2025 Nancy Pearce Youth Field Trial
Nancy Pearce Youth Field Trial
Pinewoods Plantation
November 8, 2025
Report by Maria Bassham
Winners:
1st: Melrose Rebel Heart, Terry James Chastain III
2nd: Rose, Harper King
3rd: Dakota, Emmie McHugh
Honorable Mention: Morton Bray’s Alfi, Grant McCall
The 3rd annual Nancy Pearce Youth Field Trial was held on the beautiful grounds of Pinewoods Plantation in Monticello, Florida November 8, 2025. The weather was unseasonably warm for the beginning of November that Saturday morning. 14 dogs were entered to run by 10 of youth contenders. Each one of them did an exceptional job and had so much fun cheering each other on. We want to thank our judges, Ben Stringer of Thomasville, Georgia, and Dustin Kirby of Albany, Georgia for spending their day with us, judging and coaching these kids. We couldn’t have trials like these if it weren’t for the generosity of so many. Thank you to Fred and Sally Beshears for allowing us to run on their glorious exclusively wild bird plantation. Thank you to Jeff Arnold for spearheading the idea of this trial and putting everything into motion 3 years ago. Thank you to Jennifer Funderburk and to the staff of Pinewoods Plantation for all they did in helping the day run smoothly. Snacks, chips, and water were provided by Youth Field Trial Alliance and a delicious lunch, courtesy of the Pinewoods Bird Dog Club was enjoyed by everyone after the morning braces concluded the trial. Awards were given to the top 3 contenders and honorable mention. Each of them received Purina dog food donated by Greg Blair and Purina. Whistles, lanyards, dog biscuits, and AFTCA standards books provided by Youth Field Trial Alliance. Etched water bottles were awarded by Pinewoods Plantation and the revolving trophy was presented to the 1st place winner.
The morning started out strong with 3rd place winner, Emmie McHugh and her dog, Dakota, braced with Honorable Mention winner, Grant McCall, and his pointer Morton Bray’s Alfi. The 2 did a fantastic job handling their dogs and both had exciting bird work. This was Emmie’s first horseback trial, and no one would have ever known. She handled Dakota from the back of her horse with ease like she had done it a million times. We were all so proud.
2nd brace was 1st place winner, Terry James Chastain, III and Melrose Rebel Heart and Emaria Parker handling Sam. Sam did not have any finds but Emaria handled him well and everyone enjoyed watching the two of them. TJ (Terry James) did a superb job handling Fannie and showed professionalism in his sportsmanship! Fannie had one find with a nice covey rise. TJ was thrilled to share his excitement with his scout, dad, andf grandad, longtime field trialer Terry Chastain.
3rd brace was Adalyn Kate Doane with her pointer, Sunny and Berkley McCall with Morton Bray’s Jess. Both dogs stopped with birds seen, but they both got a little excited and didn’t hold point. Later in the 20-minute brace, Jess stopped again with a successful find.
4th brace was our 2nd place winner, Harper King, and her steadfast pointer, Rose and Karter M with Sam Jr. Rose ran a nice, clean race and had one find with a sizeable covey that was seen by everyone. Sam Jr honored Rose’s’ point.
5th brace was Harper King and her pointer, Pete, and Emaria Parker and Rex. Pete had one nice find during his time on the ground. Rex seemed to have had a slight limp and it was decided to pick him up before the brace end.
6th brace was Sawyer King and Stan and Ellis McCall and Morton Bray’s Tango. Ellis did a nice job handling Tango but unfortunately he did not have any bird work. Stan did have one stylish point with birds seen.
7th brace was Emmie McHugh and her beautiful setter, Boxie, and Sawyer King and Brandi. Both dogs stopped a few minutes in, then moved on. With temperatures heating up for our last brace of the trial, neither dog had any bird work in their 20 minutes on the ground.
