s/s
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Feb 2006
Location: BRIGHTON, TENNESSEE 30 miles north of Memphis
Posts: 2169 |
Sam & I don't run in the Purina races, but you will see us at about half of them through out the year because we like the bigger hound events. 2008 we traveled to them for the show only and to have a good time with other hounds people because our friends just don't understand our love for the hounds.  This year we chose the ones that had water & field events over just a show alone. We have found, for us, win or loose, that trying to get our hounds in the winning circle with the WR & FT events is much more fun and exciting. Even if we do loose, we know it was because our dog just flat out got beat and not us...
I used to bust my behind to get my hounds ready for the show, but found the effort was pointless. We have made the cuts with the "big players" lots of times, but have never, not one time, ever pulled out on top with a win in the end at a bigger show. "Sometimes" I know we were beat by the handler and not the hound. Everyone has seen a crappy dog win because of who is standing behind it. BUT, let me say this, I know that I am not that great of a handler either. So I always except getting beat graciously and go on. Sam tells me I look at the handlers I am going against before I ever check out the hounds. He says I have myself whooped before I ever even pay my entry fee. LOL...I tell him that I know that my hound can do his part and that's what "I" have to beat, is the handler. So, if I know I can not beat that handler, then I just don't waste that $10, $15 or even sometimes $20 bucks. It just comes down to basic economics for some folks. Call me a tight wod, but you will never call me a sore looser. I just don't have that kind of money to throw away. This year we have campaiged 4, 5 and 6 hounds in the water and field events. That many entry fees X two events and the travel expences. Well, you do the math. There is just no extra money to be throwing away just to make my hound stand pretty on a bench, which I have found is much harder to do than to say.
We always have a great time no matter what. We take the time to hang around and meet folks & talk hounds. We never finish an event and throw the dogs in the box and go, win or loose. We really enjoy the whole atmosphere and that is part of why we even go in the first place.
While watching a show, I really like seeing the best dog win, instead of the same ole same ole everytime. In "some cases" I have seen much better looking hounds that I thought should have won, just flat out get over looked. Just watching the show gets frustrating sometimes. But, I do like watching the show's because, it's great to see the appreciation of the win in the unexpected handlers faces when thier hound is chosen. It does give the rest of us a little glimmer of hope for the next time.
I am not saying that those same handful of dogs don't deserve to win sometimes, or even most of the time. They are beautiful hounds. I am just saying that there are sometimes better hounds on some days that just don't get to shine when they rightfully should, Purina Race or no Purina Race.... JMO...
So to sum it all up, yeah, that's why we don't show in more of them. I know when I, the handler, am out classed and I except that. I am just not going to make my hound look bad over and over by consistantly setting him or her up for a loss. I know he is a better hound than "some" we have shown against, but it doesn't always come down to the better hound....Again, JMO
Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
|
10-04-2009 07:36 PM
