I met David Johnson at the Florida Championship in 1995 and saw him there many years and at other trials, including the Free-For-All at Sedgefields (west) and the Continental. I also saw him at Foggy Bottom, T. Jack Robinson’s Mississippi training and hunting property near Corinth, Mississippi. He was first a gentleman and a consummate professional as a scout and trainer. Always quiet. Always looking for ways to help other handlers and scouts with their dogs.
When David rode in the gallery with no dog down in a brace (and he rode most braces), he rode close behind the judges and a few yards to the side, watching for the dogs down in the brace. If he saw one when its handler did not, he sang out to alert the handler (or scout) of its whereabouts. He rode most braces for two reasons: to learn where the birds were, and to help other handlers and scouts. He knew that was bread cast upon the waters; that such favors got returned.
David’s career in trials and training was long, broad and extensive. He began as a child with the Gates organization, helping Captain John get around as his driver before he had a driver’s license. Then he scouted and helped train and condition dogs for John Rex while he accumulated record all-age wins across the continent. After John Rex retired, he worked for Texan Steven Harwood and with Pete Thuman in developing the great Rebel Wrangler and other Harwood dogs. When Steven Walker acquired Wrangler and other Harwood dogs and placed them with Bill Hunt, Walker hired David to scout them and help Hunt train and campaign.
I will never forget talking with David about Wrangler after Wrangler’s death. He loved the dog, which was very smart and in tune with David, who guided him silently and could send him on a forward distant cast by simply pointing his horse and slapping a chap with a rein.
David’s final employers in field trials were T. Jack and Fred Robinson with whom he helped develop and scouted many Robinson color bearers, including the great winner and sire Solid Reward, call name Pete, who won the Florida and the Free-For-All as a three-hour stake the same year and came close in the National Championship with multiple finds several times.
David became the second black scout elected to the Field Trial Hall of Fame. There should be others.
Rebel Wrangler (by John Donaldson)
Solid Reward (artist unknown)