Result: The Joe Hurdle Award

Post Date: Mar 23, 2026

Submitted By: Stephen Bell

Joe Hurdle Award (l-r): Christine and Brad Woody accept the award from Joe Hurdle's family, Joey and Elise, and Katie and Jeff McAlexander.

This year's winner of the Joe Hurdle Award is Erin's Perfect Storm. He took the lead from the beginning of the season, winning last year's National Championship, which, with 58 entries, was the largest stake of the year. "Colt" reinforced his lead with two more placements last spring: runner-up of the Missouri Championship (41 entries) and runner-up of the Southeastern Quail Championship (26 entries). Second-place at the Lee County Open All-Age (50 entries) in December closed the deal. Luke Eisenhart handled Colt for his owners, Brad and Christine Woody.

The Joe Hurdle Award is given each year to the National Championship's top qualifying dog. Five other dogs were close contenders this year: the late Miller's King Poast, Haney's Silver Dollar, Lester's War Bird, Erin's Code of Honor, and Haney's All In (listed in their respective ranked order).

New this year is the sterling silver rotating trophy seen in the photo. It is a 1904 antique, made by the London silversmiths Barnard and Sons, and a generous anonymous donation. The winning dog's owners will possess this trophy for one year, passing it on to next year's winner, but the traditional sterling silver hat/lapel pins will still be given by the McAlexanders for the owners' permanent possession.