To play the devil's advocate... I love ALL Hoopers, particularly Strategic Hoopers, and would hate to see it go. It is the only game in NADAC where the handler is allowed to choose the course best suited to his/her dog and handling style (yes, folks, it makes YOU think!). I also adore Ex.Hoopers, and would love to see more of it. We are VERY fortunate that we have had all Hoopers classes held here in Southern California trials, and hope we continue to see that trend.
However, to replace the Hoopers classes with Ex. Hoopers is a very big burden on clubs. There were complaints with cost and storage problems when Hoopers was added, then when hoops were added to most classes. And now you are going to include 12-18 gates on top of it all??? Hoops are relatively easy to store, but the gates are much harder. And especially that many of them. To replace the Hoopers class with Ex. Hoopers will probably eliminate Hoopers altogether from most parts of the country. I know a local club here does not have Hoopers because they do not have enough hoops to hold the class. Getting gates would be impossible. It is not so much they don't want to provide the class, but the equipment requirements make the choice impossible.
If you WANT Hoopers in your area, then TELL the club! I know I've heard people tell me they wish they had such and such a game or more of such and such... Sometimes the club just doesn't realize YOU want it! YOU are the customer... you pay to play. Tell them what you'd like to play in :-) If you have the ability, offer to help make hoops. Introduce them to trials near the practice jumps. We've done that with a gate, a barrel, and a hoop near the practice jump, just because we realize many instructors don't provide those pieces of equipment to practice on. The familiarity helps the handlers relieve their anxiety, and when they finally run the course and figure out how much fun it is, they are hooked :-) We've seen that with the extreme games, and will continue to do so. We noticed the newbie handlers are MUCH more open to the 'new' stuff than the seasoned handlers... and they are the future of the sport and NADAC... we're hoping this keeps their interest, and desire, to enter more of our trials.
Just my 2 cents...
-dayle
