Opinion from those of you who compete in Sport - Page 1

For those of you who compete, what is your thoughts/expectations of a championship and where it takes place?
I am of the opinion that Regional Championships should be something of a spectacle and should appear to be a higher caliber trial than a club trail. There are a lot of people who train hard but are never going to compete at the National level (for multiple varying reasons) so the Regional Championship is their chance at a 'big trial'. However, what i have noticed is that most clubs (at least in my region) do not want to elevate the trial field to a stadium, do not want to offer anything over what they would do as a club trial. Heck even the trophies seem to be left overs from club events. The reason most often given for not hosting it as a 'upscaled' event is $$, but most Regional Championships seem to make a lot more than what they put out financially especially with the costs of entry into these championships. Its almost as if these clubs have a 'whats in it for me' type of mentality ... And yes my club has hosted Regional events, both IPO and conformation.

I am just curious as to what your thoughts are? Am i really that off base??

My hope for regional championships is that while it is a step down from Nationals, it should also be your first opportunity to prepare your dog for the next level. So I agree with you entirely.

There should be an increase in the intentcity from Club-Regional-National-World level trials. The judging should reflect this in the point scale [ regionals are not worlds! ] People should be able to compete at a regional event and walk away with a sense of accomplishment. All competitors should remember this sport exists because of volunteer's efforts. When a club goes the route of a regional event thank them and do not comment negatively unless your group can host it the following year.

I think they need to start offering a high in trial purse.

As if there's not enough cheating going on now...just add money to the mix and the 'sport' will be in the league with 'pro-sport' cheaters. You know, performance enhancing drugs, paying off officials...all that accompanies competition for money :-) All considered, might as well add money with the trophy.

While I understand your thinking, some regions have very small clubs, very small entry numbers and limited access to a stadium due to school sports schedules. The expense of judge fees, etc is the same regardless of number of entries. Judging according to championship standards to me is more important. I've shown in a regional championship in a stadium with only 6 entries. While the trial field was a championship environment, there was not the competitor/spectator numbers to mimic a national event.

Are you talking about Schutzhund? I've actually only attended one regional. It was not at a stadium but it was a pretty big deal. There was a big competitor list, several national level competitors (and national podium competitors). The helper has done many national events. There were lots of spectators and some vendors.

As someone who is mostly a spectator (at SchH, I have competed at regional and national events in other sports), I do expect it to be somewhere between a club trial and a national. I don't necessarily expect or want a stadium, but I want to see 20+ competitors, a good amount of spectators (not just people from the club or other competitors), vendors, etc.

I don't think a stadium is necessary, but maybe a decent park that has access to electricity/running water, bathrooms and room for competitors, vendors, and spectators. However, I think the judging should be the same whether its regional, national, or world level. Regional is still a championship and both the national and world level competitors are typically attending.

Here is my concerns on why regionals should not be scored like Nationals and Nationals should not be scored like Worlds. I believe the more success people feel the more effort they will give. A flawed performance can be scored in a manner that keeps the team off of the podium but still give the team hope for tomorrow. Very poor performances must be failed but I heard a Judge say just last year that '' Judges must be sportsman'' Why do major sport leagues have minor league teams?

I agree with most of the comments here.

A Regional Championship should be a stepping stone to compete at a National Championship.

Judging should reflect the step up from club level by expecting higher performance standards and expecting smaller margins of error.

I'm not as gung ho about expecting a stadium (may be cost prohibitive and difficult to secure), but I do feel that the event needs to be held at a nice venue with similar (smaller scale) features of a National Championship. Also, to keep it fair, I think that the event should not be held at the host club field, and all clubs within that region should help with the financial responsibility, planning (to some degree) and manpower needed for a successful event. In return, they should get a portion of the profits, based on their donation.

Awards and goodies are very important, especially to those that have never competed at that level. Most if not everyone wants to take something home that says HEY look what we did!! Recycling previous year awards should only be acceptable if they are equal to the current year awards.

Overall, I think if a Regional Championship is organized and held with a ho hum attitude, they are most likely never going to be viewed as a stepping stone to greater success, but will be seen as a glorified club trial.