In this issue, we feature a Sophomore team in North Dakota that is part of the Grand Forks Dog Training Club, which has fielded League teams since Season 2! The Sophomore team consists of four experienced agility handlers running their younger dogs, and they have optimized team spirit by creating their own logo and even sweatshirts. For this training club, all trials are at least an hour’s drive so Captain Rebecca Hale says League gives them a great competitive outlet! Photos credit – Sydney Rhoades

Team Name & division: Red River Rovers, Regulation Sophomore

Captain: Rebecca Hale

Location: Grand Forks Dog Training Club in Grand Forks, ND

Do you run outdoors, indoors, other? Indoors

How and when did your group get involved in League? 

Our club (as a whole) began running league back in Season 2, I believe, and some of our RRR teammates ran with other dogs since the beginning. The Red River Rovers Sophomore team began about four seasons ago, and we’ve had various captains and members over time.

How did the team develop? 

The current team consists of anyone who wanted to run with us at the Sophomore level, for whatever reason. We welcome everyone!

How did you come up with your team name?

We’re named after the Red River (of the north) that Grand Forks lays along (which separates us from Minnesota). And it’s also a play on the game Red Rover.

List the team members:

From left to right in our group photo:

-Lisa Northagen- Pippin, Border Collie

-Rebecca Hale- Polly, All American

-Allison Wilson- Ninja, Australian Shepherd

-Nicole Shjerve- Arnold, All American

What are the positives for your team members participating in League?

It’s a great chance for our dogs and us to get regular practice and to have a mini-trial-like experience each week. All four of the current members have had previous agility dogs as well, so we can all help each other if anyone runs into any hiccups along the way.

Do you do anything special on League days or after League as a group?

We created a team logo earlier this year and have made sweatshirts to show our team spirit. Former RRR members pop by from time to time to show support and have some fun with us.

What is agility like in North Dakota?

North Dakota gets quite cold in the winter, and the heaters in our building turn on frequently. So, we have several large humidifiers to pump out moisture in order to minimize the static shock our dogs get on the equipment (which can be a real challenge).

Anything else you want to add about the League experience?

Our “local” agility trials are an hour away in Fargo, ND, so we love having the chance to do league right here in Grand Forks. We really enjoy league as a time to have our dogs play regularly, practice for full trials, and we humans can have fun with each other, all at the same time.