2011 News
A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Indi, who celebrates her 9th Birthday today, 15-Dec.
Although we only had one run at the ADAA Christmas trial, 3-Dec, Glendenning, it was such a lovely evening and great to catch up with some agility folk. It's a long time since competing and my run with Lea certainly showed this. Hopefully Alfa will be up and running (literally) in 2012 and we'll be back to it.
NSDTC held their first DWD competition on Sunday, 13-Nov, in the Douglas Pickering Building, St Ives Showground. I had planned to enter Alfa in Heelwork Novice but due to her leg operation, had to be withdrawn. However, as I was involved in the organisation of the event, I still participated in that way and it was most a most enjoyable day. Fire had a small try in the "Ave A Go Ring" although we hadn't planned anything. I was very happy with her focus.
Indi entered the Ku-ring-gai K9 test on Saturday, 5-Nov, at NSDTC and passed the test. I was so proud of my little girl, she is the first of my dogs to enter and gain this Award.
We didn't stay long at the PICSI trial on Sunday, 30-Oct as Alfa was withdrawn due to an injury and Lea wasn't running due to heat.
ADAA held another competition at Camden on Saturday, 15-Oct. The weather started off cool with cloud cover but once the cloud left, it was incredibly warm. Unfortunately I wasn't prepared for this heat after the coolish weather we've been having. I was lucky enough that both Alfa and Lea (running at her new Regular Toy height) both went clear in R-Open Agility, Lea ran very well and placed 1st. Unfortunately after that, we switched rings where the bindies were bad for my dogs and neither dog would run at all. We had some photos taken for the fundraising and I look forward to receiving these.
Alfa and Fire were part of the dancing dogs demonstration held at Warringah Mall on 9-Oct. Although there were lots of distractions, Fire performed her routine pretty well for a 5 month old puppy! The crowd loved her 'feet' trick. Alfa showcased her heelwork routine which went very well despite the small space.
It was a very warm Sunday, 18-Sep for the Dances with Dogs competition at Erskine Park. The morning competition saw Lea have a fun time running around the room, unfortunately she forgot I was also there! In Heelwork Novice, Alfa did quite a good attempt at our new routine and placed 1st. The afternoon brought with it a very pleasant breeze and another non-qualifying routine for Lea although she enjoyed herself immensely. Alfa was lucky enough to place 1st again, so we are well on our way to getting that next title.
Another glorious day on Sunday, 11-Sep for the ADAA trial held out at the Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park. It's a fabulous venue and it was great to see it as the Nationals will be held here next year. Our competition was outside on grass, next to one of the main horse rings, so we were able to watch the showjumping. Alfa did a nice run in her Gamblers class and got a pass. We had no other luck but some close runs. Sunrise filmed some of the competitors for their TV show.
It was a perfect day for agility on Saturday, 3-Sep for the Festival of Agility. I only entered Saturday and was lucky to get Alfa's ADM3 title and a 3rd place in Master Pairs. The Pairs run was loads of fun. Unfortunately Lea was struggling with the 300 height again. It was great to catch up with some friends as I rarely compete in ANKC agility these days.
Another lovely day at the ADAA trial, Glendenning, 6-Aug with balmy weather and some good fortune as well. Alfa was running very well and managed 2 out of 3 runs, getting another R-Advanced pass which was very exciting. Lea ran well but wasn't weaving unfortunately. Indi had a little turn and seemed pleased with that.
The weather was stunning on 30-Jul for the HDAC trial held for the first time at the indoor horse stadium. Unfortunately the surface was very soft, making it very difficult for my dogs to go over the obstacles. Needless to say we had no luck but it was an interesting experiment!
Another successful day at the Dances with Dogs competition, 24-Jul. I had each dog entered once only in their respective classes. Lea was first in HTM Starters and except for a couple of nice moments in position, the rest she ran around the ring having a ball! Fortunately, I had much better luck with Indi who did really well and placed 2nd. I was thrilled and this was also her title. In the afternoon it was Alfa's turn and I was very disappointed with her lack of enthusiasm, especially when she knows the routine so well. But that's dogs for you and despite my lack of confidence, she still managed a pass, gaining her Novice Freestyle title.
When I left home on Saturday, 16-Jul, I wondered if I was mad but you just never know how the day will turn out. In fact, the weather cleared and the ADAA trial at Glendenning turned out very well, with both Alfa and Lea getting 2 passes each.
Agility Dog Club held their trial on Saturday, 9-Jul. It was freezing but clear skies, perfect for agility. It wasn't my day that day, what with poor handling, ill dog and other mishaps, I was happy to head home to a warm house and drown my sorrows. Better luck next time!
The ADAA (PICSI) trial at Parramatta on Sunday, 3-Jul, was nice and close for a change. The weather was perfect - sunny but with a bit of wind to keep temperatures fresh. Alfa, bless her, ran all her 4 runs clear although only one of which we made time and qualified. Indi had a little turn to keep her hand in, and Lea ran well although unpredictable as usual. We had fun in the last team event and even managed a Pass!
Fabulous that ADAA are offering so many trials this year and so we enjoyed another trial down at Kanahooka on Saturday, 18-Jun. Alfa managed another Games pass, Indi again had a little turn and Lea was very keen and did her leaping off the contacts trick. It's a very pleasant trial there and the grounds are usually really good.
Monday, 13-Jun was unfortunately wet and cold. The Nationals Fundraiser Agility trial still took place and Lea had one run. I thought she did fabulously, especially as we arrived late and I hadn't walked the course. She slipped behind me a couple of times, a new little habit she's doing but otherwise flew! Alfa had 2 tries but wasn't weaving that day so we headed home empty-handed.
Dogs NSW held the annual 'Dogs on Show' on Saturday, 11-Jun and despite some grey clouds, for the most of the day the rain held off. Our dancing team had 2 performances, AM and PM, both starting with our group display. I used Lea for that and although she had been ok in the practice session, she was unfortunately quite scared of the crowd and surrounding dogs. However, we got through it ok and she was back to her usual self in no time. In the AM session, Alfa sniffed around and although I got her attention back, I had a mental block and had to fudge my Singin' in the Rain routine. Nevertheless, it was appreciated. Thank goodness in the PM session, we started off very well and it only got better as Alfa's focus on me was fabulous! and I didn't forget my part either! The crowd seemed really impressed and I got some lovely comments afterwards. I was so pleased I attended and helped out. I only wish that it had been a competition! ha ha.
On Saturday, 7-May, we competed in the DWD competition and had a fairly successful day. Out of 4 routines, I got 3 Qualifications so I was thrilled with that. Indi got her first HTM.S pass, as did Lea, being her first ever competition. Lea couldn't achieve the same result in the afternoon and was highly distracted but at least she was enjoying herself! Alfa did a great effort with her Freestyle Novice routine and got a decent score of 165 for her 2nd pass.
We enjoyed a fun day at the Sydney Royal, 27-Apr but with no luck unfortunately. Alfa popped the weaves in ADO, went clear in JDO but over time - she did stop to catch a smell admittedly. Lea ran really well in GDM I thought. We got the opening points but she couldn't do the gamble this time. She was firing and I wish I had entered her in JDO as well.
Another successful ADAA trial on Saturday, 9-Apr with Alfa doing so well, getting 3 out of 3 Quallies again and placing 1st in her height/class each time. Lea even suprised me and got herself a Quallie as well, after her fall off the dog walk, it was good to see she wasn't affected in any way.
On 6-Apr, we were lucky enough to attend the Kath Hardman and Karen Sykes seminar at Erskine Park. A day full of information and lovely to have international competitors sharing their knowledge.
We headed down to Kanahooka for the ADAA trial on Saturday, 26-Mar. Alfa ran really well and got 1st place in the Pairs run plus another 2 Clear Rounds placing first again in her class/height. I'm so pleased we can still work towards goals in the 'Regular' height group. No luck with Lea today although we were very close in Gamblers.
We drove up to Newcastle on 6-Mar. I thought we had the SPDM in the bag but unfortunately our partner missed an obstacle. The ADO run didn't go well either. Lea had issues and I have now retired her from ANKC agility trialling but will continue with ADAA where she feels more comfortable.
A nice little local trial on Saturday, 19-Feb - although no Qs, a very pleasant evening out.
More luck at the HDAC trial 5-Feb, with Alfa getting her 14th SDM Quallie (placing 1st in her height) and another ADO pass as well.
Our first obedience trial on 29-Jan brings no luck however this is not a surprise since I have done no substantial training. My obedience plans are on hold however I still hope to get that CCD title one day.
In Jan-2011, Alfa is chosen as one of the dogs to appear in the Optimum dog food commercial. Unfortunately as yet, the ad hasn't appeared on television. Not long after, Alfa is selected for the 'NRMA Reminders' TVC and appears in the 30 sec version in March. As an additional shot, the director included Indi and Lea and this snippet version is currently still running on TV.