First lure coursing even of the season this weekend

The first lure coursing event of the season will take place this weekend, Saturday & Sunday, May 10 and 11, at Misty Rivers Plantation, 117 Cross Dike Road, on Puget Island.

This event is sponsored by the Willamette Valley Basenji Club and sanctioned by the AKC. Racing starts each morning around 9 a.m., and runs until completion, which is generally mid afternoon.

The dogs competing are all sighthounds, ranging from the small basenjis up through the giant Irish wolfhounds. They will spend the day racing with members of their own breed to determine the best of each breed. At the end of the day, the Best in Breed winners compete to determine Best in Field.

The public is invited to attend, and leashed dogs are also invited. Contestants will park on the coursing field behind the cabin; visitors park on the grass beside the driveway in front. Restrooms are available, and a small amount of handicapped parking is available in back.

Of special interest to the general public: This same club is sponsoring another event here in two weeks, May 25-26, at which C.A.T. trials will be run. That stands for Coursing Aptitude Test, and is open to dogs of any breed or mixed breed. Details will be available at the meet this weekend, or call Judy Brawn at 562-1925 for further information.