05/11/2026
A lot going on in this photo! Shortly after placements were announced the kids retreated to the yard to blow bubbles and engage in normal country kid shenanigans. Preacher Thornton, back to being barefoot, trying to throw a loop around the roping dummy. Meanwhile, Eli Adams shows off his hand stand skills. Simultaneously, Quay Duke our winner of the Youth Stake (furthest from the camera on the swing) encourages 2 yr old Wren Thornton who was literally born at a field trial to push the swing higher. Next to him, is Townes Seymore whose dog pointed a rattlesnake and who had to take a closer look into the bush where the rattlesnake was hiding as his dad asked the judge if he wanted them to continue to try to flush the bird! Townes appears to have his hand on my daughter Hazel’s leg.. I’ll discuss that with him at TBall practice this week. Hazel is sitting next to 4th place finisher Elliott Smith who in her young life has probably seen more wild bird country across the western United States than most adults. Quite the who’s who of future field trialer’s. I didn’t hear one complaint about judges, the courses, scouts, the bird planter, under performing pen raised quail, unfair draws or any of the other normal post trial banter.. It turns out the bubbles were as popular as the shotgun that was given away or any of the placements that were announced.
