We have reached a critical time in our sport where immediate solutions are required. Because of the average age of active beaglers, our sport is losing valuable individuals way too often. Along with the loss of beaglers the number of hounds are declining. The cost and stress of breeding is simply too much for some. Thankfully, there are some that still raise pups that can be sold to others as well as keeping some for themselves. This last Federation season came real close to not having some classes due to lack of entries. Like our licensed trials we may be forced to go with combined classes. The Futurity Classes next season will be impacted by the diminished Derby classes this past season. Some Federations have already decided to advertise combined classes in the event that classes are too small. We seem to be declining fast and we would like to save our federations and keep the competition. This recommendation should be considered for the 2024 season; and we hope you will give your feedback to your federation, as well as the people below.
Please contact the members of your federation ASAP to get the ball rolling. We need to save our federation competition!
Here are advantages of combined:
Some federations use the same judges for Field Champions or the host club gets their own judges, so four judges can be used to judge two combined classes a day, reducing the number of days to two or three for Field Champions, Derbies and Futurities instead of four and five if applicable. This would also make it more economical for participants and host clubs and give them a little breathing room.
We all know how hard it is to get judges and going combined and cutting the days down could be a real plus due to age and physical problems of our Beaglers.
The quality of the winning dog could possibly improve if more dogs are available to choose from. Our biggest class of Derbies was 22 at the first federation and was 7 and 8 at the end. This proves how we're declining, and these are next year's futurities.
Disadvantage:
2 Less Blue ribbons Derbies and Pink for Futurities
Note: Overall the majority of the federations and their officers are in favor of the Combined classes and would like it implemented in 2024. We thank the Federation Officers, Board of Directors and Host Clubs for their feedback thus far and if some want to poll the Member Clubs, feel free. The Northeastern has voted to pass for 2024 Combined Classes and hope the rest will follow. Your cooperation is greatly desired and appreciate the Officers, Board of Directors for their positive feedback thus far in moving ahead at the federations. United We Stand and We All Need To Work Together to Make This Happen. It would be greatly appreciated if all of the federations would have the same running order. Many participants often get confused when going from federation to federation because the running order differs. There are only two federations, which are the Mid Dixie and the Eastern, that don't run the derbies first and end with futurities. The recommended order is:
Derby Females, Derby Males, Futurity Females, Futurity Males
Contact the following if you have questions and all input and ideas are welcome:
Lynette Coil 618-201-4633
Bryan Frye 856-297-8341
Butch Clay 814-937-2947
Doug Lesight 717-881-0876
Tom Rombold 724-622-4895
