The Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) also has its own website where you may learn more about the organization itself.  Again, the intention here is to give the newcomer to the sport some basic information about how the MCA works and runs its Field Trials.  For more information about LGRA, go to the LGRA web site.

The Large Gazehound Racing Association (LGRA) is straight line racing, unlike Lure Coursing where there is a series of turns in a somewhat circular pattern, race meets set up a 200 yard race track.  Breeds eligible to compete are:  Afghan Hound, Italian Greyhound, Basenji, Pharaoh Hound, Borzoi, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Greyhound, Saluki, Ibizan Hound, Scottish Deerhound, Irish Wolfhound,  Sloughi, Provisional Breeds:  Azawak, Chart Polski, Cirneco del'Etna.

LGRA Race Meets require A LOT of volunteers, it's a person-intensive sport.  At this time the MCA does not use boxes to release dogs, so each dog needs both a "slipper" and a "catcher."  Remember, this is a straight-line track, so you let the dog go on one side of the 200 yard track, and someone has to get the dog at the end of the course as well. 

Other volunteer positions are:
Foul Line Judge:  This person or these people sit half-way down the track and make certain that there are no fouls committed by any of the dogs running.  If a foul does occur, the foul line judge must report it to the Race Meet Secretary. 

Line Judges:  Depending on the number of dogs running and the number of points available in each race, the number of line judges needed at the end of the track is between two and four.  Each race MUST have line judges to record which dog come across the line in which place.  They may also report fouls if they are within their field of vision and prior to the end line.

Starter:  This person makes certain that the dogs are lined up and ready to go at the beginning of the track.  As soon as the lure moves, the starter must "tally ho" the racers.  If there is a pre-slip, the starter must report this to the Race Secretary.

Lure Operator:  The lure operator is a more experienced position, the operator is required to keep the equipment running, must set up the system to ensure enough "run off" space, and keep the pulleys far enough back so that the dogs do not run into them.  The operator must keep the bag and squawker in front of the dogs without getting it too far ahead.  Also, the operator must be sure to keep the lure running through the finish line so that dogs do not begin to pull up before the end of the race.

Race Meet Secretary:  This is also an experienced position.  The Secretary must be familiar with the LGRA rules and regulations and understand how to score dogs and split the races into the correct racing groups.  (Not as easy as it sounds.)

The slippers and catchers may own the breed that is running, however, the lure operator, the foul line and line judges, and starter may NOT own the currently running breed, so it's imperative that a spirit of cooperation be engendered during each race meet, or it all starts to fall apart.