Field trialing and beagles in general

[bradadkins]

With all the posts I have read in the last few weeks I wanted to put a different light on things. I have had the priviledge to meet some great and helpful individuals in my travels in running dogs, field trialing and rabbit hunting. I don't think there isn't any better people than beaglers. I could make a list of all those people but there are too many and I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. I love field trialing and have been competitive my whole life and this allows me to continue that in a new aspect. There is nothing that could run me out of this sport..I love it too much. So i guess everyone is just stuck with me

Just wanted to tell everyone thank you, keep the sport enjoyable, and have FUN!!!! I know I do

my 2 cents
Brad Adkins

[hounddog]

Brad, that makes two of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

hounddog
Jim Umbarger

[Dale Pea]

I am still fairly new to the beagle business. I have had the pleasure of attending two field trials. I had a good time at both places. I didn't bring a dog because I am not sure of the rules and wanted to see how things worked. I had a good time and decided that this wasn't for me. At least not yet.

It seems like, maybe I am not seeing things correctly, that there is always someone crying, complaining, or calling foul about something. I just have time for all of the dumb stuff that goes on afterwards.

It would be diffrent if it was the same guy all the time, but it isn't.

A wise person told me at the very begining, if you trial be prepared to get cheated. It is a sport, just like figure skateing in the olympics. It all depends on what the judge likes and to and even larger extent, what he sees or doesn't see.

Please don't get me wrong, the two hunts that I did attend were very professional and I was made to feel welcome. Just decided that I would rather just listen.

Just me
Dale Pea

[otis]

I hear ya Dale. My experience was very similar. I'll stick to hunting.

[wabbithunter]

i don't even own a dog,all i ever did was go to hunts and handle for a buddy,i may not know all the rulz but i know when a dog is getting cheated,i know what checks are and jumps,it is the minuses i don't understand,but cheating happens,but you are not suppose to say anything.

the other thing i learned was every dog is a good dog,they just need ran more,that is what every dog needs,ran.

[Alabama John]

The people are great, so is the conversation, and food is better.

[bradadkins]

Hey guys..ever hear the ol saying if ya ain't got nothing good to say then don't say anything..well that applys here..this post if for looking at the good times people have and for the people who love it to speak their peace. There have been enough negative posts. There are things and sports I don't like. I don't go to them. I don't watch them. I don't talk bad about them either. To each his own. Different strokes for different folks ya know. I have had bad experiences also but the bigger picture is this..I really enjoy it. It is more about the dogs then me personally.I have had beagles my whole life. I am a gun hunter first. If they won't do it in the field with a gun then no need to take them to a trial in my opinion. I guess I am hard headed and stubborn. If I lose or get cheated or whatever..I'll be back next time and I will have my hounds in better shape and you will have them to beat again. I am gonna ride this thing till the wheels fall off. See ya at the next hunt.

[hounddog]

Again, I'll have to second what Brad said. (Not to be a copy cat or a me too.) I too have been cheated, my dogs been cheated, I've seen kids get cheated and so on. I found a different format, a different bunch of guys to trial against. Maybe it's all in how you look at it. If you're worried about getting cheated, you may have a hard time in this world,IT"S FULL OF IT>
In my opinion, it makes me try even harder. JMO


hounddog
Jim Umbarger

[PREACHERS KENNEL]

mee to brad . i like it..have i been cheated yep. bit over all the enjoyment is great good dogs good friends and u learn alot by judgeing u would ever know anyother time!tailgaters dont have a clue sometimes!i have had a great 4 yrs of trialing,, i have better dogs than i ever have had have mnay more friends than i had 4 yrs ago !! KEEP IT UP AND SO WILL I!

[Tboy]

Brad great post

I am trialing to have fun and to have some kind of stress relief, if you are taking this game too serious you can not be having any fun. Feed what you like and don't worry about the next guy or club, bring what you like. If you get beat take it like a good person and either fix what you have or don't. I go to clubs I have fun at and this is not state driven, I have fun in a lot of other state clubs as some of you know. I like to laugh and joke around, if your club is like that chances are you will see me there, unless it is just too far of a ride to get there and too some that are a ways away I will get there in time.

An old timer once told me "An arguement over a dog is not worth a single human friendship" some of us need to know that a little better.

If your dog is better then mine so be it I am happy for you I like what I got and I will be at the next hunt and I hope some day my dogs will have "THIER DAY".

Tim Boyer

[mike crabtree]

I aint quitting either.

Im coming to beat all of your butts, but if I dont Ill live with it.

Ill never stand in the road and say I got cheated. I see that on here a lot, most who are saying it dont even know what their dog is doing. They dont leave the tailgate long enuff to find out.

[danny vansickle]

i am getting to the point where i like just running dogs as appose to the trialing but i still like going to hunts on weekends and shootin s#@t with everyone.

[beagle crazy]

This field trialing stuff is supposed to be about "fair and sportsman like" competition--to learn more about beagles and how to care for them and train them, etc... It does seem that at every hunt someone is bi***ing and complaining about getting cheated. Those judges have a hard time keeping up with the dogs and seeing what each and every one of them is doing at all times. I'll keep going and taking my dogs and be happy at the end of each hunt as long as my dogs did what I expected them to do, what I have been training them to do or not do and enjoying the companionship and BS ing with the rest of you fellas.

[SilverZuk]

I run dogs, rabbit hunt, and field trial for fun and a hobby.
I have had good days and bad days at all three.

I have other hobbies (hunting other than rabbit, competitive shooting, fishing, ATV riding, growing a garden, etc.).

My goal is to find dogs that suit me. I could care less about championing a dog (though I would be proud if a dog did). The dog would still be no better than it was the day before when it was an open dog.

I like running in field trials and judging to see all the different dogs out there and really see what I like.

To me the hobby is about the dogs and tuning their ability. My goal is to have a pack that is smooth, works together, and can run a rabbit while making it look effortless.

Field trialing has let me see lots of dogs, meet lots of people, see lots of places, learn about specific dogs/bloodlines, and really find out what I like.

In the end I hope to have a kennel full of dogs that suit me that produces dogs with those same traits. I could care less if that style of dog is ideal for a certain trial format. The main thing is that it pleases me.

I am competitive when I compete.
In field trials, I am not competing just spectating and watching hounds do what they are bred to do. All I do for my dogs is give them a ride and feed them. They do the rest on their own, they would do it for someone else the same as they would for me.

[Mapel Valley Kennels LLC.]

Field Trialing has offered me lots of things , Most of my friends are beaglers so therefore i have oppurtunities to travel to some pretty interestings spots. My favorite was Ny (Broome Co) some of the best people i have ever met. I found as my interest increased my time restraints became limited and that was all i wanted to do. Trial
I actually had to step back a few times and gather my thoughts "Way too serious" ..... Now i just go mainly to the big hunts .I think if people could lose with grace as well as win with it , it would be much more enjoyable for everyone. I have been screwed to death by judges , signed my card and went home . Trialing is fun just dont take yourself too serious. I would rather run anyday.I still love seeing all the ol school bunch