Event: Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age
Result: Pony Express Field Trial Club

Location: Gentry, Missouri

Post Date: Apr 29, 2026

Submitted By: Tommy Smith

Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age (front row, seated): Emerie Smith and Wren Smith. (Second row): Thomas Smith, Linda Smith, Tony King with Wild Covey Strikezone, Korry Rinehart with Lester's War Bird, Matt Cochran with I'm Gallant, Cindy Worsham, Gary Lester, and Howard Burbach (judge). (Back row): Tommy Smith, Bill Westfall, Wes Bowlby, Kirk Swanson (judge), Andy Daugherty, Steve Auxier, Allen Vincent, and Joe Worsham.

The Pony Express Field Trial Club members came together and hosted a successful event. 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 is honored to carry on the tradition and standard that Mr. Larry Smith envisioned for Smith Farms while continuing to live up to Larry's well-known statement of "whatever is best for field trials!"

We would like to thank in advance all the bird dog breeders, owners, and handlers, as well as all the sponsors, for this year's National Qualifying event. Without their support, this event would not be possible. Sponsors for this year's event include Purina Pro Plan, SportDOG, Gun Dog Supply, and Good Life Fitness.

The Heartland Open All-Age commenced on March 12 over the rolling north Missouri countryside known as Smith Farms west of Gentry, Missouri. The field trial venue owned by Mrs. Linda Smith has been laid out with 3+ continuing one-hour courses to showcase all-age dogs. The grounds include covered horse corrals and 55 dog kennels available on-site for all participants.

For all spectators and owners present, a Polaris Ranger UTV was provided for those in attendance who did not want to ride a horse to view the field trial. The Pony Express Field Trial Club provided horse hay and all meals for participants and spectators. We would like to thank Mrs. Donna Gladstone and her niece, Wendy Hanson, for all their work in the kitchen, ensuring that no one leaves Smith Farms hungry! These ladies do an amazing job, and we appreciate them greatly. Thanks go out to Mr. Bill Westfall for utilizing his Can Am UTV and assisting with the dog wagon duties, along with Mr. Kelly Kain and Mr. Wes Bowlby, who are close personal friends of Larry and Linda, and graciously assisted with driving the dog wagon on very short notice. These gentlemen stepped up to ensure that all dogs were accounted for and ready when needed.

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 provide every entry ample opportunity to find and produce game.

The judges for the Heartland Open All-Age Derby and the Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age were Mr. Kirk Swanson of Red Oak, Iowa, and Mr. Howard Burbach of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The Pony Express Field Trial Club is truly honored to have these fine gentlemen in the judging seats. The judges had many great performances with multiple pieces of bird work and good races. The judges noted they enjoyed the field trial, the grounds, the great performances, and the multiple bird contacts from the dogs, as well as the hospitality from the Pony Express Field Trial Club.

Heartland Open All-Age Derby
This year's derby contest was an exciting stake to watch with many solid performances. All this year's contenders have had a very successful derby season thus far, which made for an exciting stake all around. First place was credited to Millers Inspiration, handled by Mr. Gary Lester. This nice young pointer male proved that his future potential looks extremely bright, showcasing his speed/class on the ground with several huge all-age casts and multiple broke finds on birds. Second place was Westfalls Florida Line, handled by Mr. Andy Daugherty. This young dog did a nice job with several all-age casts and multiple finds. Third place was Lesters Thunder Road, handled by Mr. Gary Lester. Thunder Road put on a nice performance with a nice, stylish finish to secure his spot in the Top 3.

Gentry, Mo., March 12
Judges: Howard Burbach and Kirk Samson
OPEN DERBY - 16 Pointers
1st-MILLERS INSPIRATION, F1724253, pointer male, by Miller's King Poast-Bryson's Dialing On Line. Al Bryson, owner; Gary Lester, handler.
2d-WESTFALLS FLORIDA LINE, F1720655, pointer male, by Westfall's Black Ice-Westfalls World Class. Ryan Westfall, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.
3d-LESTERS THUNDER ROAD, F1723244, pointer male, by Miller's King Poast-PHP Southern Storm. Gary Lester, owner and handler.

Larry Smith Heartland Open All-Age
Wild Covey Strikezone, handled by Mr. Andy Daughtery and scouted by Mr. Ryan Westfall, placed first. Strikezone ran a nice forward all-age race and was credited with several finds. Strikezone was seen at time with a strong forward finish, showing his endurance and stamina!
Lester's War Bird, handled by Mr. Gary Lester and scouted by Mr. Korry Rinehart, placed second. War Bird started strong and was credited with multiple finds, showcasing his strong desire to find birds along with his all-age stamina/endurance.
I'm Gallant, handled by Mr. Allen Vincent and scouted by Mr. Andy Daugherty, came in third. I'm Gallant had several nice finds with nice style and intensity. Gallant continued to push the front, showing his independence on several nice casts. He finished the hour strong to lock in his third-place performance.

LARRY SMITH HEARTLAND OPEN ALL-AGE [One-Hour Heats] - 29 Pointers
1st-WILD COVEY STRIKEZONE, F1697326, pointer male, by Open Range Terminator-Open Range Ice Breaker. Ryan Westfall, owner; Andy Daugherty, handler.
2d-LESTER'S WAR BIRD, F1705485, pointer male, by Lester's Storm Surge-R W Susie Q. Tommy & Bonnie Hamilton, owners; Gary Lester, handler.
3d-I'M GALLANT, F1696254, pointer male, by Valiant-Double Swami Dexie. Jay McKenzie, owner; Allen Vincent, handler.

Open Derby (front row, seated): Emerie Smith and Wren Smith. (Second row): Thomas Smith, Linda Smith, Ashley Clark with Millers Inspiration, Matt Cochran with Westfalls Florida Line, Korry Rinehart with Lester's Thunder Road, and Cindy Worsham. (Back row): Steve Auxier, Tommy Smith, Kirk Swanson (judge), Gary Lester, Bill Westfall, Andy Daugherty, Joe Worsham, Tony King, Howard Burbach (judge), and Wes Bowlby.