Our
annual trial, affectionately known as the Memorial
Day Bash, began in 1997. Each year hundreds of
terriers and Dachshunds gather over Memorial Day
weekend at beautiful Purina Farms in Gray Summit,
MO. Our trial offers events in Conformation, Racing,
Go-to-Ground, Barn Hunt, Brush Hunt, Lure Coursing and Muskrat
Racing. For those
interested in Agility, a NADAC event is scheduled that
same weekend up the hill by the Visitors Center. We
have also offered BAER testing in past years and
Ataxia
screening for Jack Russell terriers. We occasionally offer other events
such as Trailing and Locating to further challenge
your earth-working dog. We offer a two days of Racing, Friday night and Sunday morning, on our infamous
"Hill of Sorrows", so named for its length and
incline, guaranteeing that only the strongest
terriers of each heat reach the finish line.
Conformation - A large percentage of the trial
organizers and
members of our local club
hunt their
terriers so an emphasis on working has always been stressed. In the past, our Conformation judges have
been terrier men from the U.K. or working judges in
the U.S. who hunt their terriers regularly. We were
also fortunate to be granted the use of JRTCA judges
for our trial. The class that crosses the breed line
is the Champion Working Terrier class which includes
the Jack Russells and Colored terriers.
Racing We offer both flat and steeplechase racing
on two separate days of racing: Friday night under
the lights, and Sunday morning.
In addition to the regular Puppy, Adult, and Veteran
divisions in racing we also include 4-6 month pups,
Dachshunds, Colored Terrier, and a Senior Veteran
class for terriers over 9 years of age. Our "Hill of Sorrows" is reknown around the
country as one of the toughest and fairest race
courses going!
Go-to-Ground (GTG) - We are the only trial that boasts
five dug in GTG tunnels and
some of them have several
configurations. This allows various tunnels to be used
for Fun
Days and the trial events. The Stakes GTG
tunnel configuration varies from year to year,
providing a unique and challenging course for the dogs
to negotiate. Tunnels which will be used at the trial
for
Open and Championship are shut down in May,
eliminating the possibility of an advantage to our
local dogs.
Barn Hunt - Our incredible Barn Hunt looks like a set
from a stage production with its hay bales, farm
implements, and equipment. It gives the dogs an
introduction to locating quarry in a very realistic
situation.
Brush Hunt - Brush Hunt is held in a natural, wooded area that is fenced. Dogs of any breed are welcome to participate! The clock starts when the judge is ready and signals you to release your dog at the gate, all four paws on the ground. After one minute, the handler may assist the terrier in locating the quarry. The judge will stop the time when the terrier locates the quarry.
Muskrat
Racing - Its wet, its wild, its
Saturday Night Lights at Purina Farms! Its another chance for your dog to compete in an event seldom seen at terrier
trials anymore Muskrat Racing. The pool is 18 X 50,
heated, filtered, with an exit ramp at one end. This
is a new competition area at Purina which also
includes permanent seating, an Astro-turf field and
lights! We are honored to introduce this event to a
new audience of city slickers!
For an up close and personal story of four Jacks from
Texas and their Muskrat Racing experience, click to
read the article
"Muskrat Love" from an issue of the JRTCA
magazine, True Grit.
Reprint permission granted by author Priscilla David
Bronze Medallion Dogs earning their JRTCA Bronze
Medallion for Special Merit in the Field and dogs
earning 10 or more certificates from AWTA have a
special recognition march during Conformation on
Saturday. We formally invite all dogs who have earned
this distinction to come to the trial and be
recognized.
Lure coursing - This
is a large, oval track where each dog runs
individually, without a muzzle. Entries are
split by height and age and all breeds are welcome
to participate. Lure coursing is available on
Saturday and Sunday with a special Friday afternoon
timeslot prior to Muskrat Racing, which begins at
6:30 p.m.
Rescue Raffle our raffle raises money to support our
local and regional rescue activities.
We are an Open trial that welcomes many breeds of
terriers and Dachshunds in addition to Jack Russells.
Check the earthdog breed list below to see if
your terrier can become a participant in our trial.
Our average number of four legged participants is
about 200. We include spayed and neutered earthdogs in
all phases of our competition.
The breeds defined as "Earthdogs" are:
Australian Terrier |
Bedlington Terrier |
Border Terrier |
Cairn
Terrier |
Cesky Terrier |
Dachshund
|
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
|
Glen of
Imaal Terrier |
Jack Russell Terrier
|
Lakeland
Terrier |
Manchester Terrier |
Miniature
Bull Terrier |
Miniature Schnauzer
|
Norfolk
Terrier |
Norwich Terrier |
Parson
Russell Terrier |
Rat Terrier |
Scottish
Terrier |
Sealyham Terrier |
Silky
Terrier |
Skye Terrier |
Smooth
Fox Terrier |
Welsh Terrier |
West
Highland White Terrier |
Wire Fox Terrier |
Patterdale |
|