Result: Reelfoot Field Trial Club

Location: Kevil, Kentucky

Post Date: Dec 27, 2019

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

Amateur All-Age Winners. From left: Luke MacLean, Mary Sue Schalk with Crouse's White Dragon, Sandy MacLean, judge; Vincent Major with Crouse's Samuri Warlord, Mike Crouse, David Hendricks with Pleasant Run Gal, Brayden Campbell and Greg Veatch, judge.
KEVIL, KY. -- Saturday, November 9, proved to be another great day for a horseback field trial in Kevil, Ky., at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area. Both an All-Age and Derby were drawn to fill the day with competition. Eight pointers were drawn in the All-Age Stake, and seven pointers plus one setter rounded out the Derby field. We are appreciative of our participants, entries, dog wagon driver and judges for the event.

Sandy MacLean of Grand Blanc, Mich., served as a judge for the All-Age Stake. Mr. MacLean's bird dog history includes guiding, judging, training and competing in horseback events. He rode attentively during the event and we appreciate the time he gave to this weekend trial.

Joining Sandy was Greg Veatch of Kevil, Ky. Mr. Veatch has been a fixture at the West Kentucky WMA, and we can count on him anytime for anything. He has been an active competitor, judge and volunteer for our events for many years. We will never be able to thank him enough for all he does for our sport in Western Kentucky. The judging panel was certainly highly accredited.

John Russell ran his pointer female Hilltopper's Debutante with Mike Crouse and pointer male Crouse's Samuri Warlord in the first hour of the Amateur All-Age. Both canine athletes worked diligently for their handlers. Warlord covered the country with a powerful stride, keeping the group looking forward for him at the front at each turn. His ground race earned him the second place spot. Debutante was biddable and finished her hour for her handler.

Russell returned in the second brace with Hilltopper's Top Dog, first year pointer male. Alan Benson, his bracemate, handled his first year pointer female Crouse's Skiptomylu. The two young dogs were excited to be out and about but stayed close throughout the hour. Russell harnessed early, while Benson completed the sixty minutes with Skiptomylu.

In the third brace, Benson ran his pointer male Crouse's Iron Man, paired with his older brother Crouse's Equalizer, owned and handled by Mike Crouse. The two handsome white and black dogs ran forward and strong.

Both finished their hour on this Saturday.

In the final hour, Pleasant Run Gal, pointer female owned and handled by David Hendricks, was paired with Crouse's White Dragon, pointer male owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk. Flashy on the ground, the canine athletes hunted with purpose throughout the hour. The final brace of the stake produced the winner. Pleasant Run Gal, with Crouse's White Dragon placing third.

The youngsters in the Derby Stake were ready to hit the ground full speed ahead when their time came. Alan Benson stepped in to judge for Sandy MacLean during this stake. Crouse's Code Red bested the field in his first horseback field trial event. Much like his older brother, Crouse's Equalizer, he is a freight train to the front. He showed the gallery his future is going to be bright with big forward swings, smooth hunting patterns and responsiveness to owner-handler Mike Crouse. Crouse's Heart of Dixon put on the second place performance in his second field trial competition, also owned and handled by Crouse. Mary Sue Schalk swooped in for third with Crouse's Relentless, a littermate to the first place dog.

The Reelfoot Field Trial Club extends our thanks to Purina for sponsoring the Ohio Valley Field Trial Circuit. We also appreciate all the quality people who help with events in Kevil, Ky. Thank you to judges Sandy MacLean, Greg Veatch and Alan Benson. As always we appreciate Terry Allen who stepped in to fill the dog wagon driver's spot at the last minute for this trial. Vincent Major was a Johnny on the spot, helping Mr. Allen and riding front in the Derby Stake at his first ever field trial! Luke MacLean was also a very helpful member of the support crew in the dog wagon. Tim Krehr and Wes Mason are topnotch employees of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife who keep our six courses up to par for our events. We are blessed in Western Kentucky and look forward to our next event! Please note, our next trial will be held the weekend of January 25, 2020. Merry Christmas and happiest of New Years!

Kevil, Ky., November 9

Judges: Sandy MacLean and Greg Veatch

AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] -- 8 Pointers

1st--PLEASANT RUN GAL, 1668686, female, by Mercer Mill Moon--Pleasant Run Jillian. David Hendricks, owner and handler.

2d--CROUSE'S SAMURI WARLORD, 1651395, male, by Crouse's White Samuri--Crouse's Calico Shadow. M. D. Crouse, owner and handler.

3d--CROUSE'S WHITE DRAGON, 1673939, male, by Crouse's Zippidy Do--Crouse's Funseeker Dragon. M. D. Crouse, owner; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.

Judges: Alan Benson and Greg Veatch

AMATEUR DERBY -- 7 Pointers and 1 Setter

1st--CROUSE'S CODE RED, 1685394, pointer male, by Crouse's Ebony Masterpiece--Crouse's Gerri Wind. M. D. Crouse, owner and handler.

2d--CROUSE'S HEART OF DIXON, 1685395, pointer male, by Crouse's Kentucky Wind--Crouse's Dark Angel. M. D. Crouse, owner and handler.

3d--CROUSE'S RELENTLESS, 1685397, pointer male, by Crouse's Ebony Masterpiece--Crouse's Gerri Wind. M. D. Crouse, owner; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.