Can i just start off by saying thankyou to every single one of our members. When we lost A & T, our home ground of 20 years, we'd built up a decent membership, mostly Non Pedigree Whippets, had a regular handicap and were happy with things how they were, none of us wanted change. We did 12 months at Howe Bridge, lost lots of our regulars, did no promotion and all our "committee" lost interest in some way with racing in general. Personally, i was ready to pack in with racing, sick of the politics and the enjoyment was taken out of a hobby i'd been involved in for nearly 30 years. We viewed Kings Park and although a great track i had no hope really for a future as a club. Gradually coming around to the idea with John & Mark's encouragement we advertised across numerous facebook pages for newcomers to join us. There was loads of interest, regularly getting enquiries via our website / facebook page and people phoning every week wanting more info. First week back after the winter break was a hard one, every dog back to the drawing board, track like a mudbath, numerous issues, dogs tackling, dogs showing little interest, owners not in control of their dogs, things taking forever and a day. I know i'm not the only one who felt like throwing the towel in there and then. What's great about this "team" is someone has a shit time of it and we're all on the phone, boosting each other, telling each other things will get better, none of you know all this. From week 1 of 2016, things have improved every week, dogs showing much more interest, owners asking and taking advice, people just generally willing to learn because they can see the pleasure their dogs get from chasing and YOU are making everything worthwhile. We now have a fantastic team of helpers, everyone helping out in any way, even if you just socialize with newcomers, it's a way of including them and making them feel welcome, every bit helps and we're all so grateful. We've had some feedback that other clubs/racers are knocking us for allowing any breed, I can tell you now, we know which group of people we'd prefer to spend time with of a weekend, nothing gives me more pleasure that seeing the smile on Bella's (Labrador) face as she chases that lure, or Wombat's little legs going ten to the dozen as she chases, or Jersey and all his issue's putting a smile on Shirley's face, or little Ollie at 11 years old showing everyone that YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS. I walked past someone today, she didn't know i heard but her comment to another owner was "i'm so glad i found this club", you don't know what it means to us, or how it makes it all worthwhile to hear things like that. Once again Thankyou Thankyou Thankyou!!!! Today we saw so many dogs do their firsts. Penny won her first race and delighted her owner David, Duncan's Badger in his first 4 dog race gave 15yds start away and shifted through the pack like an old pro, spotting a gap and going for it, Mark's George, going from his first passing trial, straight into a competitive 4 dog race with ease, Jo's Olive, an agility dog, turned out in immaculate condition every time and always an eye catcher, out of traps, 4 dog race, handicapped and wins both times - bloody brilliant! Jess rescue'd 8 month's ago and her owners Lorraine, Mark &Kelly have turned up every week come solo or race, rain or shine just because the dog loves it so much, she recognises me as her means to a run, and comes up all lovey dovey doe eyed so she can get her own way.Amanda's stunning Ella, a few solo's under her belt took everything in her stride, muzzle / traps and ran against her first competition today. Kim's Roxy had done fast times but had previous bad experiences Lurcher Racing at Gamefairs, confidence totally knocked to the point that she'd pulled up in races when in company, loads of work by Kim and confidence boosting trials, today we saw her sail past another dog without batting an eyelid. Not only do the dogs and owners give us so much pleasure but to see the kids enjoy it so much, 10yr old Leigha does the lure kids job for us, keen to get involved, helps set up, brought her own stopwatch today and held the winners flags up, an absolute gem! Today Frank joined us, a former racer some many moons ago with his rescue whippet showing that once the bug bites no matter how long, you always get pulled back in. Results to follow xResults.
Non peds.
Worth It 8.44
Black Admiral 8.34
What's Your Point 8.59
What's Your Rush handslip
Monogram 8.66
Marshbrook Meave 8.71
Madam Moet Sc - 1st 8.75
Mo Hawk 2 1/2
Race 1 (Schooling Pass)
R George Sc - 1st 9.94
B Penny 1
Bess H/S 9.65
Race 2
R Tilly Sc - 4th
B Jess Sc - 3rd
W Indie Sc - 2nd
Bk Olive Sc - 1st 8.91
Ollie 12.38
Tillie H/S 9.78
Race 3
R Badger Sc - 1st 9.38
B Snip 7 - 2nd
W Piper 9 - 3rd
Roxy Sc 8.88
Race 4
R Caspar H/S - 1st
B Drifter H/S
Liffy H/S 9.19
Ella 10.09
Brady H/S
Scrumpy H/S
Rodney H/S
Keith H/S
Alfie 9.78
Race 5
R Bryn H/S 8.94
B Ghost H/S
The food always goes down well during the break, this week we were spoilt for choice with Linda's lovely homemade Pea & Ham Soup, Amanda's beautiful homemade cupcakes and David supplied a huge Apple Pie. Everyone enjoys a chat and brew, whilst the programme is being made out for the 2nd round. Thanks to Fiona for all the work she does serving everyone.
R Badger Sc - 1st 9.47
B George 8 2nd
W Snip 11 3rd
Bk Piper 15
A brilliant race, with each one leading at some stage, George in his first race, doing everything right hit the front at 3/4 with Badger charging through the pack 10 yards before the line to get up and win in impressive style.
R Ella Sc
B Penny 3 - 1st
Ella soon caught Penny and the pair ran neck and neck, Penny pulled away near the line to win by a couple of yards.
R Olive Sc - 1st 8.87
B Indie 1 - 2nd
W Jess 2 - 3rd
Handicapped this time after their first level break race, Olive found time yet again and despite giving start away for the first time still raced to victory, some brilliant racing for our Lurchers.
R Roxy Sc - 1st 8.85
B Tillie 2
Roxy wasn't phased at all and went past Tillie with ease, a great run. Thanks to Sandra for allowing us the use of Tillie for this schooling pass.
Ollie H/S 12.78
Alfie 9.91
R Caspar H/S - 1st 8.78
B Drifter H/S
Liffie H/S 9.09
Bryn 9.28
Brady 9.91
Thanks to our lure kid Leigha, superb job!
Now that we are having some good racing we have decided that in 2 weeks time, Saturday 7th May we will hold a trophy meeting. All being well with the weather we'll be having a BBQ too.
See you all next week x
Photo's kindly supplied by Anna Haas
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