial news across the nation. If there is any doubt that youth trials are making a difference, one needs to look no further than the accomplishments and contributions former youth handlers are making in the sport. A former Alabama Youth Handler has won the National Open Shooting Dog Championship. Another has scouted a National Open Shooting Dog Champion. Many other former youth handlers have competed in and scouted in National Championships. Several have won or placed in countless recognized stakes. Previous youth handlers routinely judge and report major adult stakes. The results are undeniable.

In 2002, the AYFTA placed into competition a revolving trophy for the annual Alabama Youth Handler of the Year. In 2009, the Hartley Carter Foundation was established to provide a $1,000 post-high school educational scholarship to each subsequent youth handler of the year. It has paid over $8,000 in scholarships so far. In 2017, the AYFTA placed in competition a revolving trophy for the runner-up youth handler of the year, and a $500 Hartley Carter Foundation annual scholarship was initiated for its winner. Missy Lawrence and Lisa Littell manage the 501(c)(3) Hartley Carter Foundation. In 2020, a Junior Division was introduced for handlers aged 12 and under. This year, written guidelines for AYFTA youth trials and handler points calculations were officially adopted by the Alabama Field Trial Association.

This year, AYFTA had seven Alabama youth trials with a total of 103 entries. Nine different handlers earned points toward the Top Handler award. Four of the Alabama trials are also Dixie Trace Field Trial Association points trials, and six of them are also Southern Bird Hunters Association points trials.
This year's Junior Handler of the Year award, for the third consecutive year, is 11-year-old Hayes Green of Union Springs, Alabama. Hayes took Top Dog at the Bama Quail, Greenway, Mike Reynolds Memorial, and Shenandoah trials. Hayes is not only an exceptional handler, but he is also a straight-A student at Conecuh Springs Christian School. Hayes also enjoys fishing and playing baseball. For his achievement, Hayes received the Pat O'Neal Memorial revolving trophy, a 28-gauge O/U shotgun donated by Pat McPherson of Burnt Corn, Alabama, and a 5-troy ounce commemorative silver bar donated by Chris and Cynthia Sellers of Selmer, Tennessee. Hayes is also the reigning Dixie Trace Junior Handler of the Year.
One single point separated the two top youth handlers this year. Seventeen-year-old Addison McDuffie of Cecil, Alabama, was awarded the Johnny Capps Memorial AYFTA Runner-Up Handler of the Year trophy. She also received a leather gun scabbard from Pat McPherson, a 5-troy ounce silver bar from Chris and Cynthia Sellers, and a $500 Hartley Carter Scholarship. Her points came from a first place at Bama Quail, third at Mike Reynolds Memorial, third at Greenway, third at Central Alabama, and a third at Shenandoah Youth trials. Addison is about to start her senior year at Pike Road High School, where she is a straight-A student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a leader in the Future Farmers of America, actively engaged in her church youth group, plays violin in her school string band, and is dual-enrolled at Auburn University. Addison is a four-time AYFTA Handler of the Year, two-time Dixie Trace Handler of the Year, two-time Southern Bird Hunters Handler of the Year, and four-time runner-up AYFTA Handler of the Year. She is undoubtedly the most accomplished youth handler in America.
This year's Youth Handler of the Year is 14-year-old Madilyn Tilley of Greensboro, Alabama. Madi, as she is affectionately called, is starting ninth grade this year and is already an accomplished equestrian. She has even started training her own bird dogs and has her sights set on Veterinary School after college. Madi won first place at the Conecuh Station and Greenway Youth trials and second place at the Central Alabama event. What a year for Madi! She was also named Dixie Trace Handler of the Year. Madi will receive a $1,000 Hartley Carter Scholarship when she furthers her high school education. Her name will be forever enshrined on the John William Barnett Memorial revolving silver trophy. Madi also received a silver engraved belt buckle from the AYFTA and a 10-troy ounce silver bar from Chris and Cynthia Sellers.

Below is a list of Alabama Youth Handlers of the Year:
2003 Emily Atkins
2004 Allison Hendley
2005 Emily Dixon
2006 Jack Cox
2007 Jack Cox
2008 Mary Elizabeth Curry
2009 Pete Lanier
2010 Walker Davidson
2011 Derek Hyder
2012 Walker Davidson
2013 Dylan Cox
2014 Addison McDuffie
2015 Emily Strickland
2016 Ella Grace Montgomery
2017 Addison McDuffie
2018 Addison McDuffie
2019 Addison McDuffie
2020 Braden Renfro
2021 Braden Renfro
2022 Braden Renfro
2023 Sterlin Woodruff
2024 Ella Grace Montgomery
2025 Madilyn Tilley
Anyone interested in participating in or promoting youth field trials may contact Darron Hendley, points secretary for the Alabama Youth Field Trial Association, at (334) 300-5836.

Missy Lawrence, Darron Hendley, Addison McDuffie.

Laci Brabham, Hayes Green, Reese Green, and Justin Green and Darron Hendley.

Missy Lawrence, Madilyn Tilley, Harrison Lee, and Kaley Lee and Darron Hendley.