Club Report Fall 2004
T
he Ontario Regionals were a well organized and classy event put on by the Capital City Schutzhund Club. The weather was great with sunny skies and low humidity. Thanks so much to Howie Jackman for escorting Claire and me all over Southern Ontario in search of tracking fields and helping us find our way to and from the club. We sure could have used one of those toll discount passes though. We used the 407 up to 4 times a day but it was just too damn convenient to pass up.I was pleasantly surprised when I ended up on the podium in third place.
A big disappointment for Claire (and the rest of us) however, when a much anticipated protection routine was cut short because Cabre refused to be called out of the blind. We both gained more valuable trial experience, which Claire will be using when she tries for her SchH 1 again in Wisconsin on August 28th. Good luck Claire and don’t forget to use your “big trial voice”. Yes I know Cabre is adorable, but you could at least ACT mad!
In July we invited Pat Brown-John to Thunder Bay to help us tie up some loose ends in our training program. We had a fantastic two days packed with hours and hours of tips and techniques to improve all levels of handling. Pat even had the whole field set up like a major competition with flags and umbrellas and banners and blinds before the rest of us finished making the coffee. As an added bonus, Pat got to take in her favorite music at the Blue’s Fest on Saturday night thanks to Bob and Trish who secured the tickets. Thanks Pat for a great weekend and we look forward to your return next year.
“I’ve been everywhere man, I’ve been everywhere” as the song goes, due to Air Canada and the little surprise they hit me with just before I was to fly out of Thunder Bay on my way to compete at Nationals in St. John NB. They informed me that my crate wouldn’t fit on the plane then madly pounded away on the computer till they found a way, albeit indirect, to get me and my dog to Moncton. We were only 4 1/2 hours late and got to change planes in Toronto, Montreal, and Halifax before finally arriving in Moncton. Nice STRESS TEST! We both survived and went on to successfully compete at a very well run National event. The venue was terrific and congratulations to Fundy Regional SchH Club for putting on such a fine event. Thanks to Bob for working with me on the field during practice Wednesday and Thursday and for helping me prepare in all three phases immediately before competing. A big thank you to the Capital City gang for allowing me to practice with them during scheduled practice times. You guys are the greatest! Thanks to April and Claire and William for your moral support. You were all a great help. I can hardly wait till next year’s Nationals to be held on the West Coast. (I’ll be flying West Jet!)
Congratulations to Team Canada and good luck at the World’s.
The Thunder Bay Schutzhund Club will be having a trial September 24th and 25th with Judge Frank Mensing. Hope to see some of you there.
Jacki Barnes