Written by Nichola Rice (Connie's owner)
Connie is now approximately 3½ years. We got her from Barbara
at ARRG, in October 1998 when she was approximately 9 weeks old.
We wanted any breed except a Kelpie, but alas Connie chose us.
We started doing obedience when Connie was 6 months of age, at
Lennox Head Dog Obedience, which closed in 2000. We haven't had
any luck with obedience competitions yet as I get to nervous.
We then started training with an International Club on the Gold
Coast and it was about July 2001 when we started learning agility.
We entered our first comp in March 2002 in Coffs Harbour. (So
we had only been learning for 6 months when we entered our first
comp.)
In Coffs we had success in Novice Agility Jumpers where we got
a Qualifying pass. Then in Grafton on the 15th June we got a 2nd
Place, non-qualifying in Novice Agility and then on the 16th June
(Grafton) we got a 3rd place qualifying score in Novice Jumpers.
So far we have 2 legs in Novice Jumping with only one to go until
we get our title.
Let me explain - In Agility and Agility Jumping you are working
towards a Title in each class. There are 3 classes Novice, Open
and Masters. You have to obtain your title before progressing
from Novice to Open and then from Open to Masters. To get your
title you have to achieve a set number of Qualifying passes (3
in Novice, 5 in Open and 7 in Masters). How do you get the qualifying
pass — well you have to complete the obstacle course under
the set time and without making a mistake — which is quite
difficult.
Unfortunately we do not get the chance to compete very often because
crossbreeds can only compete in NSW and we do not have a lot of
local competitions. Hopefully, QLD will change their rules soon
and we will be able to compete across the border (they have comps
just about every weekend).
I would thoroughly recommend Agility to anyone who likes to have
fun with their dog. You do not have to win or place to succeed,
everyone is aiming for a qualifying score. It is a great spectator
sport also with the crowd cheering on each competitor.
I tend to get a bit over excited when I talk about our little
girl Connie. We are very proud of her even when we do not do so
well.
