Collaton St Mary

Amateur Dog Racing

11 July 2008

Every July, Collaton St Mary Parish Church holds its annual Amateur Dog Racing and Fete. This event is always popular with dog owners, locals and visitors to the area and is sure to guarantee a fun evening for all the family. Traditionally held in the school playing field, the event has now moved to the adjacent field following completion of the new school building in 2001.

The accompanying fete provides stalls and refreshments including the ever-popular Ram Roast. Entertainments include a Bouncy Castle and traditional country games such as a coconut shy and throwing the wellie.

The racing, although competitive, is intended for family pets and for this reason whippets, greyhounds and lurchers are not allowed to compete. The course is about 50 yards long, separated by wire netting and the dogs are handicapped according to size and breed. We are lucky to have a local vet as race compere to keep control of the proceedings.

All dogs are accompanied by two handlers, with one to hold the dog at the start and the other to beckon enthusiastically (often a source of entertainment in itself) at the other end of the course. It's not uncommon for a racing dog to reach half-way and have a change of heart and go back to the start - or simply refuse to move another inch. A small tote is operated to add to the interest.

Races are run as heats, leading to semi-finals and finals, with a perpetual trophy awarded to the overall winner, and prizes for second and third places.

If you would like to enter your dog, please complete the entry form and post to the address shown. It's sometimes possible to enter on the day, but please don't count on it because the entries are often fully allocated.