Event: One Day Queen Bee Named Champion; Osceola's Rebel Chief, Runner-Up
Result: National Amateur Free-for-All Championship

Location: Union Springs, Alabama

Post Date: May 10, 2023

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

National Amateur Free-For-All Championship Winners (from left): One Day Queen Bee with Lane Hodges and Osceola's Rebel Chief with Ted Roach, joined by Brian Sanderson, Joe Varner, Darron Hendley, George Kimbrell (judge), Roger Key, Darcy Hodges (scout), Steve Hutto, Morgan Brewer (reporter), Brian Spear (judge), Hunter McDuffie, Julie Roach, Brian Sanchez (scout), Harrison Lee, Pat Roach, Bill Lee, Anna Grace Tompkins, Alan Atkins, Shirley Varner, and Ben Chancellor.

February 22 is the most anticipated date for the field trial community; it is the commencement of the 73rd annual National Amateur Free-For-All Championship. This memorable Championship is held at the famous Sedgefields Plantation in Union Springs, Ala., also known as the Field Trial Capital of the World. This historic Championship would not be possible without the continued support from Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Harbert. The Harberts graciously offer their field trial haven to the community year after year, and if it were not for landowners like them, our beloved sport would cease to exist. It takes a village to host and put on a Championship of this magnitude. Jason Howard, Bill Lee, Chance Kelley, and the rest of the team at Sedgefields do a phenomenal job manicuring the grounds to be the best to ever turn a bird dog loose in America.

The National Amateur Free-For-All board consists of fifteen members; each member plays a key role in the success of this Championship, and each year it runs like a finely tuned instrument. Rick Stallings, the board's resident president, is the head chief; his dedication and time are paramount to keeping the event running smoothly. The secretary is none other than Shirley Varner; she does it all and with a smile. Notable members that served as marshals include Alan Atkins, Darron Hendley, Harold Johnson, Roger Key, Hunter McDuffie, Robert Moorer, Brian Peterson, and Hunter Smith. Chance Kelley and Harrison Lee were also in attendance serving as marshals, and each participant greatly appreciated their efforts. Board member Lisa Littell, a local attorney at Jinks Crow in Union Springs, Ala., provided the judges and reporter a gift basket full of necessities and goodies that were highly valued.

Steve Hutto and Bo Brewer won the Dog Wagon Captain and Co-Captain of the Year awards. The "Dynamic Duo" made sure each dog was accounted for and arrived on time, and the wagon was stocked full of snacks and refreshments each day. They offered interesting conversations between braces and were always at the right place and time. Harold Johnson serves as a marshal, manages the barn during the trial, and is always willing to lend the officials a helping hand or horse. Bullock County native and field trial enthusiast Anna Grace Tompkins was a sight for sore eyes at the end of each day. She diligently washed the officials' horses for the trial, and her meticulous attention and promptness were appreciated.

Judges for this esteemed trial were George Kimbrell of Fort Mill, S. C., and Brian Spear of Lowndesboro, Ala. Kimbrell returned for his second consecutive year while Spear made his debut. They rode hard and were very attentive to every dog and handler. I thoroughly enjoyed their knowledge as well as their enthusiasm for the sport.

Purina donates four bags of dog food to the champion, three bags of dog food to the runner-up champion, and two bags of dog food to the Top Qualifying Dog. Purina and Greg Blair are tremendous assets to this Championship and the sport. Garmin donates a tracking collar to the champion and the runner-up champion. Union Springs Home Center donated gifts for the judges and the reporter. There can never be enough thanks for the generosity of these sponsors.

Connie Hicks, April Sanderson, Jan Servais, Molly Darnell, and I prepared heavy hors d'oeuvres for the pre-drawing on February 16. Renee Peek was sorely missed this year; however, we had several volunteers to step up and serve. Among those was Anna Grace Tompkins. It's incredible how the community comes together for these parties.

A delicious breakfast was provided daily, prepared by two lovely ladies, and sponsored by the Tourism Council of Bullock County. The list is endless of businesses, owners, handlers, and well-wishers that make donations to this welcomed meal. Their contributions go toward the food, the hiring of smiling chefs, and the welcome signs and banners that are hung in town. The Union Springs Country Club prepared lunch daily on the grounds, and it was a delight to see Ginny Allen and her staff after a long morning of riding.

The nightly social events began at the "Kick-Off Party," honoring Mrs. Bootie Smitherman and Mrs. Ginger Austin at the home of Van and Christy Wadsworth on Wednesday night. Christy and Van Wadsworth hosted this event along with Ginny and David Allen, Colleen and Ken Buce, Charlotte and Lynn Jinks, David Padgett, Jane Rutland, Elizabeth and Burt Smithhart, Allison and Ban Stewart, Leigh and Josh Taylor, Susan Wells, and Kara Williamson. Thursday, the Owners' and Handlers' Party was held at the Field House and was sponsored by AmeriFirst Bank. Everyone was invited to the Union Springs Country Club Friday night to participate in the Draw Down and Dance. A steak dinner and dance were held at the Field House hosted by Raymond and Catherine Harbert on Saturday night. Chefs Bo Brewer, Justin Green, and Robert Moorer did an excellent job preparing and cooking the steaks. The anticipated "Friends' Party" was held on Monday night at the home of Hunter and Addie Smith. Hunter and Addie graciously opened up their beautiful home and hosted the event along with Jimmy and Catherine Bassett, Andy and Beverly Callaway, Pete and Chris Del Collo, Brandy Gilmore, Anderson and Laura Hembree, Kevin and Maureen Joyce, Charles and Heather Klinck, Jim and Jane Klingler, Tom and Sue Ellen Lanier, Tommy and Renita Main, Frank Moorer, Frank and Colleen Rutland, Brian and Brooke Sanchez, Jim and Sandra Smith, Joe and Shirley Varner, and Winston and Laura Way. The food was exceptional, and all had a glorious time. Tuesday evening, Tony and Becky Gibson hosted a barbeque at the Field House that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Day 1
There is no greater thrill than to hear "turn 'em loose" at the breakaway of the first brace. It was 69 degrees when Ascension, owned and handled by Ted Roach, and Southern Shadows Wave, owned and handled by Lance Servais, came to the line. Ascension, a liver and white pointer male, finished the brace without any bird work. Wave had a good ground race and a clean find at 20, earning him a spot in the callbacks.

Sandhill Maybaby, owned and handled by former youth handler Braden Renfroe, and Sehoy's Run Happy, owned by Sehoy Plantation and handled by Hunter McDuffie, turned loose for brace No. 2. May had finds at 18 and 25, and Happy had finds at 24 and 39.

Running in brace No. 3 was Erin's Young Offender, owned by Roger Key, Alan Atkins, and Phil Tomlinson and handled by Roger Key, and C S Plains Drifter, owned by Tony Gibson and handled by Bill Clem. Offender had an unproductive at 18 and was picked up at 39. Plains Drifter was ordered up at 16 after a breach in manners.

Hirollins Bad Boy, owned and handled by Brian Sanchez, and Smokin Joe's Rock, owned by Joe Brunner and handled by George Brown, approached the line for brace No. 4. Boy had an unproductive at 2 and was picked up at 7. Rock had an unproductive at 8, a find at 25, and a second unproductive at 35.

It was 84 degrees when we turned loose behind the barn for brace No. 5. Miller's Flowers And Lace, owned by Allen Linder and Madison McDonald and handled by Madison McDonald, and Panther Creek Merlin, owned and handled by Frank Rutland, approached the line. Lace and Merlin had an unproductive at 14, and Merlin had a classy find at 40.

Breaking away from Bill Lee's driveway for brace No. 6 was Calico's Sky's The Limit (McDonald) and Rester's Amazing Grace, owned by Tony Gibson and handled by Joe Varner. Sky had a strong front running ground race with a picture-perfect find at 5, earning her a spot in the callbacks. Grace finished the brace without bird work.

Day 2
Competing Thursday morning in brace No. 7 was Deception's Wild Justice, owned and handled by Jeff Gilberton, and Dubose's Wander Bog, owned and handled by Bobby Dubose. It was 72 when the pointer males were turned loose. Wander Bog finished without bird work, and Justice was picked up at 39.

Pineywood's Legacy, owned and handled by Darron Hendley, and Miller's Heat Wave, owned by Jack and Fran Miller and handled by Fran Miller, proceeded toward the line for brace No. 8. Legacy laid down a great race with stylish finds at 1, 16, an unproductive at 26 and a clean find at 41. Wave also had a good ground race, having finds at 8 and 38. These pointers' stellar performances earned them positions in the callbacks.

Running in brace No. 9, breaking away at the Coke Barn, was Electronic Warfare, owned and handled by Bill Goodwin, and Miller's Triple Digit Heat (McDonald). It was unfavorably hot during this brace, but that didn't stop Warfare or Heat. Warfare, known for his keen ability to find birds had covey finds at 2, 7, and 32. Heat produced no birds during this brace but had a good ground race.

Lawton Huggins's Towncreek Hardaway Red and Will Dunn's Dunn's Ever'n Onward were in brace No. 10. Onward didn't make the turn at breakaway, and the handler was handed the tracker at 10. Red and Huggins debuted together; the pointer male had a good ground race but no bird work.

It was 81 degrees at breakaway from the barn for brace No. 11 when Southern Shadows Rick, owned by Lance Servais and handled by Brian Peterson, and Miller's Upgraded Version (Miller) approached the line. Version, known for covering the country, ran a scalding ground race but produced no birds. The judges must have liked what they saw because he was asked to return for the callbacks. Rick finished the brace strong but didn't have any bird work.

Releasing from Bill Lee's driveway in brace No. 12 were Erin's Mason Man (Key) and Pineywoods Showstopper (Hendley). Both pointers finished the brace without any bird contacts.

Day 3
Friday morning started sunny and 71 degrees with Dunn's Sneak'n In (Dunn) and Hightailing Penny, owned and handled by Kevin Joyce. Unfortunately, neither dog made it across the road. Sneak'n In appeared to be under the weather, and Penny was never seen off the breakaway, and the handler was given the tracker at 9.

Super Dog, owned and handled by Jade Todd, and Sedgefields Legacy, owned by Sedgefields Plantation and handled by Hunter McDuffie, turned loose for brace No. 14. Super Dog failed to be steady after a flight of birds and was ordered up at 8. Legacy went out of pocket, and the handler asked for the tracker at 29.

Competing in brace No. 15 were Lester's Top Recruit (Servais) and J C L's Dal, owned and handled by Bill Adams. Recruit had a find right off the breakaway, an unproductive at 15, and two classy finds at 35 and 45. Dal had an unproductive at 28.

Braced in No. 16 was Hightailing Maggie (Joyce) and Call Me Clyde, owned and handled by Stan Padgett. Joyce asked for the tracker at 26. Clyde had an unproductive at 33 and a second unproductive at pick up.

Turning loose behind the barn in brace No. 17 was Red Alert Lane (Peterson) and Dubose's What A Dog (Dubose). It was a warm 81 degrees when these pointer males took off from the breakaway; they finished without any bird work.

Town Creek Hardaway Jill (Clem) and Great River Yellowstone (Sanchez) approached the line for brace No. 18. Jill came up birdless. Yellowstone had an impressive ground race despite the heat and an excellent find at 29 after a lengthy relocation earning him a spot in the callbacks.

Day 4
Competing in brace No. 19 Saturday morning was One Day La Bandita, owned by Lane and Darcy Hodges and handled by Lane Hodges, and Miller's Upgrading The Ante (McDonald/Miller). La Bandita covered the countryside but did not have any bird contacts.
Ante had an unproductive at 41.

Panther Creek Rosie (Rutland) was released in brace No. 20 as a bye-dog. She put on a show with one stellar find at 21 and was asked to return for the callbacks.

Releasing from the Coke Barn for brace No. 21, with the sun starting to peek through the clouds, was One Day Lucky Strike (Hodges) and C S Romeo (Gibson/Clem). Strike didn't seem to mind the heat; he laid down a great ground race and had picture-perfect finds at 24, 31, and 42, earning him a position in the callbacks. Romeo honored with a back at 31, two nice finds at 34 and 39, and a back at 42.

Running in brace No. 22 was Hauser's Rollin Thunder, owned and handled by Sean Hauser, and Neely's Business Man, owned and handled by John Neely. Thunder, a black and white pointer male, had a nice ground race and a back at 28. Man, a stout orange and white pointer male, ran an exceptional ground race and had a picture-perfect find at 28; the judges asked to see him again in the callbacks.

Braced in No. 23, turning loose from the barn, was Dunn's True Reign (Dunn) and Southern Ritz Lane (Peterson). The athletic pointers ran the countryside, trying their best to produce a bird but came up short.

Hauser's Hard Line (Hauser) and Miller's Southern Gossip (McDonald/Miller) turned loose across from Bill Lee's driveway for brace No. 24. It was a scorcher at breakaway, and both handlers decided to pick up at 24.

Day 5
Sunday morning was overcast and 66 degrees. Turning loose in brace No. 25 was Ironstone's Dark Horse, owned by Eli Richardson and handled by Will McFerrin, and Southern Shadows Story (Servais). Dark Horse, a snappy tri-colored setter, went out of pocket, and the handler asked for the retrieval device at 35. Story ran the front but was unsuccessful in producing any bobwhites.

Drawn for brace No. 26 were Miller's Automatic Upgrade (McDonald/Miller) and Southern Shadows T Rex (Peterson). Upgrade recorded two perfect finds at 7 and 31. She was unsuccessful at 37 after a lengthy relocation. T Rex, a robust pointer male, ran the front hunting country and had two stellar bird contacts at 4 and 38.

Releasing from the Coke Barn for the brace No. 27 was Miller's Big Iron (McDonald/Miller) and Phillips Wind Line, owned and handled by Katie Belle Varner. Iron disappeared shortly off the breakaway, and the handler asked for the tracker at 11. It's always a pleasure to watch Varner, a former youth handler, and Addison McDuffie, a current youth handler, compete with the "big
guys." McDuffie called point at 6 shortly off the breakaway. While catching up to the front, Wind Line whipped around and nailed another big covey. McDuffie raised her hat again at 28; Varner produced birds after a lengthy relocation.

C S Rester's Speculation, owned by Tony Gibson and handled by Ted Roach, and Smokin Joe's Moses turned loose for brace No. 30. Speculation ran the front stylishly hunting the country but could not produce a bird. Moses was unsuccessful a 24.

Day 6
Competing Monday morning in brace No. 31 were Twin Willow Ice (McDuffie) and Tee's Sweet Emotion, owned by Neil Walker and Brian Sanchez and handled by Brian Sanchez. Ice, a classy black and white pointer female, ran a strong front-running race, had a nice find at 6, and honored with a back at 13. Her great performance earned her a spot in the callbacks. Emotion pointed a covey of bobwhites right before crossing the road by the church. He locked down another big covey at 13 but was unsuccessful at 45.

Erin's Johnny Walker, owned by Harrison Lee and Ted Roach and handled by Ted Roach, and Rentz's Tipped Up, owned by Joe and Tricia Rentz and handled by Joe Rentz, approached the line for brace No. 32. The scouts didn't even get a chance to mount their horses before both dogs locked down on point at the breakaway. Walker ran the front, where you could see him whip around by the pond behind the Harbert's house; he looked like a million dollars and was credited a find at 19. He was successful again at 33. Tipped Up had an outstanding race with four picture-perfect finds at 1, 27, 35, and 40. The judges asked her to return to the callbacks for her performance.

Drawn brace No. 33 was One Day Queen Bee (Hodges) and Smokin Joe's Matthews (Brunner/Brown). Bee, a petite orange and white pointer female, could not have run a better ground race and locked down on four coveys of bobwhites. She was awarded Top Qualifying Dog for her sensational performance. Matthews wasn't suiting his handler and was handed the tracker at 10.

Competing in brace No. 34 were Rentz's Hijacked (Rentz) and Osceola's Rebel Chief, owned by Pat Roach and Ted Roach and handled by Ted Roach. Hijacked ran the front hunting the entire race but was unsuccessful at producing a bird. Chief ran an exceptional ground race; he failed to produce game at 17 but locked down on two big coveys at 25 and 35. The judges asked him to return for the callbacks for his outstanding performance.

It was cloudy and 81 degrees for brace No. 35 when Piney Creek Mae, owned and handled by Woody Woodruff, and Erin's Ty Breaker (Roach) came to the line. Ty, a stout liver and white pointer male, ran an excellent ground race but could not produce a bird. Mae finished the brace but didn't have any bird work.

C S Trump, owned by Tony Gibson and handled by Joe Varner, and Sandhill's Buddin Up (Renfroe) were in the last brace. Trump disappeared shortly after the breakaway, and Varner asked for the retrieval device at 44. Bud finished the brace birdless.

The Callbacks
It was 68 degrees for the first brace of callbacks when last year's champion Dragonfly, owned and handled by Jim Hughes, and Southern Shadows Wave (Servais) came to the line. Dragonfly, a liver and white pointer male, had clean finds at 7 and 41, honored a back at 49, and his handler picked him up. The birds left Wave before the judges made eye contact, and his handler took him on. He had it all to himself, running the front and finishing with two perfect finds at 69 and 80.

Calico's Sky's The Limit (McDonald) and Pineywood's Legacy (Hendley) were in brace No. 2 of the callbacks. Sky, a black and white pointer female, failed to produce a bird at 11 and was credited a find at 33. Legacy had an unproductive at 33. Neither dog was suiting their handler, and at 55, they asked for the trackers.

In brace No. 3 of the callbacks were Miller's Heat Wave (Miller) and Great River Yellowstone (Sanchez). Point was called on Wave at 7, and as soon as the handler dismounted, a big covey lifted. Wave was unsuccessful at 46 after a lengthy relocation and had a clean find at 80. Yellowstone had an unproductive at 54 after a long relocation and a classy find at 60 and was picked up at 72 for his second unproductive.

Panther Creek Rosie (Rutland) and One Day Lucky Strike (Hodges) turned loose for brace No. 4 of the callbacks. Rosie had a nice find at 36, and the handler asked for the tracker at 61. Strike had bird contacts at 11, 31, and unproductive at 37 and was picked up at 45.

Drawn for brace No. 6 of the callbacks were Neely's Business Man (Neely) and Miller's Upgraded Version (Miller). Man ran a great front running race and had impeccable finds at 6, 20, an unproductive at 31, and perfect finds at 38 and 49. Version, a repeat contender for the callbacks, had a find at 45, honored a back at 49, and had an unproductive at 80.

Twin Willow Ice (McDuffie) and Rentz's Tipped Up (Rentz) turned loose for brace No. 6 of the callbacks. Ice, also known as "Kat," was unsuccessful at 22, had a big covey find at 31, and was picked up at 58. Tipped Up ran a good front-running race, had a find at 36, and was picked up at 58.

Top Qualifier One Day Queen Bee (Hodges) and Osceola's Rebel Chief (Roach) came to the line with nothing to lose but everything to gain for the last brace of callbacks. These canine athletes laid it all out on the line in 88 degrees, by far the best brace of the trial. There is a superstition in the field trial community that it is a kiss of death if you get the Top Qualifying Dog at this Championship. That didn't bother husband and wife team, Lane and Darcy Hodges. They went out there with their small pointer female and knocked it out of the park with a huge covey find at 7, an unsuccessful attempt at 39, and just when she couldn't be doing a better job, she nailed another covey of bobwhites at 75. One Day Queen Bee was named champion for her amazing performance. Rebel Chief, also known as "Bill," kept handler Ted Roach on his toes for the duration of the brace. Bill failed to produce a bird at 27 after a lengthy relocation. He continued to run a blistering ground race popping out in front like an aspirin tablet at just the right moment. He had three million dollar finds at 54, 64, and last but certainly not least at 82. Bill won the National Open Shooting Dog Championship in 2020. He has the same drive as he did then. He was awarded runner-up champion for his outstanding performance. As the saying goes, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings." Well, the fat lady sang the very last brace of the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship.

Union Springs, Ala., February 22
Judges: George Kimbrell and Brian Spear
NATIONAL AMATEUR FREE-FOR-ALL CHAMPIONSHIP [Forty-Five Minute Qualifying
Heats; One- and One-Half Hour Finals] - 65 Pointers and 8 Setters
Winner--ONE DAY QUEEN BEE, 1684579, pointer female, by Heard Hill's Memory Lane-Dubose's Snow White. Lane Hodges, owner and handler.
Runner-Up--OSCEOLA'S REBEL CHIEF, 1682755, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Hilltopper Debutante. Ted Roach, owner and handler.