So much fun today.  A few weeks ago i said we'd like to get 20 dogs, well today we went over 20, over 30 too.  Brilliant turnout of 35 dogs (would have been 40 had we not decided to not bother with the non ped racers due to lure struggling  at the end).
Starting off with the doggy fancy dress, the amount of dogs dressed up just proved we're all as bloody daft as each other, some dogs pulled the look off better than others, this was just hilarious.  Winners were Alfie the Devil & Jess the Witch, kindly judged by Gina.
Once we'd done embarrassing the hounds it was on to some running.
Lots of new faces taking to the lure today; Nimbus, Spiro, Strider, Griffin (so cute!), Dee, Wombat, Pirelli, Emily, Liffey, Zak, Stanley, Ratty, Olive, Apache, Tillie, Nellie & Bolt.
Lots of firsts today too, Alfie had his first race (and won on the 2nd time of asking), Jess giving start away in her first 3 dog race (and won!) as did Ruby, little Jake progressed to his first trial from the traps and of course took it all in his stride, he's ready for a run in company next time.
Zuma, Casper, Indie, Tillie, Gypsy all had races, other trials for Jersey, Snip, Piper, Spike, Pepe, Jack, Lizzie, Ollie & Lucy.
In the break we did the hot dog bobbing, clear champion Martin's little guzzler Ruby.  Loads of fun with dogs trying to suss out how to dunk for them, i think the general consensus was to drink all the water in a bid to get to them, Rube's got stuck straight in with air bubbles coming up, the lot and grabbed a mouth full.
Today we decided to move to the 2nd track alongside our original with it being wet and lots of dogs running, we'll alternate weekly over the winter so give each one chance to clear up.
Lots of brews and food consumed in the break whilst we did the raffle, thanks to everyone who brought prizes i chuckle when people arrive and they ask has Linda done her stew (no getting out of it now Linda lol), also thanks to Jac for supplying the prizes for fancy dress and hot dog bobbing and to John for the freebies for everyone today.  We were all very grateful to all the helpers who just turned up and got stuck in with brewing, setting up, selling raffle tickets, packing away, you're a fab bunch!
Hope you all enjoyed your day and that the newcomers will visit again soon x

​Another fun day with all dogs going home happy.  A few showers early on but it didn't dampen the spirits of the keen dogs and soon changed into lovely sunshine.
We were missing John today who's a big help at our club and his absence didn't go unnoticed, rest up & get better soon x
Thanks as always to our workers; Mark on the lure, Keith on the traps and Linda who got stuck in with everything; tea maid, head chef and on the traps too.
New dogs today were Colin's 12 month old Jasper, his first time behind a lure and really took to it.  Sandras Tilly & Indie who have done agility and lure coursing but have never been in a trap, that was soon sorted and they were flying out like two good'ns.  Zuma has been before but had his first trials from the traps and mastered it, regulars Martin's lovely Ruby & Lorraine's Jess both had their first trials in company with Tilly & Indy and then progressed to racing against each other with muzzles on with little superstar Jess winning her first ever race.  Worth It & Black Admiral both had solo trials.  Marshbrook Meave Sc & Mo Hawk 2 had a race together with Meave pulling away towards the end winning by a good couple of lengths. Lucy had 2 full distance trials and looked to be running really well.   Ollie & Rupert (terriers) both had handslips.  Keiths Jack (Almost Bobs x Adi Lin) had 2 handslips and is looking really special.
Linda's stew and dumplings went down a treat (thanks again) as did the Pupcakes with 33 being sold (we have some lucky pups in the club) and thanks also to those who kindly donated raffle prizes.  
See you all next week x

Thanks to everyone who came today, sorry I didn't get to see everyone run as I only managed to get there towards the end.  Thanks to all the helpers; setting up, collecting money, refreshments, traps, lure, lure girl, packing away and our two photographers.  15 dogs for today's session who all got at least 2 runs, with a few who couldn't make it, hoping we go above 20 next week.
Newcomers this week; Gypsy, Lizzie, Roo, Ruby (2), I believe all chased brilliantly.  Lola & Ruby (1) attended for their second time and both loved it.  Jess & Alfie both progressed to running from a closed trap (do we have a match race between these two coming up?), Spike & sister Pepe were both slipped through an open trap and took it all in their stride.  Racing was won by Madam Moet from Mo Hawk and Marshbrook Meave from On the Button and the final by Marshbrook Meave.  Black Admiral had a couple of solo trials.

Costs as follows: halfway handslips £1.00 per dog, full distance trials & Racing £1.50 per dog (£2.00 non members), yearly membership £10.

Please keep sharing the page with friends or any appropriate facebook groups.

Racing / Trialing again next Saturday 24th October 12 O'Clock start.

Photo courtesy of John Harwood

We had a really lovely day today.  Thank you to everyone who made it possible, it is a big step towards building the club back up again.
Met some lovely new faces who all fitted in perfectly.  The dogs, the people, the track, everything all very positive, just a lovely atmosphere.
John was there early setting up, followed by Lyndon making the journey from Worcester and picking up Greg along the way in Stoke, soon after there were cars coming in thick and fast and everyone kept the girls busy having drinks and something to eat whilst we all had a natter before the start of racing.
A total of 19 dogs which we were thrilled with.  A number of newcomers all very keen and taking to the lure brilliantly.
We started with the handslip first, all patiently waiting their turn and taking everything in.
First up was Fred, although only a youngster, this little lad started his training with us at Howe Bridge and has just been an absolute natural, a good choice for the newcomers to watch as he's so keen and absolutely fearless, he showed them all how it's done.  Fred was followed by Zuma, Bella, Ruby, Archie, Lucy, Jack, Jake & Pepe and all one after another chased well, first time of asking.  Next we moved onto the full distance trials, Jess who everyone loves was ready to try the traps, she was walked through a couple of times and as with everything she does, when it came to being slipped through, sailed through and flew up the track, same with Alfie with his first try from the traps, took it all in his stride.  Our little mascot Jersey also had a run from the traps clocking a 9.97.  Lyndon paraded his little superstar Darlo Boom Boom with her presentation jacket on, she too had a trial and for such a little bitch,  made it look effortless.  6 dogs for racing so an easy 2 x 3 doggers.  1st race was won by Mo Hawk 20, 2nd the very impressive puppy in his debut race Darlo Tornado 17 who got behind the lure at the traps and never budged away from the middle of the track, 3rd a very fast finishing On The Button 27 who was really eating up the yardage towards the line.  2nd race a level break for the 3 x 21lb bitches,  Greg 's Scooters Paradise (2nd) taking the early lead whilst the other two touched at the boxes, to the line though Marshbrook Meave in her usual style was running on strong and pulled away, Madam Moet (3rd).
Another brew and Linda 's stew went down a treat whilst we did the raffle and had a short break before starting back.
More handslip and trials for everyone, followed  by the A Final. A 1 - 2 for us with Marshbrook Meave 1st and Mo Hawk 2nd.  B Final was won by Madam Moet in a very good clock this time from Gregs Scooters Paradise (Lyndon more than pleased with his Darlo Tornado for one day w/d and had solo instead).
Our big lad Black Admiral looked very pleased with himself, the last run of the day, as it took two of us the release the lure from his clasp.
Finally as predicted, just as we were done, we were treated to the spectacular sight of the Vulcan Bomber flying overhead.
Once again, thanks everyone for coming, thanks to the trusty team members and to everyone who brought raffle prizes.
Same time, same place next week folks

Photo courtesy of Wild Whippies Photography