Left to right: Summer Huffman, Savannah Staten, Matteah Doss and Addison French. Savannah with the black and tan coonhound is the champion male winner.
On Saturday, April 21, 2018, the Virginia Hound Hunters Association hosted their Second Annual Youth Event at the Craig County Fairgrounds. A dog show, a field trial, treeing contest and a night hunt was involved this year. A United Kennel Club (UKC) Sanctioned event; the children acquire points in the youth spotlight series as well as obtaining points on their dogs. These kids put forth a lot of dedication, time and effort into what they do with their hounds.
Some of these kids traveled as far as four hours. The first event started at 5 p.m., which was the bench show. The second event was the field trial where dogs had to track and tree a raccoon hide. The dog that crossed the line first was awarded Field trial line, the dog that opened (barked) on the tree first was awarded Field Trial Tree. After that, Marjorie Lewter from Holistic Veterinary Services gave a presentation to the kids. It involved the importance of knowing about Lyme disease, heartworms, food nutrition and several other topics she touched base on.
Dr. Lewter gave a very informative lecture which went over well with all in attendance. We then had our second speaker, conservation officer Mark Shaw, conservation officer Wes Billings and Josie the K-9. They demonstrated how Josie could recover hidden ammunition and weapons, as well as explain that she was used for tracking and recovery of hidden game.
Josie put on an amazing performance that thrilled both kids and adults. This is the second year that Officer Shaw has participated in the youth event. Both officers gave a great presentation for the youth. After the presentations were done, participants then moved on to the treeing contest. The kids held their dog at the line until given the order to release it. They were timed to see who had the most barks in 30 seconds which determined the winner.
The next thing was night hunt where kids were drawn out by their age groups to go hunt their dogs. Six participants spent two hours hunting, and Taner Thompson was named the overall winner. Cheyene Doss won registered class while Faith Spencer won Champion Class. Approximately 15 entered in the bench show. Cheyene Doss won best of show male and female, Overall Male, Grand Champion Male and Overall Dog with the assistance of Addison French who won overall female and Grand Champion Female. Jacob (AJ) Spencer won Champion Female. Thompson hunting supply drove their hours with their equipment to support the youth event.
“I would like to thank all the supporters for their donations to the event. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible. I would also like to thank the judges, the speakers and the volunteers for your participation,” Virginia Hound Hunters Association Event Coordinator Trish Spencer said. “I am definitely looking forward to next year’s event, and want to keep our children involved in sports like this.”
-Submitted by Trish Spencer, Virginia Hound Hunters Association Event Coordinator
