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Letter from Mel Stewart, Field Director

Hounds Performan= ce Events, AKC

 

September 23, 2008 <= o:p>

 

REDUCING TRAVEL COSTS:

 

            The price of fuel has impacted the cost of travel to our hound events.  The AKC has considered what steps = can be taken to offset this situation.  One possibility is for two local clubs to run their trials concurrently at the = same location or nearby locations.  By doing this and then coordinating the order of the classes, participants wil= l be able to enter two trials per trip.  The coordination of the order of classes will also save of the cost = of lodging.  This option is avail= able to all Beagle, Dachshund and Basset Hound Clubs.  How the clubs choose to plan their events will depend on the anticipated size of the entry and number of runni= ng grounds available.  The follow= ing are examples of how this might work:

 

            =             &nb= sp;           Example # 1           &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             E= xample # 2

 

            Day One:      &nb= sp; Club A – both male classes  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         Club A – both male classes

            Day Two:      &nb= sp; Club B – both male classes  &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;         Club B – both male classes

            Day Three:     Club = A – both female classes    =             &nb= sp;     Club A – 13” female class

            Day Four:       <= /span>Club B – both female classes  &n= bsp;            = ;       Club B – 13” female class

            Day Five:      &n= bsp; - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -=             &nb= sp;        Club A – 15” female class

            Day Six:      &nb= sp;   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -=             &nb= sp;        Club B – 15” female class

           

            There are already clubs is some locations that have been successfully running the= ir trials concurrently.  The AKC = would like all clubs to be aware that this is an available option.  The decision is totally up to the = Club given their specific situation and interest.

 

In order for the running of concurrent trials t= o not become confusing, the AKC does request the following:

 

1.      Two clubs can not run on the same day at the sa= me locations.

 

2.   No more than two clubs can run their trials concurrently.

           

3.   If any of the dates conflict= with the traditional dates of another club in the region, the traditional dates =   

        =           have priority.

 

            Our hound sports have thrived for a long time.=   As social and economic conditions change, we must consider how to accommodate these changes while maintaining the traditions of our sport.

 

            To clear up another question about hounds with the same owner running together= in the same brace at a brace trial: A CO-OWNER OF A HOUND IS THE SAME AS AN OWNER.

 

  &nb= sp;         If you have any further thoughts along these li= nes, please share them with the AKC field representative when they attend your t= rial or write/e-mail you thoughts to me.

 

 

Mel Stewart=

300 County Rd 1578

Baileyton, Al 35019

mxs@akc.org =