12/10/2026
We just finished the BHCA Nationals Hunt Test and Field Trial weekend. The hunt test was a great introduction to the field grounds. There were plenty of rabbits and very thick cover (with lots of stick tight triangles and mini sticky balls to blanket your clothes, dog, and get everywhere else e.g. your hair).
All our hounds qualified and earned hunting titles in the hunt test.
On Saturday in the field trial dog class, we were getting rabbits up every 4 minutes. We had the largest beating line I've ever seen at a brace trial. It was wonderful! The judges gave each brace enough time to really see what the dogs could do. Our Buck put on a very nice showing and came in 2nd place in the dog class.
By Saturday afternoon for the champion class, conditions were super difficult. It was hot and dry. The rabbits were not coming quite so fast. Despite the challenges of the weather, a few braces put together some nice runs. Milo was off his game. He put together a nice line in first series but wasn't his usual self. He placed 4th in a competitive champion class of 21 entries.
On Sunday, the clouds and storm rolled in. Conditions were great. Low 70s, cloud cover, and rain. First we ran the girls class. Our Sunny was the first dog in the first brace. She had a great run and set the standard for the day. Our next hound to run was Cassie. She ran a good line, gave some voice, but really needed to let loose and give more voice. Our third hound to run was Starling, who put together a nice run with her bracemate. Ultimately Sunny came back in second position for second series and went on the win the class. Cassie's second series run was phenomenal. A run for the history books. She locked in on that rabbit track, gave voice like a champ, and climbed to a second place finish.
Cassie had something like 9 rabbits for the day. She was EXHAUSTED! She had to run as the by-hound in the derby class. After that she was toast, absolutely done. But she rallied for second series and ran another good line to finish out her first nationals field trial.
Sunny put on a good showing for Absolute, but ultimately didn't make the cut. The winner of Absolute had a great day and put on a beautiful showing. Congratulations to all! Thank you to our judges Carrie Campbell-Odle and Todd Odle.
Video is from the absolute run. The dogs were in a giant patch.
