Ireland Master McGrath final

[king lurcher 78]

To whom it may concern... i hope this race is run fairly...i suggest there should be 3 line judges in case of a dispute(which has happened at several races this year already) then it can go to judges vote. i also suggest that all dogs entered for the master mcgrath should have names placed in a ballot box and drew at random for each heat in front of all those taking part. I would also suggest 4 races of 5 dogs in each and a final with 4 dogs. You all know who i am and most of you will know that i have experience in organising and running races in the past. I think this is the fairest way of running the races and no one can say that their dog was deliberately placed against another in a heat. These are only a few of my suggestions but i hope they might be of some use.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the qualifiers the best of luck.

Ian

[chartpolski 30,318]

Was there a problem with the way it was run last year ? If not, why not run it under the same rules as last year ?

 

Cheers.

[king lurcher 78]

I never said there was a problem any other year...but there has been a lot of problems with the races this year with several complaints about who the linesmans said was the winner, having more than 1 linesman would avoid this. having 3 means there cant be a split vote.

[Martin Tucker 23]

Here`s another few suggestions :

Ensure the equipment is working properly,

Ensure the dogs are running across the line at speed and not pulling up because the drag has stopped, therefore a decent distance across the line before it`s stopped. At 150 yards you want a decent pull up !

Try and run it in area without that big dip.

Ensure there are no barking dogs in front of the dogs about to be slipped and the spectators kept well back !

 

Good luck everyone !

[dennned 172]

There was'nt anything with the way it was organised last year.all qualifiers drew numbered balls 1---16. They went 1 on inside 5 on the inside. You get my drift. All in full veiw of the public. So you drew your own luck. Same format would be perfect

[AlbertJ 569]

To whom it may concern... i hope this race is run fairly...i suggest there should be 3 line judges in case of a dispute(which has happened at several races this year already) then it can go to judges vote. i also suggest that all dogs entered for the master mcgrath should have names placed in a ballot box and drew at random for each heat in front of all those taking part. I would also suggest 4 races of 5 dogs in each and a final with 4 dogs. You all know who i am and most of you will know that i have experience in organising and running races in the past. I think this is the fairest way of running the races and no one can say that their dog was deliberately placed against another in a heat. These are only a few of my suggestions but i hope they might be of some use.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the qualifiers the best of luck.

Ian

 

Ian,

 

Thanks for your suggestions but In fact the race was run last year largely as you suggest.

 

1. All owners registered at HQ with my son David before 12.00 noon when they received their travelling expenses i.e for Irish competitors £25 (per dog qualified) and £50 for UK runners.

 

2. I personally supervised the draw and all registered and qualified owners drew a numbered ball out of a bag and dogs were run in that order. The owners got to keep the ball!

 

3. There were three line judges : Dazzam; Tom Fulton the Chairman of the Hunting Association of NI and one of our security staff. I acted as referee. PLUS we actually had photo finish equipment in place and our film crew filmed the final. The one close decision was settled as you suggested, as it will be this year by a two to one vote. I saw the finish myself and I think the two to one decision went the right way. I will act as referee again this year.

 

4. I would prefer that the dogs run twice only - we have currently 20 qualified dogs registered ( there were more qualified but some have not yet registered we will formally close the opportunity to run this Friday) but likely that between 15 and 18 will actually take the field. I see that as three heats of 5 or 6 with two to qualify from each heat for a six dog final. I think the final should give as many dogs as possible a chance to win or be runner up.

 

I take Martin's points and we have a new lure in place plus the course will be fully fenced - NO ONE on the course other than the race officials and slippers.

 

AlbertJ

Edited June 27, 2012 by AlbertJ

[smudge jaylow 19]

when is it and where is it

[AlbertJ 569]

when is it and where is it

 

Irish Game Fair, Shanes Castle Antrim 7th & 8th July see www.irishgamefair.com

[bowersey 59]

I think 6 dogs running in the one heat is too many. There were heats of 6 running at Ballywalter never seen so much banging and barging all the dogs are trying to get behind the drag middle dogs will get knocked.

When the last heat is finished there needs to be a break to give the dogs in the last heat a chance to catch their breath

[AlbertJ 569]

It looks more like five in each heat. And I know if I was qualified I would prefer a six dog final.

 

The format is not set in stone - views?

[dennned 172]

personally i think 6 dogs in a final are too many albert, just my opinion though , 4 is plenty , but you cant really make the draw till we see how many qualifiers turn up to race

[!!tommy!! 155]

To whom it may concern... i hope this race is run fairly...i suggest there should be 3 line judges in case of a dispute(which has happened at several races this year already) then it can go to judges vote. i also suggest that all dogs entered for the master mcgrath should have names placed in a ballot box and drew at random for each heat in front of all those taking part. I would also suggest 4 races of 5 dogs in each and a final with 4 dogs. You all know who i am and most of you will know that i have experience in organising and running races in the past. I think this is the fairest way of running the races and no one can say that their dog was deliberately placed against another in a heat. These are only a few of my suggestions but i hope they might be of some use.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the qualifiers the best of luck.

Ian

 

Ian,

 

Thanks for your suggestions but In fact the race was run last year largely as you suggest.

 

1. All owners registered at HQ with my son David before 12.00 noon when they received their travelling expenses i.e for Irish competitors £25 (per dog qualified) and £50 for UK runners.

 

2. I personally supervised the draw and all registered and qualified owners drew a numbered ball out of a bag and dogs were run in that order. The owners got to keep the ball!

 

3. There were three line judges : Dazzam; Tom Fulton the Chairman of the Hunting Association of NI and one of our security staff. I acted as referee. PLUS we actually had photo finish equipment in place and our film crew filmed the final. The one close decision was settled as you suggested, as it will be this year by a two to one vote. I saw the finish myself and I think the two to one decision went the right way. I will act as referee again this year.

 

4. I would prefer that the dogs run twice only - we have currently 20 qualified dogs registered ( there were more qualified but some have not yet registered we will formally close the opportunity to run this Friday) but likely that between 15 and 18 will actually take the field. I see that as three heats of 5 or 6 with two to qualify from each heat for a six dog final. I think the final should give as many dogs as possible a chance to win or be runner up.

 

I take Martin's points and we have a new lure in place plus the course will be fully fenced - NO ONE on the course other than the race officials and slippers.

 

AlbertJ

Hello albert i was wondering how can i qualify my dog for this event i raced my dog at a couple of shows down south and was told they were qualifing races for this event my dog won and then i was told they were not qualifyers?????

[flash3241 32]

I think ur a bit late now u had 2 fill in entry forms after u won the race an they were ment to be returned last friday I think so u will now have to wait till next year to get ur dogs quallified again it was down to the shows u won at to let u no what to do

[Hitcher 297]

il bet my left nut its roses turn this year

[young man 225]

well i bet my right nut it willbe GEDS TURN in years to come