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In 2009 we gave displays at the following events: Marl Pits, Rawtenstall
Our first ever display, and handlers and dogs were all excited, in fact a bit on edge. It was a fine day, but rather windy and chilly. We were all there early, the equipment set up and ready with time for a quick practice for the dogs who needed it, then we were asked to go on first! But dogs and handlers can be proud of themselves, as nerves were overcome to give an excellent display. There always has to be a
hitch - today it was the strong wind that made it hard to light the fire hoops -
but it was dealt with successfully, and the show went on! Everyone enjoyed themselves, the dogs were brilliant, and the audience was very appreciative. We received positive feedback from more than one source, including the following: "The
display looked extremely professional, with great equipment and the team in
their matching outfits. The dogs were well behaved and enjoying themselves to
the full. It was nice to see a Rottweiler taking part, a far more favourable
image than the usual negativity."
Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe, Burnley
Another
fine day, this one hot and sunny. We were the only entertainment, and had
the whole arena to ourselves. Sadly, there were not many spectators, and most of them had come to 'have-a-go' on the agility equipment. This was a new departure for us, as we are primarily a display team, but we all set about giving the visitors an enjoyable taste of dog agility, however inexperienced they and their dogs might be. The heat made it quite exhausting, but I hope a pleasant afternoon was had by all.
Rossendale The weather gods have been
smiling on us so far, and this was no exception - a lovely, hot, sunny day, with
the crowds out in force to enjoy the gala. Some trees beside the river
provided welcome shade to keep ourselves and the dogs cool whenever possible. As for the displays, I'm pleased to say they went really well and a good time was had by all! All the dogs were happy and ready to perform, the handlers supported and encouraged them, and even the equipment behaved pretty well! We had a good audience and I think they all enjoyed the display. Today's hiccups? Honey was distracted temporarily by the audience (nothing new there!), there wasn't enough space for Charlie to dance freely, and the loudspeaker was a bit unsure of itself, but nothing detracted from a grand day out for all concerned.
Cliviger, Burnley - 4 July 2009
A lovely little school in a lovely little village, and a very well-organised village fair. We were made really welcome here, and they had gone out of their way to give us a well-fenced arena. Because of the size of the
playground, we re-arranged our normal display course, and all the dogs coped
fine. Except, of course, for Honey, who managed to run into the fence,
although even the bigger dogs had no problem! The weather stayed fine, in
fact it got rather too hot on the tarmac, and we were a bit short of
shade. Our displays went well, and the audience enjoyed them, especially
when Lucy ran to greet her dad and show him her dumbbell in
Westhoughton, Bolton - 12 July 2009
Today we again joined Rossendale Dog Training Club at one of their regular events. The day started off a bit damp and chilly, but that didn't last too long, and as the temperature rose, the number of visitors to the show (and therefore spectators for the displays) rapidly increased.
So, a good breakfast, fair weather, nice cake stall, good companions and super dogs. What more could anyone want?
Littleborough Rushbearing Festival Hare Hill Park, Littleborough, near Rochdale
We were invited to put on a display as part of Littleborough's Rushbearing Festival. We were given an excellent grassed area, big, level and shaded, but after several days (and nights) of heavy rain, wellies were the order of the day as it turned rapidly to mud! The rain held off on the day, though the sun didn't come out till much later, after our two displays were finished. That's the weather report,
what about the display? A few minor We were a little way
removed from the other attractions in the park, so had only a small audience
for the first display, but a good long break between shows gave us the
opportunity for a bit of fun
Hellifield Village Gala - 1 August 2009
Well, that was
different. Don't get me wrong, it was a nice village gala, with
everything we'd asked for provided. We were there on time after a rainy
morning, but while setting up on a wet field, we realized we'd forgotten one
of our tunnels. Oops! Because three of our
handlers were on holiday, we had three handlers working two dogs each - fun
but tiring! Val as usual worked Lucy and Tia, Jill had to handle both
Jake and Honey as I was stuck in Burnley, and Elaine introduced little Coco in
her first outing, as well as handling Lilly. Honey got a bit confused, I
like to think she missed me! but she's ever willing, and eventually managed to
break the paper hoop for the first time, and showed off her retrieving
skills. And Coco wasn't put off by the audience, A major part of the Gala
was the Fell Races, and we could see various groups disappearing over the hill
behind us. The weather - by this time dull, mainly dry, but soggy
underfoot - had slowed everything up, so our second display started a little
late. It was all going smoothly (more or less!) when we were deafened by
the
HAPPA Open Day - 13 September 2009 Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe, Burnley
Only one display today, as
it was a busy open day, with lots of things going on, including a dog
show. It was another fine day, and some of our dogs took part in the dog
show before our display -
We were set up on a bit of
a slope, so by the time we'd arranged the equipment to align the fire hoops
with the wind, the course was a bit skew-whiff, and of course the dogs
wouldn't let us get away with that - almost all of them missed at least one
jump on their
Then we offered 'have-a-go' agility to people who wanted to try it with their own dogs, and finally we went home tired but pleased with another good performance.
Sunday 11 October - Memorial Park, Milnrow
Memorial Park, and our
final display of our first season! The day began wet and dull, not very
promising at all. But by the time we had all arrived, it was improving,
the rain actually stopped while we were setting up, and the weather just got
better from then on - ice cream weather by the end of the show - we've been so
lucky every display. This was a doggy event - a
fun dog show, and us! So some of us registered for the dog show, then it
was time for our first display, and it all went according to plan. The
full team was present again, and all the dogs performed well. The sound
syst Then it was the dog show, with some of ours winning rosettes - well of course they did, we all know our own dog is the best! But perhaps because of the poor weather earlier in the day, there weren't too many entries, and it was over much earlier than expected, and we were on again for the second display, with hardly any rest period. No problem for our canine stars, they take it all in their stride. An excellent final display of the year, and home early too!
So now we're looking forward to a new year and a new season of displays...after a busy winter working on our tricks4treats!
Coco is ready to start training now, so Lilly gives her a few tips, and keeps an eye on her. Boris still has a lot of growing to do before he's ready to do agility, but Biff takes the opportunity before retiring to show him how it should be done.
See you next year!!
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A great team effort from all involved, both
human and canine, produced another eye-catching display, with everything running
much more smoothly this time.
the
middle of her retrieve! Molly starred in the paper hoops, breaking the
paper herself for the first time. Later Wendy led some of our handlers and
dogs in a demonstration of how to start doggy dancing and teaching tricks.
To sum up, it was a happy, relaxed atmosphere, which contributed to a really
pleasant and successful day.
I
expect I'm biased, but I thought the displays from both clubs have
improved. Ours seemed to go really smoothly, handlers and dogs all
knowing what they had to do and where they had to be, and it was fun for
everyone, us and the audience. Honey as usual chose to vary the
plan a little, taking her own route round the equipment while doing her
retrieve - she did the requisite two jumps and tunnel, just not the same jumps
and tunnel as the rest of the team! But we still love her, and she's
good entertainment value.
adjustments
were needed, as the holiday season is upon us and we were a team member down,
but our dogs are always willing to fit in with what we ask of them, and showed
off their talents. Delta was very brave, and broke through the paper
hoop for the first time. Honey chose to do the correct course today, and
Charlie coped magnificently with working with three different handlers.
The others all performed with their usual aplomb, and delighted us and the
audiences.
- words cannot describe Tara and Anthony dancing, though Wendy certainly
tried! - and a chance for several of the dogs to try practising the fire
hoops. The afternoon was warmer and more people came to watch us, and
they were all impressed with our clever dogs. We all went home worn out,
but happy with a successful day.
So I set off with Marie to go and collect it; there should have been time to
get it and return before we were due to give the first display, but we got
caught up in football traffic - and there was me thinking footie was a winter
sport! The tunnel arrived as the first display finished, but the dogs
had all done their very best to adapt, and had delighted the audience.
and
made her way round the course (with some help from Mum and Dad!) like a
trooper. Several dogs learnt some dance moves with Wendy and Charlie,
and with some extra assistance from Biff and Derek, it was a satisfying and
pleasing display .
commentator's excitement as the runners started to come in from what seemed to
be the main fell race of the afternoon. We couldn't compete, so paused
in our efforts until they had finished. Then to our surprise, we were
asked not to go back out, as the gala was running very late, and they needed
our arena for the children's races! So it was time to pack up and go
home, slightly bemused, but at least we knew we'd done our bit to brighten up
a cloudy day, and as always, everyone loved our dogs! 
Tia in fact won best in show - well done indeed!!!
She gained first place in her class 'Best short-haired dog' and then went on
to win best in show. The judge placed her first because "she looked as
fit as a fiddle and because of her superb condition and glossy coat".
Lucy and Lilly doing slightly different tricks, Molly and
Honey breaking the paper superbly (Honey's first time, only Molly's second),
and Charlie making a valiant effort with an inexperienced handler. Well
done to all the others, too, overall it was a great display.
em wasn't quite right, as it was wrapped up in the tent because of the
earlier rain - it wouldn't do to get it wet! - but the dogs didn't care!
We can always rely on them to do their best, enjoy themselves and entertain
the audience, whatever the circumstances.
