CACIL, CACT Coursing
To continue to enhance Lucky‘s & Alec‘s coursing skills we decided to participate on Coursing Championship of Czech Republic in Ptyrov, in beautiful surroundings of Cesky Raj.
In the whippet sprinter mix there was 12 whippets all together – high number probably mainly due to height issues and consequent remeasuring of whippets in Czech Republic. First run Lucky ran together with Blue Effect Valentine Dogs – well known whippet for his successes in the coursing field and finally placed Nr.3. It was a pleasure for me to see the run, Lucky was even taking a lead in a short part;) and successfully kept closely behind him. Unfortunately his score was significantly lower, which meant for him to start the 2nd run almost as last one. The second run he ran with Chuanita od Hnevína, the small whippet female, which obviously could not keep the pace with Lucky. The fact that it was one of the last races was reflected in the low score again. Still his peer got only 3 points less as Lucky. Comparing this difference to Lucky‘s first run – he should get significantly higher score as he was much better keeping with Efa as this tiny female with him. Finally he was placed on 11ths place (out of 12) with total score of 354 (179 + 175). To me his score didn‘t really match his performance and I wanted to really understand where he stands with his performance. There was the coursing training taking place shortly after this event so I went there and asked for unbiased evaluation of his running style – in order to understand whether his performance is really that low. The training leader, who is long in coursing service already, told me that he runs very nicely, he would give him some 91 points, certainly more than 90. (which means at least 180 points for the run) However he could be faster – this was exactly what I thought seeing Lucky in action. For the event in Ptyrov it would mean the placing somewhere in the middle. When I told him what he has got instead his face expression clarified everything to me! Yeah, simply it is subjective judgement of the judge not his real performance! not very different comparing to dog shows. I am very disappointed about this „subjective judgement“, where no one can question it and no one is checking if judges are deciding within some professional framework. The one who loose should just take it „sporty“. In my opinion loosing while the peer is better no one has a problem with to take it „sporty“. To feel to be treated unfairly is a different story. Fortunately Lucky & Alec does not understand anything out of this ‚human games“ and comparing to shows they simply just love it! Just look at the pictures in the gallery! :-) So we surely continue doing this activity :-) and I forget about scores and placing – but will watch the cost and avoid long distance drive to such events (unless there will be some other interest of mine;)).
Alec did his training lessons on this event as well as on coursing training the few days later and it seems his nightmare caused by an accident on the racing track can be over. Am happy for that!! My nightmare just started as it is difficult to manage to keep him calm while lure starts to move :-) We will go ahead and try to obtain the licence;)
On Sunday I wanted to visit some beautiful castles of this area, unfortunately it was raining and forecast was showing it will not stop that day, so I drove home, making a short stop in Prague and bought some beautiful shirst for my nephew Jurko:)
For pictures from this event thanks to Marketa Sousedikova & her Dog Sports Photo.
PS: I was considering if I should make the above mentioned comments (here or on FB) trying to avoid to be negative but I was learnt to speak what I have in my mind on my MBA classes and this is just my personal opinion on the matter which may not correspond with others views and/or reality. I consider scoring sometimes to be the scoring of the importance and „fame“ of breeder and/or owner and I value highly and honor every judgement, where based on my view this is not the case. Doing either coursing or shows you will certainly experience valuations, which you do not understand, but it won‘t change, so you have to live with it or stop doing it;) Too many exhibitors and/or participants are simply satisfied with as-is status and finally why it should work differently from the rest of the world;)
13.9.2014
Ptýrov, CZ