Well, the 2015 field trial year is over and the leaderboard committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the associations, the secretaries, the field trial directors and especially the hunters, a happy, wonderful and safe New Year. We had over 180 field trials (derby & AA) parti****te in the Leaderboard Foxhound Awards program this year and what an exciting year. We calculated points for over 1,500 hounds, 600 sires, 950 dams and 600 kennels and hunters. The race for HOY was so close, it couldn’t be decided until the World Cup was over and the winners announced. This year, the top 8 hounds in HOY all had a mathematical chance to win the coveted crown. And, the World Cup drew over 200 hounds with approximately 14 of the top 20 hounds in the HOY standings being in attendance to run for the World Cup title and possibly one last 2015 hurrah.
We hope everyone continues to use the Leaderboard data statistically as an informative tool for your future breeding program because it was established as an extra incentive to improve and promote quality breeding of field trial hounds.
As always, the Leaderboard committee will be tabulating and finalizing the top spots for HOY, SOY, DOY and KOY and will announce the final standing at the annual awards banquet to be held, Wednesday, March 16, at the Master’s Field trial, in Swainsboro, Georgia. Prior to the Masters field trial in March, we will announce the Top 20 spots, alphabetically, for each of the 4 categories so all of the top individuals will have an opportunity to make plans to attend or make arrangements to pick up their awards and prizes. And, from the last update posted in November, there appears there is definitely going to be a few new kennels and hounds in the Top 20 categories this year, which is great; because it shows how competitive this sport is and hard it is to reach and finish on top and how it is almost impossible to stay there year after year.
And finally, to all hunters, directors and field trial affiliates parti****ting in this program, please take a moment to thank all of the sponsors and supporters of this awards and recognition program, The Hunters Horn, Pride Feeds, Johnson Telemetry, Showtime Feeds and Specialty Feeds. With their donations and the leaderboard fees collected throughout the year, we will present over $14,000 in awards and prizes at the banquet this year. Yes, wow. So, start making your plans to travel to Georgia in March.
Again, Happy New Year and thank you from all of us on the Leaderboard committee. Happy hunting in 2016.
Mike Carr
Terry Walker
Kelly Parker
Larry Saucier
Clif Parker
Jarrod Vaupel
David Futch