10/30/2024
I know there has been a lot of noise on Facebook about the upcoming CEB-US National Field Trial with entries due to be postmarked by 11/15/24. Within the premium you will see that CEB-US does not allow recovery tracking collars even though those are approved by UKC. I've seen comments from a board member saying things such as, "see you there or not" and so on. I know a number of folks are saying well in that case I'm not coming. And, I can respect this if that is your decision. It is a legitimate way to be heard.
CEB-US is my breed club. I don't agree with many many things they do, but they do represent our breed on our behalf. I cannot defend their decisions nor have I had input to them but just hope that overall we are moving in a better direction for our dogs. This trial is their's and follows what rules they dictate.
Having said that, I do want to say that we are having this year's national in Georgia on 5,000 acres of wild bobwhite quail habitat owned by EB owners. Lori and I have been working all summer in preparation for your visit. And, we welcome all of you and your EBs. I already knew that CEB-US was not allowing recovery collars and have been planning around this by putting together a strategy with volunteers to block specific points on the farms where dogs could take a wrong turn. Also, we will logistically use the gallery as a blocking tool in specific locations. I know very well that when we release our dogs to hunt that there are no guarantees but we are taking all precautions we can to do our best. We own working animals and this is part of it.
To assist CEB-US members with costs at the conclave our farm is offering camping free of charge. Also, a number of individuals are donating dinners for Thursday night (Dane Murphy - LA Gumbo) and Friday night fish fry and chowder and a pig roast for lunch on Saturday. Lori and I, Lorie Glover, Clint LaFary, Cole Bollman, Cynthia Copeland, Benjamin Gray, Jenna Johnson, to name a few are all providing donations for you guys.
Also, I don't agree with the decision of not allowing recovery collars that would only be turned on if the handler asks to turn on the tracker disqualifying their dog at that point. I can appreciate the other point of view. I see the tracking collar as a tool to be used. Every tool has pluses and minuses. I am not of the belief that using a tracking collar will cause issues with our breed. However, all tools can be coercive in their use including the inflection of one's voice. Everyone has a job to do in a field trial. The judge should pick the best dog and if a dog shows a lack of intensity and style because of coercive training then the judge should not use that dog. The handler has the job of presenting their dog in the best light and protect their dog. I personally run my dogs with and without recovery collars depending on what the club allows. I work in my training program with my dogs with and without collars and other training props. However, if this or anything else is something you want to have a voice on then we are having our annual meeting during the conclave and you should come to do that. If this is your plan I included part of the ways to do so below. But I suggest you work with your board members to figure out the procedures to do so such that you are not shut down but are able to have a voice in the appropriate fashion.
"Amendments can be initiated by the membership by written petition addressed to the Secretary signed by 10% of the membership in good standing for the year in which the amendment is proposed. Amendments proposed by the Board of Directors may be voted upon at the next annual meeting of the general membership ...