Event: NBHA Kentucky State Classic
Result: West Kentucky Field Trial Club

Location: Kevil, Kentucky

Post Date: Feb 26, 2026

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

NBHA Kentucky Open Shooting Dog Classic (l-r): Mary Sue Schalk, Mike Fox (owner/handler), Banner and Jonathon Dunn, Terry Boatright (scout) with Foxy Lady Sadie, Mike Taylor (judge), Zach Erne (handler) with Cates Rocket Girl, Tim Hammons (judge), Andy Erne (scout) with Sycamore Creek Cody, James Kleve, John Clough, and Donna Boatright (dog wagon driver).

For the second consecutive year, the West Kentucky Field Trial Club hosted the National Bird Hunters Association Kentucky State Classic at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area in Kevil, Kentucky. The Shooting Dog Classic drew 16 dogs, the Derby Stake drew eight, and the Puppy stake drew 10 competitors. Tim Hammons of Berea, Kentucky, judged all three stakes with various partners. Advertised judge Dennis Sneed regretfully had to back out due to illness. Mike Taylor of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, filled in for the Classic, Jonathan Dunn of Jeffersonville, Kentucky, judged the Derby, and Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky, paired with Hammons for the Puppy stake. All three stakes provided the elements of a good field trial--excitement, disappointment, and solid bird work.

The Classic began on Friday and the event wrapped up Sunday morning. Not only did competitors enjoy strong competition, but the West Kentucky Field Trial Club also provided a steak dinner on Friday evening for all. Veteran field trialer and longtime patron of horseback field trials, Mike Crouse, entertained the group with stories of the history of the grounds and of the sport itself. For those unaware, the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area has long played host to dog sports and prestigious events. Most notable is the Quail Championship Invitational, where pictures adorn the walls dating back to the mid-19th century. As changes continue happening throughout the field trial world, it is important to remember the past and celebrate the dogs and people who set the precedent for greatness.

Returning to the podium this year was Foxy Lady Sadie. Placing third in the 2024 Kentucky Classic, she earned first in this year's event. Owned and handled by Mike Fox of Patriot, Indiana, the Irish setter is no stranger to success. She was quick on the ground and eager to find game. Sadie carded three finds during her hour and was biddable for Fox. Always flashy and driven, Sadie was easy on the eyes for her hour, earning the blue.

English setter female, Cates Rocket Girl, earned the second-place spot for owner David Cates of Evansville, Indiana. Handled by Zach Erne of Chippewa Valley Kennels in Rittman, Ohio, Rocket Girl had a strong forward ground race. In her hour, she carded one find and an unproductive in a spot where birds had been located in previous braces. Cates Rocket Girl handled the grounds well and finished forward for Erne.

Earning the third-place spot was English setter male, Sycamore Creek Cody, who Erne also handled. Cody is owned by Bob Kelley of Pickerington, Ohio. The orange and white male was biddable throughout the hour and had two finds. He is stylish on game, exhibiting desired manners expected of a shooting dog.

Besting the field of eight Derbies was puppy Clough's Mischief Brew, an English setter female owned and handled by John Clough of Ypsilanti, Michigan. The tri-color female ran a very classy forward race and had a broke find during her thirty minutes. Earning second was English setter male, Crouse's Grouse Feather, owned by Mike Crouse and Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon. Schalk handles the young dog, who was biddable and also able to locate birds during his half hour. Rounding out the field in third was Boatright's Renegade, owned by Terry Boatright of Richmond, Kentucky, and handled by James Kleve of Outcast Kennel. Renegade is a strong young dog who powers to the front. He showed in opportune spots to the front, and the relationship between the dog and handler was evident throughout the half hour. Albeit small, the Derby stake provided several solid performances.

The Puppy stake concluded the Kentucky State Classic Weekend on Sunday morning. Each puppy had the opportunity to show themselves in a big bottom field with some wooded area on both edges. Mike Taylor, who judged the Classic, owned and handled the first-place dog, Hackberry's Snake Lady McGee. A liver and white pointer female, hit the edges hard, and hunted every step. Terry Boatright handled his up-and-coming pointer male, Boatright's Little Joe. The orange and white male was also exciting on the ground and happy to work for his handler. John Clough was back on the podium with Clough's Mischief Brew, earning third in the Puppy stake. Again, classy on the ground, the English setter did not have the reach of her peers in the Puppy stake. The 10 puppies showed enthusiasm and positive attitudes for all handlers.

The NBHA Kentucky State Classic was a good weekend of bird dogs and fellowship in Western Kentucky. The Western Kentucky Field Trial Club extends its greatest appreciation to Tim Krehr and Mark Champion of the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area, who work to help keep the grounds in top shape for our bird dog events. The National Bird Hunters Association is proudly sponsored and supported by the following: Purina, Garmin, Mule Brand Clothing, Gun Dog Central, The American Field by UKC , Gun Dog Supply, and OnX Hunts. These groups are much appreciated throughout field trials.

We certainly appreciate our judges, especially those stepping in at the last minute--Mike Taylor and Jonathan Dunn--and Tim Hammons. Byron and Farrah Caldwell of Southern Occasion Catering provided outstanding food throughout the weekend. Donna Boatright took the wheel of the dog wagon and was exceptional! Also, stepping up to help were those helping put out birds--James Kleve, Terry Boatright, and Andy Erne. Last, but not least, thank you to the owners and handlers who support trials taking place in Kentucky, and best of luck to all of you as the season continues!

Judge's team of Mike Taylor, Jonathan Dunn with Banner Dunn, and Tim Hammons patiently wait for the winners' photo.

Kevil, Ky., December 19
Judges: Tim Hammons and Mike Taylor
NBHA KENTUCKY STATE OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 5 Pointers, 9 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-FOXY LADY SADIE, F1691626, Irish setter female, by Zansett Simply Red-Foxy's Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner and handler.
2d-CATES ROCKET GIRL, F1690282, setter female, by Swift Rock Iced Cash-Swift Rock Splash. David Cates, owner; Zach Erne, handler.
3d-SYCAMORE CREEK CODY, F1691483, setter male, by Cactus Jet J R-Wynona's Cody Sue. Bob Kelly, owner; Zack Erne, handler.

NBHA Open Derby (l-r): Mike Fox, Mike Taylor, John Clough (owner/handler) with Clough's Mischief Brew, Banner and Jonathan Dunn (judge), James Kleve (scout) with Crouse's Grouse Feather, Mary Sue Schalk (scout) with Boatright's Renegade, Tim Hammons (judge), and Terry and Donna Boatright (owners).

Judges: Jonathan Dunn and Tim Hammons
NBHA KENTUCKY STATE OPEN DERBY - 2 Pointers and 6 Setters
1st-CLOUGH'S MISCHIEF BREW, F1721342, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Outcast Siren Song. John Clough, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S GROUSE FEATHER, F1713380, setter male, by Shagtime Max-GF Southern Belle. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHT'S RENEGADE, F1710486, setter male, by Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Terry Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.

Judges: Tim Hammons and Mary Sue Schalk
NBHA KENTUCKY STATE OPEN PUPPY - 4 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 2 Irish Setters
1st-HACKBERRY'S SNAKE LADY MCGEE, F1721939, pointer female, by Elhew Snakemaster-Hackberry's Elhew Leve. Michial Taylor, owner and handler.
2d-BOATRIGHT'S LITTLE JOE, F1724337, pointer male, by Warjam's Big Mac Daddy-Outcast Bar Hopper. Terry Boatright, owner and handler.
3d-CLOUGH'S MISCHIEF BREW, F1721342, setter female, by Boatright's Maverick-Outcast Siren Song. John Clough, owner and handler.

NBHA Open Puppy (l-r): James Kleve, Mike Taylor (owner/handler) with Hackberry's Snake Lady McGee, Tim Hammons (judge), Terry Boatright (owner/handler) with Boatright's Little Joe, Donna Boatright (dog wagon driver), John Clough (owner/handler) with Clough's Mischief Brew, Mike Fox, and Mary Sue Schalk (judge).

Mike Crouse presenting to the group, with John Clough looking on.