Grind The Line - Part III
By Bob Kimber, BraceBeagling author
February 24, 2004

It has been over 6 months since we have heard from Doc Cody. What are some of your latest observations, Doc? “Well I think the pressure is being turned up on ‘short distance’ and ‘first mistake’ judges”. Do you think we will see some field trial committees actually fire some judges? “I suppose that’s possible, but in most cases the field trial committee members were probably part of the hiring process. I suspect they hired those guys in the first place because they like their brand of judging”. Well what’s the answer then? “If you don’t think the advertised judges will evaluate all the hounds properly and fairly, don’t go.”

Well Doc, do you think all judges can improve? “Absolutely! No matter how many trials you have judged, you can always learn from unique situations and honest mistakes. Quality experience is probably the best teacher. I think the more you learn, the more you realize there is to learn. Inexperienced judges learn soon enough that confidence is the feeling you have before you know the whole situation. Judges have to keep in mind that beaglers are competitors. Some of them are competitive in every possible way. Even so, some of them do have some good input, although it might not always come in the right way and at the right time.”

As competing beaglers Doc, where do you think we could improve? “Well I think all of us should keep in mind that judges are making a contribution to the sport and that most of them would probably rather be running their own hounds. Some of them even drive long distances just so beagling doesn’t get totally stuck with regionalized judging. When beaglers take it upon themselves to help ‘educate’ a judge, they should make sure of their motives first. Are they venting about a called strike three (working on their next trip to the plate) or are they really trying to provide some beneficial input? If they have good intentions, they should request a time and place for a calm private discussion. And let’s face it, even though there is always more than one way to get a job done, it’s strictly up to the judges as to how they choose to get the right hounds in the right order; provided they stay within the beagle field trial rules and standard procedures.”

What do you think about two licensed trials per year, Doc? “Well, that’s one reason why we have so much regionalized judging. There are more trials than ever closer to everyone. So clubs aren’t drawing as many entries from outside their own local region. Fewer entries means less income and if you have to cut cost, that may mean hiring judges closer to home. If that becomes your situation, then you better hope your core of local judges is one of the best in the country. Good luck if you get tired of them or they get tired of you.”

Well Doc, do you have any questions for me? “Yes, I have a question. I would appreciate it if you would explain to me how it is that some of the most successful beaglers in the country do so much better with their hounds when they run them? Do you realize that some of the highly successful beaglers place their hounds less than 20% of the time when someone else runs them, but they place those same hounds more than 60% of the time when they run them?” Well Doc are you are trying to make a statement here? I mean are you saying the most successful beaglers in the country are given more breaks when they run their dogs? That perhaps they intimate more judges? That maybe they get into second series more often because they are in their own backyard? That they get thrown out of second series less because of it? That they are much better handlers than most? “No, I’m not trying to make any kind of statement. You asked if I had a question, so I asked one.” Okay, fair enough Doc, I’ll offer the following explanation.

First of all, I think some of the most successful beaglers in the country breed more quality bitches, raise more puppies, and start and train more quality hounds than most beaglers. Some other very successful beaglers simply obtain more quality hounds than most beaglers do. When you have quality and quantity working in your favor you definitely have a competitive advantage. Now if you can bring out the best, of the best, you’re well on your way no matter who runs the hound. But, I suspect that if hounds can go home between trials and receive the right kind of training/practice, on the right days prior to the next trial, that these hounds will perform more consistently at a higher level. Conversely, riding the truck is just not for every hound. And many beaglers simply aren’t willing to leave their hound on the truck for as long as it takes some hounds to adapt. But no matter who runs the hound and no matter who owns the hound, the best judges will make sure every hound gets what it deserves, no more and no less.

Keep the line between your legs and keep grinding.