Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Swainsboro, Ga
Posts: 901

Does anyone have pics of a water race set up they could share? We are interested in WR but need to see someone's set up so we can set something up at our house to practice with.

Also, can anyone tell me exactly how a field trial competition is set up?

Thanks.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Dec 2005
Location: buckhannon, wv
Posts: 1534

well in a field trial you have a start line and a heat of 4 dogs in there approprate category reg, fch, grfch. then you have a person drag a coon to a tree and you have a line all the way around the tree i think 25 feet from the base. there you will have 3 tree judges and there wil be a line about 75 yards from the tree. there you will have 2 line judges about 20 feet or so apart. correct me if i am wrong UKC. but that is a simple run-off for you. I will be going to a water race on the fifth of September at Flatwoods. If I remember to bring the digital camera... I will get you a pic.

__________________
Southern Kennels
owner: Sam Blosser
Cedarville, WV
home phone:304-462-7054
Cell phone:304-613-9740
dixie_coonhunter_911@yahoo.com
______________________________
Home of:
GRFCH GRNITECH GRCH PR CAL'S TIMBER TRAVELLER

PR Tristan's JR (Tristans Dog)

PR Grampa's Miss Ruby (Ruby's Dog)

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 4324

For the Water Race - Minimum length of the ponds should be 150 feet - there is no maximum length. There must be side boundary markers & a line across the pond near the end of the water for the dogs to cross under while swimming (line winner). Dogs must stay within boundary markers to qualify. The circle around the tree is 20 ft (40 ft. diameter).
For the Field Trial - The home tree must not be visible from the starting line.
When you assign your starting, line, and tree judges, it's important to make sure they know the rules because frequently exhibitors as well as spectators will question decisions.
Through the years I've noticed the most COMMON cause for arguments is the one about deciding the TREE WINNER.
The key phrase in the rule book is that DOGS MUST BARK TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE JUDGES. SO just because a dog is the first in the circle to bark, this doesn't automatically give that dog the First Tree award if another dog gets to the tree & starts hammering while the first dog leaves the circle or just stands there. Dogs CAN leave the circle. but the first one to bark inside the circle & STAY TREED is the winner.

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

Last edited by skyblu on 08-25-2008 at 04:49 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jul 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 4324

This is from an NPHA Water Race. The starting box is in the background. Note side boundary markers as dogs swim toward suspended line marker.

__________________
SKY
___________________
Author of the novel "Follow Jennifer"

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Aug 2008
Location: Swainsboro, Ga
Posts: 901

Do all water races have the box or do you sometimes hold the dogs and release them? Just curious if I need to build a box for practice here at home.

I have read the rules on both events but it just helps to see it and hear from people how it is done.

Anyone near us have a place set up we could come look at.

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 320

MILLINGTON, MI


NEILLSVILLE, WI





PLYMOUTH WI

__________________
“The true character of a sportsman is shown not only in how they win, but in how they handle their losses.”
anomonyous

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Jun 2003
Location: NOR CAL
Posts: 524

This is our pond out in No.Cal approx 350' long. A start box is the way to go it will make it fair for all, our field trails are 1,2,3 go hand release. good luck to you.

__________________
TINY SANTANA
RINCON KENNELS

Last edited by bearman on 08-25-2008 at 04:09 PM

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged

Registered: Mar 2006
Location: WI
Posts: 320

STARTING BOX ENSURES AN EQUAL & FAIR START EVERY TIME. ON OCCASSION DUE TO THE WATER LEVEL BEING LOW, WE HAVE STARTED FROM THE BANK.

__________________
“The true character of a sportsman is shown not only in how they win, but in how they handle their losses.”
anomonyous

Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged