2008 Agility World Team Tryouts
May 3rd & 4th, 2008 - Hopkins, MN
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Day 3 - Sunday, May 4
Sunday morning began with Michelle Persian, a master violinist, and her students performing the National Anthem. The excitement was at a fever pitch as the first day's results had several of the competitors tied for placement points, which will determine who will gain the second spot on the 2008 World Team within each of the 14", 18", and 26" jump heights.
Round 4
Round 4 was a jumpers course designed by Don Farage. Challenges on this course were the weave pole entrance coming off the speed from the previous broad jump obstacle and the threadle, which demonstrated the excellent handling skills of the exhibitors in shaping their partner's path.
Winners in the small dog category were:
1st Place: |
Marcy Mantell and Shetland Sheepdog, Wave |
2nd Place: |
Melanie Del Villaggio and Shetland Sheepdog, Dara |
3rd Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
Winners in the medium category were:
1st Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
2nd Place: |
Lori Michaels and Shetland Sheepdog, Skye |
3rd Place: |
Karen Holik and Shetland Sheepdog, Sizzle |
Winners in the large category were:
1st Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
2nd Place: |
Channan Fosty and Border Collie, Icon |
3rd Place: |
Geri Hernandez and Border Collie, Focus |
Cumulative Winners Rounds 1-4
Small class:
1st Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
2nd Place: |
Marcy Mantell and Shetland Sheepdog, Wave |
3rd Place: |
Melanie Del Villaggio and Shetland Sheepdog, Dara |
Medium class:
1st Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
2nd Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
3rd Place: |
Laurene Galgano and Shetland Sheepdog, Token |
Large class:
1st Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
2nd Place: |
Linda Mecklenburg and Border Collie, Super |
3rd Place: |
Geri Hernandez and Border Collie, Focus |
Round 4 Course Maps and Results
Round 5
The final courses of the competition were designed by Nancy Gyes, the 2008 World Team coach, with each jump height given a separate, unique experience. Running in reverse placement points order from Rounds 1 - 4, the competitors embraced the challenge and gave it their all.
Winners in the small category were:
1st Place: |
Anne Stocum and Shetland Sheepdog, Breeze |
2nd Place: |
Dee Anna Gamel and Shetland Sheepdog, Kelsi |
3rd Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
Winners in the medium category were:
1st Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
2nd Place: |
Lori Michaels and Shetland Sheepdog, Skye |
3rd Place: |
Karen Holik and Shetland Sheepdog, Sizzle |
Winners in the large category were:
1st Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
2nd Place: |
Carrie Jones and Border Collie, Jive |
3rd Place: |
Ann Braue and Border Collie, Scream |
Placement Points Winners
Small class:
1st Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
2nd Place: |
Marcy Mantell and Shetland Sheepdog, Wave |
3rd Place: |
Barb Davis and Shetland Sheepdog, Rock-It |
Medium class:
1st Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
2nd Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
3rd Place: |
Lori Michaels and Shetland Sheepdog, Skye |
Large class:
1st Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
2nd Place: |
Ann Braue and Border Collie, Scream |
3rd Place: |
Linda Mecklenburg and Border Collie, Super |
Please join us in congratulating the members of Team Finland for 2008!!
Joan Meyer and Neil
Ashley Deacon and Luka
Linda Mecklenburg and Super
Marcy Mantell and Wave
Paulette Swartzendruber and Rush
Marcus Topps and Juice
We would also like to thank all of the awesome volunteers that helped to make this event go so smoothly!!
Round 5 Course Maps and Results
Day 2 - Saturday, May 3
Round 1
The exciting World Team Tryouts started out in full swing with Round 1's competition and the dogs attacked the Standard course with zeal. The running order was small, medium, and then large, with the first dog on the line receiving a loud cheer of welcome and good luck. Every run was as action packed as the next.
Round One Judges:
Small (mini) - Don Farage
Medium (midi) - Scott Chamberlain
Large (maxi) - Don Farage
The course had many difficult handling elements, including approach angles, pull-throughs and discriminations. The fastest small and medium teams were those who were able to run a tight line through the first two jumps in the opening sequence and then immediately focus their dog's attention to the tough tunnel entrance, avoiding the allure of the off-course weaves.
The course for the large dogs had the same tight beginning sequence, but presented its own unique challenges. The angle of the broad jump added an element of complexity as the dogs desired to cut the corner during the race to catch up with their handlers at the teeter.
Winners in the small dog category were:
1st Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
2nd Place: |
Marcy Mantell and Shetland Sheepdog, Wave |
3rd Place: |
Barb Davis and Shetland Sheepdog, Rock-It |
Winners in the medium category were:
1st Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
2nd Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
3rd Place: |
Karen Holik and Shetland Sheepdog, Sizzle |
Winners in the large category were:
1st Place: |
Linda Mecklenburg and Border Collie, Super |
2nd Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
3rd Place: |
Jef Blake and Border Collie, Voucher |
Round 1 Course Maps and Results
Round 2
Next up was the challenging Round 2 jumpers course. Medium dogs ran first followed by large dogs and then small dogs. The small dogs had the unique challenge this round with two 360� turns. The jumpers course presented some demanding approach angles to the jumps and weave poles. The handler's ability to run was tested with a blazingly fast six jump closing sequence.
Winners in the small category were:
1st Place: |
Laura Fearn and Shetland Sheepdog, Bruce |
2nd Place: |
Katie Abrams and Shetland Sheepdog, Twix |
3rd Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
Winners in the medium category were:
1st Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
2nd Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
3rd Place: |
Deb Erb and Shetland Sheepdog, Seeker |
Winners in the large category were:
1st Place: |
Jef Blake and Border Collie, Voucher |
2nd Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
3rd Place: |
Paulena Renee Hope and Border Collie, Five |
Round 2 Course Maps and Results
Round 3
The day ended with Round 3's standard class course. This course had lots of twists and turns to test both dog and handler. In the true spirit of agility, camaraderie filled the air. As each team ran all out, the crowd responded by cheering them on enthusiastically.
Winners in the small category were:
1st Place: |
Melanie Del Villaggio and Shetland Sheepdog, Dara |
2nd Place: |
Barb Davis and Shetland Sheepdog, Rock-It |
3rd Place: |
Dee Anna Gamel and Shetland Sheepdog, Kelsi |
Winners in the medium category were:
1st Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
2nd Place: |
Lori Michaels and Shetland Sheepdog, Skye |
3rd Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
Winners in the large category were:
1st Place: |
Linda Mecklenburg and Border Collie, Super |
2nd Place: |
Carrie Jones and Border Collie, Jive |
3rd Place: |
Geri Hernandez and Border Collie, Focus |
Round 3 Course Maps and Results
Cumulative Winners Rounds 1-3
Small class:
1st Place: |
Joan Meyer and Shetland Sheepdog, Neil |
2nd Place: |
Laura Fearn and Shetland Sheepdog, Bruce |
3rd Place: |
Barb Davis and Shetland Sheepdog, Rock-It |
Medium class:
1st Place: |
Ashley Deacon and Pyrenean Shepherd, Luka |
2nd Place: |
Paulette Swartzendruber and Shetland Sheepdog, Rush |
3rd Place: |
Laurene Galgano and Shetland Sheepdog, Token |
Large class:
1st Place: |
Linda Mecklenburg and Border Collie, Super |
2nd Place: |
Marcus Topps and Border Collie, Juice |
3rd Place: |
Ann Braue and Border Collie, Scream |
Please join us in congratulating the first three members of Team Helsinki for 2008!!
Joan Meyer and Neil
Ashley Deacon and Luka
Linda Mecklenburg and Super
Day 1 - Friday, May 2Friday was the beginning of an exciting weekend with USA's top dogs and handlers arriving in Minnesota to heavy wind and rain. Beautiful Minnesota spring-time weather was missing with cold rain being the norm for the day. Despite the weather, check-in ran smoothly.
Each handler and dog took their turn practicing on the equipment for a total of six minutes, comprised of three 2-minute sequenced courses designed by World Team Coach, Nancy Gyes, and her Assistant Coach, Kathie Leggett. Toni Osojnicki, Trial Secretary, did her usual, outstanding job of organizing all the paperwork and scheduling the practice times while Chairman, Lori Copsey, had both the food and event superbly organized as everyone arrived.
The draw for running order occurred at 6:00 P.M. Elicia Calhoun donated clickers that were hung on USA red, white, and blue neck bands - each displaying a random number. Each handler determined their spot in the running order by pulling a clicker out of the bowl. Current Director of Agility, Sharon Anderson, introduced the new Director of Agility, Andy Hartman, who received a warm reception from the crowd with the announcement of his June 30th start date. In great appreciation for all of her efforts towards AKC's Agility program, the crowd also gave Sharon Anderson a standing ovation.
Sponsor, I Love Dogs, Inc. was present to give each exhibitor a wonderful red golf knit shirt for them to proudly wear commencing their World Team Tryouts participation. Appreciation gifts were given by AKC and I Love Dogs to judges Scott Chamberlain and Don Farage. Their difficult task of sorting out the team members for the 2008 World Agility Championship in Helsinki, Finland begins tomorrow with three rounds of agility that will determine one team member per height in the 14", 18", and 26" jump height classes.
