A few weeks ago we got the news that the farm where we train and test will be sold in May. Obviously this has put a kink into our plans. Our club is going to try to hold a test on the grounds before they are sold, but whether the test will go on as planned is somewhat up in the air. It depends on the condition of the grounds. Training on the grounds is no longer available.
We were able to get a Senior Hunter title on Thunder training mostly in local parks, (or maybe Thunder earned the title despite our training? 😉 ). It was very difficult to train him for master level tests training in local parks so last year we decided to buy a training membership to the farm because most of the Michigan tests are held there.
We noticed that his marking really improved once he trained on grounds with with space and cover. Freighter and Storm benefited too. We were hoping to have one more year to train there, but that is not to be.
Without access to these grounds, our training for Storm and Freighter will have to change. Luckily we work with a very experienced and successful professional trainer who we hope will be able to direct our training in a slightly different direction.
It may be that the dogs will be doing a lot of drill work. Both Freighter and Storm could use drill work. Unfortunately they get bored with drill work, but hopefully we can find some ways to make it interesting to them. We will also keep our eyes open for new training grounds.
The loss of these grounds will hurt testing in the state of Michigan as clubs scramble for grounds. I am not sure how it will all shake out or whether clubs will be able to find new testing grounds this year. It may be that we have to travel out-of-state to test which becomes very expensive. We will have to make sure that the dogs are ready to test before we commit to the expense. It will be a year of transition for sure.
So although things will change, we will always have fond memories of the time we spent on that farm and are very thankful for being allowed to train and test there.
A few of my favorite pictures:
I could fill several posts with all of the great pictures I have taken on that property.
That is sad. Change doesn’t always seem to be a good thing. Too bad you are not independently wealthy so you could just buy another farm for this purpose. Things always seem to have a way of working out. Hope you find a new place to test and train.
That is sad, I am so sorry. I know how hard it is to find a really nice place to train and one close. Do you think the club will contact the new buyer and try and work something out with them? I do hope it all works out for you. The pictures are great and are great memories. That is a super photo of Storm all stretched out and in mid air. I really like the one of Freighter jumping into the pond too.
so sorry, hoping you can find a new place to take even more fabulous photos and make new memories
Wonderful pictures! Perhaps in the long run, things won’t be that different. Here’s hoping the new owner of the farm will continue the partnership with the hunt clubs!
It does look like a beautiful place. So sorry that you won’t be able to train there anymore. I wish you lots of luck either coming to some kind of agreement with the new owner, or finding somewhere else to train.
That’s sad! I am so sorry to hear this news. Too bad all of you in the club can’t get enough money together to purchase the farm as a corporation. Let’s just hope that the new owner will be amenable to allowing the club to continue using the land.
What a bummer. Why can’t the club buy the farm? It would seem to me to use it for training by selling memberships and charging people for tests, it might be workable.
I would love a place like that out here where I could take the dogs and let them run!
BTW I love those photos, they are so amazing!
We too are sorry your training ground is to be sold off. What a pity. We hope maybe the new owners will continue. We remember last year how difficult it was trying to use the parks. Good luck in finding somewhere new if you need it. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Such great pictures and wonderful memories. We are very sorry to hear that the farm is being sold, and that you’ll all lose such an amazing training area. We have our paws and fingers crossed that things will work out, somehow.
That’s really too bad to lose access to such a beautiful spot. Sure hope you find another one soon – we will miss the great photos of your trio training.
Maybe something can be worked out with the new owner. If not, I’m sure you’ll find something close. Great photos! That one of the hawk is an amazing shot. My camera never would have captured it.
Omc! I cant believe that. So sorry that you had to lose your training grounds.
But I absolutely love the pics, so beautiful!
-siamese smothers-
Such great photos – too bad about the farm! Maybe there can be an arrangement with the new owners?
I’m so sorry about the farm. But what great images you’ve captured there! Such movement and life in each of them.
What a shame for everyone involved. Do hope you find somewhere close to home to train. Love the photos, especially those water shots of Freighter 🙂
Sorry to hear you may be losing your training and testing area, they do hold memories, don’t they?
What is life but full of change… I love the all time favourite picture of Storm! ; )
Oh no!!!! I hope everything works out for you and yours…Your pictures are soooooooooooo beautiful!!!! Best wishes!!!!
Hi Y’all!
Oh dear, oh dear…are they going to develop that beautiful farm or will someone still be farming it? Maybe the new owners will be willing to make a deal with the training club or some other farmer will hear of your plight and allow your club to train and test there. There are so many beautiful farms in Michigan, it is sad when one changes hands and the farm’s future is “up in the air”.
Paws crossed here,
Hawk aka BrownDog
What a beautiful farm that is, and so sad that you won’t be able to use it anymore. I hope things get worked out for another location where you won’t have to travel much.
I love that photo of Storm also, I can see why it is your favorite.
Terrific pictures !! Hope the clubs can come up with a training field not a long drive away. The Chessies need that exercise and fun 🙂
Those are some great great pictures and its a shame that the ground would be no more available.