Highpeaks Lurcher Show - A Very Enjoyable Day

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

After the usual preparations we set off in a different direction for a change. Most of the shows we get to attend seem to be in the South, but this one was West, giving us a nice change of scenery. As the venue was only just over an hours drive away, an early, rather than dawn departure was called for.

We arrived just after the racing had started. This was held this in the morning, before the show started giving everyone time to enter if they wanted. The venue was a field on the outskirts of a small village........a lovely country setting. The weather was once again nearly perfect, being warm, cloudy but dry.

I found we had to book in for the racing. There was zigzag simulated coursing and straight racing. I went to the tent and booked Barney into both these events. He had only run straight before, in fact I had never seen simulated coursing so was interested as to how it was done. After booking in we went to have a look, as the competition had already begun. The lure was run around 2 pulleys, making a large Z. Cones were places as 'gates' which the dogs had to run between when the lure changed course. A marshal was standing at the side of each gate with 2 coloured flags. The dogs run with different coloured collars, which are placed around their necks at the start. When a dog runs through the gate the appropriate flag is raised, so a dog making all the gates gets 3 flags, and will win over a dog that runs wide, even though the other dog may be first to reach the finish line.

Lots of dogs were entered, and there were enough for 2 separate competitions. The dogs run in pairs, and it is a knockout competition. As we were the last competitor to book in, I was told we would not be able to take part as there were an unequal number of dogs on the card. I asked around and found 2 more people willing to take part, so Barney could have a go.

The dogs were released together by a helper. The other dog had not run to a lure before and, although Barney missed a gate when the lure changed direction, he won, so was through to the next round. It quickly arrived and after setting off, I was highly amused to see him stop and wait for the lure to change direction. The other dog got there first, but Barney had run through all the gates and so went on to the next round.

He ran this as a by (on his own) so all the dogs had the same number of runs. He was beaten in the semi-final, but came third overall.....not bad for a first attempt, and he was hardly panting.

There was quite a wait while the terriers and small lurchers raced in the straight races. We spent this chatting to the crowd of very friendly people that were there. At last our turn came. I lined up with several dogs, but was fractionally late releasing him. Barney will have a go if he is in front, but submits as soon as another dog is in the lead. He almost trotted along at the back, and after the fairly short run, dictated by the size of the field, he ran across the back of the rest of the dogs as if to say 'I'm not really in this race'. It was really funny.

The show started and finally our class was called. I did not miss it this time. The judge gave Barney a good examination, saying what a nice dog he was, but we were first......something I think could have been a mistake. On making the final decision she did keep looking at him, but seemed indecisive, and finally gave the 3 places to other dogs. I think the fact he has been neutered went against him.

There was another class later in the day, a special memorial class with a huge number of dogs that we could have entered, but didn't because I did no know about it. However, even the show organizer said he had not known about it when talking to him afterwards.

We took part in the obedience, one of only seven competitors, and it was really too advanced for us. However the very nice and friendly person judging it said we mustn't be disappointed by our achievement, as there were probably between 200 and 300 dogs there, and none of their owners thought them obedient enough to enter.

The show was nearly at an end when we left in the early evening. We had found one of the friendliest groups of people I have ever met at a show, had a marvelous time and, although we had left without winning anything, it has to be one of the most enjoyable shows I have been to.