When The Chase “Bench Challenge” began in 2013, it started as a way to recognize and pay tribute to hounds that excel in bench shows. Many hunters work as hard to prepare their hounds for the show ring as they do for a field trial, and take the competition just as seriously. When a hound is sound in their conformation they stand a better chance of performing well in the field, as function in many instances follows form. A review of the hounds that finished in the upper quadrant of this contest last year certainly underscores this principle. The number one hound in the 2019 “Bench Challenge” is owned by a young lady who when she is not hunting or fishing, competes with her hounds on the bench. Congratulations to Codi Beth Lee of Buck Naked Kennel for taking her hound, Tri County Samuel, and putting him in the position to win six (6) Best in Show titles in a year that included a variety of competitive hounds. Codi Beth is the youngest person to ever win The Chase “Bench Challenge” actually having placed first in this contest when she was just twelve years old back in 2016. An elevated level of dedication certainly paid off, making her a two-time winner of a contest whose outcome spanned a year’s worth of results.
The second place hound, Cliborne’s Camaro, typifies the phrase, “combination hound” by not only winning three best in show titles last year, but turning in some respectable field performances. Bruce Cliborne of La Crosse, VA made a very astute purchase of this superb female when she was a twelve week old pup from Brandon Whisenant. The hard work of a talented gyp paid off for this fine family of hunters as Camaro won the NC Open, Mid-South Masters, and East Coast Classic bench shows last year, all at different locations. The hound that finished in third place in last year’s “Bench Challenge” comes from a husband and wife team of show veterans, Don and Kelly Leonard, of Grass Lakes, MI. Their exceptionally nice young male ended the year with 350 points, benefitting from a double point win at the Georgia Int’l, where many of the best show hounds in the country were on hand. Devlon’s Steamroller B. also went on to win Best in Show at the KY State as well as the All Age Male class at the National. Congratulations to the top three individuals who will be featured in the May issue of The Chase, along with a detailed list and photo layout of the top twenty plus hounds from ten different states . Here are the first three hounds from the 2019 Chase “Bench Challenge” in the order they finished:

1) Ch. Tri County Samuel 377210 (Hound finished with 720 Points)
(Brazos Ezio – Tri. Co. Calamity Jane)
Owned by Codi Beth Lee, Buck Naked Knl; Bruce, MS

2) Ch. Cliborne’s Camaro (Hound finished with 450 Points)
(B&B’s Henry – Whisenant’s Twister B.)
Owned by Cliborne Brothers Knl; La Crosse, VA

3) Ch. Devlon’s Steamroller B. 377843 (Hound finished with 350 Points)
(Tallyho Landslide – Devlon’s Amer Trilogy)
Owned by Don & Kelly Leonard; Grass Lakes, MI