Result: National Derby Championship

Location: Greensboro, Alabama

Post Date: May 1, 2023

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

The National Field Trial Club commenced The National Derby Championship on January 27th, 2023 at the acclaimed grounds of M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area in Greensboro, Ala. This distinguished field trial shows the future competitors of our beloved sport, and the grounds at the "Cattle Ranch" are the perfect venue to watch these young dogs really go. It was truly an honor to report this prestigious trial for the second year in a row. I look forward to the opportunity and these derbies never cease to amaze me.

Patty Sexton of Selma, Ala., Olivia Alison, and Fontaine Alison both from Birmingham, Ala., and Paula Pope of Uniontown, Ala., provided the food and hospitality. These ladies entertained in true southern fashion and a good time was had by all. The club treated everybody for a delicious dinner at the Red Barn the first night of running and needless to say there is not a bad meal at that establishment. Schley Rutherford, Ruthann Epp, Jennifer McKemie, and Bill Mason do an excellent job putting on this trial, it is a lot of work and their efforts are greatly appreciated.

Resident dog wagon driver John Henry Kitchens did an excellent job manning the dog wagon, he guarded all of the road crossings, made sure the dogs arrived at every breakaway and delivered the refreshments. There are not enough thanks to Purina for sponsoring the trial, if trials did not have the support from Purina, they would not be possible. The Epp family donated the trophy for the Champion and John Ivester donated the Runner-up trophy, these trophies were certainly a prize for the winners. A portrait of the winner by Alabama artist Mary McPherson was also included in the winnings of the champion. Without further ado let me give recognition to our honorable judges; David Russell, Como, MS and Stegan Smith, Corinth, Miss. They road hard and were very observant to every dog and handler.

The Running
Tee's Crazy Train owned by Neil Walker and Brian Sanchez and handled by Tracy Swearingen and Southern Thunder owned by Chris Campbell and handled by Tom Shenker approached the line in the brisk 30 degrees for the 1st brace. Crazy Train, a stout orange and white pointer male had a back at 53, a solid find at 56 and was picked up at the 76-minute mark. Thunder, an orange and white pointer male had a superior strong front running ground race with a perfect find at 53, an unproductive at 61, and a stylish find at 80. Thunder had a strong finish and was named Runner-Up Champion for his great performance.

Five60 Breakout owned by Burke and Guy Hendrix and handled by Judd Carlton and Haney's Silver Dollar owned by Chris Cagle and handled by Ike Todd came to the line for the 2nd brace. Breakout had a strong ground race and finished without bird work. Dollar, an orange and white pointer male had a classy ground race and three picture perfect finds at 9, 45 and 62. Dollar was awarded Champion for his stellar performance.

It was 55 degrees at breakaway for the 3rd brace when Beeler's White Knight owned by Charles and Scott Beeler and handled by Scott Beeler and Clear Creek Jim owned by Gene and Reed Brown and handled by Judd Carlton advanced toward the line. Knight had finds at 27, 37 and was picked up at the 54-minute mark. Jim had two clean finds at 37, 53, an unproductive at 71 and was picked up at 75 after a second unproductive.

Miller's King Post owned by Jannie Chapman and handled by Gary Lester and Erin's Rambling Fever owned by Alan Linder and handled by Luke Eisenhart turned loose for the 4th brace. Post had a find at 6 and the handler asked for the tracker at 31. Fever had a back at 6 and was ordered up at 25 after failing to be steady after the flush.

It was another brisk 35-degree morning at breakaway for the 5th brace. Nighthawk's Rebel owned by Longpine Plantation and handled by Tracy Swearingen and Touch's Patch Adams owned by Gordy Jones and handled by Ike Todd proceeded toward the line. The pointer males finished the 90-minute brace without bird work.

Mayfield Storm Charger owned by Scott Mason and Jake Davis and handled by Gary Lester and Rester's Johnny Ringo owned by Cecil Rester and handled by Luke Eisenhart turned loose for the 6th brace. Charger, an orange and white pointer male had three nice finds at 10, 32 and 36, an unproductive at 40, and backs at 59 and 80. Ringo, another fine orange and white pointer male had a superior find at 22, a back at 32, and two clean finds at 59 and 80.

It was 59 degrees at breakaway for the 7th brace when Rester's Cajun Spirit owned by Allen Linder and handled by Judd Carlton and Haney's All In owned by Chris Cagle and handled by Ike Todd came to the line. Spirit had flawless finds at 27 and 60. All In had two superb finds at 16, 47, a back at 60 and a find at 78.
Greensboro, Ala., January 27 - One Course
Judges: David Russell and Stegan Smith
NATIONAL DERBY CHAMPIONSHP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 14 Pointers
Winner-HANEY'S SILVER DOLLAR, 1698758, pointer male, by Ransom-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle, owner; Ike Todd, handler.
Runner-Up-SOUTHERN THUNDER, 1695471, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-Brysons' Dialing On Line. Chris Campbell, owner; T om Shenker, handler.

National Derby Championship. Scott Beeler with Haney's Silver Dollar, Jennifer McKemie with Southern Thunder. Second row, Ike Todd, Ruthann Epp, Connie Hicks, Tom Shenker. Third row Davis Russell-judge, Stegen Smith--judge, Gary Lester, Morgan Brewer--reporter. Fourth row Bill Mason, Fontaine Alison, Schley Rutherford, Charlie Etheridge, Kirsten Givhan, unknown participant.