One of the things I'd always loved about NADAC & Champs (either from being there or living thru friends) is how inclusive it was. How you could make it to finals and have this shot to be on the center stage for those 45 seconds while some stranger in the stands held their breathe and willed you forward from the edge of their seat and then screamed for you when you finished. Even though you couldn't win. Even though you wouldn't be taking home a big ribbon. It was like qualifying for the Olympics and being to take your mark with Lindsey Vonn. You know you've got no shot to beat her. Her skills and her speed are just better. She trains harder. She takes the risks that you won't. Whatever. It doesn't matter. It's just an honor to have made that final cutoff and be able to take the course with her. I wish everyone in the world could have that experience at least once.
So it's disappointing to me that there's no option to remain the same - but as pointed out already, change is a part of life. And maybe structuring our trials so we have the important regional events like they do at USDAA and the challengers to finals rounds like they do at NAC will encourage people to come play with us. I guess time will tell!
I completely agree with this! The same people tend to win finals year in and year out. It is just how it is. They have more time to train, better skills, better dogs, whatever..... I don't begrudge them at all, it is the way it is, but I also think that people underestimate the thrill that us mere mortals have of just making finals. I was soooo close in 2017 but had an off course in run 7.... I would have been over the moon to have made it and just been out there for the final rounds
I also think that cutting out run 7 would be a big disappointment to those of us who don't make finals. I know that it would cut the Sunday time down, but I also think that if you cut it out, most people who aren't in finals would cut and run on Saturday after their final run. Why pay for an extra night in a hotel, extra meals and a long day on Sunday when you have to return to work on Monday, if you can get out on Saturday and sleep in your own bed? Besides, I pay a lot to be there and cutting a run makes me think about it a bit more. This year, I am paying $300.00 for each of my dogs for 7 runs. That is almost $43.00 per run. You cut a run out, and now it is up to $50.00 per run..... I know it isn't always about the money, but for those of us who don't make finals, and lets be realistic, that is 75% of the competitors, you are cutting out an extra run in a very special event.