Result: National Amateur Free-For-All Championship

Location: Union Springs, Alabama

Post Date: Jun 9, 2025

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

National Amateur Free-for-All Championship: Susan Wells, an unidentified participant, Betty Shearouse, Sherry Cox, Brent Cox (Shearjoy's Smooth As Silk's scout), Chef Ban Stewart, Amelia Stewart with Morgan Brewer (reporter), Eddie Taylor (judge), Darcy Hodges (One Day Queen Bee's scout), Lane Hodges with One Day Queen Bee, Virgil Moore (judge), Hunter McDuffie, Frank Rutland with Panther Creek Rosie (top qualifier), Colleen Rutland, Darron Hendley, Becke Blanton, Shirley Varner, and Rick Stallings.

The National Amateur Free-For-All Championship set in motion its highly acclaimed field trial on February 22, 2025, on the magnificent Sedgefields Plantation in Union Springs, Alabama. Amateurs from around the country anticipate this Championship year after year in hopes of capturing the most sought-after title in the history of amateur field trials. Owners Raymond and Kathryn Harbert offer their grounds annually to host this historic trial of over 50+ years, and without their continued dedication and support of this sport, it wouldn't exist. Their continued support, as well as the board of directors, is what keeps this historical tradition alive. The board of directors plays a vital role in the success of a field trial, and the Free-For-All board is second to none. It takes a village to host and put on a Championship of this caliber, and Jason Howard, Bill Lee, Chance Kelley, and the rest of the crew at Sedgefields do a phenomenal job manicuring the grounds to be the best to ever turn a bird dog loose in America.

The running would not go without a hitch if it weren't for an experienced dog wagon driver such as Steve Hutto. He keeps the running order going smoothly and delivers refreshments to the participants. Harrison Lee and Squire Lee served as head marshals, as well as board members Harold Johnson and Hunter McDuffie. They kept the handlers on course, and their efforts were greatly appreciated. Words cannot express the gratitude for Annie Buce. She did an excellent job helping throughout the day, unsaddling, washing, and returning the judges' steeds to their stalls. Her smile was a delight at the end of each long day.
Eddie Taylor of Mississippi and Virgil Moore of Arkansas shared this year's judicial responsibilities. They rode tirelessly and gave each dog a watchful opportunity; their time and dedication during this week were immeasurable. Thank you seems like such a small word to use for such a profound job. We appreciate you both so very much.

As always, Purina donated four bags of dog food to the champion, three bags of dog food to the runner-up, and two bags of dog food to the Top Qualifying dogs. Purina and Greg Blair are tremendous assets to this Championship and the sport. Garmin donated a tracking collar to the champion as well as the runner-up. Locally owned Union Springs Home Center, owned by Leigh and Jay Moorer, as usual, carried on the most gracious tradition of past owners Becky and Tony Gibson by donating memorable gifts for the judges and the reporter. The generosity from all of these sponsors is greatly and deeply appreciated.

A hot and filling breakfast was served each morning in the field house. This is sponsored by the Tourism Council of Bullock County. A surplus of businesses, field trialers, locals, and well-wishers are all responsible for making donations to the Tourism Council for the fare, hiring of the cooks, as well as contributing to the welcome signs and banners in our town. Your support allows us to keep the trial functioning. We thank you for your support.

Wonderful hot lunches were served daily in the field house along with dessert and drinks. Allison and Ban Stewart always do a phenomenal job with daily varieties that keep the crowds coming back each day. Each lunch is thoughtfully planned and sure to fit everyone's palate. The Tourism Council of Bullock County set up shop during lunch and sells various things from vests and shirts to hats. This is always a big hit each year, especially for newcomers.
The highly anticipated and largest gathering was on Saturday night. A wonderful Southern-style BBQ dinner with all the fixings and dance social was hosted by the ever-so-generous and gracious owners, Raymond and Kathryn Harbert. The food and atmosphere were outstanding as always. The music was fun, and laughter and dance filled the air throughout the night. A grand time was had by all who attended.

On Sunday evening, a dinner and cocktail party honoring the legacy of Bootie Smitherman and Ginger Austin was held at the lovely home of Christy and Van Wadsworth. The crowd gathered and people meandered throughout the stunning home and southern-style wrap-around porch and gathered by the warmth of well-lit fire pits on this cool evening while being entertained by wonderful live music. An abundance of the finest heavy hors d'oeuvres, fruit trays, and delectable desserts filled the tables this evening, as well as a lavish array of cocktails and wines. True southern hospitality at its finest. Hosts for this beautiful event were Ginny and David Allen, Colleen and Ken Buce, Charlotte and Lynn Jinks, Leigh and Jay Moorer, David Padgett, Julie and Patrick Roach, Jane Rutland, Elizabeth and Burt Smithart, Wesley Smithart and Justin Nolen, Allison and Ban Stewart, Vickie and Scott Stewart, Leigh and Josh Taylor, Susan Wells, Christy and Van Wadsworth and Kara Williamson.

The "Friends' Party" was held on Monday night at the stately home of Hunter and Addie Smith. Hunter and Addie graciously opened their elegant home this pleasant evening with a mouthwatering seafood fare that was served on the manicured lawn under white lit tents; cocktails were served on the back porch. Local musicians strummed tunes as people mingled and enjoyed cocktails throughout the moonlit evening. As always, it was a Southern spread that is highly anticipated each year. Hosts were Catherine and Jimmy Bassett, Beverly and Andy Calloway, Linda and Jay Clark, Lisa and Justin Clark, Kathy Capps, Amy and Stan Connally, Chris and Pete Del Collo, Becky and Tony Gibson, Darlene Hixon, Frank Moorer, Maureen and Kevin Joyce, Heather and Charles Klink, Jane and Jim Klinger, Sue Ellen and Tom Lanier, Renita and Tommy Main, Colleen and Frank Rutland, Brooke and Brian Sanchez, Sandra and Jim Smith, Shirley and Joe Varner.

Tuesday night, the Annual Owners' and Handlers' Party was held at the Field House at Sedgefields, sponsored by AmeriFirst Bank. Handlers, spouses, friends, locals, and local dignitaries gathered in the field house for the final event of the week. Appetizers and cocktails were offered as talks of days prior, dog stories and memories flooded the room. A wonderful meal was served, as well as delicious desserts. As the evening wound down, the crowd began saying their goodbyes, "see you next year," and "see you down the road." It's always bittersweet on the last evening, but then we remember there is always next year, same time, same place; We hope to see you then.

The Running
Conditions were favorable at breakaway for the first brace of the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship. It was 34 degrees when Big Chief, owned and handled by Brad Passione, and Supreme Confidence, owned and handled by Ted Roach, came to the line. Chief finished the brace without birdwork. Confidence had an unproductive at 23 and 35.

Miller's Upgraded Version, owned by Jack and Fran Miller and handled by Fran Miller, and Just Sayin, owned and handled by Mike Moses, were in the second brace. Version ran a good ground race, had one stylish find at 36, and was asked to return in the callbacks.

Backcountry Snake Eyes, owned and handled by Chris Catanzarite, and Miller's Upgraded Dot Com (Miller) approached the line for the third brace. Snake Eyes had an unproductive at 20 and asked for the retrieval unit at 32. Dot Com wasn't far behind Snake Eyes. Her handler asked for the tracker at 37.

Sehoy's Run Happy, owned by Sehoy Plantation and handled by Hunter McDuffie, and Miller's Upgraded Design (Miller), turned loose for the fourth brace. Happy and Design went out of pocket at breakaway. Miller asked for the tracking unit at 15, with McDuffie soon to follow at 20.

It was 55 degrees when Dakota Nation (Roach) and Erin's Mason Man, owned and handled by Roger Key, came to the line for the fifth brace. Roach had a nice race with perfect finds at 31 and 35. Key asked for the tracker at 30.

Shearjoy's Triple Threat, owned and handled by Betty Shearouse, and Sandspur Belle, owned and handled by Todd Montgomery, were in the sixth brace, the last brace on the first day. Threat had a find at 18, an unproductive at 37, and was picked up. Belle had a back at 18 and finished the 45-minute brace.

The second day of the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship was just as lovely as the first. It was 41 degrees at breakaway for the seventh brace when Pineywoods Showstopper, owned and handled by Darron Hendley, and Miller's Gossip Girl, owned by Allen Linder and Madison McDonald and handled by Madison McDonald, came to the line. Hendley asked for the retrieval unit at 35, and McDonald asked for hers at 39.

Twin Willow Ice, owned by Addison McDuffie and handled by Hunter McDuffie, and Mauck's Wyeast Molly, owned and handled by Alex Mauck, were in the eighth brace. Ice had a good race and a picture-perfect find at 34 and was asked to run again in the callbacks. Molly had a back at 34 and finished the brace.

Miller's Automatic Upgrade (McDonald) and Miller's Concealed Weapon, owned and handled by Bill Owen, approached the line for the ninth race. McDonald asked for the tracker at 26, and Owen followed suit at 30.

Dubose's What A Dog, owned and handled by Bobby Dubose, and Millers Authentic Version (Miller) were in the 10th brace. Dog had a good race with a picture-perfect find and was asked to return for the callbacks. Version had an unproductive at 8 and a clean find at 11 and was called back.

It was 55 degrees at breakaway for the 11th brace when Backcountry Pure Gold (Catanzarite) and Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Dallee (Mauck) came to the line. Gold finished the 45-minute heat. Dalle had a good find at 35.

Miller's Newest Version (Owen) and Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Ajay (Mauck) were in the 12th brace. Version, a pointer female, had an unproductive at 19, a clean find at 40, and was called back for her efforts. Ajay, a setter female, had a stylish find at 20 and was called back as well.
It was 47 degrees at breakaway for the third day of qualifying when Shearjoy's Landkreuzer (Shearouse) and One Day La Bandita, owned by Lane and Darcy Hodges and handled by Lane Hodges, turned loose for the 13th brace. Kreuzer finished the brace without birdwork. Bandita had an unproductive at 18 and finished the brace.

Sandspurs Bo Jackson, owned by Todd Montgomery and handled by Ella Grace Montgomery, was a bye-dog in the 14th brace. Ella Grace was the 2024 Alabama Youth Handler of the Year, and this was her debut running with "the big boys." Jackson had a perfect find at 21 and an unproductive at 43.

Face To Face, owned and handled by Jeff Gilbertson, and Panther Creek Rosie, owned and handled by Frank Rutland, were in the 15th brace. Face went out of pocket off the breakaway, and Gilbertson requested the retrieval unit at 17. Rosie put on a show with a strong ground race and a stylish find at 34, awarding her Top Qualifying dog and a spot in the callbacks.

Late Hit, owned by Chris Campbell and handled by Hunter McDuffie, turned loose as a bye-dog for the 16th brace. Hit, an orange and white pointer male fresh off being named National Open Shooting Dog Champion, proved he was a contender. He had a scorching ground race with a picture-perfect find at 10, and the judges wanted to see him again in the callbacks.

McRee's Ritz, owned and handled by Pat McPherson, and Awakened, owned and handled by Brent Cox, turned loose for the 17th brace. McPherson asked for the tracker at 28. It was good to see Brent Cox turn a dog loose after his several-year hiatus. Awakened, a stylish pointer female had a strong ground race, a picture-perfect find at 28, and was asked to run in the callbacks.

Town Creek Hardaway Jill, owned by Bill Clem and handled by Will McFerrin, and Ray Banne owned and handled by Robert Thomas were in the 18th brace. Jill took off at the breakaway, and McFerrin was handed the tracker at 15. Banne apparently had the same idea as Jill, and Thomas was handed the tracker at 15 as well.

The fourth day of the National Amateur Free-For-All Championship brought favorable temperatures. Shoulder's The Burden (Dubose) and Shearjoy's Smooth As Silk (Shearouse) came to the line for the 19th brace. Dubose asked for the retrieval device at 10. Silk, an orange and white setter female, had an unproductive at 15, finished the 45-minute brace, and was asked by the judges to return for callbacks.

Erin's Grey Ghost (Owen) and Pineywoods Wildfire (Hendley) were in the 20th brace. Both handlers asked for the tracking unit at 18.

One Day Lucky Strike (Hodges) and Erin's Young Offender, owned and handled by Alan Atkins, approached the line for the 21st brace. Strike and Offender went out of pocket at breakaway, and the handlers were given their retrieval devices.

Due Respect, owned and handled by Jim Tande and Backcountry Bruiser (Catanzarite), approached the line for the 22nd brace. Respect had a good ground race, a find at 28, and was asked to return for the callbacks. Bruiser's handler asked for the tracker at 28.

It was 74 degrees at breakaway for the 23rd brace when Erin's Katie Elder (Roach) and Miller's Little Duce Coupe (McDonald) approached the line. Elder had a stylish find at 4, and Roach asked for the tracking unit at 23. Coupe finished the 45-minute heat and was put on the standby list for callbacks for her efforts.

Miller's Strolling For Gold (McDonald) was a bye-dog for the 24th brace. McDonald asked for the retrieval unit at 20.

It was 54 degrees for the 25th brace, the final of the qualifying series, when Calico's Sky's The Limit (McDonald) turned loose as a bye-dog. Limit was ordered up at the 10-minute mark for a breach of manners.

Callbacks
Last year's champion, One Day Queen Bee (Hodges), and Panther Creek Rosie (Rutland) were in the first brace of callbacks. Bee ran a strong front-running ground race, had a perfect find at 70, and an unproductive at 80, and finished the 90-minute heat with ease. She was awarded runner-up for her excellent performance for Lane and Darcy Hodges, the dynamic husband-and-wife team. Rosie, the Top Qualifier, had an unproductive at 72 and finished the brace.

Twin Willow Ice (McDuffie) and Mauck's Wyeast Owyhee Ajay (Mauck) turned loose for the second brace of callbacks. Ice had a great ground race and finished strong with no birdwork. Ajay went birdless but finished the heat as well.

Late Hit (McDuffie) and Just Saying (Moses) were in the third brace of callbacks. Hit ran an exceptional ground race, but unfortunately, did not have any bird contacts and was absent at pickup. Saying had a clean find at 70, and the handler asked for the tracker at pick up.

Awakened (Cox) and Miller's Little Duce Coupe (McDonald) came to the line for the fourth brace. Awakened had an unproductive at 84 and ran a solid ground race. Coupe finished the 90-minute brace without any bird contacts.

What A Dog (Dubose) and Miller's Upgraded Version (Miller) were in the fifth brace. Dog was ordered up at the breakaway after a breach of manners. Version went out of pocket at breakaway, and the handler asked for the retrieval unit at 23.

It was 78 degrees at breakaway for the sixth brace of callbacks when Miller's Newest Version (Owen) and Due Respect (Tande) approached the line. Version had an unproductive at 31 and finished the brace. Respect had an unproductive at 31 and was ordered up at 38 after failing to be steady after the flush.

Shearjoy's Smooth As Silk (Shearouse) and Miller's Authentic Version (Miller) turned loose for the seventh brace, the final brace of callbacks. Version had an unproductive at 2, and the handler asked for the tracking device at 68. Silk, an orange and white setter female, proved that it is not over until it's over, and to never underestimate a female team. She ran a solid, strong ground race and had a picture-perfect find at 65 for handler Betty Shearouse. She was named National Amateur Free-For-All Champion for her stellar performance.

Union Springs, Ala., February 22
Judges: Virgil Moore and Eddie Taylor
NATIONAL AMATEUR FREE-FOR-ALL CHAMPIONSHIP [Forty-Five Minute Qualifying Heats; One-and-One Half Hour Finals] - 41 Pointers and 9 Setters
Winner-SHEARJOY'S SMOOTH AS SILK, F1693150, setter female, by Shearjoy's Unforgiven-Erin's Smooth Shammy. Betty Shearouse, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-ONE DAY QUEEN BEE, F1684579, pointer female, by Heard Hill's Memory Lane-Dubose's Snow White. Lane Hodges, owner and handler.