I've been running dogs in trials off and on for over a decade. I'm an amateur, I have a lot going on but I do what I can. I have had winning dogs and I know what it takes. I have also judged many weekend trials on up to championship stakes.
I have been working hard to condition my dog for the upcoming season. Many, many hours this winter and spring. Many incidents with green briar... My dog is looking OK to me so I would like him to have the opportunity to compete.
This year however, this week actually, I've been denied entry well before entries close for two "Classic" level stakes. This is a a load of crap. I don't care what you do on your weekend club trials but if you are running a classic you should accept all entries until the date posted in the ad. And if you only have two days of judges and have no other option - then all entries should be honored, but drawn until the slots are full.
If the board of the Grand is paying attention I would like to humbly suggest that this practice of turning away competition absolutely should not fly for points trials. Thank you for hearing me out.
AF Trials cannot limit entries and count as wins in the AF/FDSB database. I have no idea about any of the points programs, they are or can have different criteria.
My opinion, if a stake limits entries that stake should not qualify for a Dog of the Year, Handler of the year or Invitational points.
Kevin, I’m sorry this has happened to you. We’ve been through this discussion before on this site and I ruffled feathers and angered a few with my thoughts at that time. I’m curious are the trials you have been kept out of invitational points trials, purina points trials or local dog of the year points trials? Also were these trials full before the ads came out? I’m guessing they were all open stakes.
Kevin, I am sorry you are having a tough time getting your entries accepted. Speaking only from the Grand boards perspective we do not have anything to do with a trial being a classic vs a weekend club nor do we govern over any trials other than the Grand National, Invitational, Puppy Classic, and Futurity. The Purina Points committee is not affiliated with the Grand board only in that the awards are given at the Grand Nationals Purina Dinner. If there is an issue with the points program it should be taken up with the Purina Points Committee.
on 3/9/2025, 8:07 pm