Event: Dixie Open All-Age
Result: Dixie Field Trial Club

Location: Leesburg, Georgia

Post Date: Dec 30, 2025

Submitted By: Claudia McNamee

Open All-Age (l-r): Brent Cox (judge), Mark McLean, Jerry Raynor with Haney's Double Down, Alex Rickert, Tracy Swearingen, Christy Swearingen with Tee's Crazy Train, John David Smith (judge), Stephens Walker with Dominators Rebel Mark, Claudia McNamee (reporter), Jamie Daniels, and Judd Carlton.

Before describing this field trial event in the usual way, we'd like first to remember our dear friend and secretary of this club, Kate Morton of Sasser, Georgia. Kate was a horse trainer, dog lover, and devoted field trialer who had a big heart and a contagious smile. Her passing on November 11 has saddened an entire Georgia community of bird dog enthusiasts, friends, and family. She will be deeply missed, but always in our hearts. RIP Kate.

The 2025 edition of the Dixie Open All-Age Classic and Derby was held on the beautifully maintained and impressive grounds of Round Pond Plantation in Leslie, Georgia, and ran directly following the Robin Gates Classic. The Dixie had always been run in February until this year; however, the autumn weather was anything but normal, with extremely dry and warm conditions making bird scenting challenging at best. The Open began on Saturday, November 15, and continued through Monday, November 17, with 33 contenders vying for three top-dog placements. The Derby stake began and finished on Tuesday, November 18, showcasing 22 newcomers to the field.

The judicial saddles for both the All-Age and Derby were filled by two experienced dog men, Brent Cox of Mathews, Alabama, and John David Smith of Union Springs, Alabama. These judges watched all contenders with keen interest and enjoyed the responsibility they'd undertaken. We're most grateful for their time and attention.

Heartfelt thank you to the Walker family for their hospitality and for allowing us to experience these top-tier grounds and amenities. There are few field trial locations with Round Pond's offerings, and we're all fortunate to experience such a quality venue. Quail were plentiful but elusive throughout the trial, with birds found on all courses. An estimated 30 coveys were put into flight over the four days of running. Thank you to Neil Walker, Stephens Walker, Tracy Swearingen, Luke Eisenhart, and Landon Collver for readying the property, taking care to maintain rerouted course legs for better flow and scouting. Thanks to Stephens Walker, Tracy Swearingen, Luke Eisenhart, and Judd Carlton for marshaling in between either running or scouting dogs; Clayton Cook and Heath Morey for driving the dog wagon; and Dan DiMambro for jumping in to drive the second dog buggy during the Derby running. Christy Swearingen and Debbie Hofer prepared hot lunches daily and prepared dinners for the judges; meals were delicious, and no one went hungry! A collective and heartfelt thank you to Purina and Greg Blair's team for sponsoring this event and all they do to support this sport!

OPEN ALL-AGE WINNERS
Haney's Double Down ("Slim") snagged top honors after earning third place in the preceding Robin Gates Classic, and owner Alex Rickert, who rode to watch both performances, was beaming! During this second brace, Slim hunted the country in style with his first find dug up at 18, where his handler, Mark McLean, easily flushed a good-sized covey. His second and final find would be shared with his bracemate, Erin's War Eagle, at 55. Always to the front, Slim put on an impressive performance throughout his hour and finished strong just as an all-age winner should!
Tee's Crazy Train ("Rip") earned second best with three finds at 10, 35, and 44 on Sunday in the final brace of the day. Owner/Handler Tracy Swearingen handled his charge with intensity and finesse, partnering with Rip to the finish line. Temperatures had risen into the low 80s, and how Tee continued his quest in the heat was exceptional and noteworthy. He completed his hour with honors!
Dominators Rebel Mark ("Big") was brought to the line by handler Jamie Daniels, and his three owners watched from the gallery with great anticipation. It was the first brace on Sunday morning, and Big broke away with strength and determination. He pointed birds at 10, 54, and 59 and was easily spotted throughout his hour. Fancy running and stylish on his game, he certainly impressed!

HONORABLE MENTIONS
In addition to the three winners, several other performances were worthy of mention and are listed here in order of their running: Woodville's Long Hard Ride (O: Carl Owens; H: Mark McLean); Erin's War Eagle (O: Dr. Bill Bruchey & Claudia McNamee; H: Luke Eisenhart); Haney's Silver Dollar (O: Chris Cagle & Chris Cagle, Jr.; H: Luke Eisenhart); Touch's Shadow Rider (O: Bruce & Karen Norton & Dr. Reuben Richardson); H: Mark McLean); Erin's High Note (O: Mike Sweet; H: Judd Carlton); Erin's Copper Colt (O: Mike Sweet; H: Judd Carlton).

Leesburg, Ga., November 15
Judges: Brent Cox and John David Smith
OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 35 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-HANEY'S DOUBLE DOWN, F1715340, pointer male, by Valiant-Haney's North Star. Alexander Rickert, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
2d-TEE'S CRAZY TRAIN, F1699147, pointer male, by Touch's Red Rider-Tee's Funseekin Belle. Tracy & Christy Swearinger, owners; Tracy Swearinger, handler.
3d-DOMINATORS REBEL MARK, F1712527, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Raymond's Daisy. Jamie Daniels, owner and handler.

OPEN ALL-AGE DERBY WINNERS
Twenty-two young contenders were brought to the line on Tuesday, November 18, of which three rose to the top on this day. This portion of the event was run in continuous 30-minute heats. All three winners ran in the final hour of the stake in the late afternoon. The first- and second-place dogs ran as bracemates in Brace 11, and the third-place dog came out of Brace 10. Scenting conditions continued to be difficult, and birds seemed to have smartened up as well--a real test for these up-and-coming hopefuls. But in spite of the odds against finding game, each of them managed to locate birds which were flushed by their handlers and seen by the judges and gallery!
In first place, Silver W Orange Crush ("Cowboy"), owned by Debbie Ozner, Baker Hubbard, and Tom Jackson and handled by Luke Eisenhart, broke away with zeal and a mission to win! His race was impressive, and he dug up birds at 17. Cowboy finished his 30 minutes in strong fashion and made his owners proud!
In second, Great River Titan ("Patch"), owned by Great River Kennels and handled by Tracy Swearingen, was equally as impressive as his bracemate, both pushing each other and making for an exciting 30 minutes. Patch pointed a nice-sized covey soon after the breakaway at 4 and then was marked for an unproductive at 19. He finished with style and strength!
In third, CK Playmaker ("Hawk"), owned by David Melnick and handled by Judd Carlton, also put on a memorable performance with a beautiful find at pick up, minimizing the importance of an earlier unproductive earlier at 20. Hawk was there to be noticed, and that he was!

OPEN DERBY - 23 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-SILVER W ORANGE CRUSH, F1719746, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. Debbie Ozner, Baker Hubbard & Tom Jackson, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2d-GREAT RIVER TITAN, F1718692, pointer male, by Rester's Johnny Ringo-Wynona's Funseeker Dixie. Brian Sanchez, owner; Tracy Swearinger, handler.
3d-CK PLAYMAKER, F1709284, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Just Wanna Have Fun. David Melnick, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): Debbie Ozner, George Hickox, Claudia McNamee (reporter), Brent Cox (judge), Luke Eisenhart with Silver W Orange Crush, John David Smith (judge), Tracy Swearingen, Stephens Walker with Great River Titan, Christy Swearingen, Judd Carlton with CK Playmaker, Neil Walker, and Heath Morey.