My Career as a Lure Courser
Part 4 - Third Race
Fourth Place
by Val the Whippet
On May 7, 2000, Sunday, at Marymore Park in Redmond, Washington, I entered my third official ASFA Lure Coursing event, also sponsored by W.R.A.G. This was a whippets only event. There were 16 dogs in my stake. I ran great! But too bad the judges apparently had the sun in their eyes! I ended up with fourth place.
My preliminary run went great. I was running with Tori and Demi. It was Demi's first event and she missed a couple of turns. Demi actually got to the finish line first, but that was because she cut the last corner. Mom and dad were sure I was going to get a high score, but when the scores were posted, I got less points than Tori and even Demi! I really don't know what the judges were looking at!
At the end of the preliminaries, Rummer was in 1st place; Tori, Bounce and Stella were tied for 2nd; Demi and Flyer were tied for 3rd; and I was tied for 4th with Buttons.
Getting ready for the final run with Doc in pink and Bailey in blue.
Gee, Mom didn't get any pictures of my pink or blue racing jackets.
I look great in blue! Actually, the pink and yellow are the same
one. It's reversible!
My final run was also great. I ran with Bailey and Doc. I screamed around that course and followed the lure true! My score was much better this time. This moved me up to tie for 3rd place with Tori. (Bounce got 1st and Stella got 2nd. Rummer was scratched because he was limping a little right after the first run. He seemed okay later, though.)
We're just a blur!
The tie-breaking run with Tori went very well. I passed Tori three times (she cut two corners). I really came barreling down the opening straightaway! But once again, I don't know what the judges were looking at! They both thought Tori was better on following than I was. One thought Tori was faster and the other thought we were the same on speed! I just don't know. I guess that's what happens when you compete in a subjective sport!
Anyway, I ended up with fourth place, 10 points, a white ribbon, and a neat bunny spoon rest.
(Actual size: 6 3/4")
