Result: Central Carolina Amateur Field Trial Club

Location: Hoffman, North Carolina

Post Date: Dec 8, 2025

Submitted By: Sammy and Nida Giddens

Amateur All-Age Winners (l-r): Amy and Jim Pendergest with Storm's End, Gary and Ellen Winall with Mohawk Mill At Dawn, and Whitley Stephenson with Southpoint's Speedy G. (Second row, l-r): Jesse Brown (judge), Sammy Giddens, Bob Young (judge), and Nida Giddens. (Back row, l-r): Kyle Whitfield, Ashley and Worth Lewis, and Greg Robinson.

The Central Carolina Amateur Field Trial was the first amateur trial of the season, held at Hoffman, North Carolina, on the beautiful J. Robert Gordan Field Trial Grounds. Each year, the most accomplished amateur handlers and owners come from far and near with their dogs to compete for the top honors. The facilities provide six beautiful one-hour courses, a massive remodeled 56-stall horse barn, open corrals, and 100-plus kennels for our animals' comfort and ample electrical hook-ups to accommodate the trialers and campers. Another welcoming feature is the beautiful, historic clubhouse with pine floors, a fireplace, bathrooms, and a full kitchen. The open great room is filled with tables to accommodate a social hub for lunches, dinners, etc., and has large windows with views of the grounds and breakaway area of Course 1. The walls display a wealth of early and recent photos/awards that go back at least 71-plus years, celebrating the rich history of dogs, horses, handlers, and owners.

The present members of the club are: President Sammy Giddens; Secretary/Treasurer John Ivester; and Directors Lefty Henry and Nida Giddens.
We would like to welcome some new, refreshing young blood as directors: Worth and Ashley Lewis, Bob and Barbara Youngs, Will and Karen Herring, and Kyle Whitfield. Thank you to each of them for your help in making our club such a success.

A special note of recognition to Dr. Claude Kidd, president of the Central Carolina Field Trial Club for 50 years.
Dr. Claude Kidd passed away on September 18, 2025. Claude was known for his delicious London broil and pork chop dinners that we all looked forward to at the trial. Claude was an active field trialer and leader in many avenues of the sport. He was always available to lend a helping hand to dogs and horses in need of medical assistance.
We would like to recognize that Claude was a medic in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.

We would also like to recognize Dwight Smith, who passed away on June 7, 2025. Dwight, starting in the '50s, was a great supporter of the NCFTA, Hoffman trials, and many other organizations related to the field trial sport. Dwight was a dog owner/handler. Dwight was known nationally for his field trial reporting skills. Dwight was a great ambassador for field trials and believed in fairness as a top priority. He was a friend to many.

Thank you to our NCFTA officials: President Whitley Stephenson; Vice-President Grayson Francis; and Secretary/Treasurer John Ivester.

Thank you to the NC Wildlife Commission and the Sandhills Wildlife Team, led by Nathan Winters, for the beautiful grounds and facilities they help provide for all of us to enjoy.

Thank you to our gallery dog wagon driver, Greg Robinson. He always has the dogs on the line at the right time. He also keeps everyone happy with delicious water, coffee, drinks, and snacks, including his own oven-roasted peanuts! His right-hand lady, Barbara Youngs, rides with him, helping keep tally of covey counts, dog performances, etc., throughout the trial. Barbara's tally for our trial was 35 coveys in All-Age braces and two coveys in the Derby braces.

Thank you to Purina Pro Plan and Greg Blair, SR Specialist with Purina Pro Plan, for your generous support of our trial.
Greg is a great ambassador for field trialing. He not only represents Purina, but he is an owner/handler of his own field trial dogs and hosts field trials. All of this helps him understand what it takes to have a successful trial.

The bird population has been outstanding during the trials held so far this season. Thank you to John Ivester and his team--Lefty Henry, Bob Youngs, Greg Robinson, Mike Hester, Gary Miller, and Steve Mills--for your hard work and dedication to spending long hours releasing coveys of quail, waterers for the quail, and quail callers to help establish their feeding locations throughout the six courses on the grounds.

Thank you to Johnny O's Awards in Aberdeen for always preparing our awards plaques in a timely manner and providing gifts for our judges.

Thank you to Tommy and Will Herring for the support they give in so many ways to help Hoffman be successful. The new Hog Slat milo bin provided by them was a much-needed and appreciated addition.

Thank you to Hunter Prevatte and his wife, Lindsey, for the delicious assortment of doughnuts and pastries prepared at their bakery, Sandra's Bakery, in Sanford, North Carolina.

Thank you to the Hoffman Family for welcoming our friend, Laura Pittman. She spent Saturday enjoying her day riding the dog wagon and taking pictures for all of us to enjoy. Laura expressed to us how thankful she was to have been embraced so warmly by our group.

Welcome to Hoffman, Taylor Herring, our youngest field trialer (6 years old) at our trial. Taylor expressed to her parents, Will and Karen Herring, that she wanted to attend our trial and ride. Taylor, dressed like a trialer in her quilted jacket and cowboy boots, excitedly joined her father, Will, in the saddle and rode the entire sixth brace with him.

During the trial, extra horses were needed by some of the judges. Thank you to Worth Lewis and Jim Pendergest for stepping up and providing horses as needed.

Delicious lunches were enjoyed daily, prepared by Nida Giddens and Ashley Lewis--hot dogs and the fixings, gumbo and sandwiches, and more, plus homemade desserts.

In honor of last year's winner, Erin's Demolition Man ("Chip"), owner/handler Paul Kelly graciously hosted dinner on Friday night. Paul was sorry that he was unable to join the celebration due to a previously planned obligation. The meal was prepared by Nida Giddens and Ashley Lewis. The night began with all enjoying cocktails and appetizers while they relaxed and socialized.
Afterward, a delicious meal was served--pork loin cutlets sauteed and baked in gravy and onions served over rice, southern-style fresh simmered black eyed peas, string beans cooked in ham hocks, cranberry sauce, pickled Vidalia onions, and baked three-corn cornbread. Then followed dessert fit for a king--homemade brownies topped with hot fudge and caramel sauce, ice cream, and whipped cream.

Saturday night's cocktail party was hosted by long-time field trialer and friend to many,
Fred Rose. Fred has sponsored these cocktails and appetizers for many years. Thank you, Fred, for always being so supportive and generous to our club.
Heavy appetizers--an assortment of nuts, a charcuterie board filled with various cheeses, sausages, and crackers, hot and savory meatballs, and hot Buffalo cheese dip with chips were prepared by Ashley Lewis. Gary and Ellen Winall prepared a hot sausage and cheese dip with chips.
These appetizers and drinks of choice were enjoyed tremendously. Only the empty bowls were left!

In honor of her husband, the late Dr. A. Hunter Wilcox, our friend, Louise Wilcox, hosted dinner Saturday night. Hunter was a special friend to our Hoffman field trial family, and we honor him and miss his presence at each trial.
Louise decorated the clubhouse beautifully and served a delicious lasagna dinner with fresh garden salad and piping hot garlic knot bread. Pumpkin pie topped with whipped topping was served for dessert. We were delighted that Louise's sister came with her from New Jersey to assist. We also welcomed others who helped Louise--Faye Joye (wife of the late Ray Joye) and Lynne Leitch, a Hoffman neighbor of Louise. Thank you, Louise, for your support and love for our trial.

The drawing was held at the home of Sammy and Nida Giddens. Twenty-eight Amateur All-Age and 16 Amateur Derbies were drawn for the trial, traveling from both near and far. We all looked forward to watching these fierce competitors and their talented dogs compete for top honors.

We were fortunate to have four veteran dog men handle the judicial assignments.
Bob Young and Jesse Brown were our Amateur All-Age judges, and Kyle Whitfield and Rob Maguire were our Amateur Derby judges. All of the judges dedicated themselves to giving their complete attention to each dog and handler throughout the trial.

Amateur All-Age Judges
Bob Young, from Ellerbe, North Carolina, has been very supportive and has judged this trial for the last three years. Bob got his first bird dog, a Brittany, when he was 9 years old. He has been field trialing since 1970. Bob was very competitive in the Brittany trials. He won the Brittany U.S. Open Championship and the National Open Championship, along with many other successes. Bob has a Brittany in the Hall of Fame. Bob says one of his proudest parts of field trialing is the friendships his family has made with the dogs. Thank you to Bob and his wife, Barbara, for always giving back so much to the sport and especially to the trials and grounds at Hoffman.

Jesse Brown, from Tignall, Georgia, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the amateur field trial arena. As a result of many winnings, the "Shoulders" prefix for Jesse's dogs is recognized throughout field trial communities. Jesse started field trialing in 2014 and went with Fred Rayl to the prairies in 2015. Since then, Jesse has developed and trained his own dogs. He has been very successful with multiple placements in trials throughout the southeast.

Amateur All-Age Winners
Storm's End (PF/"Kate"), handled by Jim Pendergest, owned by Matt Pendergest and Megan Henry, and scouted by Whitley Stephenson. Kate ran in the seventh brace. Kate is 6 years old and a six-time all-age champion and one-time runner-up. She is no stranger to Hoffman. Kate won the Region 3 All-Age Championship twice. During the brace, Kate was independent and relentless with speed on the ground. She had a back at 4, finds at 16 and 25, back at 52, and a find at 54. Kate had excellent manners on all four finds, and her two backs, standing with a high head and intensity. Kate finished strong and far to the front, showing what the judges were looking for in an all-age race. The scout, Whitley, showed keen eyes and knowledge of the Hoffman grounds to help Kate place first in this trial.

Mohawk Mill At Dawn (PF), handled by Gary Winall, owned by Gary and Ellen Winall, and scouted by Ellen Winall. Dawn ran on Course 2 and gave a front-running, forward race. After crossing the road, we headed toward the Army camp. When we reached the long stretch of rolling hills, Dawn could be seen far ahead with speed and animation. As we made the left turn at the Army camp at 54, Gary called point up front in a milo patch on the left side. Dawn's bird work showed immaculate style and composure throughout flush and shot. The scout, Ellen, was absolutely excellent. She was very attentive while riding the top of the hills, scouting this young all-age dog.

Southpoint's Speedy G (PM), owned and handled by Whitley Stephenson and scouted by Sammy Giddens. Speedy G was released on Course 6. As we watched, Speedy G was seen going up the hill headed toward the crossing of Courses 4 and 6. Whitley called point at 9. Speedy stood proud for wing and shot. He continued with a strong, forward race going through the woods at the back of Course 6. After we headed back on the long stretch toward the clubhouse, Speedy appeared on the left side, continued up the hill going through the creek with a strong, forward all-age race, and disappeared. Whitley rode hard as we approached the large, open fields behind the clubhouse. Point was called on the plum thicket hedge row by scout Sammy Giddens. Whitley rode hard to the point and flushed a large covey while Speedy stood intensely as the hour brace ended.

Hoffman, N. C., October 31
Judges: Jesse Brown and Robert Youngs
AMATEUR ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 25 Pointers and 3 Setters
1st-STORM'S END, F1687221, pointer female, by Dunn's Tried'n True-K F Prairie Storm. Matt Pendergest & Megan Henry, owners; Jim Pendergest, handler.
2d-MOHAWK MILL AT DAWN, F1706911, pointer female, by Imagine-Mohawk Mill Dolly. Gary & Ellen Winall, owners; Gary Winall, handler.
3d-SOUTHPOINT'S SPEEDY G, F1692332, pointer male, by Miller's Speed Dial-Bonner's Ransom Dot. Whitley Stephenson, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Judges
Rob Maguire, a longtime friend from Suffolk, Virginia, stepped up and judged our Amateur Derby stake. We first met Rob in 1998 at the U.S. Complete Northeastern Championship. Rob has seen many dogs run in trials and has much experience in judging. He has judged championships in walking, shooting dog, and all-age trials. Rob was accompanied by his lovely wife, Kimberly.

Kyle Whitfield has had a love for bird dogs all of his life. In 1991, Kyle started field trialing. Shortly thereafter, Kyle formed his own company, Whitfield Millwright Services. With his work, he traveled to many places in the United States, leaving little time for field trials. Approximately five years ago, Kyle semi-retired and was able to come back to his love of field trialing. He has developed his beautiful English setters and competed successfully in both professional and amateur trials. He has garnered attention from all of us with his outstanding setter, I Dream of Jeannie. Together, they have achieved 15 placements when she was a derby and are continuing on with placements in shooting dog and all-age stakes.

Amateur Derby Winners
Emperor's Stone Cold Warrior (PM/"Rocky"), owned and handled by Brad Macke and scouted by Grayson Francis. Rocky ran on Course 3, showing a powerful forward race and a flowing, reaching gait. With his bird-finding ability, he had a stylish find at 15 in the switch grass on the right side of the course. He displayed excellent style and manners. He continued on with a forward motion to finish his brace.
Mohawk Mill Captain (PM), handled by Gary Winall, owned by Gary and Ellen Winall, and scouted by Ellen Winall. Captain was released on Course 4. He had a smooth, forward, consistent race, handled well, and required little scouting. At 26, Captain was rewarded with a find in the plum thicket. Ellen released Captain across the road, and Gary sent him forward to finish the brace.

Southpoint's Playmaker (PM), owned and handled by Whitley Stephenson and scouted by Sammy Giddens. Playmaker ran on Course 6. He hunted boldly and independently throughout the course. As we headed through the piney woods toward the clubhouse, Playmaker was seen far ahead going through the long rows of switch grass, then crossing the creek. Whitley pointed him out as Playmaker was going across the top of the hill behind the clubhouse. Pick up was called, and both handler and scout rode hard and picked Playmaker up at the road as you cross to Course 1.

Thank you to all the many friends who helped in so many ways to make this trial such a fun, successful event. We all enjoyed great performances by handlers and their dogs, delicious meals provided and prepared by special friends, and last year's winner, the best dog wagon services, and last but not least, the "special fellowship" shared by such a great group of field trialers who came together to enjoy one another and help each other whenever needed. We look forward to the "75th" Central Carolina field trial next year.

Judges: Rob Maguire and Kyle Whitfield
AMATEUR DERBY - 15 Pointers and 1 Setter
1st-EMPEROR'S STONE COLD WARRIOR, F1714276, pointer male, by Perkins Sawyer's Warrior-Empire On Line. Brad Macke, owner and handler.
2d-MOHAWK MILL CAPTAIN, F1708987, pointer male, by Imagine-Mohawk Mill For Real. Gary & Ellen Winall, owners; Gary Winall, handler.
3d-SOUTHPOINT'S PLAYMAKER, F1719697, pointer male, by Rocky River Halo-Wiggins Tried Drivin. Whitley Stephenson, owner and handler.

Amateur Derby Winners (front, l-r): Brad Macke with Emperor's Stone Cold Warrior, Ellen and Gary Winall with Mohawk Mill Captain, and Whitley Stephenson with Southpoint's Playmaker. (Rear, l-r): Amy and Jim Pendergest, Worth and Ashley Lewis, Jesse Brown, Kyle Whitfield (judge), Nida and Sammy Giddens, Rob Maguire (judge), and Kim Maguire.