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The Beginnings Lure coursing is a performance event developed in the early 70's by Lyle Gillette and other California sighthound fanciers who hunted jackrabbits in the open field, which risked the harm caused by barbed wire fencing. They invented lure coursing as a safer, more controlled sport for sighthounds that would recreate the physical requirements of open field coursing, allowing them to continue testing the functional abilities of their sighthounds. The hounds chase plastic bags on a course laid out to simulate escaping game. In 1972, they started the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) and invited other sighthound fanciers from across the nation to join the organization, with its democratic structure and centralized method of keeping hound records.
To fully comprehend the rules of ASFA, people should acquire a copy of ASFA's Running Rules, available in PDF version or for purchase, elsewhere on this web site. Normally,
several field trials are being held every weekend in the U. S. by some
of the more than 120 ASFA member
clubs. ASFA clubs are listed on this web site, and you will find 10
ASFA Regional Directors who can help newcomers get started in the
sport. There are no cash awards at ASFA events. An owner might enjoy a
ribbon or trophy, but the hounds run just for the fun of it. To find out
about field trials in your locale, check out the ASFA
Schedule for a field trial near you. The Course The hounds will run the course twice, a preliminary run and a final run. Scores from both runs are added for a combined total score. Hounds are awarded placements and points based on where they finished and the number of hounds they competed against. The hounds are running not only for fun and to keep their natural abilities alive, but also for titles.
Titles Hounds
must be certified to enter an ASFA field trial. Certification is earned
by practicing with a hound of similar running style, which is evaluated
by a judge. A copy of a certification form, signed by the judge, is turned
in with the hound's first entry. After a hundred points for placements,
as well as taking at least two firsts, or two seconds and a first, a sighthound
earns its Field Championship (FCH) title. With further placements and
another three hundred points, the hound earns a Lure Courser of Merit
(LCM) title. Subsequent LCMs are earned in the same way, and currently
the highest achieving sighthound is a Whippet, an LCM 18. Judging Hounds
are normally run in trios, in yellow, pink, and blue colors. Judges assess
performance based on each hound's abilities, identifying hounds by their
blanket color. The hounds run a preliminary course and a final course,
and then may run for Best of Breed. Finally, the Best of Breed run for
Best in Field, as an optional stake. The hounds are scored by the following
criteria:
Equipment The equipment needed to course your hound is very simple. You will need three blankets, one in each color. Many clubs have blankets to loan in a variety of sizes or you can have your own made to fit your hound. You will also need a slip lead to release your hound at the line. Be sure you bring water for your hounds since there may be none available at the site of the trial.
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