Result: Pony Express and High Plains Field Trial Clubs

Location: Gentry, Missouri

Post Date: May 28, 2019

Submitted By: Steve Auxier

Heartland Amateur All-Age Winners. In foreground, from left: Jay Lewis with S F Bandwagon, Tommy Smith and daughter with Touch's Grey Street and Ken Sanderson with The Kansas Wind. Standing: Larry Smith, Thomas Smith, Kirk Swanson and Steve Auxier, the judges, and Ryan.
GENTRY, MO. -- The Pony Express Club members consisting of Eddie Berendzen, Kirk Swanson, Larry Smith, Linda Smith, Tommy Smith, Terry Doolittle and Steve Auxier came together and hosted their spring trial. This trial was not only highlighted by amazing performances but also maintained the camaraderie that everyone looks forward to each spring at Smith Farms. Thanks to all the handlers for their support of the Pony Express Field Trial Club.

The judges this year were Tommy Smith, Barry Ward, Kirk Swanson and Steve Auxier. The Pony Express Field Trial Club was truly honored to have these fine gentlemen in the judging seats.

The judges had many great performances with multiple pieces of bird work. The judges noted they enjoyed the field trial, grounds, nice dogs, hospitality from the Pony Express Club and a very competitive field trial.

The High Plains Amateur All-Age (16 entries) featured a competitive stake as many showed the qualities of the extreme range, all-age independence, style and quality manners on their finds. The judges mentioned several nice performances and that it was very exciting to judge. The first and second place dogs were braced together, an exciting brace to watch. Touch's Grey Street, handled by Keith Wright, ran an all-age forward race with several mannerly pieces of bird work with a nice limb find at time to earn first. Second placed Thin Ice, handled by Kirk Swanson, displayed a nice all-age race, was credited with several finds with manners all in order.

Dialed In, handled by Jim Pendergest, which secured the Top Purina Amateur All-Age spot, placed third showing all-age range and independence with several stylish finds. The PEFTC trials attracted the current top two amateur all-age dogs competing for the Purina Amateur All- Age Dog of the Year Award.

The Open All-Age Derby (8 entries) had many nice performances as noted by the judges. The stake showed many great ground performances and bird work showing these youngsters showing top all-age potential. Taking the top honors was Intensive Chain Breaker, handled by Steve Auxier. The nice pointer showed extreme all-age range on the ground and was seen at time on a long cast to the front. Placed second was Intensive First Blood (Auxier) which put down several all-age casts and finished to the front for the judges at time. Intensive Rocket Queen had a good ground performance with several all-age casts to finish to the front to secure third place.

The Heartland Amateur All-Age (16 entries) was noted as a very competitive stake as many showed the qualities of the extreme range, all-age independence, and great quality bird work.

The judges mentioned several nice performances and said it was very exciting to judge as the winner came from the final brace.

S F Bandwagon, handled by Larry Smith, was credited with several limb finds with an extreme race to the front to be awarded first. Bandwagon was noted running into the wind with a good finish. Touch's Grey Street, handled by Keith Wright. This young male made several nice all-age casts with several mannerly finds and was exciting to watch. Third was The Kansas Wind (Sanderson) which ran an all-age forward race with three nice pieces of bird work with manners in order.

Gentry, Mo., April 18

Judges: Steve Auxier and Tommy Smith

HIGH PLAINS AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] -- 16 Pointers

1st--TOUCH'S GREY STREET, 1680120, male, by Touch's Knight Rider--Touch's White Assault. Keith Wright, owner and handler.

2d--THIN ICE, 1654100, female, by Westfall's Jump Starter--Black Bama. Kirk Swanson, owner and handler.

3d--DIALED IN, 1655274, female, by Miller's Dialing In--Rester's Zumba Girl. Jim Pendergest, owner and handler.

High Plains Amateur All-Age Winners. In foreground, from left: Jim Pendergest with Dialed In, Kirk Swanson with Thin Ice and Keith Wright with Touch's Grey Street. Behind is Judge Steve Auxier.
Judges: Tommy Smith and Barry Ward

OPEN DERBY -- 8 Pointers

1st--INTENSIVE CHAIN BREAKER, 1675497, female, by S F Bandwagon--S F Rushhour. Steve Auxier, owner and handler.

2d--INTENSIVE FIRST BLOOD, 1682117, male, by Working Class--Nemaha Nell. Steve Auxier, owner and handler.

3d--INTENSIVE ROCKET QUEEN, 1679065, female, by S F Bandwagon--S F Rushhour. Steve Auxier, owner and handler.

Pony Express Open Derby Winners. From left: Kirk Swanson with Intensive Rocket Queen, Thomas Smith, Steve Auxier with Intensive First Blood and Keith Wright with Intensive Chain Breaker.

Judges: Steve Auxier and Kirk Swanson

HEARTLAND AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] -- 15 Pointers

and 1 German Shorthair

1st--S F BANDWAGON, 1656543, pointer male, by Funseeker's Rebel--Deep Creek Rose. Larry Smith, owner and handler.

2d--TOUCH'S GREY STREET, 1680120, male, by Touch's Knight Rider--Touch's White Assault. Keith Wright, owner and handler.

3d--THE KANSAS WIND, 1654165, German Shorthair female, by Slicks Cuttin Wild--S M Queen Flush. Ken Sanderson, owner and handler.