Result: National Amateur Pheasant Championship

Location: Gentry, Missouri

Post Date: Apr 28, 2026

Submitted By: Tommy Smith

National Amateur Pheasant Championship (front row, seated): Emerie Smith, Aisling Derrig, Rosie Derrig, Wren Smith, and Nuala Derrig. (Back row): Linda Smith, Tommy Smith, Jeff Wallace (judge), Brian Sheehan with Erin's Southern Comfort, Sean Patrick Derrig, Jon Lam with Lam's Prime Choice, Bruce Bryant (judge), Steve Auxier, and Thomas Smith.

The Pony Express Field Trial Club members came together to host the National Amateur Pheasant Championship for the third consecutive year! This prestigious trial is the second-oldest amateur field trial championship. This year's event was not only highlighted by amazing performances but also maintained the camaraderie that everyone looks forward to each spring. The club felt honored to host an event of this magnitude. Larry and Linda Smith have created an amazing field trial venue with over 2500+ acres of rolling cropland hills, long tree lines, waterways, CRP strips, and over 43 ponds! This layout consists of four consecutive one-hour courses to showcase the all-age performance. Smith Farms has a quail program with habitat designed to sustain wild quail and pheasants, plus birds are released every day prior to the day's running to ensure every entry has ample opportunity to find game. Larry's vision and attention to detail helped him achieve his goal of creating an "experience" of hospitality for the field trialer and spectator alike. He would commonly say, "What is best for field trialing!" Smith Farms was designed with ample covered horse corrals, 55 dog kennels, a comfortable clubhouse, complimentary meals and hay for all, a Polaris Ranger UTV for spectators/owners, and onsite lodging for judges.

We would like to thank Mrs. Linda Smith in advance for the opportunity to host this event on her beautiful farm! We would also like to thank all the handlers and sponsors for their support of this National event; without their support, this event would not be possible. Sponsors for this year's event included Purina Pro Plan and Garmin, with additional sponsors including Haggis Saddles, The Saddle Guy, Gun Dog Supply, US Rider, Good Life Fitness, Wild Covey Kennels, Big Gun Kennels, Conkey's Outdoors, and the Escape Ranch. For this event, we held several raffles and giveaways. We would like to thank the Escape Ranch, Mr. Orrin Ingram, Mr. Nathan Phillips, and Mr. Mike Small for the donation of Stud Service to Phillips Linebacker, as well as Vincent Kennels and Mr. Allen Vincent for his donation of one month to his puppy program. The Escape Ranch and Mr. Geoff Beane also sponsored a catered Beef Tenderloin meal on Saturday evening, courtesy of Ms. Charmaine Hughes of Denver, Missouri. We enjoyed excellent beef filet, 7-layer salad, seasoned green beans, broiled mushrooms, and mashed potatoes, topped off with a wonderful, rich chocolate cake for dessert!

Special thanks go to Donna Gladstone and Wendy Hanson for keeping everyone fed with breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the event. Bruce Huffman and Eddie Berendzen kept up with the dog wagon to ensure smooth transitions and hot coffee and snacks between braces, too!

The judges for the championship were Mr. Bruce Bryant of Silver City, Iowa, and Mr. Jeff Wallace of Knoxville, Iowa. The Pony Express Field Trial Club is truly honored to have these fine gentlemen in the judging seats. The judges noted a great trial with many dogs finding birds. They also noted the sportsmanship from everyone helping each other turn a dog loose and always being willing to help--a great trial with great camaraderie from all.

National Amateur Pheasant Championship
Champion: Erin's Southern Comfort (Mr. Sean Patrick Derrig)
Runner-up Champion: Lam's Prime Choice (Mr. Jon Lam)
Erin's Southern Comfort, handled by Mr. Sean Patrick Derrig, started the 9th brace of the stake on the west side of Center Farm Road at the Eagle's Nest Draw. He started his race with his first find coming at 4 on a quail found in the draw south of Andy's crossing. His handler flushed a single bird, Southern Comfort, displaying exceptional manners. His next find came just north of Killam's Corner. The dog was found by the gallery, buried way down into a ravine. Derrig joined his dog near the bottom of the ravine and produced a pheasant. The dog was released to the front and made a huge cast down the center farm road fenceline to the north. After a brief absence, Southern Comfort was shown to the front and returned to his handler right before the Ol' Tree Bridge. Southern Comfort was released into No Man's Land and was found standing to the front along the 520 fenceline where the handler produced a covey of quail. Sean then took a gamble and opted to attempt the "Big Swing," a mile-long fenceline encompassing half of an entire 160-acre section, a move that separates the men from the boys. Southern Comfort obliged, heading directly into the wind, made the huge move, and was pointed out by the handler way up along a row of evergreen trees. He finished the move only to be found standing to the front of his handler. This find produced another pheasant. Southern Comfort's fifth find, a single quail, came just north of the Cowboy Shack along Center Farm Road. He was released only to have three more separate pheasant finds east of the Cowboy Shack. With time winding down and trying to finish strong, Sean opted to place the dog on the opposite side of the road and hit the whistle. Southern Comfort was seen at time, making a large cast down to the South end of the property on the east side of Center Farm Road, thus concluding his exciting run and securing his second consecutive National Amateur Pheasant Championship with an impressive eight finds.

Lam's Prime Choice, handled by Mr. Jon Lam, began his brace on Sunday morning. The wind was howling from the southeast at around 25-30 mph, putting the odds against the team. Prime Choice made a large cast to the west from breakaway. After a brief absence, Prime Choice was found to the front near the Tornado Shelter. His handler placed the dog on the east fence line to ensure the dog would be downwind to stay in contact with his handler. He made a big move to the east after Broken Bit Pond up and around 30-minute pond, handling well and staying always connected to his handler. His first find came around 32 on a pheasant near the Honeymoon Shack. Prime Choice displayed excellent manners during and after the flush. He was released along the South Timber line, headed back west towards the "W" tree. He was found standing near the "W" tree, and a bird was produced. After making a large cast around the North 40, Lam called Point when he noticed his dog standing along the Center Farm Road fence. As Jon dismounted his horse, a hen pheasant was seen flushing from the brush pile. Prime Choice was released to the front where his tough, hour-long assignment would conclude.

Gentry, Mo., March 21
Judges: Bruce Bryant and Jeff Wallace
NATIONAL AMATEUR PHEASANT CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 21 Pointers
Winner-ERIN'S SOUTHERN COMFORT, F1693833, pointer male, by Erin's Lone Star Law-Erin's Irresistible Jane. Sean Derrig & Sean Patrick Derrig, owners; Sean Derrig, handler.
Runner-Up-LAM'S PRIME CHOICE, F1696981, pointer male, by Game Wardon-Wiggins White Angel. Jon Lam, owner and handler.