Result: Quail Creek Field Trial Club
Location: Lewisburg, Tennessee
Post Date: Apr 2, 2026
Submitted By: Ben Weddington
NBHA Walking Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Matt Forgione, Sara Adams, Anna Katherine Schalk, Emory Adams, Matt Veale, James Kleve (handler), Mary Sue Schalk (scout) with Warjam's Big Mac Daddy, David Williamson, Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, Jeff Blackwell, Justin Crook with Fast Money, Cindy Weddington, William Weddington, Mike Fox, Weston Fox, Mark Hester, Samantha Huggins (scout) with Blazin Cora of Dixie, Dustin Huggins, Mike Griffin, and Ben Weddington.
The Quail Creek Field Trial Club started the new year by hosting its inaugural field trial at Quail Creek Farm, owned by Ben & Emily Weddington, in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The event consisted of a two-day National Bird Hunters Association walking event, followed immediately by a two-day American Bird Hunters Association horseback event that drew 97 total dogs across the four days and brought together handlers, judges, scouts, and spectators in the gallery from nine different states. The event reflected the deep traditions of bird dogs and field trials in the heart of Middle Tennessee's walking horse country and featured a large gallery of spectators each day. Quail Creek provided an excellent setting for the trial, offering well-prepared grounds with large numbers of Bobwhite quail and a course that flowed through a mixture of large row crop edges and fields of native grasses. Almost every single brace across the four days had bird contact, many with multiple covey finds. Many thanks to our seasoned dog wagon driver, Mr. Mike Griffin (OK), whose invaluable services kept us running like a well-oiled machine. Thanks to everyone else who assisted in making our first time hosting an event such a success. Lastly, a giant thank you goes to Purina and Greg Blair for sponsoring this trial and supporting the great sport of field trialing across the country.
NBHA Open Walking Stakes
The NBHA Open Walking stakes ran on Friday, January 2, in cold, overcast conditions, and kicked off our four days of running.
Beginning with the Open Shooting Dog stake, judged by Mr. Woody Woodruff (TN) and Mr. Kenton Bryant (KY), 15 dogs started at the line. Besting the field of competitors and taking home both the check and a custom silver belt buckle was Warjam's Big Mac Daddy, a black and white male pointer owned by Brad Peterson of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, handled by James Kleve of Paris, Kentucky, and scouted by Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky. Living up to its name, Big Mac Daddy ran a big race and quickly got into birds with its first stylish find coming at the 8-minute mark in a milo strip. From there, Big Mac continued to eat up the big country throughout the brace. In the final minute, Big Mac was 450 yards to the front, running the edge of a soybean field from left to right, still sporting a high, snappy tail. As the final seconds ticked off the judges' clocks, he slammed on point at the furthest end of the field and concluded his brace with an impressive second find on a covey of birds for everyone to see. Hemingway himself couldn't have penned a more exciting ending.
Second place went to Fast Money, a liver and white female pointer handled by Justin Crook for owner Bud Moore, who was almost methodical in both her ground race and bird finding ability, logging several stylish finds and never seeming to tire.
Third place went to the GSP Blazin Cora of Dixie, owned and handled by Dustin Huggins of Russellville, Arkansas, who recorded several nice finds throughout her brace, including one sizable covey in a patch of native grasses, and was delightful to watch on the ground. Every brace of Open Shooting Dog found birds.
Ten derbies came to the line for the NBHA Open Derby stake that ran immediately following the Open Shooting Dog. First place was awarded to CCUK Tar Heel Duke, a black and white setter owned and handled by Bradley Collins of Athens, Tennessee, who was very stylish on the ground, ran a large race with a nice high tail, and recorded a couple of finds in his 30 minutes. Duke was a pleasure to watch from the gallery, and from the looks of it, should have a very successful field trial career in his future.
James Kleve took second place with a fancy setter, Boatright's Renegade, for owner Terry Boatright of Richmond, Kentucky. Crouse's Grouse Feather and owner/handler Mary Sue Schalk took third place, recording several finds, handling well, and laying down a proper ground race.
The Open Puppy stake ended the day with eight entries that were turned loose. Topping the podium was the all-white female setter, Cloverdale's Frozen Fury, owned and handled by Ben Weddington, who ran big for a young puppy and with lots of excitement. She carried a high snappy tail and recorded a find in the final five minutes of her brace that she pursued with no shortage of enthusiasm. CCUK Tar Heel Duke and Bradley Collins were on the podium for a second time that same day, taking home second place after a solid puppy brace.
Third Place was awarded to Outcast Whiskey Neat, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk, who laid down a stylish forward race and sported an enthusiastic tail.
The NBHA Amateur Walking stakes began on Saturday, January 3, under cold, overcast conditions.
The day started with 10 dogs making the starting line in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake, which was judged by professional handlers Mr. Justin Crook (MO) and Mr. James Kleve (KY). Topping the podium for the inaugural trial was the all-white female pointer, Miss Grace, owned and handled by Dan Crunk of Walnut Hill, Illinois. Grace was very stylish on the ground and was always to the front, running a big race with a snappy tail. Miss Grace didn't waste any time getting to work, and her first find came just three minutes after breakaway in a strip of milo. Ten minutes later, she was pointed again, this time along a tree line separating two soybean fields, nailing down a large 15+ bird covey. Her third and final find came in the final minutes of the brace after being absent for several minutes. Her scout was sent, who found her tucked along the edge of some native grasses standing tall on point. Birds were flushed, concluding her brace on a high and very stylish note.
Second Place was awarded to Faith's Maximum Justice, owned and handled by Kenny DeLong of Greenville, Michigan, who put forth a maximum effort in his time on the ground and quickly produced a find at 7. Justice ran every edge and was always to the front. Towards the end of the brace, he appeared to be gone for some time, but as the gallery progressed further and further through a large soybean field, shouts of "Point! Point! Point!" echoed through the air, and he was found standing like a statue at the furthest end of a large field. By the time his handler arrived, the gallery estimated he'd been pointed for over 10 minutes, and it was evident the birds had run. His handler relocated, and Justice quickly locked them down a bit further along the feed strip for an exciting finish to the brace.
Mr. DeLong also took third place honors on the day with his orange and white Brittany, K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot, who tore out from the breakaway like a round out of a 44 Magnum...fast and hot. A few minutes in, he was found on point in the corner, pinning down a small covey of five quail, with his bracemate honoring from behind. Ten minutes later, he pointed on the edge of a milo strip, and despite his bracemate's breach of manners, he held steady for an extended flush by Mr. DeLong that eventually produced a bird just as he began to send the dog on. He finished his allotted time still hunting hard.
The Amateur Derby stake produced six starters and ran immediately following the conclusion of the Shooting Dog. Besting the field and taking first place was the fancy female pointer, Lucy's Just Have Mercy, owned and handled by Kenny DeLong. Mercy laid down a fantastic forward ground race and had multiple bird contacts throughout her 30 minutes. She demonstrated a large amount of natural ability coupled with a balance of both excitement and control, and should make a mighty fine finished dog next year.
Second place went to Outcast Nightshade, a stylish black and white male setter owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk. Nightshade was hard running from the time he was turned loose and never seemed to tire, despite the very large casts he consistently made throughout the brace. Third place also went to owner/handler Mary Sue Schalk, but this time with her orange and white setter, Crouse's Grouse Feather, who was biddable on the ground with several bird contacts.
The day ended with the running of the Amateur Gun Dog stake, which drew six dogs to the line and featured first-time competitors for all three placements. First place was awarded to Sara Adams of Franklin, Tennessee, who handled the orange and white male setter, Cloverdale's American Louis, to top honors. He laid down an excellent ground race and recorded three stylish finds, thoroughly hunting all the most likely pieces of cover and handling well. Their bracemates, Tyler Flatt and his GSP, "Major," took second place and also recorded several finds. It was a highly entertaining brace to watch from the gallery, particularly the very first find, which came five minutes in. It was a divided find, and both judges, along with the gallery, kindly assisted in giving each first-time handler a few pointers on proper protocol after point is called. As the covey of birds flushed and flew off out of sight, neither handler was ready with their blank pistol. After a bit of a pause, the two handlers made up for their prior inaction with excited enthusiasm once calls from the gallery of "Shoot! Shoot your gun!" grew louder and louder. Though a bit confused at first, both "appeared" to catch on with what had been asked of them and proceeded to nearly empty their blank guns for the one find...a feat that was met with cheers from all.
Third place in the stake was awarded to Cloverdale's GA Boy Copper, a very stylish orange and white male English setter owned and handled by Matt Forgione of Brookhaven, Georgia. Copper ran a big forward race and showed excellent manners on his birds, holding point for an extended amount of time on birds tucked in a strip of milo bordering a soybean field.
Many thanks to all!
The walking events concluded on Saturday afternoon. Many were on hand to help with food, dog wagon driving, taking care of children, and keeping the trial in motion. The gratitude is abundant!
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.
Lewisburg, Tenn., January 2
Judges: Kenton Bryant and Woody Woodruff
NBHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 15 Entries
1st-WARJAM'S BIG MAC DADDY, 1692715, pointer male, by Boumeester's Duramax-Oday Nation. Brad Peterson, owner; James Kleve, handler.
2d-FAST MONEY, 1681232, pointer female, by Stash The Cash-Lester's Speed Queen. C. W. & Patty Moore, owners; Justin Crook, handler.
3d-BLAZIN CORA OF DIXIE, unreg., German Shorthair male, breeding not given. Dustin Huggins, owner and handler.
NBHA Walking Open Derby (l-r): Trey Adams, Lilly Adams, Sara Adams, Woody Woodruff, Bradley Collins (handler) with winner CCUK Tar Heel Duke, Ben Weddington, Emory Adams, Anna Katherine Schalk, James Kleve (handler) with Boatright's Renegade, Mary Sue Schalk (handler) with Crouse's Grouse Feather, Samantha Huggins, Kenton Bryant, and Dustin Huggins.
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 3 Pointers, 5 Setters and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-CCUK TAR HEEL DUKE, F1722533, setter male, by Mohawk Mill Lucky Charm-Phillips Moonlite Lily. Bradley & Amanda Collins, owners; Bradley Collins, handler.
2d-BOATRIGHT'S RENEGADE, F1710486, setter male, by Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Terry Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.
3d-CROUSE'S GROUSE FEATHER, F1713380, setter male, by Shagtime Max-GF Southern Belle. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
NBHA Walking Open Puppy (l-r): Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, David Williamson, Ben Weddington (handler) with Cloverdale's Frozen Fury, Cindy Weddington, baby William Weddington, Sara Adams, Emory Adams, Weston Fox, Mike Fox, Mary Sue Schalk (handler) with Outcast Whiskey Neat, and James Kleve. [Second place not pictured].
Judges: Justin Crook and Woody Woodruff
NBHA OPEN PUPPY - 2 Pointers and 6 Setters
1st-CLOVERDALE'S FROZEN FURY, F1724108, setter female, by Cloverdale's American Louis-Hytime Dixie. Ben Weddington, owner and handler.
2d-CCUK TAR HEEL DUKE, F1722533, setter male, by Mohawk Mill Lucky Charm Phillips Moonlite Lily. Bradley & Amanda Collins, owners; Bradley Collins, handler.
3d-OUTCAST WHISKEY NEAT, unreg., pointer male, by Warjam's Big Mac Daddy-Outcast Bar Hopper. Mary Sue Schalk & James Kleve, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
NBHA Walking Amateur Shooting Dog (l-r): Anna Katherine Schalk, Sara Adams, Emory Adams, Mary Sue Schalk, James Kleve, Dan Crunk (handler) with Miss Grace, Matt Veale, Jeff Blackwell, Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, Kenny DeLong (handler) with Faith's Maximum Justice, Ben Weddington, Cindy Weddington, baby William Weddington, Weston Fox, Mike Fox, Tammy DeLong with K Del's Eagle Magnum Hotshot, Mike Griffin, and Mark Hester.
Judges: Justin Crook and James Kleve
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 5 Pointers, 1 Brittany, 2 Irish Setters, and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-MISS GRACE, F1704743, pointer female, by Small's White Charger-Blue Mound's Mainstreet. Dan Crunk, owner and handler.
2d-FAITH'S MAXIMUM JUSTICE, F1660276, pointer male, by Nelson's Van Max-Wild Apple Faith. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.
3d-K DEL'S EAGLE MAGNUM HOTSHOT, F1685770, Brittany male, by Magnum High Velocity-K Del's Eagle's Chance To Soar. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.
NBHA Walking Amateur Derby (l-r): Tammy DeLong, Kenny DeLong (handler) with Lucy's Just Have Mercy, Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, Ben Weddington (scout) with Outcast Nightshade, Sara Adams, Lilly Adams, Anna Katherine Schalk, Cindy Weddington, and Mary Sue Schalk (handler) with Crouse's Grouse Feather.
Judges: Justin Crook and Hunter Payne
NBHA AMATEUR DERBY - 2 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-LUCY'S JUST HAVE MERCY, F1723542, pointer female, by Highbanks Final Justice-Highbanks Diamond Lucy. Kenric J. DeLong, owner and handler.
2d-OUTCAST NIGHTSHADE, F1710487, setter male, by Boatright's Maverick-Stardust Outcast Coco. Mary Sue Schalk, owner and handler.
3d-CROUSE'S GROUSE FEATHER, F1713380, setter male, by Shagtime Max-GF Southern Belle. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
NBHA Walking Amateur Gun Dog (l-r): Joe Johnson Jr., Trey Adams, William Weddington, Lilly Adams, Sara Adams (handler) with Cloverdale's American Louis, Emory Adams, Ann German, Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, Tyler Flatt (handler) with Major, Matt Forgione (handler) with Cloverdale's GA Boy Copper, Cindy Weddington, and Anna Katherine Schalk.
Judges: Justin Crook and James Kleve
NBHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 4 Setters and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-CLOVERDALE'S AMERICAN LOUIS, F1679461, setter male, by Skydancer Dancing Spur-Skydancer Celtic Fire. Ben Weddington, owner; Sara Adams, handler.
2d-MAJOR, unreg., German Shorthair male, breeding not given. Tyler Flatt, owner and handler.
3d-CLOVERDALE'S GA BOY COPPER, F1700436, setter male, by Cloverdale's American Louis-Smoky Mountain Kate. Matthew Forgione, owner and handler.
ABHA Horseback Trial
Immediately following its NBHA Walking Trial, the club held its inaugural ABHA Horseback Trial, which began on Sunday morning, January 4, starting with the Amateur Shooting Dog stake. Temperatures were cold and crisp to start, but warmed throughout the morning as the sun poked through. It turned out to be a marvelous day to run dogs, and the great weather encouraged a strong gallery of 40+ spectators for the afternoon braces, nearly all of whom followed the action on horseback, adding to the classic atmosphere of the event. A giant thank you goes to Mr. Woody Woodruff, his wife Emily, and his children, Sterling and Vivian, for catering lunch for a crowd of 50+ on Sunday afternoon and for coordinating such a giant gallery of riders.
Besting the field of 14 competitors in the Amateur Shooting Dog stake and taking home first place honors along with a custom silver belt buckle was the orange and white female setter, Hytime Dixie, owned and handled by Ben Weddington of Brentwood, Tennessee. Dixie ran a giant forward race and sported a high, snappy tail as she hy-tailed it through the country. Around the 11-minute mark, Dixie was last seen racing along a bean field edge to the front, but had been gone from sight for quite some time. As her handler rounded a corner and entered the next field, extremely animated shouts of "Point! Point!" were heard echoing back to the gallery. What appeared to be a white speck over 600 yards into the next field was Dixie standing tall on point. Her handler flushed and produced a covey of quail. A few minutes later, on the south side of the creek, came her second find, again pinning a covey of birds and slamming on point for all to see. In the brace's final minutes, Dixie was last seen speeding south through a field of native grass towards the edge of a cornfield. As the final seconds ticked off the judges' clocks, her handler rode through an opening into the cornfield and found her pointed for the third and final time along the southernmost edge. She showed impeccable manners as a hen and rooster pair took flight, painting a picture-perfect ending to her run.
Second place went to the white female pointer, Crouse's Tennessee Game Kate, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky. Kate, too, had an excellent forward race and produced several stylish pieces of bird work; her first find came at 12, when she pointed a small covey of birds in the grass under a large cedar tree. Soon after, she was found honoring her bracemate and followed that up with another beautiful find at 18. Her last piece of bird work came at 26 after crossing the creek. Kate was found at the far end of a cut bean field, pointed under a blown-over tree, and after an extended flush, her handler produced several quail that took flight. She finished the brace, still hunting hard.
Third place was awarded to Shepherd's Blackbull, a black and white male setter owned and handled by Ronnie Rogers of New Market, Tennessee. Blackbull was fast running and carried a high tail as he ate up the ground. His first find came as his handler entered the old logging road and found him pointed in the woods, an unlikely-looking spot for a bird. Trusting his dog's nose and staunch demeanor, Mr. Rogers proceeded to flush and, sure enough, produced a quail, much to the delight of the gallery. A few minutes later, Blackbull was pointed again up front in the edge of a milo patch. His bracemate came in hot and failed to honor, weaving in/out of the milo and circling the pointed setter several times before he was finally caught. Blackbull remained steady, and birds were produced once his handler proceeded to flush. Towards the end of his brace, Blackbull pointed again along the creekbank, but his handler pointed out a fresh pile of feathers from a hawk-kill and took him on. Bull ended his brace still hunting hard.
Besting a field of 10 starters for the Open Derby was Bryant's Princess Kate, owned by Jill Bryant of Glasgow, Kentucky, and handled by Kenton Bryant. The orange and white pointer female ran a strong forward race with several giant casts along the course's large cropfield edges. She was steady to wing and shot on her game and recorded two nice finds, sporting a high head and tail for both. Kate covered the ground light of foot with style and grace, truly showing potential for becoming a strong field trial dog.
Earning second place for owner Brian Kennedy of Shelby, Iowa, was Hackberry's Boone. Handled by Justin Crook, Boone is a powerful young liver and white pointer male, who was forward most of his half hour. He got stronger throughout the brace and finished with a nice, large cast to the front.
High Drive Zero rounded out the Horseback Open Derby placements. A liver-and-white pointer male, he is owned by Allen Linder of Livingston, Tennessee, and was handled by Buddy Morrison of McMinnville, Tennessee. Zero handled well and was stylish on the ground, sporting a high, snappy tail throughout his brace. The number of birds that had accumulated throughout the weekend prevented him from really stretching out, but he did demonstrate a strong prey drive throughout his half hour and laid down several very nice casts.
Eighteen dogs started at the line for the Open Horseback Shooting Dog stake. Topping the podium and taking home the custom silver belt buckle was the white female pointer, Crouse's Tennessee Game Kate, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk. After taking second place in the Amateur Shooting Dog the day before, Kate really turned it on and laid down a spectacular performance Sunday morning. Over 30 minutes, she had five bird contacts, with her handler finding her standing in a fence row 600 yards to the front for find No. 5. With all in order, birds were raised, and the gun was fired just as time ran out. Kate was always to the front and ran a giant race.
The female setter, Hytime Dixie, returned to the podium, earning second place for owner/handler Ben Weddington. She again demonstrated her strong bird-finding ability and her willingness to work with her handler. With three finds in her 30 minutes, Dixie once again demonstrated that she is a strong bird dog who covers the ground constantly in search of game.
Handler Justin Crook once again handled a dog in the money, with Chelsea's Thunderstruck placing third in the stake. Owned by Brad Sadler of Port Royal, South Carolina, the liver and white pointer male is no stranger to the winners' circle. He was biddable and carded a couple of solid finds during his time on the ground. Stylish and always forward, Thunderbolt also demonstrated qualities of a desired bird dog for anyone's string.
Many thanks to all!
For the very first event at Quail Creek Farm, we could not have asked for anything better! The Weddington Family went above and beyond with their hospitality and provided quality field trial grounds. This event will be an annual occasion and one to look forward to.
ABHA Horseback Amateur Shooting Dog (l-r): Sara Adams, Lilly Adams, Trey Adams, Cole Smith, Ben Weddington with Hytime Dixie, Emily Weddington, Charlotte Weddington, baby William Weddington, Anna Katherine Schalk, Sidney Hedgepeth, Mary Sue Schalk with Crouse's Tennessee Game Kate, Emory Adams, Mackenzie Waddell, James Kelve, Ronnie Rogers with Shepherd's Blackbull, and Miles Smith.
Judges: Justin Crook and James Kleve
ABHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 10 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-HYTIME DIXIE, F1682354, setter female, by Hytest Palladin-Wynona's Bohawk Dixie. Ben Wedington, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S TENNESSEE GAME KATE, F1685162, pointer female, by Game Wardon-Tennessee Coldwater Pearl. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
3d-SHEPHERD'S BLACKBULL, F1701279, setter male, by Daphne's Gage-Katlyn's Jan. William Rogers, owner and handler.
ABHA Horseback Open Derby (l-r): James Kleve, Justin Crook (handler) with Hackberry's Boone and Mike Griffin (owner), Brooke Burgess (scout) with High Drive Zero and Buddy Morrison (handler). [First place not pictured].
Judges: Ben Weddington and James Kleve
ABHA OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers, 2 Setters, and 2 German Shorthairs
1st-BRYANT'S PRINCESS KATE, F1719742, pointer female, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. Jill Bryant, owner; Kenton Bryant, handler.
2d-HACKBERRY'S BOONE, F1708403, pointer male, by Hackberry's Elhew Chief-Deep Creek Katydid. Brian Kennedy, owner; Justin Crook, owner; Justin Crook, handler.
3d-HIGH DRIVE ZERO, F1714513, pointer male, by Miller's Triple Digit Heat-Windy Hill Shadow Dancer. Allen R. Linder, owner; Buddy Morrison, handler.
ABHA Horseback Open Shooting Dog (l-r): Mary Sue Schalk with Crouse's Tennessee Game Kate, Buddy Morrison, Anna Katherine Schalk, Ben Weddington with Hytime Dixie, Tyler Herndon, and James Kleve with Chelsea's Thunderstruck.
Judges: Tyler Herndon and Buddy Morrison
ABHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 13 Pointers and 5 Setters
1st-CROUSE'S TENNESSEE GAME KATE, F1685162, pointer female, by Game Wardon-Tennessee Coldwater Pearl. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
2d-HYTIME DIXIE, F1682354, setter female, by Hytest Palladin-Wynona's Bohawk Dixie. Ben Wedington, owner and handler.
3d-CHELSA'S THUNDERSTRUCK, F1697295, pointer male, by Chelsea's Thunder Bolt-Double Wild. Brad Sadler, owner; Justin Crook, handler.