Gundog Training Forum

Todays novice cocker cancelled. Second time in 3 years,had to go to bloody work instead.

It's not just under-subscribed trials that is becoming a problem. We had 51 entries for a Novice AV spaniel trial yesterday and wen't right through all the reserves. People seem to be sticking entries in left right and centre regardless if the dog is ready. The last couple of days before a trial is becoming a FT Sec's nightmare as well.

Oh ! Sorry to hear that David. I can see why it would be very awkward for a FT Sec.

Wullie

David wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:21 am It's not just under-subscribed trials that is becoming a problem. We had 51 entries for a Novice AV spaniel trial yesterday and wen't right through all the reserves. People seem to be sticking entries in left right and centre regardless if the dog is ready. The last couple of days before a trial is becoming a FT Sec's nightmare as well.

I saw that on the results page Dave, that's a nightmare. It is my main reservation - rightly or wrongly - as a secretary in bringing a system like the 3Ts. It is so easy to enter (from your sofa, on the iPad after a glass of wine or two), is that partly to blame for large number of entries and withdrawals? Although I'm fully computer literate and can't do without electronic everything for work, my opinion is that if someone can be bothered filling out a hard copy form, writing a cheque and posting an entry they are serious about running their dog.

Was there not a rule change about getting your money back from a society if you don't run?
Pro/Semi Pro' trialers now apply for a run in every trial they can then take the run closest to home or advantageous grounds, if you had to pay to apply and not get a refund or not have your cheque cashed, people would be more selective in applying and more likley to turn up.

nomination fees are a rip off for club members, the club that tried it for spaniels had serious problems and lost members.

David wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:21 am It's not just under-subscribed trials that is becoming a problem. We had 51 entries for a Novice AV spaniel trial yesterday and wen't right through all the reserves. People seem to be sticking entries in left right and centre regardless if the dog is ready. The last couple of days before a trial is becoming a FT Sec's nightmare as well.

Same problem here, if people aren't careful clubs like us will just pull the novice trial altogether. It's ridiculous that people enter knowing their dogs not even close to being ready. We are lucky in that a few handlers have stepped in to enter as late entries as we may not be able to fill the card having started with 26 dogs for the draw.

Dawnrazor wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 11:16 am Was there not a rule change about getting your money back from a society if you don't run?
Pro/Semi Pro' trialers now apply for a run in every trial they can then take the run closest to home or advantageous grounds, if you had to pay to apply and not get a refund or not have your cheque cashed, people would be more selective in applying and more likley to turn up.

They changed it back to how it used to be thank goodness!
If you pull out within 7days of the trial the club keeps your entry money, unless it's a bitch in season, you've won so putting you out of competition,or injury (but some clubs make you send a vet certain), if you enter by the dreaded ftms then it's pay on the day, but if you pull out within the 7 days you still owe the money and if you don't send it the secretary doesn't accept another entry from you until you've paid from the time before - another list for us poor secretaries (another reason why I don't use ftms!)

WGD wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:56 am

David wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:21 am It's not just under-subscribed trials that is becoming a problem. We had 51 entries for a Novice AV spaniel trial yesterday and wen't right through all the reserves. People seem to be sticking entries in left right and centre regardless if the dog is ready. The last couple of days before a trial is becoming a FT Sec's nightmare as well.

I saw that on the results page Dave, that's a nightmare. It is my main reservation - rightly or wrongly - as a secretary in bringing a system like the 3Ts. It is so easy to enter (from your sofa, on the iPad after a glass of wine or two), is that partly to blame for large number of entries and withdrawals? Although I'm fully computer literate and can't do without electronic everything for work, my opinion is that if someone can be bothered filling out a hard copy form, writing a cheque and posting an entry they are serious about running their dog.

I've looked back before we introduced the on line entry and there's not much in it. There is on average a few more enties per stake but record entries to our Spaniel opens are still from the days of paper only.

We do 'pay on the day' so I do have to collect the money from those withdrawing in the last week having accepted a run. The system keeps a balance for each member so not to bad to keep on top of.

David wrote: ↑Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:21 am It's not just under-subscribed trials that is becoming a problem. We had 51 entries for a Novice AV spaniel trial yesterday and wen't right through all the reserves. People seem to be sticking entries in left right and centre regardless if the dog is ready. The last couple of days before a trial is becoming a FT Sec's nightmare as well.

i was one of those reserves. think i was drawn 39 on the list and didnt even think to contact to say i couldnt run as had pulled the dog for the whole week, then Steve phoned me, so assumed you's must have been having some amount of people pulling when it had got to me on the list.