Result: Sedgefields Youth Field Trial

Location: Union Springs, Alabama

Post Date: Apr 19, 2023

Submitted By: Maria Bassham and Darron Hendley

February 18, 2023 - Greenway Sportsman Club

Sedgefields Youth Trial was held at the beautiful Greenway Sportsman Club grounds just outside Union Springs, Ala., on February 18, 2023. Eighteen canine athletes were entered and run by nine enthusiastic kids ranging in age from eleven to sixteen. Sixteen entries were pointers and two were German Shorthairs. Weather couldn't have been any better and the grounds were immaculate. Every dog had bird work.

A huge thank you goes out to Mike Green for allowing these kids to run on the club grounds. Mike's lovely and charming wife Jan provided a wonderful warm lunch. Birthday cake was served to celebrate Addison McDuffie's 15th Birthday! Justin Green marshalled the entire stake. Maria Bassham graciously served as official reporter. Chris Sellers of Selmer, Tenn., generously paid all the entry fees for the kids and for that we are extremely grateful. It is the love and support of fellow field trialers like these that keep this great sport alive.

Thank you to the judges, well known amatuier handler Bill Owen from Santa Barbara, Cal., and local bird dog enthusiast David Miller, for spending their time in the saddle. They gave their complete attention to the action and watched these kids and dogs hard at work. Both judges commented at the end of the day that they had never had so much fun at a field trial! It was truly a special day. We were all pleasantly surprised when the gallery count got up to 60 riders for the afternoon braces. We love seeing the support and encouragement for all these kids doing what they love.

THE RUNNING
The first brace of the morning was Ella Grace Montgomery with her female pointer, "Rook," running with Katie Bell Varner and her male pointer, "Sam." Ella Grace had the first find with birds up at 5.5. Katie Bell had the next one at 7.5 and a covey rise. Ella Grace had her second find at 13. She relocated Rook but moved out on her own and continued her race.

Brace No. 2 was Claire Street with her male pointer, "Clay," and Ella Grace Montgomery with her female pointer, "Belle." Clay had his first find at 2.5. His next find was at the top of the hill at 6.5. He had one last find at 17, and birds took flight

Brace No. 3 was Reese Green, with female pointer "Ann," and Claire Street and "Cole," her male pointer. Ann had her first find at 7. She relocated herself, and birds got up when Reese flushed the second time. She had her second find at 13 and her last one at 16.5. Birds were seen both times.

Brace 4 Kira Jenkins with her male pointer, Knot, and Addison McDuffie with male pointer, Lou. Knot handled well and was pleasing to watch. He had 3 clean finds at 10, 13, and 17.

Brace 5 Hayes Green with male pointer, Jack, and Sterling Woodruff with female pointer, Mae. Both dogs stopped for a divided find at 1 minute 15 seconds. Jack was backing Mae. They both stopped a second time at 5 minutes, facing each other. Sterling flushed a covey. Mae had her last find at 8. She was tapped on her head to relocate, and birds got up after her reposition. Hayes and Jack had one last find right as time was called. He relocated but had a U/P.

Brace 6 Sterling Woodruff with male pointer, Sammy, and Shelby Street and her pointer female, Jenny. Jenny started the brace with a find at 4 and birds up. Both dogs had a divided find at 11 with Jenny flushing a covey and Shelby firing her gun. She had her last find at 14. Sammy had a point at 17. He was relocated with the whistle, but ended with a U/P.

Brace 7 Addison McDuffie with male pointer, Rebel, and Reese Green with her German Shorthair female, Josie. Rebel had 4 finds at 2, 6, 8, and 12. Josie had 2 finds at 8 and 14.

Brace 8 Katie Bell Varner with female pointer, Sassy, and Kira Jenkins with male pointer, Jag. Sassy pointed immediately at 30 seconds after release with birds up. She had her last find at 18 also producing birds. Jag stopped for a covey that took flight, but Kira never dismounted. Jag continued his race.

Brace 9 Shelby Street with female pointer, Belle, and Hayes Green and his GSP male, Bo. Both dogs stopped immediately at start of brace with a divided find. Bo had a covey rise and shot was fired. Hayes and Bo had 4 finds at 5, 11, 17, and 19. Birds were seen all 4 finds. Belle had a find at 3 with a relocation, but Belle continued on her own. She had another find at 9 with judges seeing birds. She stopped at 12 but relocated and moved on again. She had one last find at 17 and ended the brace chasing the one, single quail across the field.
THE WINNERS
Sterling Woodruff came all the way from Shelbyville, Tennessee to take first place with his three-year-old female pointer "Mae". Sterling and Mae also took "Top Dog" in the Junior Division for handlers twelve and under. Sterling's father, Woody, would make a good showing with Mae in the National Amateur Free for All Championship the following week. Second place honors went to "Knot" handled by Kira Jenkins from Thomasville, Ga. Kira has already placed in two Alabama Youth Trials this season. Union Springs native Reese Green returned to the winners' circle for the second time this season also with her female German Shorthair, Josie.
Even though there are only four recognized placements, every one of these youngsters are winners! Congratulations to every one of them for a job well done!

Front row from left: Sterling Woodruff with Mae, Kira Jenkins with Knot and Reese Green with Josie. Back row from left: Woody Woodruff,, Woody Woodruff, Jr.., Robert Moorer, Jeffery Arnold, Darron Hendley, Judge Bill Owen, Justin Green, Mike Green and Judge David Miller.