BEARDED COLLIE CLUB OF AMERICA

14th Annual BCCA Agility Trial

6 October 2009

Logo by Chet Jezierski

Bryant Park, Bloomington, MN

Event Chairs

Judith Morris
timabbie@aol.com

Sue Jamison
shafferkamp@yahoo.com

Agility Hospitality

Jane Tadsen
islefarm@frontiernet.net

Judith Morris
timabbie@aol.com

Sue Jamison
shafferkamp@yahoo.com

Show Secretary

Cindy Wegner
www.allwaysawinner.com

Judi Morris, BCCA Agility Trial Co-Chair:

The 2009 BCCA National Specialty Agility Trial was held October 6th at Bryant Park in Bloomington, MN.  We were pleased to showcase local talent by having Tom Slattery as our agility judge. Tom is a favorite with area exhibitors; he runs Norwegian Elkhounds in agility, and is an active member in breed and training clubs. Tom judged all classes, Standard, JWW and FAST.

52 Beardies were entered this year.  Entries came from Canada and 19 US states.  High in Trial for Standard and JWW went to Jill Scarborough & Shug.  High in Trial for FAST went to Janet Norikane & Gina.  Four teams earned Double Qs:  Jill Scarborough & Shug,  Abbie Morris & Echo,  Terry Manganiello & Darby, and Jan Leverenz & Guinness.

It would be difficult to reflect on this agility trial without mentioning the weather.  Over 1.5 inches of rain fell in 24 hours– three times more than the entire month of September.  On the day this article is being written, BBC Weather reports Scotland’s weather as “Heavy rain continues.  High of 8 deg C (46 F),” the exact conditions experienced at Bryant Park on October 6th.  The similarity to conditions our Beardies were bred for may explain why so many seemed to be in their element – happy, hardy and in high drive!

But despite the rain, the trial ran well and there are many people to thank for that.  Thanks to Agility Co-Chair Sue Jamison for coordinating the food, raffles, and relay prizes.  Thanks to Kris Haslund, Connie Wees, Sandy Oelfke, Bill Lozito, Bill Morris, Paul Jamison & Maggie and Joe Riechman for their hard work with logistics. Thanks to the many other BCCA members who jumped in. to help where needed.  At the risk of missing some, I’d like to acknowledge those I recall, including Patsy Sullivan, Carole Desmond, Joann Williamson, Jeff Ipser, Janet Norikane and Libby Myers-Buhite.

Libby Myers-Buhite, BCCA Agility Co-Chair and Founder of BAD:

It has been very rewarding sharing more than twelve years with all of you and seeing so many Diehards at the 2009 BCCA National Specialty in Minneapolis!  Those participating in the Agility Trial were truly worthy of the name Diehards. By the time the final Standard courses were run, the puddles were ankle deep!  Our Beardies, of course, were in their element, and twenty of them earned legs despite the downpour.  Both Judi Morris and her Co-Chair Sue Jamison did a wonderful job with the trial, hospitality, and prizes.  A delicious, warm lunch in the middle of a cold wet day was welcome indeed!  A full article on the trial is in this Bulletin, but I’d like to offer congratulations to Jill Scarborough and Shug for Highs in Trial for both Standard and JWW.  Jill set a standard with Jack, and Shug is definitely following in his footsteps!  Jan Norikane and Gina earned a High in Trial in FAST.  The courses were NOT easy and only three qualified in that class all day: Gina, Zoom, and Flash.  It was lovely sharing a BAD dinner with several of you on the eve of the trial.  Judge Tom Slattery was our guest of honor.  This dinner is always a highlight of the Specialty for me. 

Jan Norikane:

We had a great time.  It was too bad about the weather but it is what you make of it.  I was thrilled just to Q in JWW and FAST and win to win HIT was way more than we could have hoped for.  I think Glenn got tired of hearing it since I probably repeated it a million times on the way home but I still can't believe we didn't knock any bars with the wet coat.  We knock them on dry land so I didn't think we would leave many up.

Maryann Szalka:

First time I've ever run a course where the numbers were "submerged"! Despite the downpour and standing water, our Beardies were troopers and did what we asked of them.

Agility Judge Tom Slattery

From Judge Tom Slattery: 

“It was a cold and rainy October day at as the Beardie handlers gathered for the National Specialty Agility Trial.  Little did they know what was in store for them: rain, rain, followed by some rain, and, just for fun, more rain. 

As the judge, I was impressed by a number of things.  The attitudes of both dogs and handlers were outstanding.  It was unfortunate that weather had to play such a big factor in the trial, but into each life a little rain must fall.  OK, lots of rain.  For those who qualified, congratulations!  A "Q" well earned.  

We moved the main ring and it held up fairly well until standard, when it closely resembled Lake Superior.  So at least we got through jumpers without much of a glitch.  I suspect going back to the hotel with a soaked dog and handler team wasn't the most pleasant experience.  So, how long does it take to dry off a totally soaked Beardie?  Inquiring minds want to know.

It was a lot of fun judging the BCCA agility trial.  It's an honor to be asked to judge a club’s  National.  We're not going to let rain stand in the way of a good time.”

About Judge Tom Slattery: 

In 1978, the week after my wife Carol and I moved into our first house we got our first Norwegian Elkhound. When I was growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, there were about a half-dozen Elkhounds in my neighborhood and I always said, “When I grow up, I want one of those!” Luckily Carol (after having a Dachshund as a kid) was OK with the breed switch and from that first dog a hobby, or maybe a passion, was born. Carol started showing in conformation and obedience about 20 years ago, and when she sustained a knee injury I was promoted from kennel help to conformation handler. In the mid-1990’s I discovered agility, which made conformation “the road less traveled.”

I am former president (and agility trial chair) of the St. Croix Valley Kennel Club and former president of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America. I am also treasurer of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Minnesota and am a member of and agility instructor for the St. Paul Dog Training Club. We have six Elkhounds now: Ch Rookie (UD and lots of agility titles, but now retired), Ch Scout (proud mom and lots of agility titles and also retired), Ch Vince (more agility titles and semi-retired), six-year-old Flurry (currently showing in conformation but also with agility titles) and two of Flurry’s kids, Bob and Cleo both of whom show in conformation and one of these days will see an agility ring as well.

Good luck to everyone running at the Beardie National trial. It’s a great honor to judge a National and I’m looking forward to the assignment. I hope you all find the courses meaningful and fun and that everyone and their dogs run well.

Agility Standard Results

47 entered, 28 ran, 9 qualified

Nov B 20"

Exc A 20"

Exc B 20"

Exc B 24"

Open Preferred 16"

Exc B Preferred 16"