Ok, so how about working with local AB agility clubs to host agility trials? They have the equipment and the money. Agility trials bring in big bucks for these clubs. The deal is, one would have to be open to the club's rules for entries. The upside, they have judges at the ready if needed. Working together with other AB clubs, especially in performance events, could benefit both the specialty clubs as well as the AB clubs. Why don't we do more of that, even in conformation? Other breeds do. Thoughts? Laura -----Original Message----- From: Sue Mazzeo <Sue.Mazzeo@xxxxxxxxxx> To: showgsd-l digest users <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 10:49 am Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: mixed breeds competing in AKC Stormy, he answer to overcoming the obstacles is money. Money to buy the land to hold he trials. Money to buy the equipment. Money to run a well run trial. Money o hire the help necessary to make it a well run trial. oney, the thing that most specialty clubs have in very short supply. n the absence of the necessary money, the clubs do the best they can. I know hat in Northern California, many of the clubs giving agility and bedience/rally trials don't fill. Some of the clubs have stopped giving the rials because they were losing money. As for tracking, there is ALWAYS a aiting list for tracks, just not enough area to be able to satisfy everyone. ue Mazzeo rom: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx> ubject: Re: mixed breeds competing in AKC ate: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:21:07 -0800 ere are the obstacles correctly stated. What can be done to overcome hem? torm n Jan 21, 2010, at 10:02 AM, ejdegen@xxxxxxx wrote: > As someone else has already stated, it might be "possible" to add judges, however it is usually not PRACTICAL in agility trials. Besides the SPACE required (which usually isn't available); the additional equipment needed is not normally available and even if it would be, it is extremely expensive. Stormy asks "why aren't more specialty clubs offering them"....well, they need to be approved to do it and it does take a *lot* of workers! Some of my favorite trials to go to, tho, are run by some "other" breed specialty clubs. They've committed to the time and work it takes to put on the trials, they pick good judges (agility may be a "mostly" objective sport with the actual judging, but the judges design the courses, so we like judges that design decent courses!), they give great incentives to work their trials and they have them in good locations on safe equipment. Tracking is usually limited by space required as well as workers. You need experienced people to be tracklayers. Tracking judges and workers commit to working ALL DAY two days in a row (one day plotting tracks, the next day running them). It is a lot of work and, depending on the terrain, can be exhausting. Tracking is not a money making event...but we greatly appreciate any clubs that commit to putting them on! :-) Course C is limited because of the numerical limits a judge can judge per day (because of the length of time each run requires) as well as the large number of sheep required for the course. It takes a lot of sheep to do Course C and they need to be conditioned to be worked on Course C or no one will enter! You also need a very large area for Course C and most places just don't have the ability to have multiple courses set up. Julie Degen www.caissonkennels.com "A well-balanced German Shepherd has a title on both ends!" In a message dated 1/21/2010 10:47:10 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, tormy435@xxxxxxx writes: Julie raises some important points and there are more questions than answers. ONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This communication with its contents may contain onfidential and/or legally privileged information. 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