On Thursday, October the 4th, following the AKC portion of the Agility Trial, the Beardie Agility Relay was held. Ten teams competed. Each team consisted of 4 Beardies and 4 handlers. The Relay was run with a baton exchange at the start/finish line. The only faults were 5 points for a knocked bar. Each obstacle had to be completed. The total time PLUS faults = the score. The lowest score WON. We have some fast moving beardies and handlers! The Teams ran and I do mean RAN. Notice how close in time the 4 top placing teams were actually. The team spirit was great. We had kilts scarves hats, bandanas, t-shirts, signs, posters, and flags in abundance. Beardies were barking and leaping for joy everywhere. Tired handlers came to life after the loong drawn out day of standard and jumpers classes. Games and fun are good for an event such as this. Let's hope we see more as time goes on. Enjoying yourself with your Beardie is what it's all about. Thank you to all the teams competing and to our judge, Libby Myers-Buhite.
I was delighted when Beth Canner invited me to judge the Beardie Relays. As the time drew near, I noted great enthusiasm across the country as teams shaped up and names and logos were chosen. Forty participated in the event and spirits were bubbling at the end of the long trial day as all donned their costumes and prepared to run. In preparation for the Relay, Beth asked Gretchen Blackburn to design a banner for the winning team, which they will carry, like the Olympic torch, to next year's Specialty in hopes that team games will continue. Gretchen chose the picture of Sharon Prassa's Annie in full flight across a broad jump for the banner design. By some quirk of fate, two banners were made and we were able to present one to the winning team, "The Whirling North Winds," and one to Sharon in commemoration of Annie.
"Talisker's Open title has been very hard earned, due to his table tantrums. Jura is our little woolly bullet. She is so small and unassuming in appearance and then she just explodes - and, so do the contacts and jumps! The relay was a spectacle. I cannot wait to see it on video. I don't think a beardie can have more fun than they all did in that 15 minutes." -- Ruth Bryden
"I thought the race at the end was a great thing. We all got to laugh and unwind after a long tiring day and just enjoy running with our beards." -- Teri Fleming
"The relay was so fun. I've never competed in a relay before. I'll be more apt to try the USDAA pairs now." -- Sonja Moore