2024 Honors and Achievements

Mary Crawford

Mary Crawford, the 2023 Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame inductee, embodies nearly 40 years of unwavering dedication to the Brittany breed, its clubs, and the field trialing community. For over 15 years, she has played a pivotal role in preserving the history of Brittanys through her tireless work with the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame and Museum. A passionate competitor, breeder, and leader, Mary’s influence spans decades of service as a field trial secretary, club president, AKC judge, and event organizer. Her innovations, such as the widely adopted Field Trial Report form, demonstrate her enduring contributions to the sport.

Throughout her career, Mary has achieved remarkable competitive success. Together with her husband, Jim, she has produced and handled 14 Dual Champions, 3 Field/Amateur Field Champions, and several Runner-Up Champions. Among their proudest victories are winning the Region 8 “Dub Emde” Championship four times, claiming the Texas Amateur Championship twice, and securing runner-up placements in both championships on multiple occasions. Mary and Jim’s J&M Brittanys were also recognized with numerous Dogs of the Year awards for excellence in field trialing. Their Brittanys have competed at the highest levels, including over 20 appearances at the ABC National All Age Championships and multiple participations in the U.S. Open Brittany Championship and the ABC National Gun Dog Championship.

Mary’s perseverance and passion for Brittanys have guided her through triumphs and challenges, including the devastating loss of her home and dogs in a fire. Undeterred, she rebuilt her breeding program, producing champions like DC/AFC Sir Wimberley Sam, whose progeny continued her legacy of excellence. Her unwavering commitment extends beyond competition to mentorship and fundraising efforts that have strengthened the Brittany community.

Lyle Johnson

Lyle Johnson’s remarkable career in the world of Brittany field trials spans over six decades, marking him as one of the most influential figures in the sport. His unwavering dedication to developing exceptional field trial dogs and his mentorship of countless handlers and owners have left an enduring legacy that continues to shape the future of the Brittany breed and field trialing.

Lyle’s expertise as a trainer and handler is evident in an extraordinary record of competitive achievements:

21 National Championship placements

13 National Champions or Amateur National Champions

30 American Field Champions

97 AKC Field Champions finished

5 U.S. Open Championship winners and 4 Runner-Up Champions

11 Hall of Fame dogs

Among the many distinguished dogs he developed are Hall of Fame legends such as NFC Microdot, 7x American Field CH/FC/AFC Poki Dot, and NFC Minnehaha’s Tammy, whose names adorn the walls of the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame. Lyle’s influence also extends to future generations, with numerous prominent Brittanys competing today tracing their lineage back to his exceptional breeding and training programs.

Beyond his success in the field, Lyle’s passion for the sport has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant field trial community. His mentorship has guided dozens of amateur handlers and owners, many of whom now have their own places of honor within the Hall of Fame. His impact is also felt in the establishment and preservation of premier trialing venues. Lyle played a pivotal role in securing the use of the prestigious field trial grounds owned by Mary Lynn and Bill Oliver, which are utilized by the Southern Kansas Brittany Club, the Midwest Brittany Club, the Kansas Brittany Championship, and other significant events. These grounds, made accessible through his efforts, remain vital to the success of Midwest field trials.

Lyle Johnson’s unparalleled contributions as a breeder, trainer, mentor, and advocate have profoundly shaped the history and future of Brittany field trials. His induction into the Brittany Field Trial Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a lifetime of passion and achievement.