THE NBC TRIPLE CHALLENGE
(from information provided on Kris Kraeuter's BrushyRun Beagles website)
Links to the next 2008 Triple Challenge: Rooms & meal reservations Entry form
In the early 1990's, a decision was made within the National Beagle Club of America
that there was a need for the NBC to
take on more of a leadership role as the "Parent Club" of the breed in the
United States. To this end, a dedicated group of
beagle fanciers were invited to participate on the club's Welfare of the Breed Committee
for the purpose of exchanging ideas
and making suggestions concerning how the NBC might better serve the beagling community
and provide guidance. Among the major concerns expressed was that regarding the apparently
growing division within the breed between those fanciers
interested in conformation, and the various, rather far removed styles of field
activities; due to a concentration on breeding for
specific traits (either physical or behavioral) at the expense of all others, beagles were
becoming increasingly divergent in both
appearance and hunting style.
What slowly began to emerge from the dialogue surrounding this split between the various
factions was the idea for a return to
tradition at the NBC through the sponsorship of a weekend of competitions aimed at
promoting the complete, versatile beagle.
In 1995 the NBC board of directors voted to go ahead with plans to hold a combination
field and conformation event in the
traditional fasion of early NBC trials. Three separate competitions were to be held over
the course of one weekend, with all
entered hounds required to compete in each phase of the event and placements based on the
total, combined scores. It was
hoped that by sponsoring this versatility event, the NBC might succeed in bringing
together organized pack, field trial, hunting
and show enthusiasts at one location for a weekend of enjoying our finest hounds. The
first annual NBC Triple Challenge event
was held in the Spring of 1996, and the event has continued to grow in popularity and
prestige each year since
A Brief Description
The NBC Triple Challenge event was initiated for the purpose of
recognizing and promoting the complete, versatile beagle
through a weekend of competitions during which the hunting talents of the individual hound
will be evaluated (through a Brace
Format field trial), as well as its ability to contribute to the work of a pack afield
(during a Three Hour Stakes class). Additionally,
the qualities of conformation, movement, condition, soundness and temperament will be
judged in a Conformation show. Awards are based on a
combined score earned through competition in all three phases of the event (field trial,
stakes class and show). Points earned are based on the placement received in each phase of
the event, and hounds are required to enter and complete all three phases of competition.
The NBC Triple Challenge also serves a very valuable purpose, in that it brings together
representatives of the various factions within our breed at one location, thus opening up
the lines of communication.
Brace format field trial - The
purpose of the brace format field trial is to evaluate the hunting talents of the
individual hounds,
based upon the desirable and undesirable characteristics as put forth in the AKC beagle
field trial rules and regulations. First
series is normally run as trios, while second or subsequent series are run as braces. As
the goal during this trial is to score every hound, thereby ranking them from 1st through
30th place, judges are instructed to proceed in whatever manner necessary to achieve that
goal while trying to stay within the guidelines of normal trial proceedures. Recognition
is given to the highest scored hound of each size variety (13" & 15"), but
no further awards are presented within any single phase of the Triple Challenge. Based on
their placement in the field trial (1st through 30th), the hounds are credited with points
towards their total score and final awards.
Three hour Stakes Class - The
purpose of the three hour stakes is to further evaluate the hound's field ability as well
as its
ability to cooperate with packmates and contribute to the work of a pack afield. Judges
are again using the desirable and
undesirable traits as expressed in the AKC rulebook when evaluating the hounds. It is also
worthy of note that, in order to
successfully meet the physical demmands of the large pack format of the stakes class, the
beagles need to be in peak physical
condition and possess sound running gear coupled with truly functional conformation.
Judges observe the pack from
horseback, while handlers and gallery follow on foot. Top placing hounds may be required
to run for the entire three hours,
while those hounds not needed for further evaluation may be ordered up by the judges at
any time. Again, high scoring hounds
in each variety are recognized and all hounds are placed 1st through last and credited
with points based on their ranking.
NOTE: All thirty hounds are cast at the start of the stakes, hunted and judged as one
large pack.
Conformation Show - The show is held
following completion of all field competition. It addresses the qualities of
conformation to the AKC breed standard, soundness, movement, condition and temperament.
Procedure loosely follows that
of "gundog show" or AKC show ring procedure; the judge is permitted to evalute
and score the hounds by whatever method
they find most efficient and comfortable. Often this means examining individually each
hound and grading according to the scale
of points found within the AKC beagle breed standard; all AKC show disqualifications
apply. Again, high scored hounds of
each variety are recognized and all hounds are placed 1st through last.
Hounds must enter and complete all three phases of competition at the Triple Challenge in
order to be eligible to receive any
awards. The purpose of this event is not to determine which hounds are outstanding in any
single performance competition, nor
the best conformation hounds; it is a test of versatility meant to recognize and promote
the complete beagle. We are looking for those beagles which are truly functional hunting
hounds and of correct breed type... with the emphasis on the beagle's ability as an
efficient hunting companion, regardless of the speed or style of his work. Hounds
representing all factions of our sport are welcome and will receive equal consideration.
Qualifications
If you are interested in entering a hound for competition at the NBC Triple Challenge
event, please contact the event secretary
(currently Kris Kraeuter) for premium list and entry blanks which contain more specific
details. But in general, any one of the
following achievements qualify a beagle for entry in this event:
1) The beagle has earned points towards a Championship title in AKC field trial or show
competition, or 2) The beagle is an
entered hound from one of the NBC registered beagle packs, or 3) The beagle has earned the
title of Rabbit CH., Grand
Rabbit Ch., or "Hound of the Year" in ARHA competition, or 4) The beagle has
earned the title of UKC Hunting CH., or
Grand Hunting CH., or 5) The beagle has earned the title of CKC (Canadian) Field Trial
Champion.. Final decision regarding
the qualification for entry of any individual hound shall be up to the event committee.
PLEASE NOTE: All hounds must be
AKC registered or entered into the NBC studbooks.
As of 1999, each hound which receives a combined, total score of 200+ out of 300 possible
points during competition at the
NBC Triple Challenge is awarded a special Certificate of Versatility in recognition of
their achievement while competing against an outstanding entry of qualified hounds. (In
previous years, a green qualifying ribbon was awarded for attaining the minimum required
score.)