Result: Esmont Field Trial Club of Virginia

Location: Scottsville, Virginia

Post Date: Dec 31, 2024

Submitted By: Tommy Stargell

Amateur All-Age (back row): Allen Dahl (judge), Kirk Regensburg (judge), Frank Henderson, Tiffany Smith, and Alex Smith. (Front row): Darryl Miller with Rocky Ridge's Second Chance, Jeff Smith with Dry Creek Ares, and Brayden Smith with Calico's Guns N Roses.

Because of impending bad weather, we compressed our fall trial into two days of running. The venue was John and Vivian Milton's beautiful Greenfield's Farm in Central Virginia. The farm is located in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and a more picturesque setting would be hard to find. We are indebted to our hosts for their gracious hospitality. Also, Purina and Greg Blair added their sponsorship to our trial, and we thank them for all they do for us and all our animals.

Club members always share the workload, and this time was no different. Ironman Darryl Miller brought his Gator and planted birds for the entire trial. This largely thankless could not be performed better by anyone. Julie Richards fed everyone lunches and Saturday night supper with her usual class, charm, and outstanding culinary abilities. (Worth Lewis said to me that it was worth coming to this trial just for the food, and I agree) Club members Kirk Regensburg, Allen Dahl, Grayson Francis, and Steve Mills fulfilled our Judicial saddles. Steve also made the trip to pick up the excellent Williamson's quail. Mike Winchester drove the dog wagon with his usual zero degree of foul-up. In fact, the whole organization ran that way, with no foul-up at any point. All these folks are old pros, and it shows!

The Amateur All-Age was won by no stranger to the winners' circle. Calico's Guns N Roses personified knowledge, wisdom, and class. She did it all: found multiple birds, handled on the all-age long string, and showed the necessary run that is demanded. Second was Dry Creek Ares for Jeff Smith, who also provided us with all the necessary bells and whistles, a really nice performance. In third for Grayson Francis was another veteran, Rocky Ridge's Second Chance. Rarely does he make a mistake, and he always gives a sound effort as he did here, pointing a multitude of birds.

On Sunday, we started with the Amateur Shooting Dog. It was cold and windy but didn't seem to bother either of Worth Lewis's kennel mates, Nomads Uncle Sam, who was awarded first, and Greypointe Nubarron in third place. Both were indicative of class shooting dogs. In third was the "grand dame" Rocky Knoll Annie for the Lockharts, Pat and Marilyn. She found quail, backed, ran fine, and handled--a nice performance that makes owners proud.

We finished with the Derby stakes. The clear winner and outstanding performance of the trial was Rocky River Reloaded for Grayson Francis. This big ole handsome white male Derby has the potential to go places, BIG PLACES. He showed beautiful style, run, and class, PLUS an outstanding nose. Watch for him! Buffalo Junction Calico (Dahl) and Whitehall's Fleetwood Mac (Whitfield) were bracemates. Both dogs had birdwork early.

The trial was like most Esmont trials: a congenial meeting of jovial folks who love their dogs and horses, a laugh and a joke, and the sport we call field trialing!

A big thank you to all who came and made it happen. Hopefully, you'll come again in the spring for the Virginia Classics, April 3-6. See ya!

Amateur Derby (top row): Kyle Whitfield, Darryl Miller, John Milton, Chip Holland, Steve Mills, and Kirk Regensberg. (Bottom row): Miss Lewis with Whitehall's Fleetwood Mac, Al Dahl with Buffalo Junction Calico, and Grayson Francis with Rocky River Reloaded.

Scottsville, Va., November 21 - One Course
Judges: Kirk Regensberg and Tommy Stargell
AMATEUR DERBY - 5 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-ROCKY RIVER RELOADED, F1714162, pointer male, by Broken Halo-Morgan's Mountain Maggie. Grayson Francis, owner and handler.
2d-BUFFALO JUNCTION CALICO, F1707590, pointer female, by Erin's Redrum-Calico's Country Strong. Allen Dahl, owner and handler.
3d-WHITEHALL'S FLEETWOOD MAC, F1703561, setter male, by Hot Blooded-Shamrock's Miss Grace. Kyle Whitfield, owner and handler.

Judges: Al Dahl and Kirk Regensberg
AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 10 Pointers and 2 Setters
1st-CALICO'S GUNS N ROSES, F1682136, pointer female, by Dominator's Rebel Heir-Calico's Touch of Class. Calico Kennels, owner; Alex Smith, handler.
2d-DRY CREEK ARES, F1696250, pointer male, by Bad News Bob-Dry Creek Ginger Snap. Jeffrey Smith, owner and handler.
3d-ROCKY RIDGE'S SECOND CHANCE, F1671423, pointer male, by Erin's Kentucky Gambler-Burning Edge Julie. Grayson Francis, owner and handler.

Judges: Grayson Francis and Steve Mills
AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG - 4 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-NOMADS UNCLE SAM, F1695093, pointer male, by Caladen's Tennessee Red-Caladen's Struttin Dixie. Worth Lewis, owner and handler.
2d-GREYPOINTE NUBARRON, F1674499, pointer male, by S F Bandwagon-Greypointe Gloriosa. Worth Lewis, owner and handler.
3d-ROCKY KNOLL ANNIE, F1657819, setter female, by Shadow Oak Bo-Ragtown Ruby. Patrick & Marilyn Lockhart, owners.

Amateur Shooting Dog (top row): Pat Lockhart, Darryl Miller, John Milton Chip Holland, and Angie Lewis. (Bottom row): Marilyn Lockhart with Rocky Knoll Annie, Miss Lewis with Greypointe Nubarron, and Worth Lewis with Nomads Uncle Sam