It’s just like any sport that humans play. The better a team is conditioned, the better they do. The healthier they are, the better they feel and perform. Its easy to run for fun but very hard to be competitive in field trialing. Some people run about 5 hrs once a week. Some people run at night and let them run most of the night. And some people only run about 3 hrs a trip but go multiple times a week. Have to find what suits you and your hounds. Also some people spend endless amounts of money to only have the fastest best running dogs thats out there.. Hard to beat. I always take my kids and they love it. Family time, fun, and fellowship is most important to me... Good luck.

Dido what he said, if you are serious about competing there is a lot of time and work involved.

Blake & Ray, thanks for the input. I’d likely not be able to compete with the more dedicated folks. It wouldn’t be from the lack of desire though but lack of time and money. I still may get a couple dogs just for my son and I to have something to do and just pleasure run on the weekend when we’re able. Are they many guys that just run and hangout that arnt dedicated field trial guys ?