Agility

I started agility several years ago when Mom enrolled me in a class at Westside Agility because she thought I'd enjoy running and jumping and climbing obstacles. My instructors are Peggy and Linda. My favorite obstacles are tunnels. It's fun to run through them really, really fast. My least favorite is the "A" frame. Sometimes I get scared coming down because its sooooo high and I end up jumping off before I'm supposed to and miss the contact area. In AKC agility rules, that's a DQ. DQ is bad because it means you don't get any score and you won't qualify for a leg. In AKC novice agility, you have to get through a course within a certain time and with less than 15 faults. The course has jumps, tunnels, planks, the "A" frame, a see-saw and a table. To get a title, you have to qualify three times under two different judges. (You can read more about AKC agility trials and regulations by going to AKC's webpage through the links page.)

I earned my first leg towards an NA title at the AKC trial in Dixon, CA. I came in first place within my jump height. Since then, I competed in three more trials and earned my title last year at the Mission Trail Poodle Club's all-breed agility trial where I came in first (again) and got a big ribbon and a wine glass which Dad put water in it so I could have my victory drink.

Now I'll be competeing for an OA title which stands for Open Agility. There will be more jumps on a harder course and I also have to learn how to do the weave poles. Mom's taking this agility thing really seriously because she made Dad help her make my very own bar jumps, broad jumps and tire jumps. She even bought tunnels and weave poles so I can practice in our back yard. Here are my agility statistics: 12 inch Standard Agility Novice "A": 1st leg from Judge Mr. Daniel Prestby, 4th place 2nd leg from Judge Mrs. Karen Teneyck, 1st place 3rd leg- from Judge Ms. Melodie Sudick, 1st place 12 inch Jumpers with Weaves Novice "B": 1st leg from Judge Mr. Larry Brockett, 2nd place 2nd leg from Judge Ms. Shirlee Brundage, 1st place 3rd leg- from Judge Ms. Melodie Sudick, 1st place 12 inch Standard Agility Open: 1st leg from Judge Ms. Lynn Dahl, 2nd place

These two photos of me were taken by Bill Gignac. He's Calvin and Zoe's dad. They're Vizslas. Calvin is really good in agilty. He competes in the Open division which is the same level I'm in. Thank you, Bill, for these great pictures!

Last modified: Friday October 17 2008