Buckeye 01
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Mar 2011
Location: Columbus
Posts: 24 |
Re: AO
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Richards
While the numbers may have been down, the quality was up. Yes, I mean quality, just look at all of the positive comments regarding the sportsmanship displayed by the hunters. I will take this anytime over large numbers, there may not be as many hunters these days, but the ones hunting are a first class bunch. I can honesty say that back in the day of large numbers of hunters and dogs that it was a cutthroat, slick handling type of hunts. While there were not many $ hunts in those days, lots of paid handlers wer around trying to get first place wins anyway they could. I hunted against several of those types, absolutely no real sportsmanship existed. I am excited with these hunters of today that let their dogs do the talking. Dave
It is nice to hear that few, if any complaints were had during the hunt. That paints a positive image of the hunt for upcoming years and the sport in general. I don’t think that it really makes the overall attendance of the event any less important though. Attendance, not so much in the form of hunt entries, but general tourism of hunters visiting.
In regards to sportsmanship, I think it correlates directly with hunt format. 10 years ago, participating in Autumn Oaks was a interesting spectacle to put it politely. No Grand Sixteen format created a breeding ground for cheating, bribery, and aggressive cut throat cast. Unrealistic scores were the norm to try to get that coveted National Grand Nite title. The NTCH and Registered cast were not as bad with multiple placements being available, but the GRNT was savage.
Any time a hunt, whether it be UKC, xKC, xKC, or xHKC, is held that is not in elimination style format, the integrity of the event is instantly at stake in my opinion. I always have said the most enjoyable cast are the ones where you just have to beat the dogs you draw. That is not to say the same level of unsportsmanlike conduct cannot be in found in an elimination style event, but I think when you eliminate the concept of having to blow up a big score, the integrity of the hunt is much more likely to remain intact.
Look at xKC’s open events scores compared to prohunts etc. A certain degree of this could be attributed to a non-hunting judge, maybe even a large degree, but overall it’s the fact that they got to have a big score to make that final four. It can be comical to look at the scores of warm up open events right before a big event at the same location and watch the scores plummet.
The Grand 16 format was the best thing that happened to the AO in my opinion, and UKC is on track to become one of the most talked about KC’s in a positive light of any of the KC’s currently in existence right now.
__________________
RICHARD G. AKA BIG DICK
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
09-01-2019 07:26 PM
