From Grand Junction
The Bird Dog Field Trial Capital of the World, Honorary Wall
The stone wall honoring the town of Grand Junction as THE BIRD DOG and FIELD TRIAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD has been completed. The wall is located at the intersection of Tennessee Highways #57 and #18. The wall is constructed by native stones from the neighboring state of Arkansas. The wall is 20 feet wide with two 15 feet arms extending toward Highway #18 and is nearly eight feet tall.
Mounted on the wall are four life-sized bronze sculptures representing the three major breeds of bird dogs — Retrieving, Pointing, and Flushing. The life-sized sculptures are the creation of artist Kwan Wu of Olathe, Kansas. On the back wall, a Labrador represents the Retriever breed, and a springer spaniel represents the Flushing breed. On each of the two wings, there is a pointer and an English setter representing the Pointing breeds. All of these sculptures are models of real dogs that are all National Champions.
The specific dogs mounted on the Honorary Wall are: HATTIE MCBUNN, the 1998 National Amateur Retriever Champion, who was inducted into the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame in 2001 and was owned by Dr. J.M. (Mac) and Lynne DuBose and was handled by Mrs. DuBose; SHADOW OAK BO, a setter, the 2013 and 2014 National Champion owned by N.G. (Butch) Houston and Dr. John Dorminy, and handled by professional Robin Gates; SAIGHTON’S SCUD, 1979-1980 National Amateur English Springer Spaniel Field Champion, 1980 Canadian National Field Champion, 1980 National Springer Spaniel Field Champion, elected to the Spaniel Field Trial Hall of Fame, owned and handled by Dr. Janet Christenson; and THE HITCH HIKER, 1992 National Champion owned by W.O (Bill) Fitch and handled by professional Randy Downs.
Informational plaques adorn the site that sufficiently justifies that Grand Junction is really “THE BIRD DOG AND FIELD TRIAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.” This feat is unmatched by any other locale in the world.
The United States flag, the emblem of our great nation, and the Tennessee state flag fly on the site 24-7, and is fully lit nightly. The area around the site is beautifully landscaped with blooming plants and shrubbery. A team of historical visionary donors underwrote the cost of the wall.
Visitors to Grand Junction during the running of the prestigious National Championship in February are invited to stop by and take a look at the honorary, historical marker.
