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Result: National Derby Championship

Location: Greensboro, Alabama

Post Date: May 15, 2026

Submitted By: Morgan Brewer

National Derby ChS26-

National Derby Championship (l-r): Anna Kitchens, John Kitchens, Brent Cox (judge), Collier Kitchens, Schley Rutherford, Lee Phillips, Jerry Raynor with TS Beyond The Pines, Hunter McDuffie (judge), Kirsten Givhan, Gary Lester, Ruthann Epp, Judd Carlton with Como White Lightning, Luke Eisenhart, and Chris Cagle.

The National Field Trial Club officially launched the 2026 National Derby Championship on January 9, 2026, at the renowned M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area in Greensboro, Alabama. This much-anticipated event offers a glimpse into the future of field trials, spotlighting young competitors who tackle the expansive "Cattle Ranch" terrain with the confidence and grit of experienced veterans.

Every year, I eagerly anticipate this trial, and it's a privilege to report it once again. The hospitality was exceptional, as always. Kirsten Givhan, Fontaine Alison, Olivia Alison, and Schley Rutherford all pitched in with daily lunches, and Ruthann Epp made sure there were plenty of refreshments on the dog wagon. Particular thanks are due to Schley Rutherford, Ruthann Epp, Kirsten Givhan, and Chris Koutras for their dedicated work in bringing this event together. Their commitment and effort are truly appreciated. Owners of the 2025 National Free-For-All Champion Haney's All In, Steve and Stacey Croy, hosted a seafood dinner accompanied by a wild bird Jambalaya at the Blankenship Event Center. The meal was excellent, as was the fellowship. Purina's generous sponsorship was vital in making this trial possible- without their support, events of this caliber wouldn't happen.

The Epp family donated the champion's trophy, while John Ivester contributed the runner-up trophy, both of which were highly coveted. Additionally, a portrait of the champion, painted by Alabama artist Mary McPherson, was presented to the winner. I had the privilege of riding alongside judges Brent Cox and Hunter McDuffie, both of whom worked diligently to provide every competitor with a fair and thorough evaluation.

The Running
It was a humid 67 degrees with a brisk wind at breakaway for the first brace. DS Superfly, owned by Alex Rickert and handled by Mark McLean, and Silver W Season Ticket, owned by Debbie Ozner, Baker Hubbard, and Tom Jackson, and handled by Luke Eisenhart, came to the line. Superfly had an unproductive at 43 and was picked up at 59. Ticket was picked up at 51.

Phantom's Zip, owned by Erick and Holly Parsons and handled by Scott Beeler, and CK Playmaker, owned by David Melnick and handled by Judd Carlton, turned loose for the second brace. Zip, a pointer female, had unproductives at 4 and 32. Playmaker had a back at 4, a clean find at 22, a nice find at 56 after a lengthy relocation, and a find at 87.

It was 63 degrees at breakaway for the third brace when Game Hail, owned by Bruce and Karen Norton and Dr. Reuben Richardson and handled by Mark McLean, and Notorious Poker Facepointer, owned by John Mathys and handled by Judd Carlton, approached the line. Hail, a pointer male was picked up at 4. Poker Face had clean finds at 4 and 20 and was picked up at 27.

TS Beyond The Pines, owned and handled by Lee Phillips, and Como White Lightning, owned by David Russell and handled by Luke Eisenhart, were in the fourth brace. This was the brace of all braces; the champion and runner-up champion came out of this brace. TS Beyond The Pines was named champion for his stellar performance, having a picture-perfect find at 24 with a strong front-running race. Como White Lightning was named runner-up champion for his outstanding performance, having classy finds at 60, 72, and 90, and a powerful front-running race.

It was a drastic change in temperature on the second day of running, turning loose at 38 degrees for the fifth brace. Millers Inspiration, owned by Al Bryson and handled by Gary Lester, had an unproductive at 12 and four orderly finds at 64, 68, 81, and 90. Red Hills All In Nation, owned by Steve and Stacey Croy and handled by Mark McLean, had a find at 31, a back at 64, and finds at 81 and 90.

Haney's High Dollar, owned and handled by Chris Cagle, and Erin's Banshee, owned by Allen Linder and handled by Judd Carlton, were in the sixth brace. Dollar, a pointer male, had a find at 2, an unproductive at 5, a find at 31, and was picked up at 71. Banshee had a find at 2, a back at 5, a find at 31, an unproductive at 63, and was picked up at 71.

It was 52 degrees when we turned loose. Sunset Jack, owned and handled by Matt Brown, and Rester's Wildflower, owned by Julie and Pat Roach and handled by Luke Eisenhart, for the seventh brace. Jack had an unproductive at 5, a find at 15, and a find at 60. Wildflower had finds at 15 and 60.

Lesters Thunder Road, owned by Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton and handled by Gary Lester, and Rester's In Sync, owned by Adam Houston and handled by Luke Eisenhart, turned loose for the eighth brace. Thunder Road had a back at 12, an unproductive at 35, a find at 44, and an unproductive at 55. In Sync, a pointer male had bird contacts at 12, 34, 44, and was picked up at 69.

It was a brutal 28 degrees for the third day of running. Erin's Desert Storm, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, and Breakaway Big, owned by Katie Summerlin and Gary Futch and handled by Mark McLean, approached the line for the ninth brace. Storm had a back at 13 and was picked up at 26. Big was picked up at 13 for a breach in manners.

Mayhaw's New Money, owned by Mayhaw Plantation and handled by Lee Phillips, was a bye dog in the 10th brace. Money was picked up at 43.

It was 40 degrees when DS Riptide, owned by Brian Spear and Buck Heard, and handled by Mark McLean, and Silver W Orange Crush, owned by Debbie Ozner, Baker Hubbard, and Tom. Jackson and handled by Luke Eisenhart turned loose for the 11th brace. Tide had nice finds at 38 and 46 and was picked up at 53. Crush had bird contacts at 12, 29, 61, 73, and was picked up at 73.

Bandit Hill's Smooth Rider, owned and handled by Klaus Schmidt, and Erin's Dreamcatcher, owned by Mike Sweet and handled by Judd Carlton, turned loose for the 12th brace. Smooth Rider had an unproductive at 12 after a lengthy relocation, and the handler asked for the retrieval unit at 41. Dream Catcher, a setter female, had a back at 12 and was ordered up at 20 after a self-relocation.

A heartfelt thanks to the judges, handlers, scouts, event organizers, and M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild who made this trial a success. I eagerly await next year's competition and the continued excellence these young contenders bring to the field year after year.

Greensboro, Ala., January 9
Judges: Brent Cox and Hunter McDuffie
NATIONAL DERBY CHAMPIONSHIP [Ninety-Minute Heats] - 23 Pointers and 1 Setter
Winner-TS BEYOND THE PINES, F1713348, pointer male, by Southern Thunder-T S Little Eagle. Lee Phillips, owner and handler.
Runner-Up-COMO WHITE LIGHTNING, F1717168, pointer male, by Haney's Hurricane Seeker-Como Sis. David Russell, owner; Luke Eisenhart, handler.