This past year was one that will live in infamy for the challenges it brought with the Corona virus as no one was exempt from its influence, including those who ran hounds for the “Test of the Best”. The old adage is appropriate, “With great risk comes great reward” as hounds and hunters dedicated to their craft, continued to compete under trying conditions. The hounds that follow represent the very best of their peers who competed in Chase-Pride-Johnson’s Telemetry “Test of the Best” hunts, finishing in the top five in both the Puppy and One Day divisions.

Cody’s Fire Fly owned by Stewart Brinson, of Richlands, NC, earned her stripes in the field, racking up an impressive seven (7) first place victories that shot her up the rankings to a solid first place finish in the puppy field. Stewart is a highly competitive gentleman who lives among a mecca of successful hunters from eastern North Carolina, attaining his first placement in this competition in a big way. The One Day division was loaded with strong hounds but two hunters from Old School Kennel, knocked it out of the park with hounds that finished first, third and fourth respectively. Another young gyp took first place honors in this category of many standout hounds. Old School Vipor B. was a beast in the field for Michael Whitley and Donald Newheart finishing with nine (9) top ten placements. My thanks goes to our co-sponsors of the “Test of the Best”, Mike Carr of Pride, and Debbie Johnson, of Johnson’s Telemetry. A detailed standings report and tribute to these superb hounds will appear in an upcoming Chase magazine. The top five winners in the “Test of the Best” Puppy and One Day division are as follows:

Puppy Category

1) Cody’s Fire Fly 383828 (850 Points)
(Bedrock’s Spartacus – Schoolio’s Ziva)
Owned by Stewart Brinson, B&B Knl; Richlands, NC

2) Chase N Blessing 383670 (750 Points)
(K&L Smokey Wendell – K&L Holly)
Owned by Marilyn Chase; Campbellsburg, KY

3) Chase N Praise 383671 (610 Points)
(K&L Smokey Wendell – K&L Holly)
Owned by Marilyn Chase; Campbellsburg, KY

4) Bradley’s Bad Billy 385699 (530 Points)
(B&B’s Steady – Bradley’s Black Pearl)
Owned by Dennis Salyers, Red Devil Knl; Waynesburg, KY

5) Nason’s Kate 384566 (430 Points)
(Front Row Float – Lewis’ Big Sister)
Owned by Ryan Nason, Blu Creek Knl; Beulaville, NC

One Day Category

1) Old School Vipor B. 386109 (560 Points)
(Whisenant’s Jimmy B. – B&B’s Pearl)
Owned by Michael Whitley & Donald Newheart, Old School Knl; Windsor, VA

2) Tee-Wad Mercy Me 383075 (450 Points – 7 Placements)
(Chase N Sundance Kid – Chase N Joy)
Owned by Rick & Debbie Woolsey, Tee-Wad Knl; Carlisle, KY

3) Front Row Jim 374070 (450 Points – 6 Placements)
(Whisenant’s Jimmy B. – Lewis’ Ellie)
Owned by Old School Knl; Windsor, VA

4) Old School Pungo 380884 (410 Points)
(Cox’s Howard – Rose’s Lil Ann)
Owned by Old School Knl; Windsor, VA

5) Killer B’s Daisy 383146 (360 Points)
(MK’s Poker – Clark’s Roxanne)
Owned by Robert Bunting & Broderick Buttner, Killer B’s Knl; Mineral, VA

Congratulations to all the Winners!

Congratulations Stewart, and Cody on the win and to Ryan on placing!!

Cody’s Fire Fly owned by Stewart Brinson, of Richlands, NC, earned her stripes in the field, racking up an impressive seven (7) first place victories that shot her up the rankings to a solid first place finish in meathharpacademy.com the puppy field. Stewart is a highly competitive gentleman who lives among a mecca of successful hunters from eastern North Carolina, attaining his first placement in this competition in a big way.