Now that the HT season is firing up again it is time for another discussion about what can be done to solve this ongoing problem.
I was watching the NFL playoffs Sunday when I received notice that the Rose Country Hunt Test had just opened for entries.
We jumped into action. The gentleman whom I am training with in Texas got to the computer first and got entered. I then jumped on the computer to get entered. By the time I had entered my info the test had closed all 180 spots had been filled and I was locked out. Less than five minutes had passed.
In that time frame all 180 spots got filled. In that time frame, some Handlers got more than 20 dogs entered.
It appears to me that it has evolved into a situation where having inside info as to the time when entries will open and being quick on a computer have become more important than dog training and handling skills.
I happened to have gotten a heads up as to the opening time; yet still couldn't get entered in time. How does a newcomer who has Zero contacts supposed to have a chance? Shouldn't we be encouraging new blood? If they can't get entered then we are killing off any potential newcomers from entering our sport. That doesn't bode well for the future and long term health of this game IMHO
I've got to believe that the premium service which EE offers to some pro's allowed them to get 20+ dogs entered with a click of a button, thereby allowing the test to close so quickly and precluding people such as myself and others, who have to fill manually out their credit card info, address etc from even having a chance to run one dog.
How is that fair? Wasn't the Hunt test game started to allow the average Joe who trains his own dog a venue to compete with that dog?
I'm not bashing the Pro's. They are good for the game, and help to raise the bar for all. I enjoy competing against the best. Over 70% of the slots were filled by 10 handlers within minutes. I'm just saying that this system is badly broken and needs to be more inclusive & fixed quickly.
Yesterday the Port Arthur Club was supposed to open for entries at 7:00 pm. It had been announced in the premium for some time; which at least eliminated the need for inside info as to opening date. I got on the computer and checked at 6:00 pm and it said that "ENTRIES POSTPONED" Nothing has changed since.
My only hope is that AKC and or EE had them postpone their entries so that they can take quick action to resolve this fiasco
I was watching the NFL playoffs Sunday when I received notice that the Rose Country Hunt Test had just opened for entries.
We jumped into action. The gentleman whom I am training with in Texas got to the computer first and got entered. I then jumped on the computer to get entered. By the time I had entered my info the test had closed all 180 spots had been filled and I was locked out. Less than five minutes had passed.
In that time frame all 180 spots got filled. In that time frame, some Handlers got more than 20 dogs entered.
It appears to me that it has evolved into a situation where having inside info as to the time when entries will open and being quick on a computer have become more important than dog training and handling skills.
I happened to have gotten a heads up as to the opening time; yet still couldn't get entered in time. How does a newcomer who has Zero contacts supposed to have a chance? Shouldn't we be encouraging new blood? If they can't get entered then we are killing off any potential newcomers from entering our sport. That doesn't bode well for the future and long term health of this game IMHO
I've got to believe that the premium service which EE offers to some pro's allowed them to get 20+ dogs entered with a click of a button, thereby allowing the test to close so quickly and precluding people such as myself and others, who have to fill manually out their credit card info, address etc from even having a chance to run one dog.
How is that fair? Wasn't the Hunt test game started to allow the average Joe who trains his own dog a venue to compete with that dog?
I'm not bashing the Pro's. They are good for the game, and help to raise the bar for all. I enjoy competing against the best. Over 70% of the slots were filled by 10 handlers within minutes. I'm just saying that this system is badly broken and needs to be more inclusive & fixed quickly.
Yesterday the Port Arthur Club was supposed to open for entries at 7:00 pm. It had been announced in the premium for some time; which at least eliminated the need for inside info as to opening date. I got on the computer and checked at 6:00 pm and it said that "ENTRIES POSTPONED" Nothing has changed since.
My only hope is that AKC and or EE had them postpone their entries so that they can take quick action to resolve this fiasco
