Coursing Practice Pictures

[Andrew]

We finally got to go to our first ever experience with coursing this weekend at a practice held by a local sighthound group!! Booger loves running & chasing so we figured he would be a natural & have a lot of fun. Lola tends to sit on the sidelines & watch other dogs chase each other at the park, so weren't expecting her to take an interest at all.
We went with Mauigirl & their two basenjis. Booger got it immediately… his instincts kicked in & he knew just what to do. It was AMAZING to watch! Having never seen coursing in real life, watching my baby boy running after the bunny was quite a thrill. We also got to run Booger with Mauigirl's Zip, which was a lot of fun to watch. The other hounds, salukis & ridgebacks, just did not even compare!
The best part for me was when we ran Lola. Since she's still a pup at 7 months, the coursers let her run a shorter course. She ignored everything all morning until it was almost her turn. She finally noticed the bunny, and Lola went crazy trying to get out of my arms to get it. When we released her, she took off. They took her out to the second pulley & stopped the lure to reverse it. She got down on her front legs & was trying to play with the bunny. They brought it back & she followed it back. Once it stopped, she didn't make the kill but just kept trying to get it to play with her. It was hilarious!
It was such a fun morning, and we can't wait to get into the sport. They loved it!

Booger starting his second run.

Booger after his first run… you can't see it because of the angle of the camera, but he's grinning.

About to release Lola. We didn't have a sliplead small enough for her, so I just held her until Tallyho.

I LOVE this picture of Lola running.

Lola finishes her run.

Booger was exhausted on the car ride home.

[YodelDogs]

Woohoo glad to hear you guys had a good time. Sounds like you guys may have some coursing dogs.

[Andrew]

It was amazing! To watch them run…. I can't put it into words. I'm sure anybody who has coursed their b understands exactly what I'm saying. It took my breath away... and the looks on their faces. They so clearly loved it!!
Robyn, we were hoping to see you there as well! We're wondering if we'll ever get to meet you and your babies.

[mauigirl]

I believe your exact words were "OMG I'm so excited I'm going to pee my pants, it's like watching my kid at a ballet recital"

:p

[YodelDogs]

@Andrew:

Robyn, we were hoping to see you there as well! We're wondering if we'll ever get to meet you and your babies.

I am eager to meet you guys also but things just haven't worked out. Will there be a get-together this weekend?

[KiroGurl]

OMG how can i get into this? i would love to let kiro run shes catching animals in the backyard all the time…..

Is anyone in Maryland coursing thier B's?

wow!

[mauigirl]

check out akc.org and asfa.org for events.

[Janneke]

Great pics! Looks like your babies had the time of their life!

I'm hoping Mirtillo can try coursing for the first time next sunday!

[Andrew]

@YodelDogs:

I am eager to meet you guys also but things just haven't worked out. Will there be a get-together this weekend?

I've been talking with Mauigirl, and she'll probably relay this to you later, but I can't do Saturday morning b/c I have to work. I'm free Sunday morning, and we're willing to drive to your area if there is a good park in your area. I don't know if there was a different thread yall were discussing this on… but I can't find it if there was.