2024 Tall Timbers Youth Field Trial
Reporter: Maria Bassham
Tall Timbers was proud and honored to host their very first youth trial on the hallowed grounds of Livingston Place (formerly known as Dixie Plantation) in Greenville, Florida on November 16, 2024. The 14 kids that were entered to run were thrilled to experience such a special and memorable event! 16 dogs were braced together to run that morning: 15 Pointers and one English Setter. The temperatures were favorable at breakaway and the large gallery that followed along on horses and dog wagons was excited to watch and support all the youth. Crystal Davis Rice, Development Director at Tall Timbers was there to cheer the kids on and participate in all the fun.
We are incredibly grateful to Tall Timbers and Livingston Place for allowing these kids such a grand opportunity. The youth trial was presented by the Continental Amateur FTC along with the Continental Amateur Classic, which concluded that Sunday morning as well. Thank you to Livingston Place manager, John Michael McCormick, for marshalling and setting the course for these young trialers and their canine athletes. It was so enjoyable to run on some of their hunting courses and get to experience some different grounds of the glorious 9,125-acre plantation. A wonderful lunch of hamburgers and hotdogs was served by Gloria Hagan and Christina Burns at the legendary “Commissary” which has served as the “Lunch Place” for field trialers for over 80 years. Thank you to husband and wife, Jim and Mary Ann Womack, of Meigs, Georgia for spending their time in the judicial saddles for the morning. We wouldn’t be able to hold trials like these if it weren’t for all the adults that love and encourage these kids. Jim and Mary Ann have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are always up for teaching and training the young trialers. They enjoyed watching the sportsmanship and comradery these kids already exemplify. It is, after all, a “Gentleman’s Sport”. Thank you to Ben Melvin who spearheaded the idea and approached Chris Mathan of Youth Field Trial Alliance last spring asking how to conduct a youth trial at Livingston Place. He spent countless hours of his own time researching and attending other youth trials to get this inaugural Tall Timbers Youth Trial off the ground. I know it was thrilling for him to ride along and watch his vision come to fruition. Handlers received bags and goodies from long-time field trial & youth field trial supporter, Purina. Chris Mathan presented rosettes and leather leashes to the winners from YFTA, caps from YFTA supporter AFTCA as well as Tall Timbers caps.
First brace of the morning started off strong as “Bo” with Emaria Parker and “Lady” with Kaidence Cumbie had exciting individual finds at 3 minutes in. They both had nice sized coveys up and shots were fired. The girls did a fantastic job singing to their dogs and keeping them on course. Both dogs were with their young handlers when time was called.
2nd brace was 3rd place winner, “May” with Griffyn Long and 1st place winner, “Rose” with Harper King. These two also had a strong, exciting brace stopping at 9 minutes with Rose out front. Both dogs had birds flushed for them and shots were fired. Rose had another beautiful find at 15 minutes, holding steady to wing and shot.
3rd brace: “Jag” with Makenzie Bach and “Ben” with Cadence Knect. These two young handlers did a great job calling their pointers and keeping them on course. Unfortunately, no birds were found during their time on the ground.
4th brace: “Patch” with Ellis McCall and “Bond” with Kira Jenkins. Patch had a find early in his brace with birds up at 6 minutes. Later, Bond stopped, with Patch backing, and was relocated to no avail. Granddad, John Milton, enjoyed his time in the saddle helping young Ellis with Patch. Both dogs were with their handlers at pick up.
5th brace was 2nd place winner, “Buzz” with Kira Jenkins and Heatwave Lulu with Madison Thompson. Buzz handled well for his handler and had a nice, classy find with a sizable covey up. Lulu had a find with birds getting up before the judges’ arrival. Both dogs were seen at pick up.
6th brace: “Jr” with Warren King and “Bill” with Emaria Parker. As the morning temperatures continued to rise and birds shut down, these two brace-mates did not have any bird work but did a phenomenal job handling their Pointers.
7th brace: “Joey” with Grant McCall and “Mo” with Jacob McCormick. This brace paired two of our young men handlers together with their fine canine athletes. This was Jacob’s first field trial and dad, John Michael, proudly rode along beside him giving him pointers along the way. The boys handled their dogs well and kept them on course. There was no bird work during their time on the ground, but we know they loved every minute.
8th and Final brace “Stan” with Sawyer King and “Tom” with Skylar Riley. Both dogs stopped early in their brace but birds did not get up. They handled well and had good races staying out front for their handlers. Both dogs were seen at pick up, bringing the exciting youth trial to its conclusion.
The three winners receive points toward the Dixie Trace Field Trial Association’s Youth Handler Award presented at their annual banquet in June.
It was a thrilling day for all the kids and adults alike. We are so grateful for the parents, friends, and family that continue to support and encourage these youth and help keep the sport of field trialing alive and thriving!
Winners of the Inaugural running of the Tall Timbers Youth Field Trial. Congrats!!!
For more photos of the Inaugural running of the Tall Timber Youth Trial