Result: Region 4 Amateur All-Age Championship

Location: Kevil, Kentucky

Post Date: Apr 20, 2026

Submitted By: Jim Pendergest

Region 4 Amateur All-Age Championship (l-r): Steve Towery, Ben Weddington, Dialed Again with Jim Pendergest (scout), Donnie Duckworth (judge), Imagine with Amy Pendergest, Brett Towery (judge), and Mary Sue Schalk.

The Region 4 Amateur All-Age Championship concluded Monday morning, March 23, with the announcement that derby-aged pointer Dialed Again was the 2026 champion. Owned and handled by Matt Pendergest, Dialed Again rendered an exciting four-find performance the day before to best a field of 16 dogs. Imagine, owned and handled by Jim Pendergest, provided an hour with four finds and a stand on a dead bird that challenged the winner to the last minutes of the heat to gain the runner-up spot.

The 2026 renewal of the Region 4 (AFTCA) Amateur All-Age Championship was held at the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area near Kevil, Kentucky. The West Kentucky Field Trial Club hosted this year's event.

Judges for this year's championship were Brett Towery of Murray, Kentucky, and Donnie Duckworth of Morganfield, Kentucky. Both Brett and Donnie were very attentive to the handlers and dogs, carefully evaluating the performances before reaching their conclusions. There were no fewer than six performances worthy of the title of Champion for them to consider. The members of Region 4 and the West Kentucky Field Trial Club wish to express their gratitude to both for a job well done.

The West Kentucky Field Trial Club was this year's host, and members supported the running of the stake over the two days. Mary Sue Schalk led the way in ensuring the trial was run efficiently and effectively. She provided lunch each day and hosted a Sunday evening dinner for all of the participants and attendees. As secretary of Region 4, Mary Sue carries a large load of the work needed to put on the three regional championships.

Purina and Greg Blair are once again to be commended for their support of not only Region 4 but also field trials across the country. Purina provided dog food to the champion and runner-up, as is their custom, and it is appreciated by those fortunate enough to take home the prize.

The Winners
Champion Dialed Again, owned and handled by Matt Pendergest, is a young pointer male derby, being whelped May 27, 2024. He has had success on the Amateur Derby circuit this year and made this stop just days before heading to the United States Amateur Derby Invitational, where he would ultimately make the finals. Here at the Region 4 Championship in the third brace of the stake, he combined a strong forward ground race with finds at 12, 22, 36, and 48 to best the field. "Spec" was stylish and exhibited perfect manners on all his finds and runs with a high cracking tail.

Imagine, a 5-year-old pointer male, owned and handled by Jim Pendergest and scouted by Mary Sue Schalk, garnered the title of Runner-up Champion with his four find performance in the fourth brace of the stake. Imagine began with a find at 6, a stand on a dead quail at 9, and added finds at 32, 38, and 46. The find at 46 required a relocation after an extensive flushing attempt. The dog moved up a few steps and froze again. After another flushing attempt, the dog was asked to relocate again and refused to move. A stubborn single quail was then spied and then put to wing for the shot. Imagine's range was moderate to begin the hour, and his pattern grew stronger as the hour progressed, and he finished with a distant cast to the front, disappearing around the wood line.

Haneys Live Wire, a pointer male owned and handled by Ben Weddington, gave the winners a stiff challenge in the last brace of the stake. Wire's first find came at 8 along the wood line in the bottom near the concrete crossing. It was picturesque and well handled by the stylish pointer. His second find came at 15 and was handled equally well. Point was called again at 35, but Wire corrected and worked through the scent as the judges and gallery arrived. Wire applied himself industriously through the rest of his hour, but did not score on birds again.

Kevil, Ky., March 22
Judges: Donnie Duckworth and Brett Towery
REGION 4 AMATEUR ALL-AGE CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 9 Pointers and 3 Setters
Winner-DIALED AGAIN, F1715261, pointer male, by Haney's All In-Dialed Up. Matt Pendergest, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-IMAGINE, F1693699, pointer male, by Touch's Grey Street-Dialed In. Jim Pendergest, owner and handler.