Result: International Open Pheasant Championship

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Jan 7, 2026

Submitted By: Dr. Fred Corder

International Pheasant Championship (front, l-r): Luke Eisenhart posed with Haney's Storm Warning, and Judd Carlton posed with Haney's Silver Dollar. (Second row): Dr. Fred Corder, Lefty Henry, Mike Sweet, Whitley Stephenson (judge), Barbara Youngs, Bob Youngs, Claudia McNamee, Carl Owens, and Dr. Buck Neil (judge).

The 66th running of the International Open Pheasant Championship took place from October 24 through October 26, 2025, with 36 dogs drawn in contention. It was contested in the sand hills of North Carolina on the J. Robert Gorden Field Trial Area in Hoffman, North Carolina. This year's champion, Haney's Storm Warning, was handled by Luke Eisenhart, owned by Chris Cagle Sr. and Chris Cagle Jr. of Woodlawn, Tennessee. The Cagle dogs are well known to the winners' circle at Hoffman. Both the champion and runner-up came out of their Blue Hen, Haney's North Star. Haney's Storm Warning's championship performance took place in the 10th brace, braced with Haney's Top Shelf. Top Shelf was out of pocket early, which allowed Haney's Storm Warning ("Speck") to take full advantage of the situation. He had impeccable bird work at 15, 36, and 52, maintaining his high form and stature that he has come to be well known for. His ground race was not as reaching, but his manners around game were beyond reproach, giving him the edge in the judges' book.

Runner-up was obtained in the 15th brace with Haney's Silver Dollar, owned by Chris Cagle Sr. and Chris Cagle Jr., handled again by Luke Eisenhart. He was braced with Game Heir, Dr. Fred Corder, owner/handler. They broke away together at the mile-long field. Haney's Silver Dollar ("Rex") was found at the end of mile-long field with Game Heir backing as we turned to head away from the clubhouse. Both dogs were found independently: Game Heir on the left with a covey, and Silver Dollar on the right, as two separate coveys were put to flight. Both dogs continued wide all-age races as we approached the sand road. Game Heir was found pointed, and Silver Dollar was found even deeper with another solid find. Dogs took off once again when released, and pick up was called shortly thereafter, with both dogs finishing the hour to the front.

Other dogs that impressed were Woodville's Long Hard Ride, handled by Mark McLean, owned by Carl Owens, and Game Surge, owned/handled by Dr. Fred Corder. Each had good forward two-find performances.

Judges who oversaw the championship were Dr. Buck Neil of Fort Worth, Texas, and Whitley Stephenson of Smithfield, North Carolina. Dr. Neil is a recently retired veterinarian who has had a successful career in the saddle as well. He flew out to look over this year's running and was greeted by fellow judge Whitley Stephenson, who successfully campaigns dogs at Hoffman. It was a very complimentary experience for both judges, lending their expertise in evaluating a dog, and with fresh eyes from Dr. Neil, complementing what is a familiar ride to Whitley.

Field trials without birds aren't a field trial. The North Carolina Field Trial Association works tirelessly to ensure this is not the case. Over 30 coveys were moved from the initial release in September. This team is headed up by John Ivester with help from Rob Henry, Greg Robinson, Gary Miller, Calvin Curnutte, Steve Mills, Bob Youngs, and Mike Hester. One particular notable is the fluidity of the dog wagon, which is manned by Greg Robinson. He has a first-class dog wagon provided by the NCFTA, and the grounds allow him to follow closely along the courses, allowing for quick movement if early pickups occur and ease in transition between braces. This year, John Ivester requested and was granted permission to follow behind the dog wagon with his electric side-by-side to retrieve lost dogs. This forethought allowed handlers, scouts, and braces to progress with little to no delay, as well as providing some respite for those handlers and scouts who ride most often every brace of each trial, allowing for increased morale all around.

Lunches were again sponsored by the Pheasant Championship Club, headed by Mrs. Corder on kitchen duties. Purina has long been a sponsor of the Pheasant Championship Club and joined in supporting the Carolina Jamboree this year, marking the third consecutive year. This Jamboree kicks off the fall season of field trialing, allowing for four consecutive trials to be held back-to-back with incentives for handlers, owners, and recognition of the top dog.

Hoffman, N. C., October 24
Judges: Dr. Buck Neil and Whitley Stephenson
INTERNATIONAL PHEASANT CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 31 Pointers and 5 Setters
Winner-HANEY'S STORM WARNING, F1691416, pointer male, by Valiant-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle Sr. & Chris Cagle Jr., owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-HANEY'S SILVER DOLLAR, F1698758, pointer male, by Ransom-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle Sr. & Chris Cagle Jr., owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

Tom Honecker Memorial Derby
The 2025 Tom Honecker Memorial Derby, which began at the conclusion of the International Pheasant Championship, had a respectable 15 entries consisting of 13 pointers and two setters. First-place winner Rester's Wildflower continued her winning ways with handler Luke Eisenhart and owners Pat and Julie Roach, as she's placed several times already this fall. Second place went to Como White Lightning, handled by Luke Eisenhart for owner David Russell. Third place was awarded to Erin's Dreamcatcher, handled by Judd Carlton for owner Mike Sweet. All dogs ran nice forward races and handled birds correctly.

TOM HONECKER MEMORIAL DERBY - 13 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-RESTER'S WILDFLOWER, F1718696, pointer female, by Rester's Johnny Ringo-Wynona's Funseeker Dixie. Pat & Julie Roach, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
2d-COMO WHITE LIGHTNING, F1717168, pointer male, by Haney's Hurricane Seeker-Como Sis. David Russell, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
3d-ERIN'S DREAMCATCHER, F1712972, setter female, by Erin's Windy Hill-Gyrfarm's Baby Belle. Mike Sweet, owner; Judd Carlton, handler.

Tom Honecker Memorial Derby (front row, l-r). Dr. Fred Corder posed with Rester's Wildflower, Luke Eisenhart (handler) posed with Como White Lightning, and Judd Carlton (handler) posed with Erin's Dreamcatcher. (Second row): Carl Owens, Whitley Stephenson (judge), Claudia McNamee, Dr. Buck Neil (judge), and Mike Sweet.