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Result: National Derby Championship

Location: Greensboro, Alabama

Post Date: Jun 3, 2025

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

National Derby ChS25

National Derby Championship: Luke Eisenhart, Jeff Blackwell (judge), Claudia McNamee, Ray Carter, Derek Layne (judge), Erins War Eagle with Judd Carlton, Steve Croy, Ruthann Epp, Schley Rutherford, Gary Lester, Stacey Croy, Morgan Brewer (reporter), Southern Pioneer with Korry Rhinehart, Chris Cagle, Mark McLean, and Mike Sweet.

The National Field Trial Club officially launched the 2025 National Derby Championship on January 9, 2025, at the renowned M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area in Greensboro, Alabama. This highly anticipated event serves as a showcase for the future of field trials, highlighting young competitors who navigate the vast "Cattle Ranch" grounds with the skill and determination of seasoned veterans. Witnessing these talented dogs perform at such a high level is always an incredible experience.

Each year, I look forward to this trial, and it is an honor to report it once again. The hospitality was outstanding, as always. Kirsten Givhan ensured that all participants and guests enjoyed a delicious daily lunch. Special recognition goes to Schley Rutherford, Ruthann Epp, and Kirsten Givhan for their tireless efforts in organizing this event. Their dedication and hard work do not go unnoticed. Purina's generous sponsorship played a crucial role in making this trial possible; without their support, events of this caliber wouldn't be feasible.

The Epp family donated the trophy for the champion, while John Ivester contributed the runner-up trophy, both of which were highly coveted awards. Additionally, a portrait of the champion, painted by Alabama artist Mary McPherson, was presented to the winner. I had the privilege of riding alongside Judges Jeff Blackwell and Dereck Layne, both of whom worked diligently to provide every competitor with a fair and thorough evaluation.

The Running
It was a brisk 22 degrees at breakaway as the National Derby Championship kicked off. These young canine athletes were turned loose for a 90-minute brace, battling the cold with determination and style. Mayfield Storm Messenger, owned and handled by Patrick Seibels, and Erin's Copper Colt, owned by Allen Linder and handled by Judd Carlton, came to the line for the first brace. Messenger, a pointer male, had an unproductive at 80 and finished the brace. Colt had a clean find at 71 and finished the brace as well.

Erins War Eagle, owned by Dr. William Bruchey and Claudia McNamee, and handled by Luke Eisenhart, and Haney's Double Down, owned and handled by Chris Cagle, were in the second brace. These pointer males put on a show. Eagle had perfect finds at 21, 45, and 67. He covered the countryside with ease and finished strong, earning him the title of Champion. Down had a find at 9, an unproductive at 7, and pointed feathers at 21.

Sunset Sam Houston, owned by Matt Brown and handled by Gary Lester, and Erin's Legacy, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, came to the line for the third brace. Houston was ordered up at 48 after a breach of manners. Legacy's owner was proudly riding in the gallery to watch his setter run, but unfortunately, the retrieval unit was presented at 62.

Erin's Bold Ruler, owned by Dr. Bill Bruchey and Claudia McNamee, and handled by Luke Eisenhart, and Shagtime Bill, owned and handled by Chris Cagle, were in the fourth brace. Ruler had finds at 11 and 41 and received the tracking unit at 70. Bill, a setter male, had clean finds at 4, 9, 85, a back at 41, and unproductive at 81, and finished the 90-minute brace.

It was 33 degrees at breakaway for the fifth brace when Notorious Dominator's Reserve, owned by John Mathys and handled by Judd Carlton, and Haney's Northern Lights, owned and handled by Chris Cagle, approached the line. Reserve, a pointer male, had an unproductive at 18 and was picked up at 25. Lights had a nice find at 18 and was picked up at 25 as well.
RW Sweet Crude, owned by Roger Watson and handled by Gary Lester, and Shadow Oak New Addition, owned by Adam Houston and handled by Luke Eisenhart, were in the sixth brace.

Crude had finds at 19, 47, 49, and 55, and unproductive at 35, and was picked up at 62. Addition, a pointer male, had a clean find at 2 and finished the brace.

Miller's Family Tradition, owned by Jannie Chapman and handled by Korry Rhinehart, and Rester's Knight Move, owned by David Melnick and handled by Judd Carlton, turned loose for the seventh brace. Tradition, a pointer male, had perfect finds at 6, 18, 41, 50, 69, and 76 and finished the brace. Move had bird contacts at 6, 18, and picked up at 64.

Haneys Juggernaut, owned by Zach Hilton and handled by Luke Eisenhart, and Southern Pioneer, owned by Chris Peek and handled by Gary Lester, came to the line for the eighth brace. Juggernaut had a find at 29, backs at 1 and 4, and picked up at 54. Pioneer had perfect finds at 1, 4, 65, and 84. He had an unproductive at 42 but finished the brace stylish and strong, awarding him Runner-up Champion.

Erin's Three Amigos, owned by Mike Sweet, John Mathys, and H. Moisson, and handled by Judd Carlton, and Miller's Triple Crown, owned by Jannie Chapman and handled by Gary Lester, were in the ninth brace. Amigos had a find at 2 and was picked up at 16. Crown had an unproductive at 2 and was ordered up after a breach of manners.

The 2025 National Derby Championship once again showcased the incredible skill and dedication of these young field trial competitors. Erin's War Eagle, handled by Luke Eisenhart and scouted by Judd Carlton, took the title of Champion, and Southern Pioneer, handled by Gary Lester and scouted by Korry Rinehart, earned Runner-Up Champion. The future of the sport remains bright.

A heartfelt thanks to the judges, handlers, scouts, event organizers, and M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild who made this trial a success. I eagerly await next year's competition and the continued excellence these young contenders bring to the field year after year.

Greensboro, Ala., January 9
Judges: Jeff Blackwell and Dereck Layne
NATIONAL DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 16 Pointers and 2 Setters
Winner-ERINS WAR EAGLE, F1710822, pointer male, by Erin's Redrum-Erin's Pearl. William Bruchey & Claudia McNamee, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-SOUTHERN PIONEER, F1718759, pointer male, by Bonner's Hot Rize-Orton's High Cotton. Chris Peek, owner; Gary Lester, handler.