It was with much regret that hare coursing, the sport many of us considered the supreme test of a running dog’s prowess, came to an end in February 2005.

I belong to a long established whippet coursing club in East Anglia and had for several winters enjoyed good company and exciting sport as we walked the region’s stubble fields with our dogs.

As this era drew to a close our thoughts turned to how to fill the void created by The Hunting Act. The prospect of our club having to fold became a distinct possibility.

Whippet racing seemed to be the obvious way forward but, given closer scrutiny, some of our members felt that their dogs, by virtue of their breeding, would be better suited to the longer distances, the varied turns and the generally less predictable aspects that the sport of lure coursing could provide.

The club had retained close links with the landowners that had regularly invited us onto their land for hare coursing. Some, when approached, were happy to allow access to lay out a lure course should the members decide that it was in that direction that they would wish to proceed.

With this in mind, meetings of members followed, advice was sought from others to establish the list of equipment that would be needed and within weeks we were holding trial runs to practise with the new kit. Some of the kit, such as the lure machine, had been made by members whilst directional pulleys had been imported from USA.

One of our members, a gamekeeper, obtained permission for us to use a field on the estate where he worked to hold several informal meetings to iron out the gremlins in our activities.

Expertise was needed in several areas before we could call ourselves competent. Lure driving, rethreading the line, dealing with line breakages and countless other problems and glitches that were ready to affect the smooth running of a meeting.

Such practise sessions took place in the warmer months and refreshments from the barbecue provided by a member helped make them fun events.

Within a short time we were up to speed in more ways than one. Most importantly, the lure drivers could keep the lure suitably ahead of the dogs and the various other disciplines could be affected with similar competence.

A club member would kindly allow the use of a quad bike for the judge and for the rethreading procedure. This bike would prove to be an invaluable asset in the success of our subsequent meetings and it is fair to say that without that facility our viability as a lure coursing club would have been severely affected.

The approaching autumn found us ready to stage competitive club events. We had a strong nucleus of members who were keen to make our new venture a success. Some of our members from the hare coursing days however were less enthusiastic and decided that the new era was not for them. We wished them well as the rest of us moved forward.

We would endeavour to follow the traditions and practises that applied to our pre-ban activities – the use of red and white collars for the dogs, the licensed slipper and judge suitably attired, slip steward, flag steward and meeting stewards to name just some. Cards displaying the running order were printed as before. Most importantly, the events we had always staged would continue to be run.

Donors of trophies were asked if they were content for us to carry on awarding their prizes and by and large the responses were positive. We could now look forward to competing for puppy cups, top dog and bitch trophies and championships, plus lots of others cups that were a large part of our club’s history. These links with our past formed the thread that was to ensure our future. We were up and running.

And now to the events!

The generous landowners were positive, as has been said, and September found us embarking upon our first proper meeting. The logistics now became an issue.

The transporting of all the equipment that was now necessary would fall to our club secretary and other obliging committee and club members. The setting up of the course, and the trialling of the course to ensure a smooth progression all had to be achieved before the event proper could begin.

The measuring of the running distance and devising alternative route formats to ensure that the dogs did not become wise to the running sequence were both essential if we were to run a safe and efficient day.

With all equipment in place and the members for the event assembled, our tried and tested preambles would begin. The landowner had to be thanked, members updated on news items and cards made up with reserves promoted to the stake to cover absentees.

No walking necessary today of course. Our sport would be enacted where we stood.

The slip steward called the first pair and we all settled into coursing mode with memories of how it was but with high hopes and expectations of how it would now be. The day progressed with a few hiccups but nothing to dent the enjoyment of all who attended.

What about the dogs? It is they that will be the yardstick for measuring success! Speaking as one who has experienced both disciplines, I am pleased to say that in my view the dogs took to the new order with the same verve and commitment that applied when the lure was a hare. They loved it.

Moving forward two years, I can now look back to appraise two full seasons of lure coursing by our club.

We have held meetings on a three to four-week basis from September through to May with a break during December and January to allow for inclement weather. All our trophy events have been run and we have always attracted a good number of dogs to compete at each of our various venues.

Our annual luncheons that take place at the end of our seasons continue to be held. Landowners become our invited guests for this social event along with slippers and judges on occasions. Our guests also continue to hand the trophies to our winners as in years past.

It can further be reported that this season we have held two Open events in Lincolnshire which have proved to be hugely popular. Each was a 32 dog stake for Whippets not exceeding 21 inches.

It is with pride that I can say that our first such Open was a ground breaking event in that it was the first 32 dog stake for Whippets ever to be run in this country. That fact is testimony to the changes we as a club have made in a relatively short time, having moved with the times as it were.

Our third and final Open for this season is scheduled for early in 2008. We look forward to this and many more events in the future. For us, what perhaps looked like a barren time for all has in fact bloomed beyond most expectations. 

A less obvious but very real benefit of our new status lies with the type of Whippet that has been bred for coursing over the years. It is hoped and expected that this type will continue to be bred for its core purpose.

Who knows, without lure coursing the future of the coursing dog could have been in jeopardy. And looking to the future, should The Hunting Act be repealed then the coursing whippet will be ready to revert to its previous discipline as and when the call comes.

Our fixtures list for this season is set. Because of our Opens we have attracted some new members from various parts of the country who travel sometimes considerable distances to share our enjoyment of this exciting sport. Our future looks secured and we can only look forward to even better times for ourselves and our dogs.