Competition Obedience Brags

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October 12/13, 2003 Fraser Valley Dog Fanciers Cloverdale, BC My black Labrador Retriever, Black Rock Life of Reilly CD, JH, CC, CGC (Reilly), earned qualifying scores in Novice B to complete two legs of his Canadian CD. I wish I could report that his heeling has improved, but even after much practicing (and practicing...), his heeling is still lackadaisical unless there is something in it for him (i.e., food). One of these days I will find that "something" to inspire my mellow boy :-) The nice thing about the Candian shows is that they hand out the scoring with the ribbons. ~Darlene Pado
8/22/03 & 8/23/03 Cooper finished his CD and took HIT both days at the Puget Sound Dalmatian Club specialties! Kathy Mulej
8/23/03 Karma earned HIT out of Novice-B at the Western Washington Whippet Association Specialty - Debbie La Monica-Anderson
August 2, 2003 On August 2 at the Puget Sound Labrador Retriever Association 2003 Specialty, Black Rock Life of Reilly CD, JH, CC, CGC earned a qualifying score and 1st place in Open A to earn the first leg of his CDX title. The judge was Harlowe Jahelka.
6/22/03 Yesterday, at the obedience trials in Richmond, BC, Karma got the last leg of her Canadian CD! She was not as stellar as at the last trials we participated in in Canada with this club, but she also was not the Karma who mopes around the ring and barely pulls it out of her hat, either. Her score was 185... respectable, but not stellar, I suppose. My heart did not pound like in "The Telltale Heart" on her stays, because she is far more comfortable on mats and carpets than on the dirt and pebbles at the Agriplex. It is my understanding that Karma got "High Scoring Hound" in the two trials yesterday. A friend told me that Lonnie picked up our prize and is bringing it home (a way cool running whippet or greyhound silhouette wooden )leash holder. - Deb
May 10, 2003 At the CKCSC, USA (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) National Specialty in San Jose, CA on May 10, 2003, under judge Rosalie Alvarez, Brix earned the third leg on her C-UD (Cavalier Utility Dog) to become the first dog in the club to earn this title! The separate CKCSC, USA obedience program began in 1995, when the breed was admitted to the AKC Toy Group. Brix is currently U-CDX Laughing Brix UD, C-UD, Can. CD. In the First and Foremost 2003 Ranking System, Brix was #2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This was based on limited showing in the first four months of 2002. She was also ranked #2 Cavalier in Utility A. - Jane Pitts
04/03 We got home from the Whippet National in Chicago. The trip was great, but we are glad to be home. Karma finished her AKC CD with a placement
3/15/03 - 3/16/03 GRCBC Obedience Trials About 20 dogs entered in Novice-A, all four trials Saturday, Trial 1: Karma looked stunning, even on her heeling. She was relatively animated (for Karma).. and made it all of the way through the exercises without deflating. Then came the recall... Karma came in relatively slowly.. looked a little distracted, and sat about two feet too far away (automatic failure if you can't touch your dog...). The judge was really disappointed and asked if I could grow my arms two feet longer really fast. Of course, I couldn't.. so we failed.. but it was a good failure (and the judge said that he liked her heeling!). We spent the next few warm-up periods that we had working on a proper recall. Saturday, Trial #2 Karma did a great job, qualified, and took fourth place of about 10 qualifiers with a 186.5, and nice compliments from the judge on her heeling. She missed a couple of automatic sits, which was probably somehow a handling issue on my part (though I had a firm hold on my shirt, so I don't think I moved my arm...). Need to figure this out and wish that I had videotaped it... but my camera bit the dust. Sunday Trial #3 Karma looked good... Not quite as animated as Saturday AM.. but still head up and nice heeling. Missed a few automatic sits again. She blew a 189 score, though, when in the last 15 seconds of her down stay, she got up (dirt floor with pebbles and no mats.. not exactly the perfect Whippet venue on a cold day... but no excuses.. she could have held this down). Still, I was very pleased with her performance. The judge said that she looked great, especially her HEELING! The judge, when giving out awards talked about us being entered in "Nervous-A". It was a very funny, but true statement! Sunday Trial #4 Waiting to go into the ring, the ring steward told us that it was such a pleasure to see a whippet, who when you looked at her "someone is home". I didn't know whether to be offended or complimented (I think that MOST whippets are smart, just not in a traditional way...), so I chose to be complimented. I'm sure that was what she meant! We worked on our down and down stay on the dirt floor for a while between trials, so that Karma could have her jackpot. Karma's heeling looked good, she did her automatic sits (a little crooked, but we'll take it), her recall was good, and I was pleased. She gave me heart failure on the down stay a few times with elbow baubles that looked like she was going to get up, but then she thought better of it and stayed. This was probably the longest three minutes of my life. ...and I SWEAR that Edgar Allen Poe was exhibiting in Novice-A when he came up with the premise for "The Telltale Heart". We made it through the stays and were very pleased standing outside of the ring and waiting for scores. The judge called for the NS Duck Tolling Retriever, who had taken the class at the other three trials to come in for a run-off. This was exciting! The judge teased that we'd just have to wait to see who the other dog was. The toller did a nice job of heeling. Then he called "Number 21!" "Ohmygod that's US!" We went into the ring, and I sat Karma and removed her lead for the heel free- runoff exercise. I felt really good about her performance when we were done. We left the ring and waited... The judge called all qualifiers back in the ring, made his schpiel, and then handed out 4th place and 3rd place ribbons. We were still standing there.. Then he said, "And second place today, with a score of 195, Goes to the Toller". Ohmygod I felt like Miss America when I realized that meant that we had won the runoff and had taken the class against the dog who had beaten everyone the whole weekend! Then the judge said, "And first place, with a score of 195 and a fabulous run-off, goes to WOW, what a Whippet! Dog and handler team #21!" He said that her heeling was amazing. I thanked him, took all of the congrats, and walked out of the ring amidst handshakes.. walked over to our chair, and started to bawl. Our work this week is paying off... and that work has been on way more than just heeling. The good heeling was just the by-product of all of the other stuff that Kathy stressed about our relationship.
January 11, 2003 - February 1, 2003 At the Western Washington Cluster in January 2003, Black Rock Life of Reilly CGC earned qualifying scores to complete two legs of his CD title. Since it was Reilly's first (Tacoma Kennel Club, 1/10/03) and second (Sammamish Kennel Club, 1/11/03) experience in an AKC obedience ring, I was very proud of my boy. The judge at the Tacoma Kennel Club show was Christopher Cornell, and the judge at the Sammamish Kennel Club show was Richard F. Christ. In his 4th show (Seattle Kennel Club) on February 1, 2003, Reilly earned his third qualifying score and third place in Novice A to complete his CD obedience title. The judge was Earl B. Vaughan.
Sept. 14-15, 2002 At the Wenatchee KC shows, Ann Lettenberger finished her OBEDIENCE TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP on Laddie, her 11-year old rescue border collie!!! This is Ann's second OTCH border collie and she earned both OTCH titles training with me! (I'm bragging for her because Ann doesn't have email!) Ann was HIT & HC Saturday and HC on Sunday. ~ Kathy
August 31-Sept. 1, 2002 At the Cavaliers of the West specialty show in Beaverton, Oregon over Labor Day weekend, Brix was High in Trial on both days, once from Open and once from Utility. She now has two UD legs in the CKCSC, USA registry. ~ Jane Pitts
August 23 & 24, 2002 Cooper the Dalmatian came through the pre-novice class at our Regional Specialties this weekend with scores of 192 and 190.5. This was after not being able to do any kind of stay this week! It was really hard for him with all the other spotted dogs around at the specialty and all the people that he wanted to say hello to so badly. I was very pleased! ~ Kathy Mulej
August 17, 2002 Akia's White Water Running (Loki, Papillon) earned her first AKC novice leg with a score of 195 in Novice B. We did not place, but were a respectable 6th out of 34 dogs. I am very proud! She also won High Scoring Papillon and received a beautiful purple beach towel with butterflies on it! ~ Lonnie Bowman
August 17, 2002 Kira (Akita) got her first Novice leg with 192.5 and second place in Novice A. (First place was 193, so we were very close!) Kira really saved us on the heeling. It definitely wasn't MY day (tripping over my own feet, missing a command, mis-stepping an about turn). But she stuck with me through it all. You go girl! Now, for the lesson learned: Watch for the judges' chalk marks on the floor -- and proof for them. We almost lost our recall because Kira had to stop and check out what was on the floor. Next time I'll make sure I'm standing on it! ~ Shelly West
August 17, 2002 Sadie (Lhasa Apso), was High in Trial at the Lhasa Apso Specialty show from the Open B class. She came very close to passing Utility A, too! ~ Carol Hess
August 10 & 11, 2002 This weekend was exciting for me and (I guess) for Phinn (Bearded Collie). We received the first two legs of our CDX title AND we took Best of Breed both days! On Sunday we made the final cut of 6 dogs in the Herding Group! A very exciting weekend...I have not had one like that, EVER before! Phinn and I had a great time together. He was still his bouncy Beardie self. I don't think he realized how well we were doing!!! ~ Jenn Sanders
August 9, 2002 U-CD Snowtaire Iceni Step-in Time AKC/CKC CD, JE (Disco) went High in Trial at the All-Terrier Club Summer Specialty Show out of the Novice B class. ~ Marcella Belardinelli
July 12, 2002 U-CD Snowtaire Iceni Step-in Time AKC/CKC CD, JE finished his three Companion Dog titles in the last two months. He placed in all trials except one. We did win first place in Novice B in all four trials in Canada and even had a run off for HIT. We received a folding chair for HIT runner up, and was honored to be in the company of greatness. Disco will continue to compete this summer in the Novice B class, then onto Open next year. Oh yes, he still needs one more qualifying run for his Senior Earthdog; will have another chance in October at the Moses Lake test. ~ Marcella Belardinelli
June 29 & 30, 2002 At the Bell-Vernon trials in Mount Vernon, FDTC students did well (but did not send in their brags, so I'm doing this with limited info...send in your brags!): Congrat's to Monica Miller for finishing Jordan's UD (Golden Retriever), to Ann Lettenberger & Laddie (Border Collie) for High Combined both days and HIT on Sunday with 199, to Vicki Sunde & Dazzle (Rottweiler) for winning UB on Saturday & being HS Rottie (not sure how they did on Sunday), to Mary Berry & Bronz'n for HS Terv & 3rd in OB on Saturday (not sure how they did on Sunday).
Saturday, May 25, 2002 At the MVDTC UKC trial in Woodinville, WA, Brix (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) earned the first leg on her U-UD title with a fourth place in Utility B. I was happy to see that the new puppy in the family has not put her off form! - Jane Pitts
May 18 & 19 Laddie (rescue Border Collie) earned a perfect 200 score from Open B, plus HIT and HC on Saturday at the Mt. Baker KC shows in Lynden, WA. On Sunday he was also HIT from Open B with 197-1/2! ~ Ann Lettenberger
May 18 Bronz'n (Belgian Tervuren) earned his 5th UDX leg at the Lynden show. ~ Mary Berry
April 28 and 29 Jonathan went High in Trial at the Yakima show from Open B with a score of 196! He won a big blue and gold ribbon and a HUGE platter. On Monday he won his Utility class, but anticipated the drop signal in Open. So there's still 10 elusive UDX legs for us out there. Sarah took a well deserved break this weekend. Look for Jonathan soon in the Agility ring! ~ Rita Williams
April 27, 2002 CH XamxKris Van 'T Hof Ten Eynder CD CDX UD DD (Draft Dog) HF (Hall of Fame) PE (Plateau of Excellence) (bred by Franky De Tandt - Belgium) became the 7th Champion Utility Titled Saint Bernard in the history of the breed on April 27, 2002 at the Walla Walla KC shows in Eastern Washington. He's pictured at right with judge, Pam Weaver. Some interesting tidbits: Kris is my 4th UD-titled Saint ( I a have put more UD titles on Saint Bernard than anyone else); Kris earned the title in 4 trials in 2 weeks; My other Saints, AM/CAN CH/ CAN OTCH Cherryacres Nicklus V Hyden AM/CAN UD, finished his UD on 4/29/72, CAN OTCH Frederick Von Hyden AM/CAN UDT, finished his UD at the Walla Walla shows (4/25/75), and WDCH Mar-Wils Markus Von Hyden UDT DD completed his UD on 4/26/89--notice the closeness of the dates; Kris (still very young) is the oldest of my Saints to complete a UD at 3 yrs. 4 months of age (Nicklus and Markus were about 2 1/2 and Freddy 1 1/2 years when they completed their UD titles); Kris most likely earned his 3 legs in the shortest time span of any Saint in AKC history (Kris is the 64th UD in the breed). Kris's Sire is CH Bernegardens Ragtime and Dam Rabigail Van Het Mazerhof. His Utility legs came from the Utility A class with two seconds and one first at all-breed shows! ~ John Cox
April 14, 2002 I have a brag from Ephrata-Moses Lake. Pooh (Golden Retriever) won Novice B with a score of 198 1/2 (1/2 point off of High In Trial). Then we went into the Breed ring!!! Pooh got Winners Dog (for 2 pts), Best of Breed and a Group 4!!! I'm still floating!!! I'm not sure a Golden has ever done all of that in the same day!!! ~ Claudia Shaw
April 13, 2002 Belgium Boy makes history in America......Kris (St. Bernard) has started the quest to add another new title to his name when he QUALIFIED in UTILITY!!! (This is the first time in 15 years that a Champion Saint Bernard has qualified in Utility. The last time was June, 1986.) Kris won 2nd place in a class of 7 dogs of different breeds. Kris did a fine job and earned a 186.5 (out of 200 points) for his first leg toward the UD title. For Saint Bernards this is quite a title to achieve and only 63 have earned the title since 1936. Of those 63, only 6 were champions. So we have our goals set to be the number 7 CH UD Saint Bernard. If this is to be, I will have had 2 of the 7 CH UDs of the breed. On Sunday, Kris tried again and goofed on one article and the Directed Jumping. The rest of the work was good. He is still new at the utility work so we are very glad to have one UD leg. Directed Jumping seems to be where he needs the most practice. He has missed this exercise every time except the time he qualified. His articles are getting better and on Sunday he just grabbed the second article and did not work the pile. So we have our work cut out. We will practice for two weeks and try again at the end of the month. After the success of the Utility Leg, Kris and Lina (who went along for the ride and moral support) went to Burger King and had a cheeseburger! Of course, there were no cheeseburgers on Sunday. If they ever figure out that the cheeseburgers are connected to the UD qualifying scores, we will have a 100% passing rate. ~ John Cox
John Cox, Kris & Lina
April 13, 2002 At the Moses Lake show it was Sarah's turn to shine with a bonus leg on her CDX, first place in the class and a score of 192. ~ Rita Williams
March 30-31, 2002 Sunbeam Played To Poohfect'n (Pooh) finished his CD today with a 196 1/2 in NB. I pulled Ragin' out of retirement after finishing his OTCH last year and put him in OB and UB. In Open he needed to turn up his hearing aid a little, since he didn't come the first time I called him on the Drop on Recall :(. In UB he was WILD!!!! Had a very good time, and even passed the class. The judge commented on how much fun he was to watch!! At least someone was amused!! ~ Claudia Shaw
March 30-31, 2002 At the WSOTC trials in Seattle, WA, Brix (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) earned her first UDX leg on Saturday and was High Scoring Toy Dog. On
March 30-31, 2002 At Washington State Obedience Training Club's trials, Jonathan finished his UD title with a score of 191.5. Sarah finished her CDX title with second place and a score of 195.5, and a third place and a score of 193.5. Jonathan also earned a 197 score in Open B for fifth place, and the two of them together won the Brace class! A few more shows to go, then on to Spring & Summer hiking! ~ Rita Williams
March 23, 2002 Monte (Yellow Lab) finished his UKC-CD! ~ Sarah Ness
March 23, 2002 Brix (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) earned her UD today with a first place in Utility A at the Peninsula Dog Fanciers Club Show in Bremerton, WA. She is now U-CDX Laughing Brix UD, C-CDX, CGC. - Jane Pitts
March 9, 2002 Brix got her second AKC Utility leg today at the Timberland Valley DFA show in Centralia, WA! She qualified in the Utility B class and earned a 4th place - she seems to like the mixed-up order of exercises. Now she has two AKC Utility legs and one Utility leg in CKCSC, USA (non-AKC Cavalier registry.) ~ Jane Pitts

Feb 2-3, 2002 At the Seattle Kennel Club shows, Jonathan got his second UD leg with a 1st place and 189.5 score. Pictures of Jonathan appeared on the AKC website and I had no idea that they were even being taken! ~ Rita Williams

Jan. 11-13, 2002 At the Puyallup shows, Jonathan (Sheltie) got his first UD leg with a 1st place and 192 score. He also earned 2nd place in Open B with 195. ~ Rita Williams

January 2002 Alice Claire'dale is shown earning her U-CD title at the Monroe Valley Dog Training Club trials in Monroe. ~ Lydia Ross
May 26, 2001 Tash's Kontessa Kan Do, German Shepherd, finished her U-CD at the Monroe Valley Trials. ~ Cathy Horrocks
May 19, 2001 Tash's Khoda Chrom, Mixed Breed, earned 1st place in Open A at the Monroe Valley Trials. ~ Cathy Horrocks