This past year was a very competitive one for hound’s vying on the bench with wins that translated to points for the 2016 Chase “Bench Challenge” competition. A total of ninety shows met the eligibility rules of this contest which awards points to hounds winning shows that are either associated with a three-day hunt or held as an independent event.
Though not quite as competitive as the “Test of the Best”, the Chase “Bench Challenge” has its own merit of achievement in honoring hounds that have consistently won their classes and have significant Best in Show wins throughout the year. Many hours are spent training and preparing hounds to excel in the shows by owners who take this endeavor very seriously. Here are the top three finishers of 2016:

1) Ch. Tri. Co. Sabrina 366850 (Hound finished with 660 points)
(Ch. Brazos Ezio – Taylor’s Golden Lucky)
Owned by Codi Beth Lee, Three L Knl; Bruce, MS

2) Ch. Tri. Co. John IGWT 369319 (Hound finished with 590 points)
(GCH. Crossroads Tri. Co. Mike – CH. Polk’s Brazos Beauty)
Owned by Chris and Angela Powell, Christian Mtn. Knl; Supply, NC

2 hounds tied for third place with 560 points each

3) Ch. CMK’s Calvary IGWT 366587
(Laurie’s T-Bone – Norris’ Jenny)
Owned by Chris and Angela Powell, Christian Mtn. Knl; Supply, NC

3) (B) CH. Tallyho Lark 363387
(Tallyho Uno – Polk’s Red Angel)
Owned by Tallyho Knl; Bowling Green, KY

These hounds put up a total of sixteen Best in Show wins combined, at events that in some instances counted for double points. Ms. Codi Lee of Bruce, Mississippi owns the first place hound and she more than demonstrated a champion this past year with her outstanding female. Codi is thirteen years old and has done a stellar job with Tri. Co. Sabrina taking her to several key events in 2016 and winning at a number of different venues that included the All American, MS. State, and Southern States to name a few. Once again, Chris and Angela Powell of Supply, NC rose to the top of the rankings with Tri. Co. John IGWT and the winner of this competition from 2015, CMK’s Calvary IGWT. Tri. Co. John garnered Best in Show wins at several key events including the Virginia and Georgia International Bench Shows, respectively. Most anyone in the foxhunting world is familiar with Calvary who holds a record number of bench and field championships combined, and is the only hound to repeat a top three placement in the Chase “Bench Challenge” to date. Finally, it was my honor to show the other hound that tied for third place and although now retired, Tallyho Lark was an exceptional pleasure to work with. A complete roster of the top hounds that finished will be published in the May issue of The Chase. Congratulations to the winning hounds and their owners.