Result: East Kentucky Field Trial Club

Location: Berea, Kentucky

Post Date: Jan 17, 2024

Submitted By: Adam Thomas

Amateur Shooting Dog Winners (l-r): Daryl Thomas Jr. (judge), Greg Isenberg with Tenacee Shelby, Adam Thomas with Coal Camp's Annie, Bryan Rathbone with Shaboom, Kelly Shepherd (judge), and Cliff Monroe.

The East Kentucky Field Trial Club hosted its annual fall trial at Miller Welch Central Kentucky WMA near Berea, Kentucky, on November 18-19. We were blessed with wonderful weather for this event, with temperatures rising to the mid-50s on both days. That said, dry conditions across the region proved to be tough scent conditions for the dogs.

Judging duties were allocated to Kelly Shepherd of Waverly, Ohio, and Daryl Thomas Jr. of Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Kelly has been a prominent figure predominantly in the cover dog world for several decades, breeding and developing some top-notch setters. Daryl Thomas Jr. is also no stranger to the world of field trialing, having grown up and participated in field trials across the South before recently relocating to Kentucky. We were very fortunate to have two judges with such diverse backgrounds come and look at our dogs, and we appreciate it.

The Open Shooting Dog stake was first out Saturday morning. Cliff Monroe of Mooresboro, North Carolina, took home both first and second place with a pair of hard driving pointers. First was Twiggy, reigning ABHA Free-for-All Champion and 22-23 ABHA Open Shooting Dog of the Year. In second was The Treasure Chest, who has made it to the podium three times already this season on these grounds, most recently being named ABHA Central Region Champion. In third was Jonathan Dunn's first year shooting dog Island Dancer. "Millie" had a promising derby season last year, even landing a few shooting dog placements. It's great to see this young dog continue her winning ways.

Besting the field of 13 amateur shooting dogs was Tenacee Shelby, owned and handled by Greg Isenberg. Shelby took home runner-up honors on these grounds this time last year in the NBHA National Amateur Championship. Second was Coal Camp's Annie, owned by Jim Humphrey and handled by his nephew Adam Thomas. Rounding out the placements was a well-built pointer male Shaboom, owned and handled by Bryan Rathbone of North Carolina.

In the Open Derby stake, Kevin Rogers of Bowling Green, Kentucky, took home first and third place with well-mannered Brittanys, Waylon and Merle. Second was Boatrights Iron Eagle, owned by Terry Boatright and handled by Outcast Kennels pro James Kleve. "Chappy" has been having a stellar derby season and is well on his way to garnering numerous Dog of the Year accolades if he can keep the momentum going.

James Kleve returned to the winners' circle again in the Open Puppy stake, this time with Boatright's Audubon Outcast, also owned by Terry Boatright. Second and third place went to two Elhew-bred female pointers of different origins. In second was Heidi, owned and handled by Michael Edwards. Third place went to Lady Elhew Godiva, owned and handled by Jenni Shepherd.
The Open Gun Dog stake brought six dogs to the line with four different handlers. After two days of planting birds in addition to previously released coveys, the gundogs had ample opportunity to show their bird-finding abilities. Field trial newcomer Donnie Abernethy Jr. took home first place with his male setter, Tim's Creek Jim. Second place went to Michael Edwards and his pointer, Pinehill Elhew Top Gun. Third place went to Mark Smith and his well-mannered setter, Blue Ridge Journey.

This trial went off without a hitch. It was promising to see several newcomers to the sport at this trial, and we hope to see them again in the future. Big thanks to Terry and Donna Boatright for bringing horses, and Donna helped with lunch. Scott Luther brought a dog wagon, which was greatly appreciated. As always, the ABHA and its clubs are greatly appreciative of our long-time sponsors Valu-Pak and SportDOG.

Berea, Ky., November 18 - One Course
Judges: Kelly Shepherd and Daryl Thomas Jr.
ABHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers, 4 Setters, and 4 Brittanys
1st-TWIGGY, 1690766, pointer female, by Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior-Sinbad's Little Lady. Cliff Monroe, owner and handler.
2d-THE TREASURE CHEST, 1692516, pointer male, by Mohawk Mill Legacy's Pride-Mohawk Mill Dolly. Cliff Monroe, owner and handler.
3d-ISLAND DANCER, 1699150, setter female, by Islander-Island Girl. Jonathan Dunn, owner and handler.

ABHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 7 Pointers and 6 Setters
1st-TENACEE SHELBY, 1683044, pointer female, by Elhew Moneymaker-Cantor's Coco. Greg Isenberg, owner and handler.
2d-COAL CAMP'S ANNIE, 1687566, setter female, by Full Blast-Herbie's Asta La Vista. Jim Humphrey, owner; Adam Thomas, handler.
3d-SHABOOM, 1674969, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Hirollins Fancy Lady. Bryan Rathbone, owner and handler.

ABHA OPEN DERBY - 4 Pointers and 4 Brittanys
1st-WAYLON, unreg., Brittany male, breeding not given. Kevin Rogers, owner and handler.
2d-BOATRIGHTS IRON EAGLE, 1700325, setter male, by Woodville's Yukon Cornelius-Outcast Starbreeze. Terry Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.
3d-MERLE, unreg., Brittany male, breeding not given. Kevin Rogers, owner and handler.

ABHA OPEN PUPPY - 2 Pointers, 3 Setters and 3 Brittanys
1st-BOATRIGHT'S AUDUBON OUTCAST, 1705038, setter female, by Audubon Americus-Circle B Burning Stardust. Terry W. Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.
2d-HEIDI, unreg., pointer female, breeding not given. Michael Edwards, owner and handler.
3d-LADY ELHEW GODIVA, 1705738, pointer female, by Rhododendron Elhew Chief-Autumn Elhew Encore. Jennie Lynn Shepherd, owner and handler.

ABHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG - 1 Pointer and 5 Setters
1st-TIM'S CREEK JIM, 1683170, setter male, by Tim's Creek Pete-Tim's Creek Mae. Donnie Abernethy, owner and handler.
2d-PINEHILL ELHEW TOP GUN, 1699947, pointer male, by Pinehill Elhew Damascus Max-Pinehill Elhew Damascus Jan. James M. Edwards, owner; Michael Edwards, handler.
3d-BLUE RIDGE JOURNEY, 1690000, setter female, by North Creek Scooter-Blue Ridge Molly. Mark L. Smith, owner and handler.

Island Dancer, Third in the Open Shooting Dog Stake