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CKC hosted it's combined TD/X on February 16, 2003. We had 30 entires for
8 slots ( 4TD/4TDX) and the entries were split 15/15 for each level.
Conditions became horrendous the Friday prior to plotting day, but the
judges, Carol Pernicka and Stephanie Gonyeau braved the elements along
with the track layers and completed the job in excellent fashion. Test
day dawned a cold 2 degrees....with snow cover of various depths after
the winds rearranged the landscape overnight. All the exhibitors were
given specific and direct instructions concerning guiding..and instructed
NOT to even turn in the direction of the next leg until the dog had
totally committed and moved out a full 20 feet before the handler even
turned and started going with the dog....As far as corners..all these
handlers were very patient and allowed the dog to do all the work before
committing to any leg with them. EXCELLENT handling all around. And
nearly all the tracks were visible for most part from a vantage point
where the gallery could easily observe the tracking posture and deep
noses these dogs were using. Only the Am. Water Spaniel's track was not
visible in it's start and would have been visible to the gallery if the
team had moved well passed the first three turns. We were rewarded with
four TD passes and one TDX. The specifics of the passing tracks, are: TD 1... Giant Schnauzer(dog)..strong start, wonderful turns..( I think did a bit of casting at one corner..but tracked with nice purpose *happy body* all the way to the end.) Wonderful indication at the WHITE glove. ( all the TD gloves were white) now titled: K-Lee's Highway Castaway,TD..... Karen Shawhan. TD 2... Vizsla(dog)....another strong start and we could see the outline of this perfect tracking dog, .along with his handler following steadily behind as if tracking on rails. Glove indication was not visible to the gallery, as they were slightly behind the crest of a hill at that point..But since they were soon at the top of the hill happily interacting with each other,. we knew it was a successful *find* and then the handler waved the glove in the air. On returning to the cars, Hope told us all.."there was no way I could have guided my dog..look at my glasses!" They were totally steamed over!! now titled: Carillon's Ring with Brio,TD.....Hope Sass TD3..West Highland White Terrier(bitch).....another strong start as this nearly ( ONLY) two year old little bitch trucked up the hill and purposefully attacked the track. After the second turn she gave us a bit of concern as she apparently stopped along that leg several times and seemed to be looking over to the original ridge, as if to question " who are those people and why are they watching me...and they are dressed in RED!!" ..where the judges and TL could watch the entire track without following the team. We thought she was going to loose interest..but the handler patiently waited and soon the dog resumed with commitment and trucked on through the rest of the legs...we all marvelled at how white she was and how she blended perfectly into the landscape..only little ears sticking out with authority..really cute. Merrily told us the dog got involved in playing with stuff under the snow and messing around..fortunately, after the brief distraction, she proved she knew what she was there for and continued on. now titled: Rise N Shine Name O' The Game,TD.....Merrily Shultz TD 4 ... Miniature Schnauzer( dog). ..this track was at the far end of the field and moved in an oblique angle up a rather large hill , across the landscape toward the top and snaked it's way back down again. This nearly 11 year old dog delighted his handler with a great glove indication and allowed Sharon to garner ANOTHER VCD1 title with only the second min. schnauzer to do so...and the first one was also handled by her , at OUR test two years ago. now titled: Shar Way's Day Tripper, CD, TD,NA, NAJ.....Sharon Bloss ATX2...Border Terrier ( dog) . This team was second alternate and not contacted until around 3:00 Saturday. One TDX exhibitor withdrew shortly after the original draw. The first alternate started out from Minnesota area Friday evening..and then elected to return Saturday due to the terrible weather conditions and reports of treacherous travel through Iowa. Dottie Tice elected to forego an agility trail and jump in her car to get to Lincoln Saturday evening. She even arrived at the test site at 8:30 AM ( even though the draw for TDX was 10:00). She said she was so excited and nervous. Then she had to watch all the heartbreaking attempts of the first three dogs before running her dog. Dottie handled her dog beautifully and allowed him to purposefully negotiate every leg of the track. He negotiated the first four turns well , and we could see them drop down through a gully that had tried to eat one of the judges yesterday ( if not both judges!!) they gathered their first article and then disappeared behind a tree filled draw and we all held our breath until we saw them reappear way out from that area to cross a road. We knew there were cross tracks on this very long leg., beyond the draw and before the road crossing., but could not see how they handled them from our vantage point. After the road there was another set of cross tracks, as well as the third article and another turn, followed by another long 150 yard leg to the final glove. We could not see any of this, as it was beyond a rise..we could only see the judges standing on the road observing the team. We dared not to venture further up, as the map indicated the last leg returned back toward us, just over the rise. When the judges waved....we sent our fearless club president, Carolyn Baily ( who doesn't' train tracking but comes out every year to drive the judges., as she adores the conversation and camaraderie...even though she thinks we're nuts!!) When the team returned to the judges and we saw hugging., followed by Carolyn tooting her car horn, we knew we had our very first TDX pass ( this is the second year we offered TDX) . Everybody was thrilled for this lady and her wonderful border terrier dog. This border terrier is Danby's Wycomb Tillar, VCD1, AX, AXJ, JE and now also TDX. Diane captured a beautiful head shot and pose of him..as well as his demonstration of his deep nose tracking style as he waited for us to take his picture. Not passing this day, but showing great talent and readiness were: Vizsla( dog) missed the third article as he tracked with determination over it American Water Spaniel( dog) investigated the first set of X-tracks, several times, team whistled for guiding Border Terrier ( bitch) circled around the second article, handler tracked over it without seeing it. It was a great test!!! All the workers should be proud of their effort..and the teams were all wonderful and definitely ready to exhibit. Special thanks to the JUDGES: Carol Pernicka and Stephanie Gonyeau.CHIEF TRACK LAYER: Diane Hoy. X_TRACKLAYER COORDINATOR: Frank Jonas. TRACKLAYERS: Dian Quist Sulek, Norm Tucker, Ann Kleimola, Mary Kramer, Sharlin McDermott, Tonja Pettit, Fern Coon, Elbert Traylor, Leone and Don Dieter. As well as Sunday's extra helpers: Carolyn Baily and Jayne Tucker. Jane Jonas, Chairperson/Secretary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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