2026 Butch Bennett Memorial Youth Field Trial
Sunday, Feb 22, 2025
Old Meridian Plantation, Tallahassee, FL
The eighth running of this wonderful youth trial held on the quail-rich Old Meridian Plantation was once again blessed with good weather and a big gallery of supporters who came out to watch and support the 9 different handlers who competed in 6 braces and bye. Thanks to the Georgia/Florida Invitational FTC for hosting the Butch Bennett Memorial Youth Trial and, of course, the Roberts family, owners of Old Meridian. They were, as usual, on hand to enjoy the trial, first run in 2018 and hosted on their beautifully manicured property. They always ensure there are plenty of fast-flying quail for the dogs to point.
Jason Loper and Tommy Rice have been the backbone of this trial since its inception. Both were on hand to marshal. This year they selected Jim Davis and Jason Dzurick to sit in the judicial saddles with Jim having judged the trial in 2019. New competitors in this trial were Rowan Smith and Solon Rice who both did fine jobs handling their dogs. Tommy was on hand to help Solon in his first ever trial!
Support for the trial came as always from the Roberts family who had Old Meridian caps and other gifts on hand for all the kids. 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 and caps for the judges.
This was the second trial Thomasville videographer Drew Balfour filmed for the video he is creating for YFTA. Stay tuned!
The Winners:
Terry James Chastain III, fondly known as TJ, has been on a roll with pointer female Melrose Rebel Heart placing first. TJ and Fanny were 3rd here last year and placed 1st in the 2025 Nancy Pearce YFT last November. TJ and Fanny laso participated in the 2025 Kevin’s Southern Game Fair’s YFTA Pointing Dog Demo as did second place winner pointer female Rose skillfully handled by Harper King. The pair placed 2nd in the Nancy Pearce YFT…and won the Tall Timbers YFT in December. Third place went to another skillful handler and her English setter Lady, again, not newcomers to the winner’s circle!
The Running:
As is so often the case in youth trials, suffice to say the judges had their work cut out for them as these youth handlers improve each season they compete!
Congrats to all the winning youth handlers. Thanks to all — youth handlers, parents, judges, the Old Meridian crew and everyone who comes to this wonderful trial to give support to these talented kiddos!
Chris Mathan, Reporter