Result: National Derby Championship

Location: Greensboro, Alabama

Post Date: Apr 29, 2024

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

National Derby Championship (l-r): Luke Eisenhart, Chris Koutras, Judd Carlton with Rampage, Tom Shenker (judge), Ruthann Epp, Lee Phillips, Connie Hicks, Morgan Brewer (reporter), Korry Reinhart with Haney's Last Call, John Ivester, Alex Mauck, Kris Law, Kirk Law (judge), Chris Cagle, Stacey Croy, Jerry Raynor, Mark McLean, and Schley Rutherford.

The National Field Trial Club commenced the National Derby Championship on January 28 at the acclaimed grounds of M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area in Greensboro, Alabama. This prominent championship is the epitome of the future of field trials as we know it. These young competitors cover the country at the "Cattle Ranch" like seasoned veterans; it is truly a site to see. I look forward to this trial every year and am beyond grateful for the opportunity to report it for the third consecutive year.

Patty Sexton of Selma, Alabama, Olivia Alison and Fontaine Alison, both from Birmingham, Alabama, provided the food and hospitality. These ladies entertained in true Southern fashion, and everyone had a good time. The club hosted everyone at the Brick House on the first night of running and to say the meal was delicious would be an understatement. 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.

There are not enough thanks to Purina for sponsoring the trial; if trials did not have 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 champion's winnings.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the saddle with judges Tom Shenker, Hurtsboro, Alabama, and Kirk Law, Dawson, Georgia. They rode hard and gave each competitor a watchful opportunity.

The Running
It was 48 degrees and very windy at the breakaway for the first brace when Erin's Happy Hour, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, and Game Star, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder, came to the line. Happy Hour had two perfect finds at 7 and 84. Star had a strong ground race and finished the brace without birdwork.

CS Haymaker, owned by Becky and Tony Gibson and handled by Steve Hurdle, and Sandy Hill Ike, owned by Bob Lanier and handled by Jerry Raynor, were in the second brace. Haymaker ran a classy front-running race, had a find at 6, and an unproductive at 43. Ike had a back at 6 and finished the brace without bird work.

CS Pistol Pete, owned by Becky and Tony Gibson and handled by Steve Hurdle, and Comanche, owned by Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart, turned loose for the third brace. Pete, a stout orange and white pointer male, had three solid finds at 7, 19, and 38 and unfortunately had to ask for the tracker at 85. Comanche was picked up at the 42-minute mark.

Haney's Southern Angel, owned by John Mathys and handled by Judd Carlton, and Woodville's Long Hard Ride, owned by Carl Owens and handled by Mark McLean, proceeded toward the line for the fourth brace. Angel, a stylish pointer female, had birdwork at 8, 74, and 90 and a back at 2. Hard Ride, a snappy setter male, had bird contacts at 2, 17, and 70 and a back at 74.

It was 40 degrees and sunny for the fifth brace when T S Coal Train, owned by Dr. Ron Deal and handled by Lee Phillips, and Lester's War Bird, owned by Gary Lester and handled by Korry Rinehart, turned loose. Train was picked up at the 49-minute mark. War Bird ran a big running race and locked down clean finds at 16, 81, and 87, and had an unproductive at 75.

Haney's Last Call, owned and handled by Chris Cagle, and Rampage, owned by S. Tucker Johnson and handled by Luke Eisenhart, came to the line for the sixth brace. This brace was the one to watch; the race was on for these two pointer males. Last Call ran a strong front-running race with stylish finds at 2 and 16, a back at 7, and an unproductive at 77; he finished strong and was awarded runner-up champion. Rampage had a superior, strong front-running race with perfect finds at 7 and 16 and an incredible finish; he was awarded champion for his stellar performance.

Haney's Easy Money, owned by Stacy and Steve Croy and handled by Mark McLean, and T S Jet Airliner, owned by Kathy Vignos and handled by Mark Henley, were in the seventh brace. Money, a liver and white pointer male, had a back at 3 and was picked up at 39. Airliner, an orange and white pointer male, had finds at 3 and 32 and was picked up at 40.
Mayhaw's Georgia Time, owned by Dr. Ron Deal and handled by Trey Mills, and Lester's Front Porch, owned by Gary Lester and handled by Korry Rinehart, turned loose for the eighth brace. Time, a pointer female, and Porch, a pointer male, were picked up at the 38-minute.

Greensboro, Ala., January 28
Judges: Kirk Law and Tom Shenker
NATIONAL DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 15 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner-RAMPAGE, 1705323, pointer male, by Touch's Red Rider-Southpoint's Dixie Chick. S. Tucker Johnson, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-HANEY'S LAST CALL, 1702601, pointer male, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Haney's North Star. Chris Cagle Sr., owner and handler.