OK, time for an Auld Phart to chime in here, if you will excuse the interuption of what seems like a very wonderful and informative discussion.
When Coursing was introduced into the Middle Kingdom some years ago, it was with 3 retired racers. We determined then that they should not and would not be subjected to any kind of scoring, pointing, betting, etc. that they had been subjected to on the tracks. Not of any kind, even if it was of the chocolate varieties...:) They were and are our pets and companions, part of our family, and the loves of our lives. As coursing grew and spread, it was undertermined as to where, exactly, we belonged, to the Marshallate, or to the Arts and Sciences. Hence we selected a representative to the BoD to help get us on the right track, so to speak. Parts of our rules of coursing are taken from the coursing rules from NOTRA/AKC rules, etc and in place for the safety of our hounds and spectators. They also help insure that we have a safe course for the hounds. All hounds masters/luremasters have to be certified to run any coursing event. This also includes a short course on emergence first aid. We've learned a lot over the years. We even butted heads with the Gaming Commission in WI, which would not allow us to run more than one hound at a time on the course to preclude the chance of any betting going on. We also realized that we could not and would not try to compete with any of the modern coursing groups because many times we could not set up a course equal to the size and complexity of theirs at our events. Over the years, many things have changed. Here in the Middle we now fall under the Minister of Arts and Sciences and that sits very well with us. We are a private group, using our own pets and do not need or require the insurances that the Equistrian people do. I hope this helps with the discussion, I'll probably find out that many of these things have been pointed out and discussed more fully as I read more of the missives here. Anyway, to all I wish good runs, safe courses and massive amounts of fun and love from your hounds, no matter what breed they are. THL Corin the Huntsman, Former Houndmaster, Middle Kingdom, Houndmaster at Large, Luremaster to the Middle Kingdom Coursing College Greyt lover of hounds -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.12 - Release Date: 1/14/05 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> In low income neighborhoods, 84% do not own computers. At Network for Good, help bridge the Digital Divide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/S.QlOD/3MnJAA/Zx0JAA/PJ_qlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
