RAY SMITH
Ray Smith Selected for Hall Of Fame By Field Track Folk ~ 1962
Ray Smith of Dancyville, one of the best-known bird dog handlers of this area, has recently been selected by field followers to occupy a niche in the Field Trial Hall of Fame.
He is one of three men associated with the National Championship Field Trials on Ames Plantation to be named to the Hall of Fame. The late Hobart Ames, owner of the plantation and developer of the annual field trials there, and Rube Scott, who has lived for many years on the plantation and who serves as the secretary of the National Championship Field Trials Association, preceded Smith inside the portals.
Dog owners and dog handlers of recognized field trial associations annually select two persons for admission to the Field Trial Hall of Fame.
A native of Indiana, Ray Smith has lived in Dancyville for a score of years. Dogs from his kennels there compete regularly in trials in the area, including the National Championship Trials. His first victory came in 1926 in a divided third place in Duquoin, Ill. Open All-Age Stake, and placed his first winner in the National Championship Trials in 1948.
He has a preference for setters, and last season entered three of the longhaired dogs, as well as a male pointer, in the National event. The quartet included Turnto male setter owned by George F. Feltman of Union City, Ind.; Turnto Jr., male setter owned by Robert Archbell of Somerville; Glencrest Doctor, male setter owned by H.G.Swanson of Chicago; and Forward Look, male pointer owned by Miss Carol Andrews of Russellville, Kentucky.
DANCYVILLE FIELD TRIALS
Dancyville has a history that goes back to the early 1900’s as one of the premier places to run the big running bird dogs. Some of the largest field trials in America have been held in Dancyville. The American Quail Futurity was held here in 1939. The Quail Futurity is the same to the bird dog world as the Kentucky Derby is to the horse world. To this day it still brings the top bird dogs in America. Their owners are from all over the world; Japan, Germany, England, Hawaii and other countries.
In 1962, Mr. Ray Smith was nominated to be selected for the Field Trial Hall of Fame. Through a national election he was voted into the hall of fame. A National museum was built in Grand Junction, Tennessee. Mr. Jack Smith and his sister, Mrs. Wilma Moore, gave their father’s 410 shotgun, a red & black wool cap and other memorbrailia that is on display at the museum.
Mr. Ray Smith is buried in the Dancyville Methodist Cemetery. Engraved on his foot stone is, "Field Trial Hall Of Fame."
Editors note - Dancyville Methodist Cemetery listing:
Raymond Ray Smith ~ 5/25/1894-6/8/1975 ~ Epitaphs: "Cpl. US Army WW I" ~
"Bird Dog Hall of Fame - 1962"
Gladys Smith (Mrs. Ray Smith) ~ 1/18/1905-1/13/1998
MATERIAL FOR THIS PROFILE OF MR. RAY
SMITH, PROVIDED
BY HIS SON, JACK SMITH AND MARY KAY DANCY
SMITH.
PHOTO LINKS:
Ray Smith and H.G. Swanson
Ray Smith and Glencrest Doctor
Ray Smith and Peter
Rinski
Ray Smith in Indiana