Berea, Ky. — The Rolling Fork Bird Dog Club organized a weekend trial January 23-24 at Berea, Ky. The grounds were in very good condition with big improvements to the road and creek crossing. Thanks to Bill Brown and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for the work.

Plenty of cover of natural grasses and milo strips and fields and wood edges for dogs to prove their bird-finding abilities.

The weather on Saturday when the walking trial was run was sunny and cold, with frost staying on ground  until late morning. For the horseback on Sunday, it was cold, cloudy with some chilly rain drops in the air.

The walking trial attracted nice entries, some seasoned dogs with champion titles as well as first year and even one Derby run in the Shooting Dog Stakes and a few Derbies and puppies. Most handlers were satisfied with their dogs’ work even if the dogs did not place.

Horseback trial was only one stake due to most local handlers working their dogs in southern states or competing in a regional championship. The few entered dogs did a good job and the handlers enjoyed the ride.

I want to thank Gary Vitali, Adam Thomas and Mike Fox for bringing their utility vehicles which helped to run the trial smoothly. Also thanks to Dylan Lear for planting birds and bringing hot pizza to warm up the judges and handlers.

Not last thanks to the judges, Vincent Tuttle, Brett Francis and Art Terstage for watching the dogs and awarding impartial placements.

Berea, Ky., January 23 — One Course

Judges: Bret Francis and Vincent Tuttle

ABHA OPEN SHOOTING DOG — 7 Setters

1st—ALL OUT, 1658806, setter male, by All In—Walnut Hills Rocket Onpoint. Joseph & Brittany Hopkins, owners; Joseph Hopkins, handler.

2d—SEVEN OF DIAMONDS, 1682461, setter male, by Erin’s Hidden Shamrock—Diamond’s Blue Girl. Joseph & Brittany Hopkins, owners; Joseph Hopkins, handler.

3d—NORTH CREEK SCOOTER, 1656176, setter male, by Full Blast—Moss Meadow Majestic. Scott A. Luther, owner and handler.

ABHA OPEN DERBY — 1 Pointer, 1 Setter and 1 Irish Setter

1st—WHISPER RIDGE GUNNER, 1686742, setter male, by Smoke Rise Buck—Whisper Ridge Rosie. Gerald Addison, owner and handler.

Judges: Joe Hopkins and Gary Vitali

ABHA OPEN PUPPY — 3 Setters and 1 Irish Setter

1st—FULL RED AFTERBURN, 1691624, Irish setter male, by Zansett Simply Red—Foxy’s Lil Red Missy. Mike Fox, owner and handler.

2d—CZESHKA SUGAR, unreg., setter female, by Jaguar Za Czeshka—Max’s Cross Connection. Magda Lear, owner and handler.

Judges: Brett Francis and Vincent Tuttle

ABHA AMATEUR SHOOTING DOG — 1 Pointer and 13 Setters

1st—FRENCH’S WIZARD OF OZ, 1649555, setter male by Terhaar’s Elvis—fricke N Coco. Brian & Andrea French, owners; Brian French, handler.

2d—NO LEAF CLOVER, 1682457, setter male, by Erin’s Hidden Shamrock—Diamond’s Blue Girl. Joseph & Brittany Hopkins, owners; Joseph Hopkins, handler.

3d—NORTH CREEK SCOOTER, 1656176, setter male, by Full Blast—Moss Meadow Majestic. Scott A. Luther, owner and handler.

Judges: Art Terstage and Vincent Tuttle

ABHA OPEN ALL-AGE — 1 Pointer and 2 Irish Setters

1st—LITTLE MORE SHINE, 1671392, Irish setter female, by Red Rock—Covered In Red. Kristine Hammons, owner; Tim Hammons, handler.