Judges Poem (By Mid-West Poet)

[E Rice]

It doesn't matter how hard I try
Someone will always whine and cry

I've heard some people say I'm a cheat, crook, and a buddy judge
but I really don't give a fudge

As a judge I have always done my best
Yet, seldom do I satisfy the rest

Some people say I don't know a good dog
most of the time this comes from handlers that have their big asses glued to a log.

From this log they can see enough to judge the entire pack
but when they're asked to help judge they turn their back

This sport needs more handlers who really care
but now days that is rare

Most would rather run their mouths and not their hound
this is the main reason why they don't spend much time on the ground

When their hound gets picked up they know they have someone to blame
they cry dishonest judge, what a shame

I realize that judges do make mistakes
but how much criticism must we take

I hope my comments haven't made anyone mad
but if so then scratch and get glad

If you have enjoyed my poem then please tell me so
Just post your comments directly below

If you would like to tell me face to face, that would be nice
My real name is Earl W. Rice

[Steve C.]

Keep your chin up Earl- we need more dedicated guys like you judging our trials. I've been at it for about 10 years and I've about had it. I sure enjoy the hounds but there are a LOT of guys in the sport who give nothing but criticism and never miss an opportunity to run down a judge, another handler or the hound that beat their's. I've wasted a lot of time at the trials that could have been better spent running hounds at home. I do enjoy seeing folks that I only see a couple of times each year and now and then I see a few hounds that really impress me but all in all I doubt our hounds are any better now than they were at any time in the past. I can recall when placing a hound was quite a thrill but it doesn't do anything for me today. Still enjoy the hounds as much as ever but I guess I'd rather just go run a few good hounds with a fellow houndsman and leave the trials to the whiners. As for the BB site- that's where the biggest losers in the sport hang out, I wouldn't let them get me down if I were you. Personally I think you're one of the "good guys" who's in the sport for the betterment of the breed and I thank you for your contributions.

[BOOMHOWER]

It's amazing how people get so pi$$ed off about a ribbon or a trophy guess if their kid doesn't bring home a smilie face on their test from school they probably call the school and whine and complain about that. Everyone wants something for nothing these days. A friend of mine coaches baseball and soccer at the local high school and always has a parent story to tell me. You know what I mean why doesn't johnny get to play. The kids have no respect any more and the parents want everything for their kids for nothing. There are still good respecting honest people out there and always a bunch at the trials I know what your talking about and if it starts ruining your expierience running dogs and trialing I'd let somebody else try it for awhile and sit back and enjoy the pleasure of the hounds and good honest friends I'm sure you have a few. Have fun and enjoy whatever pleases you the most.

[Terry McBride]

The only one anyone has to please in judging a trial is himself. If you come out of the trial knowing you've done the best and fairest job you could possibly do, you can hold your head high. The vast majority of judges adhere to these standards, and I thank them for their hard work and dedication. You can rest assured true beaglers and sportsmen will hold you in high regard. The rest? Who cares!

[Earl Rice]

Guys thanks for the positive replies. A good friend of mine read my post and thought I was upset. However, this is not true. The first couple of years every negative comment would make me mad and get me upset. I thought I should have to fit every time someone said something negative about me or my judging. However, the last couple years I have come to realize that it is human nature to post negative comments. Most of these negative comments come from jealous handlers get are looking for someone to blame for their hound getting beat. However, I sure that some judges may be dishonest but most that I have judge with are honest. I had some extra time on my hands and thought my poem would be a comical way to post my thoughts as a judge. I don't think someone's comments is worth getting mad and wanting to argue or fight over. Our soldiers and many other people with cancer or other diseases are fighting every day for their lives. Remember this the next time someone wants to argue or cry over a field trial.
Keep it positive,
Earl Rice

[rjricelny]

Very nice E. W. Rice..

Sincerely - rjrice -lny So where are you from?

[B.Trull]

Yea, Earl way to go. Keep it up.


Brad
LonePine Kennels

[E Rice]

Very nice E. W. Rice..

Sincerely - rjrice -lny So where are you from?

rjrice,
I'm from Southeast Ky. My cousin (Fuzz) and I plan on trying to travel up to NY to a trial in couple months. I don't remember club's name but I think he told me the trial is in June but I'm not sure. Maybe meet you there if you field trial.

Earl Rice (Blazing Trails Beagles)

[Indiana Brian]

I'm fairly new to beagling, and when I got my first beagle, I told all my buddies I would never trial. I'd heard too many horror stories, and I viewed it all negatively. However, some of my best times in beagling have happened at the trials, and I've met some really outstanding houndsmen. Then, I was asked to become a judge. I resisted, but I saw that the home club would need me, so I took the test and passed. I told my friend Paul..."the really bad thing about judging is this...you will have one guy who really likes your judging and 5 others who think you are blind". LOL. Fact of the matter is this....I've gotten a new respect for those who go running after a pack of hounds through weeds,briars, creeks, (cricks for you southerners), up hills, down hills, thru hollars and Lord knows what else and for what? 15 bucks and nasty comments? In my opinion, the judges of this sport are truely heros who are in it for promoting this sport and my hat is off to all of them. I still think there are a VERY few who are dishonest or whatever, but the VAST majority have the morals and dignity to do the right thing, and that is what it's about. And I've said it before and I'll say it now.....this whole experience is supposed to be FUN! Some folks just take it WAYYYYYY too seriously. God Bless you all. *Brian*

[Jamie Rice]

Indiana Brian... Nicely said. Trialers have a whole different outlook on things when they're the ones that having to come home with sore knees and other sore muscles from running so hard you feel like you're going to puke. Not to mention the briar scratches and bruises from head to toe. But our love for our hounds and competition is the reason, we suck it up come winners pack and go out and give 110%. All because we owe our fellow trialers their money's worth.

rjrice... The trial my cousin was refering to is Broome County. It's been 6 years since the last time I travelled to NY. Hopefully our little females and my big males will do ok. Should be about 3 to 4 of us coming from Kentucky and a few of our mountaineer friends from WV.
=========================================

"OFF TO THE TRIAL"
Wake up in the morning at 5 AM and we load up the hounds.
Me and my buddies jump in my truck and away we go to the grounds.
We stop at a gas station on the way, because thanks to the coffee we all gotta pee.
Now I'm driving like a madman and we passed up the exit... everyone's blaming that on me.
There looks like there's a u-turn down the road,
But still my buddy's complaining is getting old.
Two and half hours of driving.
They keep asking when will we be arriving.
Anxious and still half asleep we pull into the trial.
Just for an honest look each of us travel that extra mile.
We see some friends so we decide to shoot the breeze.
Man this love I got for a rabbithound and competing is like a disease.
The chairman hollers for roll call,
Come one come all.
As the president goes over the rules,
Each of us keep wondering which rabbithound will have all the tools.
We listen on as the secretary roles out each pack.
Gotta wait all day and our dogs may not even make it back.
Finally it's our dog's turn and we turn loose the cast.
He out ran ole Shep two days ago, but today how long will ole Rover last?
Soon the pack jumps a rabbit and man watch them dogs go.
The dog that's messing everything up, everyone in the gallery seems to know.
An hour goes by and finally the judges pick a few up.
It just wasn't their day, but the owners are griping all the way back to their pick-up.
The day is almost over and now it's measuring time.
We keep our fingers cross; thirteen inches right on the dime.
Well finally we made it to the winners pack.
An hour has gone by and we've yet to locate a track.
A couple barks here, a couple barks there.
Still no sign of a rabbit nor a hare.
This pack is supposed to be today's best,
But it looks like some are ready to fail the test.
Eventually game is up and the hounds run it like hell.
Whose going to win? It's too earlier to tell.
The judges weed the pack down to two.
Could my dog end up winning? Could it be true?
Back and forth, a check for each dog in this brace.
Man it's going to be close for whoever wins this race.
They call out the winners and luckily I take home first prize.
All that crap they're talking on the internet, man don't you know it's just lies.

[KanesIrish]

Jamie and Earl,
hope you guys make it up to Broome. This club has made a complete 180 in the past 4 years to one of the best SPO clubs in New York State. The first year I went there we went hours to jump a rabbit, now in every block there is one.

Matt Slocum, Marty Kelly, Tom O'Neill, Ben Gardiner, the Nemconsky's, Gary Slick, and the rest of the club membership has done an awesome job with this club. You guys will enjoy yourself.

Another one of your Mid-West buddies went last year and took a 1st and 3rd in the big males. I hope you make the trip.

[dawgydawg67]

Nice one. Your 100% correct. Bob