Cumberland FTC Youth Stake Report
ABHA TENNESSEE STATE CLASSIC
CUMBERLAND FIELD TRIAL CLUB
Spring Trials – Open, Amateur, & Youth Stakes
By Ben Weddington | La Vergne, TN | February 25 – March 1, 2026
The Cumberland Field Trial Club ended the month of February hosting two back-to-back horseback trials at the Percy Priest W.M.A. Field Trial Grounds in La Vergne, Tennessee. The event kicked off with the 2-day American Bird Hunters Association Tennessee State Classic, which ran all Open Stakes, and was immediately followed by the Cumberland Field Trial Club’s Amateur Trial. The club also hosted its inaugural Youth Horseback stake on Sunday afternoon as part of the Amateur event, which drew a large crowd of spectators. Combined, the 2 events drew 62 total dogs and brought together handlers, judges, scouts, and spectators in the gallery from 7 different states, including from as far away as North Dakota. Many thanks to our veteran dog wagon driver, Mr. Jimmy Gentry of Hixson, TN, whose invaluable services kept us running smoothly and on schedule. Thanks to our fantastic judges, our volunteers, and everyone else who assisted to help make the Cumberland FTC’s two Spring 2026 trials such a success. Thank you also to the Youth Field Trial Alliance’s, Chris Mathan, Allison Daniels and Claudia McNamee, as well as Chris Sellers for graciously sponsoring all the awards and entry fees for our Youth Horseback event. Lastly, a giant thank you goes to both Purina and Greg Blair for sponsoring both of our trials and for continuing to support the great sport of field trialing around the country.
The Cumberland Field Trial Club’s inaugural Youth Horseback Stake was held on Sunday afternoon March 1st, immediately following a catered lunch the Weddington Family provided for everyone. The Youth Horseback was the most highly anticipated stake of our entire 5-days of running and featured some of the best pieces of bird work of the entire 2 trials. 8 Entries with 7 different handlers, consisting of 5 girls and 2 boys, were drawn for the 20-minute stake and every single brace had multiple finds. Our expert judging panel consisted of the honorable Mr. James Kleve of Paris, KY and Mrs. Mary Sue Schalk of Dixon, KY. Conditions were warm and sunny with a light breeze as the first breakaway commenced.
Up first were veteran field trailer Sterling Woodruff and his male pointer – Rester’s Cashin In – scouted by his father Woody Woodruff, who were braced with first-time field trialer Raelyn Morrison and her male pointer – High Drive Impact – scouted by her grandfather Buddy Morrison. It didn’t take long for things to get interesting… 7 minutes from breakaway to be exact, which is when Ms. Raelyn recorded her first find. Her dog pointed up front along a hedgerow, and she proudly produced 3 quail after some minor assistance flushing in the thick briars. Just a minute later before she was even back in the saddle, Mr. Woodruff called point for his dog in a hedgerow on the opposite side of the same field, and he too produced a bird after an extended flush. Both dogs were beautiful on their game. In the final minutes of the brace the gallery topped a hill and found High Drive Impact standing point along a distant tree line with Rester’s Cashin In honoring from the neighboring bean field. Raelyn raced enthusiastically up to her dog and flushed, again producing several birds that took flight. Both dogs were on their best manners as the shot fired. All was in order, marking an exciting conclusion to the first brace.
The second brace also featured a veteran / rookie pairing with Vivian Woodruff and her female pointer – Sammy – scouted by her father Woody Woodruff, braced with first-time field trialer Mackenzie Waddell and her fancy female setter – Hytime Dixie – scouted by family friend Ben Weddington. At breakaway the two 11 & Under aged handlers tore out on their matching pair of black & white spotted horses at a hasty All Age pace, racing after their big running dogs. The first find came just 4 minutes in with Ms. Mackenzie’s Dixie slamming point along a tree line out in front of the two handlers and Ms. Vivian’s Sammy honoring from the left. Birds took flight as the handler flushed and both dogs remained staunch through the shot. Throughout the remainder of the brace, the girls were all business as they sang out to their dogs and used their horses to help direct the dogs around the course and keep them out in front. Minute 15 marked another find way up front for Hytime Dixie, who had been unseen for several minutes’ prior, with Sammy again coming in to honor her bracemate. As Mackenzie flushed, several quail flew out the end of a long hedgerow, which produced smiles from both handler and gallery. Again, both dogs showed off their broke manners. In the final minute of the brace, Sammy was found standing on point by her scout along a tree line. Vivian flushed enthusiastically for her dog in the thick cover and birds were observed by the judges to be running. They eventually took flight and a shot rang out from the handler’s gun, signaling the end of an action-packed brace for the two young ladies.
The third brace again called Sterling Woodruff to the line, this time to run his strong male pointer – Rester’s Powered Up – scouted by his dad, Woody Woodruff. They were braced with Hunter Sexton, another rookie field trialer who handled the female pointer – Bryant’s Princess Kate – and was scouted by friend and mentor, Kenton Bryant. After breakaway the pair of handlers immediately began showing off their dogs, putting them on opposite edges and singing loudly as they progressed through the large crop fields. Both dogs stayed up front and handled particularly well for the young men. Towards the end of the brace the action began heating up. At 15, Mr. Sexton’s scout called “Point!” after noticing Bryant’s Princess Kate standing in the distance along the edge of a soybean field. Her handler proceeded to flush and Katie remained staunch as the birds took flight. Just 3 minutes later shouts from Mr. Woodruff rang out up ahead as he too called “Point” for his dog. Though tricky to see at first, there in the distance along a tree lined hedgerow was Rester’s Powered Up standing tall on point. Sterling loped up on his pony and proceeded to flush in the thick cover. Judge Kleve noticed the birds take flight and instructed Sterling to fire his gun. Almost as soon as his dog was turned loose after the find, he was found stopped again on the backside of a large hill…this time honoring Katie who had just pointed some 75 yards ahead. Officially, Katie’s final find came a mere 20 seconds before time expired. Hunter proceeded to flush and this time it was Judge Schalk who noticed the birds darting through the cover. The handler fired his gun, both dogs remained steady, and all was in order.
Besting the field of youth competitors and taking 1st place honors along with the blue ribbon, a custom silver belt buckle, and an assortment of other great prizes was the orange and white female pointer, Bryant’s Princess Kate, handled by Hunter Sexton for owner Jill Bryant. Katie was fancy running and handled well, recording 2 nice finds in her time on the ground. Second Place along with a red ribbon, plaque, and an assortment of other great prizes was the liver and white male pointer, High Drive Impact, handled by Raelyn Morrison for owner Buddy Morrison. He was stylish on the ground and worked well for his youth handler, recording 2 fantastic finds in his time on the ground. Third Place honors along with a yellow ribbon, plaque, and an assortment of other prizes was the fancy orange and white female setter, Hytime Dixie, handled by Mackenzie Waddell for owner Ben Weddington. She ran a huge race with a high, snappy tail and recorded 2 impressive finds during her brace. Honorable Mention along with a YFTA ribbon, plaque, and an assortment of other prizes was awarded to Rester’s Powered Up, handled by Sterling Woodruff for owner Woody Woodruff. He ran a great race and was beautiful on his game, recording 1 find and honoring his bracemate once. Lastly, the 11 & Under Top Dog award along with a YFTA ribbon, plaque, and assortment of other prizes was awarded to Sammy, handled by Vivian Woodruff for owner Sterling Woodruff. Sammy was an all-around great bird dog during her brace and handled beautifully, recording 1 find and honoring her bracemate twice on the course.