by Maureen Cooper » Tue 03 Feb 2004 9:54 pm
We have a lot of reading to do these days! Well done everybody. many of us still wondering why so few judges are commenting on issues though, especially when one sees the hits on a thread.
From my point of view:
No walk-ups in Novice, it has been discussed before as it once was done to howls of protest and a protest being put in at the trial concerned. I feel it does encourage unsteadiness in a young or headstrong dog.
No double marks in Novice. It is hard enough for some newbies to find ONE training partner let alone two to throw birds! Bear in mind you need a good split to start doubles so back to back throwers not a good idea, unless over a very short distance.
No 150 metre retrieves. The stake is Novice and the rule states.." it is desirable that the runs be no more than 100 metres" and therefore there is an 'out' if one needs to separate dogs by putting on a longer run. The rule does not say MUST be no longer than 100 metres.
We have all been talking about encouraging newcomers into the sport and here are suggestions to lengthen runs, put on doubles and walk-ups! Why do you want to make it even harder!!!
Agree about eliminating puppy stakes, teams,brace, derbies etc, majority just not viable and waste of space but feel the Beginners Test could be updated to three easier runs instead of two with no age limit.
One last comment, all well and good suggesting intermediate stakes between say Novice and Restricted and Restricted and All Age but you still need a judge and grounds, holding 4 stakes on one day?! Pretty hard so do you drop a stake?
Maureen