To run or not to run?

[captainjack]

Not to steal Lee's thread as I believe it is an important discussion, I have started this.
What makes you decide whether to run a field trial or not?
I will start it off......distance is a key factor to my decision. The first thing that I will do is draw up a schedule of close trials.

[LeeW]

I wait untill my dogs are ready to run so early trials are out for me depending on the spring ...
I look at the close trials .. Then I look at the trials I like to run... and in the past I would run so I can get qualified.. I have one AFTCH so I only need to run her to qualify for the nationals.. (and because I like to run trials) but do not have to..

[kawarthalabs]

Lee-your trial was hurt by the close proximity of the national this year. Most people I know would rather train than trial that close to a national. The expense of staying a week or more in North Bay would have stretched the budgets of most let alone another weekend away at a trial just before the national.
In years past did people stop trialing just because they were now qualified? The 2 year qualified rule was put in place to help the nat am survive. The real reason for smaller trial numbers if indeed all trials are down is economic. It is far more expensive to play this game than ever before. If you actually desire to be competitive you'd best have money.time and great grounds. There are maybe a couple trialers I know that are getting by on 2 of the three things I have listed. All the others have all 3. Here in Ont. where the game is dominated by the pros and pro trained dogs you can have all three and still not place with any regularity. This is not a complaint it is just the way it is.
You and Howard put on an excellent event 2 yrs. ago when I was there. Your organization,grounds and help were all excellent. You also have to remember the first year a club holds a trial will usually be the best year attendance wise as most people will try to support the new club. i would expect your trail next year to be somewhere between the 2 attendance wise.
If you want to kill the national experience here in Can. make the qualifications to compete harder. It would be the same 25 to 30 people every year competing and might well kill the numbers at club trails as well. Maybe Can. really only needs the nat. open.
Tony.

[krakadawn]

The following determine what/how many trials I run:
-distance
-consecutive trials-no more than 2 depending on dog
-grounds or lack of
-host club(some for example are noted for hospitality,tail gate etc)
-what else is happening in life-I like a balance(would never attend a trial on Opening day of duck/goose)
-readiness of dog(s)
-points I may be chasing

Last and not least.....The Judges ! Sound,knowledgeable Judges are always appreciated.

Jim

[Lpgar]

Peter

For this season these were my reasons in order.

1- Dog being ready. I past on a number of trials that I have ran in the past because it would have plain been detrimental to run this season with a developing AA dog that was not ready.

2-Distance. Can't afford to fly out east or west regularly to compete. Of course one I can drive too in a day would get the nod if there were competing dates.

3- The trial and organization. I passed on a couple because I just plain didn't like that the club had one All Age Stake or a bad taste in my mouth from past trials. I feel that a full trial with some degree of social event with the trial brings in far more dogs than a limited trial that does not.

4-Judges...Didn't like a couple of the judging panels so stayed home.

5-Economics.... sometimes tough to make certain trials a priority if they don't have the above 3 reasons. Particually with Friday starts or Monday completions.

For the up coming year.....I would like to quailfy for the Am. National so not sure how much this will effect next year's trial decissions. I know it is effecting some of my decission making for this fall already.

Gar

[Anna Scott]

This season we have run only 2 FT's and the reasons for not running differ for each but none of them concern the 2 year qualification as we don't run the major stakes. Next year may be different who knows.

[Labber]

My reasons, for running a trial or not:

1. Family- Will they hate me for going or are they pushing me out the door?
2. Cost ie Gas. Can I set up my trailer for free?
3. Work- I work weekends. How much Vacation will I use? Overtime opportunities lost?
4. Is my dog prepared? Early season is tough because I don't go south.
Can't run too many trials in a month. I probably enter 5 or 6 /yr.
I set money aside through the year to budget for trials.

Having only 2 competitive dogs at a time keeps my time & $$ costs within reason.