After months of hard work in the field there comes a time of recognition, and this is it. A multitude of people took their best pups and 1-Day hounds and competed in Chase-Pride-Johnson’s Telemetry “Test of the Best” hunts this past year with the objective of placing at the top. I want to personally thank the hunters who made it a goal to take their hounds and put them in a position to excel in one of the most prestigious competitions for Foxhounds in the nation. In tracking hounds this past year, I was keenly aware that this was an outstanding field. Time after time I saw the names of the hounds listed below in the results column and it became evident that when the “Test of the Best” concluded, those in the top five would be very special. This contest would not be what it is without the preserve owners who make it a point to run their hunts under “Test of the Best” guidelines. Thank you my friends for doing this! The hounds you see here are the elite, and have finished the race with distinction.
The winners of the 2015 “Test of the Best” are as follows:
Puppy Division:
1) Bedrock’s Spartacus (910 Points)
Bond’s Hurricane – Bedrock’s Salsa
Owned by Ryan Beddingfield, Bedrock Knl; Pink Hill, NC
2) Callgirl (800 Points)
J’s Sherman – Smokin Aces Lynn
Owned by Jeremiah Eaton, White Oak River Knl; Maysville, NC
3) Big Times Rolex (710 Points)
Buckshot’s Hard Rock – Big Times’ Sundrop
Owned by Jason Lane, Six Run Knl; Clinton, NC
4) Double DD’s Big Red (670 Points with 10 placements)
Birch Creek Tiny – Katlin’s Rosebud
Owned by Mike Evans and Daniel Stewart, Double “DD” Knl; Harrells, NC
5) Kennedy’s Phoenix A. (670 Points with 8 placements)
Kennedy’s Nikon A. – Kennedy’s Dockie A.
Owned by Alex Kennedy, Pink Hill, NC
1-Day Division
1) Burn One Up Tammy (830 Points)
Burn One Up Tank Tank – Atkins’ Tipsy
Owned by Mitch and Jennifer Priest, Blackstone Mafia Knl; Blackstone, VA
2) Dooley’s Blackie (800 Points)
Davis’ Riff R. – Green Valley Jenny
Owned by Robert Dooley, Nutbush Knl; Victoria, VA
3) S&B Thumper B. (620 Points)
Yee Haw’s Rex – Reedy Creek Curly
Owned by Brett Argabright, S&B Knl; Richmond, VA
4) S&B Jewell B. (600 Points)
T&W Patches – Webb’s Jewells
Owned by Brett Argabright, S&B Knl; Richmond, VA
5) Norman’s Diesel (470 Points)
Out of Control Barney – Charlie Brown’s Ruby
Owned by Dewanna and Norman Jordan, Out of Control Knl; Castle Hayne, NC
This is a gracious group of hunters who represent our sport with dignity. It is my honor to announce the winners and I congratulate each of these owners and the hounds that put them at the top. A comprehensive standings report for the 2015 “Test of the Best” will appear in the April issue of the Chase, and special recognition given to the winners during the Spring Meetings in Lexington on April 14.