Event: Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Classic and The "Big" Derby
Result: Bear Pond Field Trial Club

Location: Leslie, Georgia

Post Date: Dec 30, 2025

Submitted By: Claudia McNamee

Open All-Age (l-r): Clayton Cook, Ray Pearce, Lee Phillips with Nonami's Johnny Come Lately, Debbie Doty, Betty Shearouse (judge), Trey Mills, Luke Eisenhart, Judd Carlton with Erin's Code of Honor, Darron Hendley (judge), Neil Walker, Claudia McNamee (reporter), Tracy Swearingen, Jerry Raynor with Haney's Double Down, Heath Morey, and Mark McLean.

The sixth edition of the Robin Gates Memorial Open All-Age Quail Classic and The "Big" Derby was held for the sixth time on the beautifully maintained and impressive grounds of Round Pond Plantation in Leslie, Georgia. Once again, the autumn weather was anything but normal; however, this year, it wasn't dry and warm conditions that challenged contenders but rather dry and frigid temperatures in the 30s and 40s during most of this event. The Open began on Monday, November 10, and continued through Wednesday, November 12, with 35 contenders vying for three top-dog placements. The Derby stake began and finished on Friday, November 14, showcasing 18 newcomers to the field. The number of dogs competing in each stake increased 25% and 30%, respectively, from last year, which is welcome news!

The judicial saddles for both the Open and the Derby were filled by two highly experienced bird hunters and field trialers, Betty Shearouse of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Darron Hendley of Pike Road, Alabama. These judges watched all contenders with keen interest and an appreciation for the sport's nuances. They openly enjoyed the responsibility they'd undertaken, and we're 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 running or scouting dogs, and Clayton Cook for driving the dog wagon. Christy Swearingen and Debbie Hofer prepared hot daily lunches and prepared dinners for the judges; meals were delicious, and no one went hungry! A special treat was a fresh-fish fry dinner (snapper & grouper from Carrabelle, Florida) caught and prepared by Neil Walker; always the best fried fish this writer has ever eaten! This year, two sponsors helped make this event possible: Bennett Feed & Seed of Albany, Georgia, and, of course, a big round of applause and heartfelt thank you to Purina and Greg Blair's team for all they do to support this sport!

Before describing this year's winning performances, this writer would like to acknowledge that the unusually dry and cold conditions put all contenders to a greater test. Scenting was more challenging, and birds were hunkered down for warmth, which made for a higher competitive bar, clearly separating winners from their cohorts. Having said that, all of these athletes demonstrated what Robin always strived for in his own dogs--a strong, forward race with consistent hunting and pushing to the edge of course limits. Style and intensity on game with knockout finishes were always a Robin Gates hallmark.

OPEN ALL-AGE WINNERS
Thirty-four pointers and two setters were entered. Thirty-three pointers and two setters competed.
Nonami's Johnny Come Lately claimed top honors with four finds, a strong race, and a memorable finish in the second morning brace on the third and final day of running. This 7-year-old pointer male is owned by T. E. Turner, was handled by Ray Pearce, and scouted by Justin Hunt. His performance was punctuated by four nicely timed covey finds at 20, 41, 49, and 54, with an unproductive at 26 that didn't derail his objective to snag that first place! John exhibited the hunting prowess of a seasoned bird-finder, with style and class on the ground. Traversing in strong fashion the entire hour, he finished with determination and made his handler proud of himself and John's owner!

Erin's Code of Honor ("Tip") earned second place for the second year in a row with two finds timed at 17 and at pickup in the last afternoon brace on the first day of running. Owned by Allen Linder and handled by Luke Eisenhart, Tip hunted intentionally, with uninterrupted focus on the task at hand. His bird work was stylish and flawless, showing in all the right places. He finished in strong fashion with a covey find at pickup. At nearly 6 years old and in his prime, Tip continues to be a compelling force to contend with on the all-age open circuit.

Haney's Double Down ("Slim") earned third place with two finds late in the hour and a strong ground race, proving he's got what it takes to compete with the "big boys" on the all-age circuit. Owned by Alex Rickert, handled by Mark McLean, and scouted by Jerry Raynor, Slim covered the course he drew with confidence, style, and skill beyond his years. He hunted up a single quail in a tree at 43 and a nice-sized covey at 47, ran a formidable race, and finished out front with energy to spare. Nice job!

HONORABLE MENTIONS
This stake also showcased six other contenders who notably impressed the judges and this reporter, and deserve mention here in order of their running.

Haney's Top Shelf (O: David & Andy Freiburger; H: Mark McLean), Rester's Johnny Ringo (O: Cecil Rester & Dr. Reuben Richardson; H: Luke Eisenhart; Erin's Three Amigos (O: Mike Sweet; H: Judd Carlton); Mayhaw's Georgia Time (O: Mayhew Plantation; H: Trey Mills), Haney's All In (O: Stacy & Steve Croy; H: Mark McLean); and Woodville's Long Hard Drive (O: Carl Owens; H: Mark McLean).

The all-age circuit is one of the toughest arenas to compete in because of the high standards placed on an increasingly smaller aggregate of dogs and handlers. We often overlook how incredibly skilled all of the contenders are and what they bring to the sport and to breeding programs around the country. This writer would like to commend all 35 athletes and their teams of humans who competed in this event and will give it their all in future contests. Bravo!

Leslie, Ga., November 10
Judges: Darron Henley and Betty Shearouse
ROBIN GATES MEMORIAL OPEN ALL-AGE CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 35 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-NONAMI'S JOHNNY COME LATELY, F1694190, pointer male, by Ransom-Pinewood's Jenny Bell. R. E. Turner, owner and handler.
2d-ERIN'S CODE OF HONOR, F1696057, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Miss Maggie. Allen Linder, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
3d-HANEY'S DOUBLE DOWN, F1715340, pointer male, by Valiant-Haney's North Star. Alexander Rickert, owner; Mark McLean, handler.

THE "BIG" OPEN DERBY
Seventeen pointers and one setter were entered. Sixteen pointers and one setter competed.
Seventeen young contenders were brought to the line for the "Big" Open Derby on Friday, November 14. Thank you again to judges Betty Shearouse and Darron Hendley for their time and experience in watching these young hopefuls and placing the three who they thought had the most enthusiasm and future potential. This portion of the event was run in continuous 30-minute heats.

In first place, Desert Storm, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, ran in the first brace of the stake and took off at the breakaway with a mission to win! He showed off his thorough and fancy hunt style the entire 30 minutes, stopping only to point a nice-sized covey off the beaten path at 13 with his head cranked up to the sky, looking exceptional. Great job!
Red Hills All In Nation, owned by Stacy and Steve Croy and handled by Mark McLean, ran in the eighth brace to snag second place with two finds at 8 and then at pickup. With an all-age-worthy race and two dug-up finds, this young contender is one to watch...lots of potential here!
In third place, Code of Law, owned by Kirk Law and handled by Tom Shenker, hunted intently and made a couple of impressive casts. As he was crossing a big field at 10, this young hopeful stopped confidently for his one find, and his handler flushed about 20 birds...a beautiful sight! At 29, his bracemate stood tall on point, and Code of Law backed stylishly. Given his running pattern and forward reach, this new contender has great promise!

THE "BIG" OPEN DERBY - 17 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-ERIN'S DESERT STORM, F1711735, pointer male, by Erin's Perfect Storm-Erin's Pearl Agin. Michael Sweet, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.
2d-RED HILLS ALL IN NATION, F1716099, pointer male, by Haney's All In-Pearl Jam Nation. Stephen Croy, owner; Mark McLean, handler.
3d-CODE OF LAW, unreg., pointer male, by C S Code Blue-Quicksilver Whiskey Girl. Kirk Law, owner; Tom Shenker, handler.

The "Big" Open Derby (l-r): Judd Carlton, Clayton Cook, Luke Eisenhart with Erin's Desert Storm, Betty Shearouse (judge), Darron Hendley (judge), David Melnick, Jerry Raynor with Red Hills All In Nation, Christy Swearingen, Neil Walker, Mark McLean, Stephens Walker with Code of Law, Tracy Swearingen, Claudia McNamee (reporter), and Tom Shenker.