About Futurity
25th Annual NBHA Futurity Winners
Spring 2011 - Percy Priest WMA
NBHA Futurity Photo: l to r – Jason Kemna, Georgie Casey, Brian Casey with Rocky Hollow Fire Cracker, Dean Reinke (Purina), Judge Mike Branscum, Donald Terrell with Miller’s Classic Lady, Judge Charlie Sackett, Larry Wade with Hale’s Amy, Jim Morehouse (Tritronics), Tim Penn with Penrosa Stoney Ox, Reporter Chris Gebhardt, Founder Jerry Kilgore, Tony King, Hunter King, Cameron Logsdon, and Cora King.
Each spring as the great outdoors renew, field trialers from across the country converge on the beautiful city of Nashville, Tennessee for the NBHA Futurity and the National Open Invitational. The concept of this event was developed by Mr. Jerry Kilgore with some help by others in 1985. It is the oldest walking shooting dog futurity in the country with its inaugural running in 1987. The Futurity is a derby stake with a 30 minute qualifying series and a one hour callback final series to determine the winners. The Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic was launched shortly after and has evolved into one of the better 30 minute puppy stakes anywhere. The National Open Invitational is open to dogs from Futurity nominated litters that have placed in a shooting dog or derby stake. Since their inception these time honored events have been a proving ground for many future champions and a launching point for young trialers and their dogs.
The Percy Priest Field Trial Grounds were once again in immaculate shape. This is no small feat considering the Nashville spring floods of 2011. Photos from May of 2011 showed the stables, kennels, and clubhouse under about 4 feet of water. After the waters receded area field trialers restored all of the buildings including new appliances and cabinets in the clubhouse. They are to be commended for their efforts! The grounds themselves were beautiful as usual and provided each competitor a great opportunity to showcase their talents. Made up of long field edges, small woodlots, and some small grass fields the course can poke holes in dogs that don’t have the range, edge running ability, or drive needed. There are also areas along the backside were a dog that is not in tune with their handler do not make it through easily. To win here a dog has to be that perfect blend of a big running, bird finding machine, which will handle.
In 2008, Mr. Kilgore handed the reins over to the very capable and motivated Tony King of Thompson, Mo. Tony has had tremendous success in both walking and horseback field trials over the past several years with his Wild Covey dogs. It is due to his focus, drive, and work ethic. All of these tools he brought to the table once again for this renewal. Under his time as Director the trial has flourished and has become a go to event for many. He also brings a well disciplined staff of helpers from Missouri along including his lovely wife Michelle and friends Jason Kemna, Gailen Cooper, Tim Penn, and myself. It takes countless hours of preparation in organizing sponsors, judges, birds, food, drinks, etc. Not to mention the in game management. Tony does a great job of this. Michelle very capably handled the kitchen duties and made the clubhouse a home away from home for all of us. Jason and I were the first there in the morning and the last to leave every evening and I can promise you we worked our tails off too. Mr. Jerry drove the dog wagon as usual and kept everyone entertained. We also thank him for the great trophies he makes for us. It takes a lot of good people along with blood, sweat, and tears to make a week long trial run as smoothly and effortlessly as this trial always does. Many thanks to all who give so freely of their time and energy to make this the great event that it is.
Where would we be without our fine sponsors? Purina Pro Plan. Tri Tonics. Christie. We thank you for your incredibly generous support of this event and the NBHA.
The Open Invitational Championship paired veteran Delano "Brud" Powell of Arab, Al and Dereck Layne from Chapel Hill, Tennessee. One a wily old veteran and the other an up and comer who is doing good things. Both know dogs and a good performance! All of these fine gentlemen gave their full attention to every handler and their dog, were quick to dismount to locate a running bird, and were correct in their decisions. They should be commended on an outstanding job.
The NBHA Futurity and Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic have grown into one of the premier walking events in the country. It is a fun, family friendly, and well run event that just keeps getting better. Be sure to add it to your schedule next year. You won’t be disappointed!
In 2007, another companion stake was developed and a 45 minute Shooting Dog Classic was ran. This shooting dog stake completed the cycle and allowed participants the opportunity to bring a full string of dogs and comparatively evaluate their breeding efforts from puppies all the way through Shooting Dogs.
Since their inception these time honored events have been a proving ground for many future champions and a launching point for young and beginning field trialers from all over the country. Each year the NBHA Futurity is held at the Percy Priest Wildlife Area near LaVergne, TN. These beautifully manicured grounds provide a venue that allows each competitor a fair and ample opportunity to showcase their dog's talents.
Please consider becoming part of the NBHA Futurity program by nominating a litter and running your puppies, derbies and shooting dogs against the nations best. Help us maintain the NBHA Futurity a prestigious event with a high level of competition that truly evaluates your breeding efforts. In return, we will work hard towards promoting and maintaining the NBHA Futurity and Jerry D. Kilgore Puppy Classic programs to ensure that it remains a critical and prominent portion of the field trial community.
The NBHA Futurity would like to thank all of our past patrons and encourage them to continue to support the NBHA Futurity programs. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the Futurity staff if you have any questions, comments or suggestions. Once again, we challenge you to become part of this special event.
NBHA Futurity Board
