The top three IWs LGRA racing in 2009
Photo by Mary O'Malley

A lure coursing wolfhound, AKC & ASFA - looks the same,
especially to the dogs - photo by Steve Surfman

A description of the Performance Events:

LGRA (Large Gazehound Racing Association)
LGRA, also known as straight line racing, is open to all sighthounds.  Hounds race 200 yards on a straight, flat track.  There are three programs with heats made up of a maximum of four dogs.  All dogs must run with properly fitted muzzles and race blankets and will be hand slipped.    Winners earn points towards the Gazehound Racing Champion title (12 points) as well as the Superior Gazehound Racing Champion title (30 points).  The number of points are dependent on entered hounds.  There are two to four 'line judges' which record the hounds finish as they come across the line, as well as foul judges at the start, mid point and finish line.  To learn more about LGRA, or straight line racing, please visit the official site: www.lgra.org

Equipment needed:  Red, blue, white and green numbered racing blankets and muzzle.   For first time entered hounds (FTE), a copy of their AKC registration is required with entry.   

Trial organizers will have both blankets and muzzles available for those who would like to participate but do not have the equipment.     

Lure Coursing (AKC and ASFA) History: 
Lure coursing is a performance event developed in the early 70s by Lyle Gillette and other California sighthound fanciers who hunted jackrabbits in the open field.  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.

What is lure coursing:  Lure coursing is the sport in which hounds chase plastic bags on a course laid out to simulate escaping game.  The 'lure', made up of white plastic bags or strips, is strung around a course of 600 to 800 yards in an open field.  Hounds run the course twice, the preliminary run and final run (course reversed), with scores from both runs added for a combined total score.  Hounds are awarded placements and points based on where they finish 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 (please see www.akc.org and www.asfa.org, for the titles and requirements for each organization). 

Hounds are normally run in trios, in yellow, pink and blue blankets, and are released from a 'slip lead'.  Judges assess performance based on each hounds abilities, identifying hounds by their blanket color.  Hounds are scored by the following criteria: overall ability, follow, enthusiasm, agility, speed and endurance.  Please see both the ASFA and AKC site for how each organization judges by these criteria as they are different.

Equipment needed:  Yellow, pink and blue blankets as well as a slip lead.

Certification runs:  Certification runs are necessary before any dog may compete in their first trial whether running in the AKC or ASFA  trial, as well as a copy of their AKC registration for first time entry in an ASFA trial.  Qualification runs will be offered the afternoon of May 18 for those interested in trying lure coursing.  AKC JC tests will also be offered for those who would like to earn a JC title on their hounds.   For first time hounds running in the ASFA trial, a copy of the dogs AKC registration is required with entry.   

Trial organizers will have both blankets and slip leads available for those who would like to participate but do not have the equipment. 

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LGRA Race Meet
Monday, May 16, 2011

Seneca Lake State Park
100 Waterloo-Geneva Road
Geneva, New York 14456

Race Secretary:  Robin Coen, 908 751 1907, coenfamily@comcast.net .  Please contact Robin if you have any questions about the trial or entries. 

Muzzles and blankets will be available to borrow for those who wish to run their hounds but don't have the required equipment. 

Trophies - Please contact Mary Ellen Shriver at 610 261 9055 or meshriver@msn.com if you would like to sponsor a trophy

Premium List: LGRA

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QC & ASFA Certs and JC tests

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 following Winners Bitch judging. 

Premium List: AKC JC & QC Tests

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ASFA Trial

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Seneca Lake State Park
100 Waterloo-Geneva Road
Geneva, New York  14456

The trial will be held on the show grounds.  Park map will be posted shortly with show and event locations (all within walking distance). 

Click on icon for full size Course Layout

Early Entry

fee: $18.00 (pre-entry close May 12, 2010)
Each additional entry, same Owner: $15.00
Day-Of-Trial Entry Fee: $25.00
Entries close 12 Noon on Thursday, May 19, 2010
Entries close 3:00PM on Thursday, May 19, 2010 at the FTS table

ASFA certification runs will be held on May 18, 2011 at 4:00 PM and/or directly following Winners Bitch judging. 

Please contact Mary Ellen Shriver at 610 261 9055 or meshriver@msn.com if you would like to sponsor a trophy

Premium List: ASFA Trial

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AKC Lure Trial

Friday, May 20, 2011

Seneca Lake State Park
100 Waterloo-Geneva Road
Geneva, New York  14456

The trial will be held on the show grounds.  Park map will be posted shortly with show and event locations (all within walking distance). 

Early Entry fee: $18.00 (pre-entry close May 12, 2010)
Each additional entry, same Owner: $15.00
Day-Of-Trial Entry Fee: $25.00
Entries close Thursday, May 19, 2010 at 6:00PM at the FTS table

Please contact Mary Ellen Shriver at 610 261 9055 or meshriver@msn.com if you would like to sponsor a trophy

Please contact the trial secretary, Robin Coen at coenfamily@comcast.net
or (908) 751 1907 if you have any questions.

Premium List: AKC Trial