Southwest Tracking Association

12/26/2024

STA Membership Test Results Member Judges Intro to Tracking Certification Questions Answered AKC Tracking Regulations Upcoming AKC Tracking Events Hall of Fame About STA Club Officers  Books & Articles Links & Resources STA Apparel

12/13/2024

The premium list for STA's upcoming TD/TDX test is available on our web site. Entries close Dec. 26.

STA Membership Test Results Member Judges Intro to Tracking Certification Questions Answered AKC Tracking Regulations Upcoming AKC Tracking Events Hall of Fame About STA Club Officers  Books & Articles Links & Resources STA Apparel

12/12/2024

Thank you Houston Obedience Training Dog Club for the TD and TDX trial held on Sunday, December 8. It was a small trial with one TD entry, and 2 for TDX. Although the TD dog did not pass (but came close!), both of the TDX dogs passed including my own Cora (golden retriever). Nancy Ward and her GSP Dakota also passed and in addition to the TDX title earned the much coveted CT or Champion Tracker. Our TDX tracks were on the newly "naturalized" area of the equestrian center. Judges were Tom Hacholski and Kathleen Milford; test chair, Cynthia Krohn. Chief tracklayer Ed McCaddon who was also Nancy's tracklayer, and Kathy McLemore laid the fine smelly track that Cora and I traversed. Great overcast and moist day for a tracking test. Thank you all!

10/28/2024

STA had a wonderful tracking workshop presented by Kathleen Milford on Sunday, October 27th. Lots of great information on prepping and participating in TDU and VST tracking events. Many thanks to Katrine Voie for creating the event, and Sally Elkins for the tasty refreshments - and all the experienced trackers who helped with the practice.

09/30/2024

Join us for an upcoming seminar on October 27, 2024: Transitioning to the TDU/VST. We will be at Pavilion 1, George Bush Park. $40 includes lunch. Contact organizer Katrine Voie ([email protected]) or secretary Natalie Wiest ([email protected]) with your desire to participate. Our flyer is available at:

08/12/2024

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 8, 2024 for the Annual Membership Meeting and elections for the Southwest Tracking Association of Metropolitan Houston.

We will be meeting at Rudy's Barbecue 21799 Katy Freeway in Katy at 11:30 a.m. On the agenda, plans for the upcoming year and elections for our officers and Board. Ed McCaddon is not able to continue on the Board. Self nominations for a position are welcome, and you can nominate someone else so long as they agree to the nomination. Ed is currently our President.

I have no confirmation of a workshop or seminar from Kathleen Milford. If those activities are going to take place, I expect she will inform us and organize the event.

Come and enjoy some good Texas barbecue and the chance to visit with our club members, guests also welcome. I hope to see you there.

Natalie Wiest
STA Secretary

04/19/2024

Just a few more tidbits from the TD/TDU test. Who says tracking isn't a contact sport? Just ask Kathy Daniel. As an addendum to the day, Kathleen Milford starts her puppy Donovan on his first tracking lesson.

04/19/2024

Here's a view to the results of our TD and TDU test on April 14. we had one TD entrant, and 3 TDUs. Two of the three TDUs passed, thanks to the heavy scent (??) of our chief tracklayer and sole tracklayer for those two tracks, Ed McCaddon. The successful entrants were Katie McCullough with her lab Morgan; and Charles Jones with golden retriever Tycho. Congratulations! Pat Sayles handling lab Parti did a great TD attempt to the very last turn; Sally Elkins and English cocker spaniel Blu had a lovely start, first turn, crossed the parking lot and then, uhoh, wrong way next turn.

02/23/2024

And there is more in April: we will host a certification workshop and mini-start-your-dog-tracking seminar at the conclusion of the TDU/TD test April 14. If you feel your dog is ready to get certified to compete in a TD or TDU test in the coming year, judges and qualified certification folk are available. Judge Kathleen Milford to present the mini-seminar/workshop.

02/23/2024

Premium list for our STA TD and TDU test April 14, 2024: now available on the AKC site. It will be up on our website in March, or please email me, Natalie Wiest, [email protected] if you'd like me to send you a copy. We look forward to seeing you on test day, or as workers the day before. Club meeting also at conclusion of the test.

02/11/2024

Congratulations to Katrine Voie and Basile passings VST and earning Champion Tracker!

02/03/2024

Registration has closed for our February 11 TDU/VST test. No TDU entries were received, so we will go with 4 VST tracks. If you are interested in coming to watch, the action will be at Bear Creek Park, Pavilion 1, with the drawing for tracks at 9:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you then and there!

01/15/2024

For your long term planning calendar, two important dates. First, per our Board meeting on January 7, 2024, we have changed the date of our April event to April 14. It will be a 3 dog TD and 3 dog TDU test followed by a working seminar on getting your dog certified for TD or TDU tests. Pending AKC approval, our judges will be Virginia (Kathy) Daniel and Kathleen Milford.

Our Annual Meeting in September will feature a training seminar on VST (Variable Surface Tracking) presented by Kathleen Milford and Jeff Shaver.