ASFA Lure Coursing in Arizona

[Wicked Whippets]

We spent this weekend at Estrella Mountain Park west of Phoenix in the town of Goodyear at our first lure coursing event. Nice park (all the hookups were filled, though).

About 4 months ago we adopted another wicked whippet who came from Kokopelli Whippets in northern Arizona. His name is Jonny Rocket and he was abandoned by his original owners and found in a Greyhound rescue. Anyhow, I couldn't show him (he had been neutered) so I decided to let him try lure coursing. I applied to the AKC for a alternative listing and after some wrangling, got a number for him a few days ago.

I entered him in this weekend's ASFA event hosted by the Arizona Whippet Association. I was a complete newbie at this! Jonny, who had never competed ran 4 times yesterday (way too much!) and made his way to a run off with the #1 dog that had only run once. Jonny ran hard on that final run, but was really out of steam and finished second overall in his first event.

Today he was only scheduled to run twice. In his first run, Jonny seemed to get a slow start and he tied for prelim third place. In the final run of the day he flew around the course and had the top score. His combined score finished him in second again, earning him 45 points of the needed 100 for his Field Championship. Not bad for an abandoned 2-year-old dog!

If you ever get a chance to attend an AKC or AFSA Lure Coursing event do it! It was a blast watching the dogs scream around the course. The people were helpful and showed Jonny and I what to do...much different, low key event in comparison to conformation.

Here's Jonny getting ready for his first run:

[Wicked Whippets]

We spent this weekend at Estrella Mountain Park west of Phoenix in the town of Goodyear at our first lure coursing event. Nice park (all the hookups were filled, though).

About 4 months ago we adopted another wicked whippet who came from Kokopelli Whippets in northern Arizona. His name is Jonny Rocket and he was abandoned by his original owners and found in a Greyhound rescue. Anyhow, I couldn't show him (he had been neutered) so I decided to let him try lure coursing. I applied to the AKC for a alternative listing and after some wrangling, got a number for him a few days ago.

I entered him in this weekend's ASFA event hosted by the Arizona Whippet Association. I was a complete newbie at this! Jonny, who had never competed ran 4 times yesterday (way too much!) and made his way to a run off with the #1 dog that had only run once. Jonny ran hard on that final run, but was really out of steam and finished second overall in his first event.

Today he was only scheduled to run twice. In his first run, Jonny seemed to get a slow start and he tied for prelim third place. In the final run of the day he flew around the course and had the top score. His combined score finished him in second again, earning him 45 points of the needed 100 for his Field Championship. Not bad for an abandoned 2-year-old dog!

If you ever get a chance to attend an AKC or AFSA Lure Coursing event do it! It was a blast watching the dogs scream around the course. The people were helpful and showed Jonny and I what to do...much different, low key event in comparison to conformation.

Here's Jonny getting ready for his first run:

[MonacoMama]

Wicked...I am now stuck with the song "Johnny B. Goode" in my head <span class="ev_code_GREEN">Go Johnny Go -Go over & over in my brain</span> )...and it is all your fault!!

Great JOB by the both of you!!


MM

PS-I am still waiting for you to post pics of the Pins here in the Pet Photos section! )

[AKBrick]

AWESOME job Rocketman!!!!
BTW M.M. Elton Johns "Rocket Man" is now stuck in MY head. Now see what you did Randy and Johnny?
Jolly good show Johnny Rocket!

AKBrick

[cameo23]

great job, I love to watch coursing, I have Italian Greyhounds and took one of mine
to watch once, she loves to run but she has had a leg break before so we won't be
doing any of that. Have you checked out whippettalk.com? They are having a fund
raising for WRAP, lots of martingales, coats and other stuff on the auction block.

[Wicked Whippets]

Jonny came to me through WRAP, so I'll be glad to donate! He ran his first AKC lure coursing event last week and finished second for points. He runs again this weekend and I'm hoping he can take his first win. It helped to get him a muzzle so I can get him away from the lure at the finish.

[Wicked Whippets]

Jonny Be Good ran in AKC lure coursing events over the past two weekends. He finished second overall the first weekend and then this past Sunday he was in a three-way tie for best in field. In the runoff race he pulled up lame and has been limping around since.

His right front paw is swollen and he doesn't want to put pressure on in. If it doesn't improve by Thursday I'll take him to the vet. The next LC event is April 19, but I think we'll call this the end of the season for Jonny and let him heal up and get back in shape for next year.

[mom2mastiffs]

Wow, Johnny had a great weekend and lots of fun was had by all.

sounds like Johnny might have to come visit Jeffrey for some rehab on that paw!

You guys coming to Tucson this weekend?

Karen & Jeffrey

[Wicked Whippets]

I may bring him to you guys for some work on his leg. The injury appears to be below the right knee. I'm thinking a tendon might be tweaked. He's still limping and acts like it hurts pretty good.

When I get back from the Tucson show, I'll take him to the othorpedic vet and have her evaluate it. The swelling is almost gone, so she may be able to feel something or see it on an xray.

I'm hoping if we fix it, he will be back in shape by October or November so he can compete again.

[Wicked Whippets]

We got reserve with the Affen b*tch and our whippet b*tch. No points. Really hot today, but I understand the wind is coming tomorrow!

[mom2mastiffs]

Little Miss Sparkle did nothing today:( yes the winds are coming. Hopefully it will be a bit cooler. We have to drive up to Pine, Az after getting home from Tucson to return a female we showed to help build a major.
We are driving back and forth to Tucson since we didn't show until mid-morning.
tomorrow is another day.

Karen