2027 Barn Hunt National

The 2027 Barn Hunt National will take place October 22-24, 2027 at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, Shelbyville KY, hosted by Bluegrass Dog Sports and Derby City Barn Hunt. The National is a non-regular event where the best of the best in Barn Hunt are tested on a series of courses over three days to achieve Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals in Grand National, Games, and Versatility.

Location

Shelby County Fairgrounds
1513 Midland Trail (corner of KY 53 and US 60)
Shelbyville KY 40066

We will have the entire fairgrounds. Hurdles and crating will be in a separate building. Average temps in October are mid-40s for lows and mid-60s for highs. The buildings are not heated, but the livestock building has fans. The floral building is climate controlled and will host the banquet. Food trucks will be available on site all 3 days.

Ring Layout

 

Grounds layout

RV Info

Dry camping only at the fairgrounds, fees to be announced.

Shelbyville Shelby Co Parks & Recreation
1433 Burks Branch Rd, Shelbyville, 502-633-5069, reserveamerica.com

• 7 minutes from trial site
• 10 RV sites 30/50 amp, $40-45 per night
• Dump stations on sites 1-5 only (45 option)
• 20 primitive sites, $30 per night
• Book no more than 1 year in advance via reserveamerica.com

Guist Creek Marina & Campground
11990 Boat Dock Rd, Shelbyville, 502-647-5359, info@guistcreek.com

• 15 min from trial site
• 31 RV sites 30/50 amp $45 per night
• Dump station on site
• 12 primitive sites $35 per night
• Book any time via phone

Elkhorn Creek RV Park
165 N Scruggs Ln, Frankfort, 502-695-9154, team@elkhorncreekrvpark.com

• 68 RV sites 30/50 amp, $50-90 per night depending on size
• Full hookups
• Book via phone or online any time.

Shelbyville is in the center of horse and bourbon country. Hotels and restaurants are available nearby.

• 2027 National Rules

• 2027 Premium

• Schedule

• National Merch & Annual Awards Banquet Tickets

  All entries into the 2027 Barn Hunt National will be electronic via Secreterrier.

Special Stories

Each year, we feature up to 5 special dogs and people in the sport. How has Barn Hunt changed your, and your dog's, lives? If you would like to be considered for a Special Story, or would like to nominate a friend, please send an email to info@barnhunt.com

Instructions:

• Your description must be 50 words or less.
• You must include one photo, as high res as possible (if your photo is less than 2 megs in size, it is likely not high enough resolution). You must have photographer permission to use.
• Submissions open August 1, 2027. Deadline September 15 2027.

Judge, Trial Secretary, and Club of the Year

Each year we award a Judge, Trial Secretary, and Club of the Year at the Annual Awards banquet. We welcome your nominations. The final decision is made by Robin Nuttall, not by popularity vote. Email the name, club, and reason for nomination to Robin at info@barnhunt.com. Deadline September 15 2027.

Entry Qualifications

All dogs entering the National without a bye must have a minimum of 5 qualifying Master B scores earned between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027. The National opens July 1 and closes August 31. There will be a staged opening with preference given to Dogs with Gold Medals from the previous year's National and Regional Byes, then an order to be determined. The National will fill when entry limits are met. See the rulebook for more information. There is no guaranteed entry for RATCH or RATM dogs.

• RATCHX Dogs Eligible for 2027 Entry
• RATCH Dogs Eligible for 2027 Entry
• RATM Dogs Eligible for 2027 Entry

Judges

• Course 1: Fawn Kovach, Waynesboro GA
• Course 2: Shea Brooks, Aiken SC
• Courses 1 & 2, Ring 3: Gina Sparks, Cedar Lake IN
• Course 3: Sharon Webb, Cumming GA
• Course 4: Lynn Benisch, Westland MI
• Hurdles 1: Heather Ferrier, Boid D'Arc MO
• Hurdles 2: Rachel Corbett, Dayton OH
• Team: Nicole Birnbaum, Lewisville TX and Kayce Davis, Katy TX
• General Relief: Shannon Forbes, Elizabeth City NC, TBA
  

National Committee

• Trial Chairs: Terri Wilp, Gretchen Nuss
• Trial secretary: Brydon Christensen
• Committee: April Polly, Darlayne Jewell, Julie Price, Kristina Pattison, Madeline Rosenberg, Sharon Keillor, Kim Kern, Jordyn Shepherd, Kristin Cranmer