The NL&RC was formed in 1980 by a group of lurcher
enthusiasts in the midlands.
Initially the Club’s founders faced much criticism
and were frequently told it would never work, this instilled a will to succeed
into the then committee who stuck to their guns and from that day to the present
the NL&RC has grown into the largest and most prestigious Lurcher club in the
world.
The NL&RC take great pride in their achievement of helping
to make lurchers and lurcher people respected by other country sports supporters,
landowners and the general public alike.
The club has long been a frontrunner in the lurcher
world, having initiated a code of conduct for lurchers some 20 years ago, we
have also been high profile in the political fight to save our way of life.
Needless to say the NL&RC promote all legal lurcher
work, members are required to follow the lurcher code of conduct and the club
rules. Membership is open to any man, woman or child with an interest in the
lurcher.
The NL&RC is not just about working lurchers, most of
our publicity is gained from the many shows and competitions we organise.
These shows are organised by a team consisting of club
officials and hard working dedicated members who give up their free time to
support the club which does try to be one big happy family, new members are
given the opportunity to join the family.
Many of the summer shows consist of the usual lurcher
activities showing, obedience, simulated coursing, straight racing and hurdling
to name a few.
The NL&RC also provide demonstrations of lurcher work
and lurcher agility at many country fairs including the CLA Game Fair.
There are different membership classes which include
single, couple, family or junior membership and all new members receive a membership
pack which includes their membership card, offers as available, reduced entry
to certain country fairs and a copy of the club’s annual magazine.
Originally shows used to consist of showing and straight
racing but over the years came the introduction of simulated coursing, which
helps keep lurchers fit during the summer months, it is what it says “simulated”
and is no substitute for the real thing but very enjoyable and is hugely popular.
During this event lurchers chase a lure around a pre-designated
course and are awarded points for their skills. Straight and Hurdle racing is
where the lurchers run a straight course, one without, the other with hurdle
jumps which are made of lurcher friendly plastic pipes, first over the line
with no penalties is the winner.
Also at some shows there is a lurcher long jump, where
a lure is run under a series of plastic poles, which are spaced at intervals
the lurcher has to jump and clear the plastic poles, incidentally the world
record is about 27 foot.
Field trials and Obedience Competitions have been part
of the NL&RC competitions for many years in different forms, today we hold novice
and open obedience competitions where lurchers are put through their paces by
their owners in work and obedience orientated scenarios, this then leads on
to field trial competitions where the actual tests are ferreting, lamping and
bushing.
This is all currently under review. For our junior
members we hold child handler classes, novice obedience and arrange days out
coursing and other activities, they are also welcome to compete in all other
events.
