Is it time?

[captainjack]

With the high cost of travel, are any clubs considering spring and fall trials to cut down on the amount of travel for local club members? I know in the south western region of Ontario a couple more trials in our area would be of great interest to many south western trialers.
Ottawa has a stand alone amateur which makes great sense and Long Point has a fall qualifying, both tend to attract local amateurs. Mountain Valley at its conception had a double amateur in October to accommodate the local amateurs. Nothing against the pros, but it was an extra chance to give the amateurs a chance to qualify for nationals.
Perhaps, clubs should be looking at these scenarios to give amateurs additional trials closer to home. These would be easier to put on, less costlier, and a good break to the amateur's budget.
What are people thoughts on this?

Peter

[3 black dogs]

Peter MVRTC is hosting an Am - qual trial this year in october the weekend after bancroft. one concern is most clubs run HT also so the help is being stretched as it is. your idea is great for the clubs that just have FT membership mvrtc has 30 plus members and of those 6-7 run Field trials so is it fair for us to ask these people to come out twice a year to support an event they do not partake in ?

Chris

[krakadawn]

With the rapid changes in our current economy our FT game may well be in for some changes.Your suggestion of additional local trials has merit as does a major attempt for us to control our costs.

In other forums people are weighing the merits of the upcoming election. It is interesting that we have no leadership addressing the control of the fast increasing costs of living due especially to gas prices. We all know with increased transportation costs come increased prices for many things-groceries etc-yet the government at both levels continues to charge a tax on a tax! Hard to make a choice when the choice is not there.

So good suggestion Peter,like the old saying..'what works..works' and if clubs can accomodate an additional trial giving folks some options-especially local travel-then great. We do have to be careful to not put trials in opposition to the point that they can't make a go of it due to a smaller entry. As we know some parts of our country use almost exclusively local judges to keep a lid on that expense. Although that may be fiscally prudent, it can be far from the best for our trials in general.

Clubs could consider co-sponsoring a larger event-say a National. Profit sharing from larger events can go towards keeping a club solvent and passing on lower costs to participants over several years.

Hopefully clubs will explore different ways to make things work-to the benefit of the Amateur handlers. This may prove to be a very interesting year with the high costs people are facing from all areas in their curent lives.

Jim

[captainjack]

Chris, your group is to be congratulated for continuing to host a trial after hosting a national. An amateur / qual is an excellent idea and hopefully you will see a number of your hunt test people take a crack at both.

This is the exact type of event that I am referring to in my original post.

I have an October assignment in the states and hope that it is not that weekend as I would love to come to run. If you need help, and I am not judging that weekend, let me know. I would hope other amateurs would jump in to help.

Peter

[Tannerforge]

Peter MVRTC is hosting an Am - qual trial this year in october the weekend after bancroft. one concern is most clubs run HT also so the help is being stretched as it is. your idea is great for the clubs that just have FT membership mvrtc has 30 plus members and of those 6-7 run Field trials so is it fair for us to ask these people to come out twice a year to support an event they do not partake in ?

Chris, I'm sure Jim will run the Qual. He and I would love to help out.

Diane