Result: Continental Derby Championship

Location: Greenville, Florida

Post Date: Mar 31, 2026

Submitted By: Jim Womack

Continental Open Derby Championship Winners: Judd Carlton with Silver W Season Ticket For Luke Eisenhart with co-owner Dr. Debbie Ozner and Kandus Knapp with Beyond the Pines, Lee Phillips, owner and handler.Joined by participants.

The 2026 renewal of the Continental Derby Championship took place over the famed grounds of Livingston Place, where 33 pointers and one setter vied for the coveted title. The Continental Field Trials, which include the Continental Open Derby Championship and the Continental Open All-Age Championship, historically start on the third Monday of January. This year was no exception as the Derby Championship started Monday, January 19, ending Wednesday afternoon. Our esteemed judges included Bill Mason from Moundville, Alabama, and Wayne Pope from Faunsdale, Alabama. They rode long and hard, giving each dog their undivided attention. After the stake on Wednesday afternoon, Randy Floyd, president of the Continental Field Trial Club, read the judges' decisions under the dining pavilion.

Silver W Season Ticket, handled by Luke Eisenhart for owners Dr. Baker Hubbard, Dr. Tom Jackson, and Dr. Debbie Ozner, was crowned the 2026 Continental Derby Champion, while TS Beyond the Pines, owned and handled by Lee Phillips, was declared runner-up champion.
The Continental Field Trial Club is one of the oldest field trial clubs in existence, dating back to its inception in 1895. Gerald Livingston, the original owner of Livingston Place (formerly Dixie Plantation), secured championship status for the Derby stake in 1950.

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 for the eight days of the Continental Field Trials. Helping Gloria with the meals were Chris Burns and Tracy at Johnston's Catering and Meat Market in Monticello, Florida.

This year's water tank sponsors included Bruce and Karen Norton, Jake Moree, Alex Rickert, Thrift Land Clearing, Dr. Kent Cantrell (Ocala Equine), McNeill 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 past years. Special thanks to Til Hankley for driving the dog wagon, assisting handlers with dogs, and carrying unmounted guests for the duration of the running.

The officers and board members of the Continental Field Trial Club include Randy Floyd, president, and John Michael McCormick, 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 Winners
This year's champion, Silver W Season Ticket, handled by Luke Eisenhart, appeared in the seventh brace, loosed Tuesday at 8:23 a.m. with bracemate Tallokas Last Bullet, handled by Jason Loper. It was a chilly morning, 29 degrees and sunny, conditions were perfect. Silver Ticket had his first contact at 14 before the first road crossing. Luke dismounted, flushed and fired, everything in order. After the crossing, Season Ticket started reaching, laying beautifully out to the front. Near the water tank turn, he scored again at 55, showing beautiful manners as Luke flushed. The judges were impressed by Silver Ticket's polished manners and mature, forward race.

Beyond the Pines appeared in the 11th brace, paired with Erin's Desert Storm. Pine is owned and handled by Lee Phillips, while Storm is handled by Judd Carlton for owner Mike Sweet. Breakaway was at 2:03 p.m. on the second afternoon course beyond the tank at the first afternoon crossing. At 18, Pine was found forward at 10 o'clock standing stylishly. Lee quickly produced birds while Pine showed mature manners on the stand. From there, Pine continued his assault on the front. His reaching finish at pickup impressed the judges enough to bestow the runner-up champion title.

Greenville, Fla., January 19
Judges: Bill Mason and Wayne Pope
CONTINENTAL OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 33 Pointers and 1 setter
Winner-SILVER W SEASON TICKET, F1719745, pointer male, by Miller's Blindsider-Silver W Thunderbolt's Boom. Dr. Tom Jackson & Dr. Debbie Ozner, owners; Luke Eisenhart, handler.
Runner-Up-TS BEYOND THE PINES, F1713348, pointer male, by Southern Thunder-T S Little Eagle. Lee Phillips, owner and handler.

Tuesday Morning breakaway: Forged'N Fire, handled by Sean Derrig, with Como White Lightning, handled by Luke Eisenhart.