First Day Racing

[Neil]

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Hi people,

I havn't posted for an age, but just fancied telling you about my first ever day whippet racing. I've been wanting to go for a very long time but due to not having a car until recently it has been a bit tricky.

Anyway, me and the family took one of our whippets, Paddy, to Horpsath last Sunday for a day out and we had an excellent time. We met with many friendly folk and everyone was very keen to lend a hand and give us lots of useful advise.

We decided to give Paddy 2 trials, one prior to the racing and one at the end. We hand slipped Paddy on his first run and he nearly stopped halfway down the track due to being slightly distracted, but he did make it to the finish line - I was well pleased

After watching all the other whippets racing he began to show alot more interest in what was going on and in his second run he made it all the way to the end with no loss of interest.

The whole day was a great success and it's amazing how much I learnt from the expereince. As good as this forum is with advise and tips, i've realised you cant actually beat getting out there and getting involved - we will definately be returning again in the near future.

I've also attatched a few pics from the day, although I did have trouble getting a good action shot as I was a tad sluggish :b

Cheers Neil.

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[Neil]

Hi people,
I havn't posted for an age, but just fancied telling you about my first ever day whippet racing.  I've been wanting to go for a very long time but due to not having a car until recently it has been a bit tricky.

Anyway, me and the family took one of our whippets, Paddy,  to Horpsath last Sunday for a day out and we had an excellent time.  We met with many friendly folk and everyone was very keen to lend a hand and give us lots of useful advise.

We decided to give Paddy 2 trials, one prior to the racing and one at the end. We hand slipped Paddy on his first run and he nearly stopped halfway down the track due to being slightly distracted, but he did make it to the finish line - I was well pleased

After watching all the other whippets racing he began to show alot more interest in what was going on and in his second run he made it all the way to the end with no loss of interest.

The whole day was a great success and it's amazing how much I learnt from the expereince.  As good as this forum is with advise and tips, i've realised you cant actually beat getting out there and getting involved - we will definately be returning again in the near future.

I've also attatched a few pics from the day, although I did have trouble getting a good action shot as I was a tad sluggish :b

Cheers Neil.

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[Neil]

... one more

 

[Neil]

and the last one

 

[Strike Whippets]

It's a great way to spend a Sunday isn't it ......Well done Paddy, but beware racing is very addictive lol :thumbsup:

 

[~elizabeth~]

Yes, we used to go to. Looks like he's getting into it. Maybe one day you'll see us there, we ought to make the effort really! Are you local, another k9 member is trying to set up fun racing nr Bicester.

 

[Neil]

Your right Strike, it was an excellent way to spend the day and im sure we'll be returning again pretty soon :thumbsup: .

Moriarte - Paddy was def getting alot more interested as the day progressed but was very laid back -_- compared to the others - but hopefully we'll get him there too, he was very happy with himself after the trial. He was also huge compared to most the others, although that maybe has something to do with him being from show lines.

We're not exactly local to Horspath as we live in Northampton and is was a toss up between Oxford or Newmarket as to where we went.

I've seen the fun racing on another thread and that looks like fun too.

Cheers for the replys.

Neil.

 

[Neil]

PS - Does anyone know an easy way to transfer this topic to the Ped Whippet Racing Section - perhaps it should be in there

Thanks.

 

[~elizabeth~]

I though ours, at 20" was huge til we went, but there were actually plenty of bigger dogs there, some 35 lbs +. I don't know if there are still as many oversize dogs there.

Although ours enjoyed it he never really got the point of racing (ie to get past the other dogs), though the penny seems finally to have dropped in middle age, so I wouldn't give up. There used to be a blue dog that won everything, his owners said they had the same problem - always last for the first couple of years then suddenly woke up and started winning!

Your right Strike, it was an excellent way to spend the day and im sure we'll be returning again pretty soon :thumbsup: .
Moriarte - Paddy was def getting alot more interested as the day progressed but was very laid back -_-   compared to the others - but hopefully we'll get him there too, he was very happy with himself after the trial.  He was also huge compared to most the others, although that maybe has something to do with him being from show lines.

We're not exactly local to Horspath as we live in Northampton and is was a toss up between Oxford or Newmarket as to where we went.

I've seen the fun racing on another thread and that looks like fun too.

Cheers for the replys.

Neil.

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[BeeJay]

PS - Does anyone know an easy way to transfer this topic to the Ped Whippet Racing Section - perhaps it should be in there 
Thanks.

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Tis done. Glad that you enjoyed your first days racing. It is very addictive and you might find yourself getting another whippet very soon, this time a racing bred. One of the problems when you mix with whippet folks is that there are always dogs that catch your eye and you find yourself wanting one like that then they get bred from so......................

 

[dan b]

Glad you enjoyed the day Neil. We are racing the same time next Sunday 30th.

Dogs in pictures are, pic1: R.Delter Queen of Hearts, B.Jog On. W.Fully Loaded Bk.Peggy Sue, and then the dog coming out of the traps by his self is Jasper Jcb.

 

[Zephyr]

I must have missed this last month, but just wanted to reiterate Neil's comments on how welcoming and friendly the Oxford racing meetings are. :cheers:

We have been trialling Zephyr recently and have had lots of advice and help from June and everyone there. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: It is a really nice day out, and they are always very nice about the fact that I can't stay long as I have the children with me whose social lives are very busy and nearly always involve having to to somewhere on Sunday afternoons! OH works on Sundays.

Even met Beejay (briefly) last Sunday! Zephyr is now going through an open trap and hope to try him in a closed trap next time on December 11th. :thumbsup:

 

[BeeJay]

>Even met Beejay (briefly) last Sunday! Zephyr is now going through an open trap and hope to try him in a closed trap next time on December 11th.

I dunno. See how bad my memory is. Guess who just stood there with her mouth open looking dopey. :b

I looked for you later and couldn't find you.

Well done Zephyr! Glad to hear that you are enjoying yourselves.

 

[*Lesley*]

PS - Does anyone know an easy way to transfer this topic to the Ped Whippet Racing Section - perhaps it should be in there 
Thanks.

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Tis done. Glad that you enjoyed your first days racing. It is very addictive and you might find yourself getting another whippet very soon, this time a racing bred. One of the problems when you mix with whippet folks is that there are always dogs that catch your eye and you find yourself wanting one like that then they get bred from so......................

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Don't know what you mean barbara :- " , we started lure coursing with 2 show breds so we decided next one was had to be coursing bred so came Spry but now we race aswell so........................ :lol:

Fab pics Neil glad you enjoyed your day :thumbsup: