Southwest Tracking Association

04/16/2025

STAs April 13 TD and TDU test at Bush Park is now complete. Judges Sue Boyd and Kathleen Milford plotted very nice TD and TDU tracks. The competitors made great attempts but alas came up empty handed. The GSD on the TDU track had a lovely start, first turn, second turn, then a third onto the parking lot. Unfortunately she lost the track there but had looked so steady and determined I was sure a pass was at hand. The Field Spaniel on the TD track did similarly. He looked like he was on rails, straight on to each leg, first turn, second turn, worked through a multitude of egrets leaping up from the field by his track. The third turn however became problematic. Nice try! Thank you to tracklayers Kathy McLemore and Katrine Voie, and first time chief tracklayer Katie Mc Cullough, and the multitude of additional STA helpers that made the test a "go". It was a gorgeous morning, with the sun rising as the tracks went in and a mist over the fields. The club meeting afterward was very fruitful, watch for more announcements of upcoming events including a seminar September 13 and 14

04/16/2025

STA's TD and TDU test is behind us now. Beautiful day with perfect weather April 13. Judges Kathleen Milford and Sue Boyd put in two lovely tracks. One was TD, the other TDU. Both dogs with lovely starts, first two turns and then, well, we've all been there. No success. Thanks also to tracklayers Kathy McLemore and Katrine Voie; and first time chief tracklayer Katie McCullough who also provided some of these photos.

04/13/2025

Tracks going in for the last test of our season. Good luck everyone.

03/24/2025

HOT (Houston Obedience Training) Dog Club held a TD and TDX test on March 16. Marsha McCaddon was the Secretary, with judges Jack Sappenfield and Sharon Jolly. There was one TD entry, and two for TDX. The TD was successful in fine style, the two TDXs, not so much. Cynthia Krohn was chief track layer with Ed McCaddon as chief of the cross tracks. Tracklayers were Nancy Ward, Natalie Wiest, and Nancy Wilks with flag carrying on plotting day John Davis.

02/11/2025

Despite the best efforts of our 4 VST and 2 TDU entrants at the February 9, 2025 test - no passes. Rino Jasper at least captured many of our attempts so come along with us to sample Bear Creek Pioneer's Park. Many thanks to Janiece Newell for chairing the event and to our tracklayers: 3 times for Ed McCaddon, (chief tracklayer extraordinaire), Marsha McCaddon, Kathy McLemore and moi (Natalie). Judges Ginny Conway and Carol Ruthenberg plotted very nice straightforward tracks. Puppies just weren't having it...

01/08/2025

Here are some scenes from our TD and TDX tests January 5, 2025. Sorry there were no successes on the track, but not for lack of great tracks plotted by judges Kathleen Milford and Sally Elkins. Thank you Ed McCaddon for organizing the test,, Kathy McLemore for tracklaying and Cynthia Krohn for organizing the crosstracklayers.

12/26/2024

STA Membership Test Results Member Judges Intro to Tracking Certification Questions Answered AKC Tracking Regulations Upcoming AKC Tracking Events Hall of Fame About STA Club Officers  Books & Articles Links & Resources STA Apparel

12/13/2024

The premium list for STA's upcoming TD/TDX test is available on our web site. Entries close Dec. 26.

STA Membership Test Results Member Judges Intro to Tracking Certification Questions Answered AKC Tracking Regulations Upcoming AKC Tracking Events Hall of Fame About STA Club Officers  Books & Articles Links & Resources STA Apparel

12/12/2024

Thank you Houston Obedience Training Dog Club for the TD and TDX trial held on Sunday, December 8. It was a small trial with one TD entry, and 2 for TDX. Although the TD dog did not pass (but came close!), both of the TDX dogs passed including my own Cora (golden retriever). Nancy Ward and her GSP Dakota also passed and in addition to the TDX title earned the much coveted CT or Champion Tracker. Our TDX tracks were on the newly "naturalized" area of the equestrian center. Judges were Tom Hacholski and Kathleen Milford; test chair, Cynthia Krohn. Chief tracklayer Ed McCaddon who was also Nancy's tracklayer, and Kathy McLemore laid the fine smelly track that Cora and I traversed. Great overcast and moist day for a tracking test. Thank you all!

04/19/2024

Just a few more tidbits from the TD/TDU test. Who says tracking isn't a contact sport? Just ask Kathy Daniel. As an addendum to the day, Kathleen Milford starts her puppy Donovan on his first tracking lesson.

04/19/2024

Here's a view to the results of our TD and TDU test on April 14. we had one TD entrant, and 3 TDUs. Two of the three TDUs passed, thanks to the heavy scent (??) of our chief tracklayer and sole tracklayer for those two tracks, Ed McCaddon. The successful entrants were Katie McCullough with her lab Morgan; and Charles Jones with golden retriever Tycho. Congratulations! Pat Sayles handling lab Parti did a great TD attempt to the very last turn; Sally Elkins and English cocker spaniel Blu had a lovely start, first turn, crossed the parking lot and then, uhoh, wrong way next turn.

02/23/2024

And there is more in April: we will host a certification workshop and mini-start-your-dog-tracking seminar at the conclusion of the TDU/TD test April 14. If you feel your dog is ready to get certified to compete in a TD or TDU test in the coming year, judges and qualified certification folk are available. Judge Kathleen Milford to present the mini-seminar/workshop.