At the 2016 East Coast Classic we had an unfortunate situation occur. We had a judge cheating for a certain kennel at the hunt. The judge Joseph Curtis was running the computer and judging in the field and caught leaning on certain hounds. Once it was confirmed that he was leaning on certain hounds and scratching other hounds to get them out the way it was too late for the hunt to be completely corrected due to him scratching dogs on the first and second day and they were already eliminated. Joesph Curtis will no longer be judging anymore hunts at Joe Lewis Fox Pen and Joesph Curtis has been banned from judging any Masters, Leader board or National Affiliated hunts.

The kennel he was leaning on (Keith and Leah Harris) have stepped down from their duties with all hunts and any association with Joe Lewis Fox Pen. Even though it was proven that Joesph Curtis was cheating there is no evidence that Keith or Leah had anything to do with him leaning on the hounds or any knowledge that it was happening.

The Board of Directors of the East Coast Classic and Joe Lewis would like to apologize to all parties that were affected by this unfortunate situation.

Thank you on behalf of the East Coast Classic

that's how it is done.

I agree Stephen, straight and to the point.

Well said John Rose, it wasn't just one hound, it was several of there hounds the way I understood it, they all should be banned from field trialing, until you make an example out of them it will keep happening.