Columbia, MO Results

We had WONDERFUL weather in Columbia! There were "hints" of storms from the weather forecasters, but we avoided all of the rain! YIPPEE!! Not that it mattered since we were "inside", but it's nice to be able to work out of the vans and not have to run in and out of the rain. The temperatures were warmer than we were use to, 85 degrees and up! For the most part, we did just fine with the temps. It did result in some "white" legs being flashed, but I'm sure those from MO will survive. Attending were Paula (Petra), Tracy (Sydney), Michele H (Bea/Cider), Michele F (Packer), Carrie (Paulie/Addie) and myself (Kruz/Mad Dog).
Kruz had the whitest legs of the bunch. G

We did have a VERY confused Cardinal every morning. The poor guy thought that every vehicle was carrying another "male" Cardinal that was trying to take over his 'turf'. Thus he would go from van to van and attack the window, side mirrors and YES even the inside rear view mirror. He didn't realize that he was just attacking 'himself'. It was quite the work out and rather intertaining to watch.

The matting was "different". The best way to describe it would be to picture a burlap bag type texture with a black rubber overlay. It's kind of a woven pattern I suppose. I didn't "love it", but I didn't necessarily "hate it" either. Better than mats, but I didn't like it as well as dirt or soccer turf. One caution that I'd heard before going was to be sure your dogs feet were dry as they will tend to burn pads if running with wet or sweaty feet. Another good reason that it didn't RAIN!!

The parking wasn't bad. We were told that parking would be tight, but apparently they planned really well as it wasn't a problem. We were able to work out of the van, which for me is a plus!

The building was interesting, it was basically a white "hoop" building. It was HUGE!!! Taller than the normal hoop building that you see around the farming community. It had 3 rows of fans and 66 - 4 bulb fluorescent lights. I counted!! It got a bit warm at times, but not too bad. No flapping of fabric, very clean. A very nice set up, it would be perfect if they'd change the flooring to that soccer turf, but you can't have EVERYTHING!

"Team Orange" made a good showing in MO. Several DQ's by Cider, Addie and Kruz. Lots of single Q's all around!!! Packer Q'ed in JWW on everyone run with some color to go with that GREEN!! Great job!! Bea picked up some more points to keep her in the top 25 Labrador ranking. (Still needing that one DQ for her MACH - next trial is in Ames) Sydney saved "face" by getting out of "jail" in Novice Preferred JWW. He's a PWD with an MXJ and has been a bit 'squirrel' about his Nov JWW runs. HAPPY 10th Birthday SID!

Petra MADE TIME in JWW Exc B!!!! Great job little dog!! She has moved up from the 4" class to 8" to help her get 'in shape' for the 8" jump in obedience. GOOD Petra!!!

Three year old Addie was the super star over the weekend, picking up 2 DQ's and going 5/6 with 152 MACH points. Addie just needs 2 DQs to finish her MACH. Her next trial will be in Omaha in a couple weeks.

Next Saturday we'll be heading up North to watch the "World Team Agility Try-Outs". They are located in Hopkins, MN and the "rumor" is that this will be the last time they are in MN.

Kansas City, MO - Results

Carrie and Addie made the road trip to Kansas City, Mo with Kruz, Mad Dog and I last Friday. Terry - Rippy and Jeff - Bea, joined us on Saturday.

The weather was wonderful on Friday!
Carrie and I were wishing we had shorts, but that changed as rain came into the picture on Saturday and Sunday.
Luckily we were indoors on dirt, my person favorite running surface.

We came away from the weekend with some DQ's and everyone got some singles!!
We even managed to get some colored ribbons!!!

Great job Everyone!!

Bea is still on a quest for that final DQ. She is running FANTASTIC, with just one little thing keeping her from getting it. We're all hoping they will hold off until Ames so that we can ALL "BEA" there to celebrate, but that's purly selfish on our part.

Addie, ever the "clown", managed to NQ in Standard on Saturday by physically "pushing" Carrie back from the table. Addie got on the table and then proceeded to "jump" up on Carrie. UGH!! It was cute, however. G

Addie is shown below with "egg on her face".

Addie made up for it on Sunday by getting a DQ.
Thus she got to finish off the egg salad.
Don't worry Addie!! I'll bring more next weekend!!

Next weekend we'll be in Columbia, MO.
Carrie - Addie, Michele - Packer, Paula - Petra, myself with Kruz and the Mad Dog.

News from Cardigan Welsh Corgi Nationals - Topeka, KS!!

Breaking News from Carrie regarding her Trip with Addie to CWC Nationals!!!


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Hi all,

Thought I'd drop a quick note from Topeka at the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Nationals.

Sunday we did the Herding Instinct Test with goats. She passed once she figured it was ok to herd the goats. She even knipped at one's heels. Came around to their heads to gather them nicely. The weather was miserable, 41 degrees, windy and raining! Good thing I had my agility rain gear.

Today was a great day. I'm waiting for the bubble to burst. I was the first to go in agility, talk about nerves. After getting caught spectating and nearly loosing her in a tunnel we Q'd with a 3rd place.

Jumpers was beautiful with a first place! Double Q with the largest DQ ribbions I've ever seen! As big as most MACH ribbons!

Rally advanced went very well. She listened, no barking or thinking it was an agility course. Scored a 99 out of 100 for second place. Won a very nice blue handmade, pottery mug.

Last, we tested for CGC and TDI (Therapy Dog). And passed!! We even got a ribbon for that!

Tomorrow, Addie's breeder is supposed to be there to watch Addie in agility-no pressure. Had a very nice meal at the performance dinner and am meeting lots of cardi folks.

Later,

Carrie

Second Day.........

Btw, Addie had a brilliant run in std on tue but decided to turn around in the tunnel and come back out. She got 1st in jww.

1st in advance Rally-O for her title.
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Nice JOB Addie!!!
Carrie too of course!

Tulsa, OK next Spring anyone???

Glen Carbon Update - Bea's MACH Quest.....

An update from Michele and Cider!!

Well, the bad news is that Jeff and Bea did not MACH this last weekend. But it was not from lack of trying. The courses flowed, but were indeed challenging. (See Jeff's comments in the 4/10 post - Sounds like her Sunday's JWW run was INCREDIBLE!!) Not to worry, that Broad Jump will be in our course work this week!

But the good news is that Melinda will have NO trouble getting rid of the Phil Miller award at the banquet next year. In fact, there may have to be a vote as to whom is the most worthy. And I will not be in the running. There are 3 candidates just from last Fri and Sat alone:
-Alas, only Sue Ann was caught on film. Suffice it to say that there is a new maneuver from Fri named the "DRT" short for Dr. Thompson. This could be considered a variation of "the full Kittrell," since there was some contact with the dog.
-Meg Cowell started off Saturday on the wrong foot (before the trial even started) by locking her keys in her van. Did I mention that not only were her keys locked inside, but also her extra key, purse, cell phone, and oh yeah, her dog!
-Then there was Terry's fantastic standard run Sat AM. Too bad he forgot one minor detail. This move is right up there with my very own "Hartzler" move. It is yet to be named. Possibilities are: "the terrible Terry" "the reckless Ryan" "the thrill of victory and the agony of the leash." Maybe "the Big Ooops!" would be best, since "OH SH_ _!" isn't allowed.

For more details, you will have to ask the parties involved. I really feel that a printed list of moves, maneuvers, blunders, whatever you choose to call them, is needed for new competitors. This list may be just as important as the book of AKC rules.

Happy trialing, but be careful! Spies for Melinda are everywhere ;-)
Michele

======================
Thanks again Michele!! I expect you all to come CLEAN!!!

There are times when some "clarification" of terminology is required within the "Orange People Group". Below are some definitions and explanations.

Phil Miller Award - This is an award presented at the ICDOC (Iowa City Dog Obedience Club Banquet each January. (BTW, they have by far the BEST agility trial every December) This is awarded to the club member who does something EXTREMELY stupid during the year. See examples above! G

The Hartzler Move - Celebrating too soon at the end of a run. The arms of the handler come up in celebration as the dog's butt goes down and knocks the last bar. Come on, you know you've done it!!! You just didn't know it had a name.

The full Kittrell - This is a tricky one, you fall down while running your dog. You proceed to get up and act like "nothing" out of the ordinary has happened. Luckily, no one has been hurt while performing this maneuver. Unless you count Betsy, she broke her wrist....but that was during class. Does that count?

The Wichmann Whirl - This move requires the assistance of the dog. The handler loose site of the dog and thus said handler spins "360 degrees" while dog stays on the correct course. I actually have this one on film!! Wait....I'll post it below.

http://gotsyzygy.blogspot.com/2008/03/wichmann-whirl.html

Obviously this site will need to include these definitions in a side bar so everyone can become familiar with specific moves and knows what to call them.

I can only guess Terry didn't put his dog on the leash at the end of the run. Bet he does do that one again!! Well figure out a name and post it. I like the "DR.T"....we'll get a better description from Sue Ann!! Nice Job Meg!! You'll have to decide what to call that!!

First Week of Class!!

The first week of Class is over. I always look forward to getting back into training groove, and seeing all the friends and dogs that I miss over the winter months.

SPRING IS HERE!!

We got pretty lucky on the weather, it wasn't RAINING!!! That's always a plus!
It was bit windy Wednesday night, but that's nothing new.
I continue to look forward to warmer days and more daylight!

I was really impressed with every one's dogs! They looked GREAT!!!
You should all be very proud!!
FANTASTIC WORK!! BRILLIANT EVEN!!

One thing to remember to do "OFTEN" is to stop and reward your dog. I know it's so hard when things are going so well, but that's exactly when you want to!! You want that behavior to be repeated, so STOP and let them know how WONDERFUL they are!!!

Mary wins the "GOOD JOB YOU!" award for the week!! She stopped and reward Maestro when he did a beautiful job coming between those two jumps!!!
It was PERFECT!!
He's a big dog and it took a lot of control on his part to make that turn.

(Maestro - last summer - by Sheryl McCormick)

I was telling Mary about Susan Garrett's website and the new "Podcast" available "FREE"!!!
It's called "2 of 30" and that's JUST WHAT SHE DID!!!
Do you want to hear it?
You just have to sign up for her newsletter at -

http://www.clickerdogs.com

It's about rewarding your dog and "when" you should do it.
It's a great reminder for all of us!
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This weekend and the next week we have a lot of exciting things happening!

Jeff and Bea will be in Glen Carbon, IL - looking for that ONE DQ for her MACH!!!!
Good LUCK JEFF and BEA!!!!
Terry - Rip, Michele - Cider, and Meg - Emmi will be cheering them on!!

Carrie and Addie are off to Topeka, KS for the Welsh Cardigan Specialty!!
HAVE FUN!!!!
400 Cardigan Corgis in one place, it will be a blast!!
DON'T MAX OUT THAT CHARGE CARD!!

I'll keep everyone updated as I hear your results!

Have a great weekend and HUG YOUR DOGS!!!!

2010 AKC Nationals - Tulsa, OK

The AKC Nationals are in Tulsa, OK in 2010!!

This is the same location as the 2008 Nationals in which Kruz, Bill and I attended last year. It is a FABULOUS site, so mark the dates on your calendar and let's plan on sending some "Orange People" and their dogs!!!!!

The requirements are listed below. Some of you are there or well on your way!!

New for 2010 - Preferred Dogs are now eligible!

News and Updates

2010 AKC National Agility Championship
March 26, 27, 28, 2010
updated April 2, 2009

The 2010 AKC National Agility Championship will be held March 26 - March 28, 2010 at the Ford Truck Arena and Mustang Arena at Expo Square in Tulsa Oklahoma . Hotel information will be available at a future date, there are many in the area. Plan to attend now. Please contact Andy Hartman, Director of Agility (aah@akc.org) if you are willing to volunteer to work at this exciting 3-day event.

The qualifying period for dogs to earn points and Double Q’s to gain entry to this event is December 1, 2008 through and including November 30, 2009.

NEW in 2010: Dogs competing in the Preferred Class are invited to participate in the National Agility Championship!

AKC is excited that dogs competing in the Preferred agility classes will be eligible to compete in the 2010 AKC National Agility Championship. The Preferred and Regular class dogs will compete for separate awards at this event.

NOTE: In order for dogs to compete in the Preferred class at the 2010 AKC National Agility Championship they must only compete in the Preferred classes (excluding any runs at the 2009 National Agility Championship) from March 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009.

Dogs from the Regular classes will be eligible to enter this event if they earn at least 6 Double Q's and 400 MACH points from the Regular Excellent B Standard and Jumpers With Weaves classes during the qualifying period. Exhibitors should keep track of any Double Q’s and MACH points earned during this time period.

Dogs from the Preferred classes will be eligible to enter this event if they earn at least 6 Double Q’s from the Preferred Excellent B Standard & Jumpers With Weaves class during the qualifying period. Therefore, exhibitors should keep track of any Double Q’s earned during this time period.