The American Beagler Forum

Well we had a great turn out for our first hunt of the year with 45 total dogs. we had 28 opens, 14 champ, and 3 grands. I would like to give a special thanks to Sherry, Teresa, and Sandy for the work in the kitchen with out you ladies we would not be able to eat great food. I would also like to thank the judges and the guys who did the measuring of the dogs, with out you guys we could not hold theses hunts. Here are the finals, and congrats to the winners and everyone who placed.

OPENS

1. Wilson's Rippin Rowdy---William Wilson
2. Wolf Lake Powder Rose---Jim Sikkenga
3. Up and Out Breaden---Don Nelson
4. McG Laidback Copper---Katie Postema and Keith McGrady
5. RTK Buck Knife---Richard King Sr.
6. Blue Sly's Harley Scott---Robert Smilowski
7. Bynum Hill's Flying Arrow---Leon and Cinthia Buford
8. Rabbit River Spook---Vic Edings
9. Gunsmoke Duke II---Raymond Richardson
10. Rabbit River Cricket---Vic Eding

CHAMPS

1. Caulkin's Caribbean Jerkoff---Jamie Golden
2. Turbo by Jasper---Robert Frees
3. RTK Roscoe---Richard King Sr.
4. Fast Action Trigger---Justion Johnson
5. Viagra Hard to the Max---Robert Frees
6. TCM Dollar Bill---Tony Merriam
7. Blue Sly's Buster Brown---Scott Kapuga
8. Patton's Tiny Timber Luke's Duke---Mike and Leon Patton
9. Spencer boys Driven Duck---Robert Johnson
10. Walnut Ridge Farm's Sunshine---Robert Preston

GRANDS

1. Thunderview Cash or Check---Robert Preston
2. Walnut Ridge Farm's Gypsy---Robert Preston
3. Scratched

Bench Show

Best Male---RTK Son of Sam---Richard King Sr.
Second Male ---Gunsmoke Sidekick---Raymond Richardson

Best Female---Higgins Val---Jason Higgins
Second Female---Mentha's Got Something to Say---Janette Sweet and Bryan Harris

Best of Show
RTK Son of Sam---Richard King Sr.

Champion Best of Show
Higgins Sissy---Jason Higgins
It was sad not having Rich Timm at our hunt, even though you are gone your not forgotten. Our next hunt is on the 28th of this month at the same location, hope to see everyone there. I will also be postiong HOY points every 30 days so look for them soon. Again thanks to everyone that helped with this hunt and God Bless, see you soon.

HEY RICK, I HAD A BLAST AT THE HUNT.I ALSO WANT TO THNK THE LADIES IN THE KITCHEN, CONG TO ALL THE PLACING DOGS. GOT TO MEET AND RUN WITH SOME NEW GUYS. I THINK I FOUND A NEW TOPPING FOR HOTDOGS. BREAKFEST GRAVY.

Congrats to everyone who placed. Thanks to the ladies for the great food and a special thanks to Mike and Scott for taking the time to start teaching me the judging ropes. I realize now, its easy to complain about judging but it is hard to see everything when chasing those hounds around.

Well I guess that settles the Jerk vs Turbo debate now doesn't it Rob? just kidding buddy, congrats to you and Jamie.

great hunt lots of fun like the new club house
congrats to all who won and placed

Starting out, I would like to say congrats to all of the winners and all that placed. I heard the conditions were tough, so great job! I will get right to the point of this post. I was very disappointed with some of the comments made toward the Muskegon County Beagle Club at this hunt. We are an organization through the National Kennel Club, not an organization through other clubs. We do what we want, when we want in keeping with the regulations set by the National Kennel Club. Any negative comments or concerns should be addressed with the president of the club. I feel it is in poor taste to make these negative comments in the clubhouse. Specifically, I am speaking about the comments regarding our club helping fund the hound of the year run off event. We have all been trialing for many years together and would consider most of us good friends.
The fact is, revenue is down for all clubs. Tough economic times, family, work and other obligations have dramatically decreased the turnouts at all hunts, thus limiting the amount of revenue generated. This has even forced the closure of several area clubs. It wasn't very long ago that is was common to have 60-70 hounds at every hunt, now we are lucky to have 30-40 hounds. Times have changed! When hound of the year was initially started, there were 5 clubs taking part, this is not the case now. With the lack of area clubs, it is not feasible for 2 clubs to fund this event. In my opinion, we should focus less on this specific event and more on building up existing clubs and maybe even helping to start new ones! I am by no means against the hound of the year run off, I just feel that too much emphysis is placed on it now, when we should be focusing on our dying sport. Without Michigan clubs, there is no hound of the year run off.
Bottom line, funding for clubs is at an all time low and making a club feel obligated to donate to hound of the year is wrong.
After speaking with several members of our club, we have decided to respectfully decline the opportunity to host the hound of the year run off this year at our club. We need to do what is best for our club, and for us, it is promoting our sport and trying to generate new interest.
Any comments or concerns regarding this post should be addressed to myself.

Sincerely,

Shawn Grawbarger, President
Muskegon County Beagle Club

Shawn, as the President of the Van Buren County Beagle Club, I understand about the enconomy and the low enteries of dogs. But I wish I would have heard the comments that were brought to your attention, I am sorry that I did not hear any thing about the run off or the fund raising for this event. I would like to say I am sorry if this has cause any hardship with you and our club, i dont want any conflict with other clubs over the run off. I am sorry that your were not able to make our hunt and I understand that work comes first in this economy. If there is any thing you would like to talk about Shawn, please give me a call or e-mail me. rkingsr@frontier.com or 269-628-6199 Shawn we have always been freinds and will help out in any way.

Sincerely

Richard King Sr.
Van Buren County Beagle Club President