Amateur dog racing in Williston, Florida.
Special Photo-Feature: SOMOS MAR. 2024 Races in Williston, FL.
Williston Horseman's Park, Florida 2nd - 3rd March, 2024 [galleries below]
The March races marked the season end for Southern Most Sighthounds (SOMOS) event. Two days included straight and oval track events. The "All Other K9" (AOK9) attendance was amazing with the largest number of dogs from tiny Boston Terriers to Border Collies and over sized whippets. Though the weather threatened heavy rain storms both days remained mostly dry till later on Sunday afternoon. As always it was great to see friends and their pups having a great time and looking forward to the new season to start in the Fall.
WRA, NOTRA and AOK9
National Oval Track Racing Association
Amateur dog racing has been around in North America since the early twentieth century on both straight and oval tracks. The rules until recently were only for sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc.) and have evolved over time to provide standards and safety measures to ensure a safe and consistent game for sighthound owners to participate. There are now three major organizations that govern these races in the U.S.A. The Whippet Racing Association (WRA) and Large Gaze Hound Racing Association (LGRA) are for straight track racing and National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) for Oval track races.
The National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA) was formed in 1992 to encourage within each breed of registered Sighthound under a uniformly high standard of competitive oval racing. – NOTRA
The track at Williston Horse Park is 285 yards and follow an oval course with two straight aways and one curved section. Up to four dogs (typically and depending on attendance of each breed) compete at a time and release from a “box” like those seen in professional Greyhound racing. Muzzles are required as part of the safety measures for the dogs and judges, box operators and lure operators all have responsibilities to ensure clean safe runs.
The underlying goal and purpose are to have fun with our hounds. -NOTRA
All Other K9 Racing Program (AOK9)
Established 2011 in N. California and arrived in Florida in 2022 as hosted by Southern Most Sighthounds (SOMOS) as part of their straight and oval track events in C. Florida. AOK9
races were a response to a lack of sprint racing events for breeds other than sighthounds.
R.A.C.E. created the AOK9 Program to allow non-sighthounds to participate competitively in lure sports, and to award the top performing dogs with racing and lure coursing titles. – R.A.C.E. AOK9
In these races any breed (or mixed breed) can compete. The dogs race in fours and are matched against dogs of similar breed or running style. The smallest of breeds (called “Littles) only need run two-thirds of the track length and all competing dogs must wear muzzles for their safety, non-littles are released from a racing “box” similar to those seen in professional dog racing.
Southern Most Sighthounds (SOMOS)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/851641024877062/
One of the oldest clubs in America, the SOMOS club has a wealth of experience in amateur racing events. Their races have a cast of regulars and often competing dogs from coast to coast. It is a friendly club for newcomers to the sport. With patience and a sense of humor, SOMOS members have helped numerous pups start racing games through to becoming regulars themselves at the events, then passing along the knowledge to the next generation of sprinting canines.
Hero Dogz
Information for those with disabilities
The SOMOS club hosts most events since 2022 at the Williston Horseman’s Park in Central Florida. There are wheelchair accessible restrooms and limited RV hookups available.
Parking is plentiful, but there is no “Disabled” reserved parking. This has never been a problem as parking with easy access is available from multiple spots.
Help with handling your dog is available to those with physical challenges and club members have always been seen as responsive to everyone’s needs.
Next Event:
2nd-3rd March, 2024 Straight (Sat) and Oval (Sun) sprints Will include AOK9 (all breed racing) Williston Horseman's Park, FL. More information available from the SOMOS Facebook page.
PHOTO-FEATURE
SOMOS Double Oval 2nd-3rd March 2024 https://somos-march-2024.badazzdogz.net/ CAUTION:
The Gallery is best viewed on a PC. The large file sizes and may burden any portable tablet or smart phone. ? [Need help downloading pictures] ?
Click: Full Gallery
More Information:
- Southern Most Sighthounds On Facebook: SOMOS
- National Oval Track Racing Association (NOTRA)
- Whippet Racing Assoc. (WRA)
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