July 1998
Wow! Here it is almost July. (June 26
to be exact) It’s the free weekend between Kay’s trial
in Quesnel and Denise's at Salmon Valley. I’ll have a report
on the Quesnel trial later in the letter, but for now a few
thoughts from my first trial, if I may.
Friday after work started the mad dash. First to the bank then to
a store to buy a tent. Throw the cooler and gear in the van and
hit the road. Turn around and return home. Get Dog. Leave again.
Ok, so I didn’t leave Ice at home. I was nervous enough to
do so though. This was going to be a once in a lifetime event. My
first trial! This ranked up there with other first’s in my
life. My first job. My first car. My first...... Opps, family
publication. Well anyway, I was just a wee bit shaky as I made
the drive to the Caribou. It had been a year since we started
training and this would be the acid test.
Friday’s practice went well. Sir-bark-a-lot sailed over the
jumps, flew through the tire, and easily cruised left or right on
the cross over. All the time with a smile on his face and a tail
wagging back and forth. Things looked good.
Saturday. Show up at 7am. First run is at 11am. In the meantime,
take dogs to the lake, take dogs to the bathroom and take dogs to
the ice cream stand. Finally, it was time for the Human Sacrifice
Class, better known as Starters. Because Ice is
“Special” (OK, no smart remarks!!) we ran later in the
program. Which meant we watched everyone else mess up before we
made fools of ourselves.
Finally. It was our turn. Well to make a long story even longer,
in 89 seconds, Ice managed to knock down 4 or 5 poles and refuse
the tire three times before we went around. Too bad agility
isn’t scored like hockey. We would have cleaned up on
points! Somehow, the run ended, and we survived. Both of us
tired, and very warm.
So that was it! Our first run in competition. After the run I
didn’t want to talk to Ice, but looking back at it now, it
was a great run. Sure he killed some of the jumps and refused the
tire. However, he did hit all of the contacts and completed one
of his fastest weaves ever! Not bad for a first try. We completed
the course under maximum time and even received a ribbon.
I’m so proud of my dog. Then again I think most of you know
that.
From the Cleanrun-L List.
Do you memorize each gamble and each course down to the metre
Yet your tummy tries to tremble when your doggy does the teeter
Breathing by the bucket load and sweating by the litre
Congratulate your friend who won, but really wish to beat her?
Has your handling been helped out by the hurdles in the hall,
Are your pants' pockets collapsing from a clicker, Kong and ball,
Is the weaver wire wearing out the woodwork on the wall,
Do your daydreams dally darkly with your dog missing a call?
Did your pup peruse the puddle where the poodle did a piddle.
Have you run around in rings when the route it was a riddle.
Did you jump around like water that gets splashed on a hot
griddle.
And did you march off mightily or muck up in the middle?
Does your doggy hobby turn your social life to nougat.
Are you simply sick and truly tired of training for your sport.
Do you find you drive to practice further than you really ought?
The solution is so simple; shouldn't seem so overwrought!
Are your heroes representatives of border Terv and blue.
Is your backyard bald and bare where once the couch grass grew?
Well then, trade in your old canine and go get a kangaroo
'Cause the only problem that THEY have is with the tunnel -
through!
(c) Francis Harvey
Quesnel Trial
The first local trail of the year was on
June 20, and 21 in Quesnel at the “Robert’s Roost”
campground. Sponsored by Kay Whitehead and the Border Collie
Friends Rescue club, there was one predominant breed of dogs.
Along with the large number of B.C.’s, there were the usual
assortment of other herding breeds, small terriers, Labs, many
mixed breeds, an Old English Sheepdog, a Malamute and a few
Poodles. It was fun to watch the different breeds and observe how
they handled the course.
As for results, I don’t have a complete set of scores, so
from the top of my head, this is what I remembered. (I’ll
try to get full placements from our Recording Secretary for the
next issue.) The big winner was Duffy who earned his ADC
(Starters) and Jumpers title. Bronte earned her Team title and an
Elite Jumper’s leg. Piper also earned an Elite Jumper’s
leg. Bailey earned her first Starters ribbon. Sabah won fourth
place ribbons in Snooker and a Starter’s round. Quincey flew
in Veterans. And Riley was his usual steady self and performed
well in Starters. Also in attendance were: Gibson, Java, Faith,
Ceildhe, Mackie and Sapphire. (And their handlers too!) A total
of 13 club members attended up from two current members who
attended last year.
I won’t get into details of various runs. You’ll just
have to grab one of the handlers and get them to tell you their
war stories.
Special thanks go out to Kay for organizing the event and to Case
Laan, Dee Gleed and again to Kay for judging and especially to
all of the people who helped at the trial and got quite good at
saying “Your leash is in the bucket!” as competitors
were leaving the course.
The weather was warm, and dry and the facility was perfect. This
is the same venue for the fall trial put on by the C.I.K.C. Entry
forms are available if you’re interested. Kay’s weekend
was fun and the September trial should be the same.
Huble Farm
.From the Prince
George Citizen: “Despite the rain, more than 100 dogs of all
shapes, sizes and athletic ability were on display at the Huble
Homestead on Sunday for a Dog Expo.”
That was a line from a photographic article in our local fish
wrapper. It did a good job of describing the day. As an agility
club that has never run in the rain, this day was a great chance
to try out Agility in less then ideal conditions.
With a large field to use, we were lucky enough to set up an
entire course and have room to move. Attracting a fairly large
group of spectators, we ran the dogs for a couple of hours.
Throughout the day, we demonstrated the different types of
Agility from titleing rounds to games. Because of the cool
weather, the dogs were able to go all day! Even Sir-Sleep-A-Lot
was active at 2 in the afternoon.
Of course while not on the course, the dogs got to meet people,
sniff around and run in the mud. I think most of the dogs had a
good day.
There was more to the show then agility. Dawn and Dan Floria had
retrieving demonstrations. The P.G.K.C. had a breed demonstration
which resembled a conformation show. Rob Bryce had teams of sled
dogs training with an ATV. The R.C.M.P. had two of their dogs out
and demonstrated the ultimate form of “Tug-o-War”. This
is where the dog grabs onto your arm and doesn’t let go!
Another exhibitor was Karin Beeler with Angus who were giving
cart rides to young children. It was fun to watch how far Karin
and Angus have come along with their draft work. Ice upon seeing
the sled dogs, and Angus suddenly remembered that he is a pulling
dog and dragged me over to the sheep pen where he wanted to
demonstrate his herding instincts.
The event went without a hitch, except for a certain person, who
for the protection of the innocent we will refer to as
“Sabah’s mom”, decided to go mud bogging after the
show and decorated Dan and Dawn in natural earth tones. We have
been invited back next year and can’t wait to go.