Trialing Manners –

Having just returned from the Arizona Chute out trial I decided that it was still timely and necessary to reprint and add to this article.

 Sideline coaching or interference with the running of a trial is prohibited. Of course you wouldn’t intentionally do that – but inadvertently you could. 

I will list some ways of interfering with a fair herding trial .

• Cherry picking the livestock for your run
• Getting in the face of an entrant just before they go in for their run
• Partying behind the judge's booth.
• Talking to an exhibitor just before and just after their run.
• Not being ready with your dog when it is time for your run.
• Sitting on the stairs or at the entrance to the judge's booth .
• Sitting at the entrance or close to the "in the hole area".
• Being loud enough at the fence line so the dog, Handler, stock might be influenced by your voice or hand or crook movements.
• Taking offense when asked to quiet down.
• Entering multiple dogs which happen to come back to back in the running order then asking to have the running order changed to accommodate you, messing up everyone running in your class .

I am sure there are many more ways to be disruptive to an otherwise smoothly running trial . It is my hope this list will give you a better idea of how you can help make the trialing experience more enjoyable for everyone.

I am sure you would enjoy your trialing experiences a lot more without the type of things on this list going on. I would.