Lure Coursing

Field Trialing for Sighthounds and How to Take Part

By Arthur S. Beaman

This useful book, published in 1994, describes lure coursing from its very beginnings as an off-shoot from Open Field Coursing, as developed by Lyle Gillette, up to current times. Beaman starts with a history of OFC and Lure Coursing as told in first person by Gillette. It's a fascinating story, as he details chasing hares in California's Central Valley, working with AKC in attempts to get recognition for OFC. Then the transition to lures, the creation of ASFA, and finally AKC's Lure Coursing program.

Gillette's story is hard to beat for one interested in coursing, and is unfortunately a brief single chapter in this volume. Beaman then picks up in his own voice and describes the variety of breeds allowed in Lure Coursing events, the various rules and how to participate with your dog. He even details all the equipment you'd need to set up your own trials. This material is much more of a "reference" style (and clearly outdone by Sighthounds Afield), and gets a bit tedious if you were to try to read through it all sequentially.

This is a good book for those looking for both some history of the sport, as well as details of the dogs, how field trials are run, the rules, and the equipment and training necessary. The chapter by Lyle Gillette makes the book worth buying, the rest is gravy.

Dave Mills