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THE NBC TRIPLE
CHALLENGE
(from information provided by Kris
Kraeuter)
2012 Event
Entry
Form
Meal &
Lodging 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 events Secretary, who is Jean McDonald, 4153 North
State Route 669 NW,
McConnelsville, OH
43756-9204. Or you can contact
her at
jeanmcdonald@hotmail.com
or 740-962-5373.
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.)
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