Event: Bear Pond Shooting Dog Classic
Result: Bear Pond Field Trial Club

Location: Kevil, Kentucky

Post Date: Apr 28, 2025

Submitted By: Mary Sue Schalk

Open Shooting Dog Classic (l-r): Kenton Bryant (owner/handler), Bryant's Give It A Rip with Will Dunn, Alan Benson (dog wagon driver), Zach Erne (judge), High Enchantress with Scott Hadley (handler), Andy Erne (judge), Boatright's Maverick with James Kleve (handler), and Mary Sue Schalk.

The renewal of the Bear Pond Shooting Dog Classic took place March 24-25, 2025, in Kevil, Kentucky, at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area. The National Shooting Dog Championship Qualifier drew a respectable field of 16 dogs from Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Zach and Andy Erne, the brother team of Chippewa Valley Kennels in Rittman, Ohio, filled the judicial saddles for both the Classic and Open Derby stake. Zach and Andy travel the country competing in walking trials in the National Bird Hunters Association, American Bird Hunters Association, and the U. S. Complete circuits. Their dog knowledge extends past that of the bird dog world, having been involved with hunting dogs since childhood and also competing in beagle stakes with their grandfather. They were attentive and diligent, and their time was much appreciated.

As with all field trials, the people who volunteer are always very much appreciated. Alan Benson came to drive the dog wagon for our event. James Kleve and Mike Crouse aided in the acquisition and putting out of birds. Matt Schalk provided a meal for judges and volunteers Monday evening.

The Open Shooting Dog Winners
The Open Shooting Dog stake drew 16 dogs, although the birdwork was minimal and not without flaw, the overall performances were enjoyable. Congratulations to the winners, both owners and handlers.

Besting the field was Bryant's Give It A Rip, an English setter male, owned and handled by Kenton Bryant of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Rip ran the second brace on Tuesday morning and was braced with Warjam's Big Mack Daddy, a black and white pointer male owned by Brad Peterson, handled by James Kleve of Paris, Kentucky. Both dogs were strong off the breakaway, with Mack proving too strong when the tracker was asked for mid-brace. Rip, a consistent competitor in horseback field trials, also won the Region 6 Amateur Shooting Dog Championship this season. Rip is a classy going, powerful English setter. He consistently showed to the front, with a strong ground race, never tiring. His desire and drive to go to the next objective and rim the edges proved to set him above the class.

Earning the second-place spot was recently named champion of the Jayhawk Open Shooting Dog Championship, High Enchantress, handled by Scott Hadley of Sayre, Oklahoma. She is owned by Matt Griffith, Ron Stearnnsm, and Newly Hutchinson of Shawnee, Oklahoma. An orange and white pointer female, she was biddable and forward. She was strong on the ground and easy on the eyes. Her range was not quite that of Rip's but more than suitable for a classic shooting dog. She was braced with Hytime Dixie, owned by Ben Weddington of Franklin, Tennessee, and handled by Mary Sue Schalk. Dixie made a strong move to the front in the bottoms during the first brace on the second day of the event. Unfortunately, a breach of manners during a relocation on her game put her in the harness early.

Boatright's Maverick rounded out the top three in the field of 16. A strong tri-color English setter male, owned by Terry Boatright of Richmond, Kentucky, "Ricky" was handled by James Kleve. He had a powerful ground race and finished going away for Kleve. He ran the third hour on the first day of running and was braced with the pointer male, Crouse's Woodrow F Call, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, Kentucky. "Call" ran a respectable race and finished his hour.

Kevil, Ky., March 24
Judges: Andy Erne and Zach Erne
BEAR POND OPEN SHOOTING DOG CLASSIC [One-Hour Heats] - 8 Pointers and 8 Setters
1st-BRYANT'S GIVE IT A RIP, F1701553, setter male, by Erin's Wild Atlantic Way-Cline's Live Oak. Kenton Bryant, owner and handler.
2d-HIGH ENCHANTRESS, F1700180, pointer female, by Lester's Storm Surge-Lester's Snow White. Matt Griffith, Ron Stearnsm, & Newly Hutchison, owners; Scott Hadley, handler.
3d-BOATRIGHT'S MAVERICK, F1694705, setter male, by Rufus Del Fuego-Outcast Starburst. Terry Boatright, owner; James Kleve, handler.

The Open Derby Winners
The Open Derby stake drew 10 dogs, and the judges were impressed with the overall performance of the group. Enjoying the stake top to bottom, choosing just three was a small challenge with a handful of dogs performing well over the 30-minute competition.

First-time field trialer, David Stover II of Trafalgar, Indiana, handled the winner of the 10-dog Open Derby stake. Bryant's Have Faith Sam impressed the judges with his consistent presence in the front, connection with his handler, eagerness to find game, and his ability to handle the increasing temperatures. He was braced in the second brace of the Derby stake with Outcast Achilles, an English setter male, owned by Ryan Hough of Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota, and handled by James Kleve. "Leo" proved to be a respectable bracemate, hunting forward and finishing with a sweeping move across the front at the end of the powerlines.

Crouse's Grouse Feather, an English setter male, owned and handled by Mary Sue Schalk, earned the second-place spot after running in the third brace with Bryant's Silver Surfer and owner/handler Kenton Bryant. Grouse Feather had an obvious connection with his handler, responding well and covering the ground with style. Surfer needed some encouragement from his handler and finished his 30 minutes.

Earning the third-place spot was Setter Ridge Power Play, a tri-color English setter male, owned by Brad Peterson of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, and handled by James Kleve. Power Play was paired with Bryant's Silver Lining, who is owned and handled by Kenton Bryant. The third-place dog was powerful on the ground and required a little more guidance from his handler than the top two dogs. However, his enthusiasm was very much enjoyed. Silver Lining handled well for Bryant and finished his 30 minutes.

The renewal of the Bear Pond Classic and Derby stake was enjoyed by all! The volunteers and participants were much appreciated, and you can count on this event being on the calendar for the 2025-26 field trial season. As always, a big thank you to Purina and Greg Blair for their continued support of the horseback field trial game. Best of luck to all as the season continues.

OPEN DERBY - 6 Pointers and 4 Setters
1st-BRYANT'S HAVE FAITH SAM, F1718878, pointer male, by Haney's Silver Dollar-Wynona's High Finance Rita. David Stover II, owner and handler.
2d-CROUSE'S GROUSE FEATHER, F1713380, setter male, by Shagtime Max-GF Southern Belle. M. D. Crouse & Mary Sue Schalk, owners; Mary Sue Schalk, handler.
3d-SETTER RIDGE POWER PLAY, F1704698, setter male, by Cold Creek Hank-Cold Creek Belle. Brad Peterson, owner; James Kleve, handler.

Open Derby (l-r): Lena, Skylar, Beth and David Stover, Bryant's Have Faith Sam with Kenton Bryant, Alan Benson (dog wagon driver), Zach Erne (judge), Crouse's Grouse Feather with Mary Sue Schalk (owner/handler), Andy Erne (judge), Setter Ridge Power Play with James Kleve (handler), and Scott Hadley.