2025 Butch Bennett Memorial Youth Trail Report
Sunday, Feb 23, 2025
Old Meridian Plantation, Tallahassee, FL
The seventh running of this wonderful youth trial held on the quail-rich Old Meridian Plantation is in the books. Once again this popular event was blessed with perfect weather and a big gallery of supporters came out to watch the action. This year the trial was run in mid-February instead of mid to late March when temperatures can easily soar into the 80s. Thanks to the Georgia/Florida Invitational FTC for hosting the Butch Bennett Memorial Youth Trial.
The trial seems to get better every year thanks to the Roberts family, owners of Old Meridian. Their committment and personal enjoyment of this trial, first run in 2018, is evident. Each spring it has been hosted on their beautifully manicured property and ALWAYS there are plenty of fast-flying quail for the dogs to point. No doubt about it, birds make a trial fun for everyone — the dogs, the handlers and the gallery!
The Georgia/Florida Invitational FTC’s Jason Loper and Tommy Rice have been the backbone of this trial since its inception and along with everything else they do, this spring they sat in the judicial saddles. We had a great showing of 12 different handlers competing in 8 braces, the 8th being a bye. A total of 15 dogs ran. For three of the handlers, it was their first time handling dogs in a field trial: Denim Dalton, Berkley McCall and Terry James Chastain III. Our friend Daley Dalton, who successfully competed in youth trials till she reached 17, scouted for her sister; the McCall cousins had plenty of support via their family including longtime field trialer John Milton, his wife, Vivian… and for sure, the most popular guy in the Red Hills, Chuck Ramsey! T.J. age 6, made his field trial handling debut with his proud dad Terry James helping and his even prouder grandad, Terry Chastain on hand to watch his grandson. Mom was there too with T.J.’s two-week old (and third) brother!
Support for the trial came from the Roberts family who had Old Meridian caps and other gifts on hand for all the kids. Wybulu Farm and Timber of Thomasville generously paid the entry fees. YFTA supplied the three winner’s plaques, 8 x 10 winner’s prints, and dog biscuits for the winning dogs as well as ribbons and YFTA decals for all the handlers. The judges received our high tech UNRL caps! Another 10 x 20 inch print of the entire field trial party will be presented to the Roberts family in thanks to them.
The Winners
Ellis McCall did a fine job handling pointer female Tango to first place. Tango had multiple finds with Ellis showing confidence in her while handling and flushing her birds. This was Ellis’s first time handling a winning dog. Way to go Ellis! 2nd place winner, pointer male, Bond, was expertly handled by Kira Jenkins and scouted by Kira’s dad, Chip — a huge supporter of youth field trials. It’s been fun watching Kira progress as a handler and rider these past few years. She did an excellent job handling Bond in his consistently forward and strong multiple find shooting dog race. Third place was awarded to veteran female pointer Fanny handled by third generation field trialer Terry James (T.J.) Chastain III.
The Running
Grant and Berkely McCall, Denim Dalton, Harper, Sawyer and Warren King, Skylar Riley, Kaidence Cumbie, and Griffyn Long all did commendable jobs handling their dogs. They had a great time competing and we had a blast watching them!
As is so often the case in field trials, there were many other dogs with bird work and good races that the judges could have named. The handlers all did fine jobs with their dogs — many have won this trial in previous years. Win or loose, young handlers must learn to accept both — winning with gratitude and loosing with a positive attitude and in both cases, demonstrating good sportsmanship. Handlers should always congratulate their fellow handlers on their dogs’ wins. After all, their own dogs will win on another day and they too will appreciate the kind words and praise from their fellow handlers. Youth field trials offer an opportunity for youngsters to learn important life lessons which will stay with them as adult competitors in field trials.
Congrats to all the winning youth handlers and thanks to all of them for coming out and giving it their best. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!
Chris Mathan, Reporter
