Lauren Phelps on Family, Faith, Field Trials, and the Hounds of TLP Kennels

For Lauren and Trevor Phelps, hunting with hounds isn't simply a hobby — it's a way of life built on family traditions, lifelong friendships, faith, and a deep passion for the sport. The Phelps family has become a familiar name in the hound community, consistently competing while raising two young boys and preserving the values that make the hound world so special.

Beyond the kennel, Lauren has also launched Hounds & Faith, a brand that brings together her love for foxhounds and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. In this interview, Lauren shares the story behind TLP Kennels, the lessons she's learned through hunting with hounds, and the legacy she hopes to leave for both her family and the hunting community.

How did TLP Kennels get its start, and what sparked your family's passion for hunting with hounds?

I grew up running dogs with my daddy & papa. We would go deer hunting every weekend, then my daddy got into the field trailing scene. We would go to Tar River Fox Pen nearly every weekend & that’s where my love for hounds came about. Once I got into my teenage years, I drifted away from it, but still had “my” hounds in the kennel. Once Trevor & I started dating, he went running dogs with my daddy & brother. It was within a year that we were all in a hunting club together. I told Trevor constantly I wanted our own dogs, and he would say no. Right before the next season started, I saw a dog off Jimmy B. and with my knowledge from a little girl, I knew I had to have this dog. I messaged the guy and set everything up, and told Trevor that we had to go pick a dog up. If anyone knows me now, we didn’t leave with just one; we left with 2.

That coming weekend, we went to the outside field trial at Sandbanks and entered those 2 dogs in the hunt. There were a little over 500 dogs in the hunt, and we placed 6th that day with a grade dog & Trevor has been hooked ever since. Having dogs is truly a way of life, and once you’ve experienced it, it’s something you don’t want to ever let go of. We have had hounds together since 2022, and our passion grows daily.

What is it about running hounds that keeps you coming back year after year?

The passion, the tradition, & the memories are what keep us coming back. I couldn’t imagine my life without a hound in it. Our life since 2022 has been built around our hounds, studying breedings, and learning the new way of field trialing. The memories that are made are a constant reminder of why we do what we do.

My youngest boy has been around hounds since the day he was born. Trevor bought a puppy while I was in labor, if that tells you anything. It’s something we hope we can continue to do and let our boys experience the same experiences we have.

Do you have a favorite hound that's come through TLP Kennels, and what qualities do you look for when developing a competitive hound?

I love each and every one of our hounds, but there have been a few that pull those heartstrings, so I have a couple.

The first one (Jack) is what put us on the “board” for field trialing in the pen. Jack never won a hunt, but he was always competitive and never gave up. He placed nearly every time we took him.

The second one (Jet) honestly, my heart hound, in my opinion, the best hound we’ve hung a collar on. He was the one to win us our first hunt and gave 110% every time he was turned out. We put him in a 2-Day @ Triple B when he was too young (lesson learned), and he hurt his ankle. We still take him every now and then, and he never lets me down and always gets his name called.

At TLP, we don't just look for speed; we look for heart. We want a hound that's tough, gritty, honest on the track, nose to the ground, built with good muscle and strong feet, and willing to give everything it has every single time it's turned loose. A hound that hunts with purpose, never backs down from a challenge, and has the heart to get the job done no matter the situation.

TLP Kennels has stayed competitive in the Pooles points series. What does it take to consistently perform at that level?

We have been truly blessed to be able to stay competitive the last 2 years running at Pooles. We missed 13 hunts last year and finished 5th & 9th in the points. This year, we have been blessed to hold 1st in the points in All Age with Teddy.

We have pushed these hounds to be what they are week in and week out. We haven’t given up on them. If they didn’t have a good weekend, we always come back to try again. We realize that every hound will have good and bad days, and you have to stay consistent with taking them and keeping them healthy.

You're raising a family while maintaining an active kennel and competition schedule. How do you make it all work?

Trevor & I have said from the beginning that if we are going to field trial while our oldest boy is in Travel Baseball, we would make it work and still stay competitive with the hounds. We have been blessed to be able to make it work.

If Tolston has a tournament, I will go to the hunt, and Trevor will take Tolston to the tournament on Saturday, and I will go to the tournament on Sundays. It’s very hectic in the spring because Tolston is playing Travel & Rec ball, but we always find a way to be able to do both.

If we are both unable to go to a hunt, we have some good friends who will watch after our hounds just like they are their own.

How do you involve your children in the kennel and hunting lifestyle?

Both of the boys have been around hounds since they were born. Tolston is more of a deer hunting boy; he would much rather be on the move rather than sitting and waiting at a field trial.

Trenton, all he knows is field trialing. He has been deer hunting, but that was when he was really young, 3 weeks old was his first hunting trip. After that deer hunting season is when we migrated to field trialing in the pen, so that’s what Trenton really knows.

Trenton is with us nearly every time we go to a hunt unless I have a bench show, Tolston comes when he doesn’t have ball. At home at the kennel, they both help out by watering, feeding, and loving on all of the hounds.

What values do you hope your kids learn from growing up around hounds and the hunting community?

• Faith - to trust God in every season, whether they’re celebrating a win or learning from a loss.

• Hard Work - Good hounds, like good people, aren’t made overnight. Success comes from time, consistency, and dedication.

• Respect - respect other hunters, judges, landowners, and the hounds.

• Sportsmanship - Winning with humility, losing with grace, all while knowing their character matters more than a trophy.

• Responsibility - Caring for the hounds daily, putting their needs before their own.

• Patience - Teaching them that some of life’s best rewards can’t be rushed.

• Compassion - Loving and caring for the hounds, recognizing they are partners not just competitors.

Lauren, what inspired you to start Hounds & Faith, and was there a particular moment that made you realize you wanted to combine your love for hounds and your faith in Jesus through apparel?

Hounds & Faith was born from two of the greatest passions in my life, my love for hounds and my faith in Jesus Christ.

For as long as I can remember, hounds have been more than a hobby. They've been a way of life. They've brought our family together, introduced us to lifelong friends, taught us lessons in perseverance, humility, and hard work, and given us countless memories we'll cherish forever.

At the same time, my faith has always been the foundation that guides every part of my life. It's what carries me through the highs, the lows, the victories, and the disappointments.

One day, I realized there wasn't much apparel that truly represented both. You could find hunting brands, and you could find Christian brands, but very few combined the two in a meaningful way. I wanted to create something that allowed people to proudly wear both their passion for hounds and their faith in Christ.

That's how Hounds & Faith came to life.

This brand isn't just about selling T-shirts or hats. It's about creating a community of people who aren't afraid to say they love the chase but love Jesus even more. It's for the early mornings, the dirt roads, the long races, the friendships built around a dog box, and the faith that reminds us where our true purpose comes from.

I hope every design tells a story. Whether it's a foxhound crossing a dirt road at sunrise, a favorite Bible verse woven into the artwork, or the words "Chase Hard. Pray Harder," I want every piece to remind people that our identity isn't found in ribbons, trophies, or accomplishments, it’s found in Christ.

Hounds have taught me determination. They've taught me patience. They've taught me resilience. But my faith has taught me gratitude, grace, and where my strength truly comes from. Hounds & Faith is simply where those two worlds come together.

What message do you hope people take away when they wear Hounds & Faith apparel?

When someone puts on a Hounds & Faith shirt, I hope they feel like they're wearing more than just apparel. I hope they're wearing a reminder of what truly matters: faith, family, tradition, and the values that shape who we are.

I want people to know that it's okay to be passionate about the things God has blessed them with while keeping Him at the center of it all. For us, that passion is hounds. For someone else, it may be farming, fishing, or another way of life. Whatever it is, I hope Hounds & Faith reminds people that every blessing comes from Him.

I also hope our apparel represents integrity, hard work, respect, and humility. Those are values that have always been a part of the hunting community and values that I believe should carry into every area of life. Whether someone is walking through a hunt, spending time with family, or simply going about their day, I hope they remember that their character speaks louder than anything they wear.

Most importantly, I hope every design opens the door to conversations about faith. If a shirt with a Bible verse, a cross, or the words "Chase Hard. Pray Harder." encourages someone to ask a question or sparks a conversation about Jesus, then Hounds & Faith is accomplishing exactly what I hoped it would.

How has your faith influenced your approach to family, hunting, and business?

My faith influences every decision I make because I believe God should be at the center of everything I do.

As a wife and mother, my greatest responsibility isn't building a successful business, it's raising my boys to become faithful men. I want them to grow up knowing the importance of faith, honesty, humility, hard work, and serving others. I hope they see those values lived out in me every day, whether we're at home, at the ball field, or at a field trial.

In hunting, my faith reminds me that success isn't measured by ribbons or trophies. While I love to compete, the greatest rewards are the friendships built, the lessons learned, and the memories made with family. Wins are exciting, but they don't define who we are. Character, sportsmanship, and how we treat others matter far more than any title.

In business, I want Hounds & Faith to be built on honesty, excellence, and gratitude. Every order is more than a sale, it's someone choosing to support a dream that God placed on my heart. I never want to take that support for granted. My goal isn't simply to sell apparel; it's to create something that encourages people, brings the hunting community together, and reflects Christ in the way we serve others.

At the end of the day, if people remember Hounds & Faith as a brand that stood for faith, family, integrity, and the tradition of running hounds, then I'll consider it a success.

Where do you see Hounds & Faith growing in the next few years?

When I started Hounds & Faith, I wasn't just thinking about creating another apparel brand. I was thinking about creating something that people could genuinely connect with a brand that represents faith, family, and the traditions of the hound community.

Over the next few years, I hope Hounds & Faith becomes a recognized name within the foxhound and hunting community. I want people to see our logo and immediately think of quality, integrity, and a brand that truly understands the lifestyle we live.

I want to continue expanding beyond T-shirts into products people use every day. Hats, hoodies, stickers, cups, kennel accessories, hunting gear, home decor, gifts, and other items that represent the Hounds & Faith lifestyle.

I also hope to continue hosting events like our Ladies Night Under the Lights Hunt and grow them into traditions that people look forward to year after year. Bringing families together, encouraging more women and young people to become involved in the sport, and creating fellowship opportunities is something I'm passionate about.

As the brand grows, I hope to collaborate with kennels, clubs, and organizations that share the same values of sportsmanship, family, and respect for the tradition of running hounds. I'd love to see Hounds & Faith become a trusted supporter of hunts, youth events, and causes that strengthen our community.

My prayer is that Hounds & Faith continues to point people toward Jesus through encouraging messages, meaningful designs, and the way we treat every customer. If someone finds hope, encouragement, or begins a conversation about faith because of something they saw from Hounds & Faith, then we've accomplished something far greater than selling apparel.

Success to me isn't measured only by the number of orders we receive or how many followers we have. It's measured by the impact we make, the families we encourage, the traditions we help preserve, the friendships we build, and the lives we point toward Christ.

I pray that years from now, Hounds & Faith will be known as more than a business. I hope it's remembered as a community where faith came first, families were welcomed, traditions were honored, and people were always treated with kindness and respect.

What's one piece of advice you'd give to young families who want to stay involved in hunting and competition while keeping faith and family at the center of their lives?

If I could give one piece of advice to young families, it would be this:

Never let the hunt become more important than the reason you're hunting in the first place.

The ribbons will fade, the trophies will collect dust, and the scores will eventually be forgotten. But the time you spend with your children, your spouse, your friends, and the memories you create together will last forever.

Keep Christ at the center of your home. Let your children see you pray just as often as they see you prepare hounds. Let them see you treat people with kindness, celebrate others' successes, and handle disappointment with grace. Those lessons will shape them far more than any win ever could.

Don't get so caught up in competition that you miss the moments. Some of my favorite memories aren't about placing in a hunt. It’s the early mornings loading dogs, the conversations riding down dirt roads, the laughter around the dog box, and watching my boys love a tradition that's been passed down through generations.

Remember that your children are always watching. They're learning how to respond when things don't go your way. They're learning how to treat competitors, how to care for animals, how to work hard, and what it means to put God first. The example you set today will become the values they carry into adulthood.

There will be seasons when life is busy. Between work, sports, school, and hunting, you won't make every event, and that's okay. Give yourself grace. Be present wherever your family is in that moment, and remember that success isn't about doing everything, it’s about doing the most important things well.

What do you hope your children and the hound community itself remember most about the legacy of hunting with hounds?

I hope my children remember the early mornings before daylight, loading hounds into the dog box, the miles traveled down back roads, and the conversations that happened in between. I hope they remember the friendships that felt like family, the laughter shared after a long hunt, and the lessons learned through both victories and disappointments.

More than anything, I hope they remember that hunting with hounds was never just about chasing game, it was about building character. It taught us responsibility because animals depended on us. It taught us patience because not every race went our way. It taught us perseverance because quitting was never an option. It taught us humility because there was always another day, another hunt, and something new to learn.

I hope the hound community continues to protect the traditions that make this way of life so special. This sport has always been about more than competition. It's about families spending time together, experienced hunters taking the time to mentor newcomers, and generations passing down knowledge that can't be learned from a book.

I also hope we're remembered for how we treated one another. Titles and trophies eventually fade, but kindness, integrity, sportsmanship, and the willingness to help someone else leave a lasting impact. Those are the things people remember years later.

Most importantly, I hope my boys grow up understanding that every good thing comes from God. I want them to know that while hounds brought us together, our faith is what held us together. If they remember that Jesus came before every ribbon, every hunt, and every accomplishment, then they'll have learned the greatest lesson I could ever teach them.

My prayer is that the next generation inherits more than good hounds. I hope they inherit a community that values faith, family, hard work, respect, and tradition. If that's the legacy we leave behind, then we've preserved something far greater than a sport we've preserved a way of life worth passing on.

At the end of the day, I don't just want my boys to remember that we raised good hounds. I want them to remember that we loved Jesus, loved each other, worked hard, treated people with respect, and made the most of every opportunity God gave us. If those are the things they carry with them long after the hunts are over, then I'll know we got it right.

Conclusion

The story of TLP Kennels is about much more than field trial placements and competitive success. It is a story rooted in faith, family, tradition, and a genuine love for hounds. Through countless miles traveled, early mornings, late nights at the fox pen, and lessons learned along the way, Lauren and Trevor have built a kennel that reflects the values they hope to pass on to the next generation.

Whether through TLP Kennels or Hounds & Faith, Lauren's mission remains the same: to honor God, preserve the traditions of hunting with hounds, strengthen the community around it, and ensure that faith and family remain at the center of it all. In a world that is constantly changing, that commitment may be the most important legacy of all.

Be sure to check out all that Hounds & Faith has to offer here!

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