Result: 131st Continental All-Age Championship

Location: Greenville, Florida

Post Date: Mar 26, 2026

Submitted By: Jim Womack

Continental Open All-Age Championship: "Lefty" Henry with Miller's Blindsider and Judd Carlton with Lester's War Bird. (Front row): Maria Bassham, Sara Schwartz, Penny Daniels, Neil Daniels, Jamie Daniels, Judy Ripley, Patty Sanderson Ewers, and Randy Floyd. (Middle row): Brian Gingrich, Jack Schwartz, Lee Phillips, Jamie Daniels, Larron Copeland, Dr. Stan Wint, Luke Eisenhart, Cal Martin, Shannon Nygard, and Jim Tande. (Back row): Phil Bowden, L. J. Lundstrom, Dillon Renault, Til Hankley, Ben Melvin, John Michael McCormick, and Mike Winchester.

The Continental Field Trial Club recently hosted the 131st renewal of the Continental Field Trials, which included the Continental Open All-Age Championship and its companion stake, the Continental Open Derby Championship. The Continental Field Trials have historically started on the third Monday of January. This year's renewal was no exception, starting January 19, 2026, and concluding eight days later.

The Continental Open All-Age Championship was ably judged this year by Dr. Stanley Wint from Gardner, Kansas, and Larron Copeland from Bronwood, Georgia. Both gentlemen are eminently qualified to adjudicate over this stake. Stan is a past judge at the National Championship at Ames Plantation and the current president of the National Field Trial Champion Association. Larron Copeland is a lifelong field trialer and patron, 1st Vice President of the AFTCA, a board member of the Continental Field Trial Club, and has won this prestigious title twice. After completion of the highly competitive qualifying braces and the callback series, Miller's Blindsider, a 9-year-old pointer male handled by Jamie Daniels and owned by Nick Berrong, was crowned champion. Lester's War Bird, a 4-year-old pointer male handled by Luke Eisenhart (for Gary Lester) for owners Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton, was declared runner-up champion.

The Continental Field Trial Club is one of the oldest field trial clubs in existence today. The club can trace its origins back to 1895, with the first meeting taking place on March 6 in Chicago and 75 charter members in attendance. Fast forward to the present, where Randy Floyd presides as president of the Continental Field Trial Club, and John Michael McCormick serves as vice president. The club directors include Larron Copeland, Dr. Terry Terlep, Jason Williams, Til Hankley, Dr. Kent Cantrell, Julie Ripley Livingston, Woody Watson, and John Thompson, Director Emeritus.

The first trial held under the auspices of the new club, interestingly enough, took place on the Manitoba Club's grounds in Morris, Manitoba, on native Prairie Chickens and Hungarian Partridge. To properly understand the logistics involved in attending that first iteration of the trial, the primary method of conveyance was by rail (there being fewer than a dozen cars in the U.S. at the time), and the American Field advertised the train routing from points further south in the U.S. for this first trial.

The journey of the Continental All-Age Championship has taken a long and circuitous road with stops in Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia before taking up permanent residence at Livingston Place (formerly known as Dixie Plantation or simply "The Dixie") nestled in the Red Hills region between Greenville, Florida to the east and Monticello, Florida to the west. Gerald Livingston, the original owner of Livingston Place, was inducted into the Continental Field Trial Club in 1933, and two years later, in 1935, was elected its president. Gerald Livingston was instrumental in bringing the trials to its current home in 1937, where they have been held annually ever since. He also played a crucial role in securing championship status for the All-Age stake in 1939 and the Derby stake in 1950. After his death in 1950, his wife Eleanor took on the leadership mantle for the Continental until her passing in 1978, when that responsibility and privilege were handed down to daughter Geraldine Livingston, who lovingly nurtured the venue and trial until her death in 1994, where the holdings passed to the Geraldine C. M. Livingston Foundation. Ultimately, ownership of the holdings was transferred to Tall Timbers Research & Land Conservancy in 2013, under whose oversight it remains today.

With the slow decline of the prairie all-age trials, the Continental remains as one of the country's most prestigious wild bird field trials for all-age dogs and a much-desired title for both handlers and owners of the dogs.

The success of an event of this stature depends greatly on the patronage of its sponsors and dedicated supporters. This year's water tank sponsors included Bruce and Karen Norton, Jake Moree, Alex Rickert, Thrift Land Clearing, Dr. Kent Cantrell (Ocala Equine), McNiel Plumbing, Four Oaks Land Company, Dr. Fred and Rita Corder, Mike and Laura Shea, and John Mathys. The committee would also like to extend sincere thanks to Tom Rankin for his generous and continued support.

Waukeenah Fertilizer sponsored the dog wagon this year, as it has in years past. Special thanks to Til Hankley for piloting the dog wagon, assisting handlers with dogs, and safely carrying unmounted guests for the duration of the running.

This year's lunch sponsors included Dale Hodges and the Clanton Malphus Hodges Veterinary Group, Jon Kohler & Associates, Purina, Dr. Terry and Marilyn Terlep, Karen and Bruce Norton, Gary Lester, Jamie and Allison Daniels, and Gordon Moodney.

Miss Gloria Hagen graciously served meals as she has done for as long as your scribe can remember. Assisting Gloria with the meals were Chris Burns and Tracy at Johnston's Catering and Meat Market in Monticello, Florida.

Last but certainly not least, let us take a moment to recognize the management and staff of Tall Timbers for all they do in support of this trial. Plantation manager John Michael McCormick, assisted by staff members Ben Melvin, Lance Little, and Dillon Renau, worked tirelessly to prepare the venue for the running. The grounds, which had taken a fearful beating in the previous two hurricane seasons, were in tiptop shape. The amount of downed timber was staggering, but the staff has worked tirelessly over the last year to clear the timber and repair roads and trails that suffered from the excessive rainfall. The grounds were expertly blocked, aiding the dogs, handlers, and scouts through areas with heavier cover. The ongoing habitat management at Livingston Place resulted in an impressive number of birds pointed and moved throughout the running. Special thanks are also in order for John Michael and Ben for expertly marshalling the riders during the running.

The Qualifying Series
Brace 1 was turned loose on the third hour of the afternoon course on Wednesday at 3:20 p.m., directly after the last brace of the Derby Championship was completed. The temperature at breakaway was a pleasant 61 degrees. This brace featured Erin's Three Amigos, owned by Mike Sweet, Jerry Moisson, and John Mathys, and handled by Judd Carlton and Dominator's Wild Bill, owned by Gene Brown and Jeff Arnold, handled by Jamie Daniels. Both dogs hunted with purpose, but unproductives forced them up before finishing their hour.

Brace 2 paired Haney's All In, owned by Steve and Stacy Croy and handled by Mark McLean, with T S Coal Train, owned by Dr. Ron Deal and handled by Lee Phillips. It was 39 degrees at 7:58 Thursday morning when the first brace was turned loose behind the equipment shed. At the first turn, Coal Train was spotted on point. Lee was unable to produce birds and so elected to take his charge on. At 17, Coal Train was discovered on point again. Lee flushed to no avail. This second unproductive put Coal Train back on the wagon. After an extended absence, Mark McLean reached for the tracker at 38, thus ending Haney's All In's bid.

Brace 3 featured Erin's Code of Honor and Notorious Dominator's Reserve. Code of Honor is owned by Allen Linder and was handled by Luke Eisenhart. Dominator's Reserve is owned and handled by John Mathys. At 24, John Mathys reached for the tracker, and Dominator's Reserve was through. At 25, Code of Honor was found on point. The stand ultimately proved barren, and Luke took the dog on. Code of Honor was spotted on point again at 37. Luke was able to put up a fine covey, dog displaying perfect manners. Unfortunately, Code of Honor was absent at pickup.

Brace 4 paired Haney's Storm Warning, owned and handled by Chris Cagle and Nonami's Johnny Come Lately, owned by Ted Turner and handled by Ray Pearce. At 3, Johnny pointed, but this proved unproductive for Ray. At 22, Johnny was spotted in the Big Wood, proudly standing at 10 o'clock. Ray flushed a fine covey, just where Johnny said they were. Storm Warning was out of contention at 33 when Chris reached for the tracker. Johnny finished his hour in strong form, racing uphill on the west side of Long Pond at pickup.

In Brace 5, Quail Woods Pine, owned by Greg Adams and handled by Judd Carlton, was paired with Notorious Southern Son, owned and handled by John Mathys. This was the first brace put down after lunch at 1:42. Conditions at breakaway were partly sunny and warm, 71 degrees. Both dogs reached to the front, soon leaving the Hagan House behind them as the course began a gentle turn to the left. Pine scored first for Judd at 32. At 37, Pine pointed again, with Judd putting up an impressively large covey. While Pine finished the hour in fine form, Southern Son finished birdless for John.

In Brace 6, Miller's Blindsider, owned by Nick Berrong and handled by Jamie Daniels, was braced with Sunset Sam Houston, owned by Matt and Stacy Brown and handled by Luke Eisenhart (for Gary Lester). The pair was loosed beyond the Livingston Road crossing, west of the Big House, at 2:55. At 5, Blindsider was found on point at 11 o'clock. Jamie's flushing effort put up a large covey, Blindsider displaying perfect manners. Both dogs continued through the hour, covering the course with authority. The handlers moved their dogs across the dam at Rogers Pond, the brace ending shy of Kudzu Hill. Blindsider finished the hour with two finds, and Sam Houston unfortunately finished his hour birdless.

In Brace 7, Notorious Sweet Ginger, owned and handled by John Mathys, was paired with Seranoa's Ramblin' Man, owned by Alex Rickert and handled by Mark McLean. Just three minutes after breakaway, Ramblin' Man slammed into point just off the trail. Mark stepped into the birds, everything perfect. Both dogs raced forward and were soon out of sight. At 9, Ramblin Man was spotted far to the left, pointing near a bay head. Upon riding to the point, Sweet Ginger could be seen pointing from the opposite direction. Both handlers dismounted, flushed, and fired to rack up a nice divided find. At 21, Ginger was located on point, John flushed with purpose, but was unable to produce any birds. Unfortunately for Ginger, she took another unproductive at 41. Ramblin Man finished with two finds and an impressive race.

In Brace 8 was Shagtime Bill, one of two setters entered in the Championship, and owned and handled by Chris Cagle. His bracemate was Erin's Perfect Storm, owned by Brad Woodie and handled by Luke Eisenhart. Friday morning dawned cloudy and somewhat muggy at 50 degrees. The dogs broke away at 7:54; as Luke cleared the pine gap, he spied Storm on point in a rye field edge to his right. The birds were located perfectly, Storm's manners beyond reproach. Just before the road crossing, Bill was found pointing. Chris flushed with no success, so he relocated Bill. Unfortunately, the stand proved to be dry, so he took Bill on. Perfect Storm was stretching it out, and at 42, was found on point by the scout. Luke put the birds up, all in order. Storm was not through, and at 59, near the old chimney, showed us all another covey for good measure.

In Brace 9, Miller's King Poast, owned by Al Bryson and handled by Luke Eisenhart (for Gary Lester), was braced with Touch's Midnight Rider, owned by John Milton and handled by Mark McLean. At 10, King Poast was found on point, but Luke was unable to show the judges any birds and so took the dog on. At 17, King Poast pointed again, and this time the wee folks were home. King Poast's manners were impeccable, and again he was off. He lined out at 12 o'clock and pointed a few minutes later at 24, the birds located just off the trail. It didn't take long for Poast to score again. He was spotted at 33 on point with Rider backing nicely. With everything in order, the pair bolted to the front. Rider finally chalked up a find at 39. Both dogs finished the hour with plenty of gas in the tank. It was a nice brace to watch.

In Brace 10, Erin's Redemption, owned and handled by John Mathys, was paired with Nighthawk's Rebel, owned by Sheree Lucero and Rick Leverich, and handled by Tracy Swearingen. Rebel pointed at 10, just off the trail on the left. Tracy was unable to flush any birds, even after he relocated Rebel, so he took the dog on. Redemption was spotted on point at 24; John dutifully flushed and was rewarded with a nice covey rise. The dogs continued to reach, and at 40, Rebel was seen standing again. Unfortunately for Tracy, the stand proved to be barren.

Brace 11 included Touch's Malcolm Story, owned by Alex Rickert and handled by Mark McLean, and Dominator's Rebel Mark, owned by Nick Berrong and Jack and Sarah Swartz and handled by Jamie Daniels. Story was gone from view soon after breakaway not to be seen again. At 24, Mark requested the tracker. It wasn't Rebel Mark's day either, as Jamie elected to pick him up at 51.

In Brace 12, Southern Pioneer, owned by John Ivester and handled by Robert "Lefty" Henry, was braced with Haney's Silver Dollar, owned by Chris Cagle and handled by Luke Eisenhart. Dogs were off at 1:40. Neither dog impressed the judges and were benched at 23.
In Brace 13, Game Surge, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder, was paired with Nickajack Pale Rider, owned by David and Andy Freiburger and handled by Mark McLean. Pale Rider's effort was cut short at 23 when Mark asked for his tracker. Game Surge was spotted on point at 3 o'clock after the course had turned sharply to the left. The birds required two relocations before Fred could put them to flight. While cantering to get back to the front, Surge put on the brakes. Unfortunately, Fred was unable to produce any birds and was tagged with an unproductive.

In Brace 14, Erin's Forged In Fire, owned and handled by Sean Derrig, was braced with Rester's Johnny Ringo, owned by Dr. Reuben Richardson and Cecil Rester, and handled by Luke Eisenhart. The temperature at breakaway, 7:58 Saturday morning, was 52 degrees with scattered clouds and light winds. Forged In Fire picked up two quick unproductives and was finished just beyond the road crossing at 29. Ringo carded a nice find at 57 and finished his hour in style. His race was forward and reaching. Alas, another find or two might have elevated his position with the judges.

In Brace 15, Touch's Lone Dominator, owned and handled by Kent Cantrell, was paired with Game Nation, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder. Nation was observed standing at 4. No birds were produced, and Fred took him on. Game Nation was not pleasing Fred, and was picked up at 18. Dominator was found stacked up at 28. Kent dismounted and put the birds up, all in order. Three minutes later, at 31, Dominator scored again. Just five minutes later, at 36, Dominator was found on point again just beyond the dove field. She finished with three finds and a smooth, forward race for the hour.

In Brace 16, Touch's Shadow Rider, owned by Bruce and Karen Norton and Dr. Reuben Richardson, handled by Mark McLean, was paired with Miller's Heat Advisory, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton. Mark took the tracker at 41, effectively ending Shadow Rider's bid. Heat Advisory was out of pocket at pickup.

In Brace 17, Lester's Storm Chaser, owned by John Ivester and handled by Lefty Henry, was braced with Dominators Southern Beau, owned by Gene Brown and Jeff Arnold and handled by Jamie Daniels. Breakaway was at 1:41 under cloudy skies, light winds, and 60 degrees. Storm Chaser scored first at 9. Lefty put the birds to flight, Storm Chaser's manners beyond reproach. Beau struck next, found standing tall at 16, beyond the Hayfield House. Jamie put up a fine covey for Beau, watered his charge, and cantered him forward to regain the front. Storm Chaser chalked up another find at 27, and Beau countered with his own contact two minutes later. Both dogs were present at pickup.

In Brace 18, Lester's War Bird, owned by Tommy & Bonnie Hamilton and handled by Luke Eisenhart (for Gary Lester), was paired with Erin's Mighty Quinn, owned and handled by Sean Derrig. War Bird struck first with a fine stand at 6. With all in order, Luke took War Bird on, where he quickly faded from view to the front. At 31, War Bird was located on point. A relocation was required before Luke could put the birds to flight. It was a stellar piece of work, executed perfectly. Quinn was not pleasing Sean, so he was picked up at 36 behind the plantation office. War Bird completed his hour with another nice piece of work at 58 west of Roger's Pond. His race was consistently forward and pleasing.

In Brace 19, at 4:07, Woodville's Long Hard Ride, owned by Carl Owens and handled by Mark McLean, was braced with Game Star, owned and handled by Dr. Fred Corder. Both dogs took to the front with purpose. Game Star was found pointing stylishly at 21, and Fred put the birds to flight. Long Hard Ride countered with his own finds at 23 and another at 27 for Mark. Both dogs were showing considerable energy on the ground. It was Game Star's turn to shine as she carded finds at 38 and 42. Both dogs finished going away, Star with four finds and Hard Ride with three. Thus concluded the qualifying series.

After careful deliberation, judges Dr. Stan Wint and Larron Copeland called back eight worthy candidates-- seven pointers and one setter--to compete for championship and runner-up championship titles. The following dogs were chosen for the championship series:
Brace 1: Quail Woods Pines (Judd Carlton) and Miller's Blindsider (Jamie Daniels)
Brace 2: Seranoa's Ramblin' Man (Mark McLean) and Erin's Perfect Storm (Luke Eisenhart)
Brace 3: Miller's King Poast (Luke Eisenhart for Gary Lester) and Woodville's Long Hard Ride (Mark McLean)
Brace 4: Lester's War Bird (Luke Eisenhart for Gary Lester) and Game Star (Dr. Fred Corder). Lester's War Bird was chosen as the Top Qualifier.

Championship Series
Callback Brace 1: Quail Woods Pine, handled by Judd Carlton, was paired with Miller's Blindsider, handled by Jamie Daniels. The start of the first callback brace was delayed until 9:50 Sunday morning due to heavy fog; the temperature was a pleasant 50 degrees. Blindsider struck first with a stylish find at 7 beyond the pine gap. Quail Woods Pine became buried in the wheat field corner, where the course makes a hard right to the road, but was quickly gathered up by the scout and regained the front. Pine was found on point at 18 while Blindsider was styled up 75 yards to the right. Jamie pointed out Blindsider several times, far to the front, when he put the brakes on at 32. Jamie put the birds up, Blindsider standing solidly, high at both ends. After making a few more big swings, Blindsider was found pointing at 45 forward at 10 o'clock, buried in the thick cover at the woods' edge. From there, both handlers swung their dogs through the sharp turn at the trough, heading back toward the second Livingston Road crossing. Jamie pointed out Blindsider far to the front, moving past the morning turnout. Blindsider kept his foot on the pedal with forward finds at 1:05, 1:11, and 1:17, culminating in his final find at 1:27, a stellar piece of work just shy of the Big Wood. Both dogs finished the hour and 50 minutes strongly, in the rye field beyond the turn at Long Pond. Sensing I had seen something special, I waited close by for the judges to finish their deliberation. Larron swung his horse around, rode over, and said, "I'm glad you were here to see that. Six evenly spaced finds and a silky smooth, forward race, as close to perfect as you're likely to see." And so it was.

Callback Brace 2: The second brace, featuring Seranoa's Ramblin' Man, handled by Mark McLean and Erin's Perfect Storm, Luke Eisenhart handling, broke away at 12:05. At 35, Storm was found on point as Ramblin' Man slid in to honor. This stand required two relocations before the running birds were put to flight by Luke. At 42, Ramblin' Man countered with a find of his own, birds spread out in a wide semi-circle. Pretty to watch as Mark put them up. It was d j vu all over again at 46 when Storm scored once again with Ramblin' Man backing. Both dogs grabbed a brushy field edge, lining out to the front. Ramblin' Man was seen standing tall at 53, Mark flushing, all in order. Unfortunately for Ramblin Man, his luck ran out at 1:15 due to a slight bobble on game. Perfect Storm had one last find at 1:30 and finished his brace, searching forward for just one more.

Callback Brace 3: Monday morning dawned cold and windy, 32 degrees and wind gusts to 18 mph, making for trying conditions. The brace was loosed at 7:57, Miller's King Poast with Luke Eisenhart and Woodville's Long Hard Ride with Mark McLean. King Poast scored first at 11, standing in cover adjacent to the first wheat field before the Livingston Road crossing. At the same time, Long Hard Ride was shown to the front on the left edge of the same field, headed toward the first road crossing. King Poast was found standing again at 22, pointing in a brushy winter rye field edge. As the course continued, it made a gradual turn to the north, and the handlers, judges, and gallery found themselves riding into a brutal headwind. In spite of this, Long Hard Ride was spied standing at 52, just before the water tank turn. King Poast returned the favor moments later with a lofty find at 55. Long Hard Ride was found pointing again at 1:08. Mark was unable to produce birds and elected to take the dog on. At 1:25, both handlers had trackers in hand, ending the brace.

Callback Brace 4 featured the stake's top qualifier, Lester's War Bird with Luke Eisenhart (for Gary Lester), and Game Star with Dr. Fred Corder. The pair was off at 9:36. The temperature had climbed somewhat, but the stiff breeze remained constant. War Bird wasted no time, found standing at 10, manners impeccable as the covey whirred away. Game Star was next at 29, standing loftily near a grizzled old live oak. Fred put the birds up for Star and took her on. Both dogs were doing a fine job on the ground in spite of the chilly breeze, which at this point in the brace had turned into a bitter crosswind. War Bird carded finds for Luke at 36 and 55. Star was found standing at 1:05. Fred was unable to flush birds, so he had Star relocate. No joy for Fred, so he took her on. From this moment on, the pace of events picked up. At 1:08, War Bird pointed, lofty and confident as Luke flushed. At 1:14, both dogs shared a covey. At 1:16, Fred was off his horse once again, putting birds to flight in front of Star. Not to be outdone, War Bird produced another covey for Luke at 1:18. He repeated this feat at 1:36. As the time ticked by and the end of the brace neared, it was obvious to everyone that we'd seen another superb performance. Both dogs were impressive. Rester's War Bird finished with seven finds for handler Luke Eisenhart, while Game Star scored three times for Dr. Fred Corder.
The judges deliberated during the deadhead back to the barn. Thirty minutes later, with everyone gathered in front of the Manor House, judges Stan Wint and Larron Copeland passed a folded piece of paper to Continental Field Trial Club President Randy Floyd, who made the announcement.
Miller's Blindsider, handled by Jamie Daniels, was declared champion while Lester's War Bird, handled by Luke Eisenhart (handling in Gary Lester's absence), claimed runner-up champion.

Greenville, Fla., January 19
Judges: Dr. Stan Wint, Larron Copeland
CONTINENTAL OPEN ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Qualifying Heats, One hour & Fifty minute Finals] - 36 Pointers and 2 Setters
Winner-MILLER'S BLINDSIDER, F1674983, pointer male, by Just Irresistible-Miller's Bring The Heat. Nick Berrong, owner; Jamie Daniels, handler.
Runner-Up-LESTER'S WAR BIRD, F1705485, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Sturge-R W Susie Q. Tommy & Bonnie Hamilton owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.

At lunch Saturday, last year's winners posed with the rotating trophy, Jerry Raynor with Ch. Touch's Shadow Rider and Carl Owen with R-U Ch. Woodville's Yukon Cornelius. (Back row): Cole and Katie Summerlin, Alex Rickert, Til Hankley, Karen Norton, Chip Jenkins, Patty Sanderson Ewers, Mark McClean, and John Thompson.