Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... April / May 2011

The ADAA Nationals, held at the AELEC Tamworth was a fabulous and exciting event. With the two ring (side-by-side) format, able to be watched from the grand stands, the view and outcomes were spectacular. This time around we have quite a few locals come along and watch the competition. Following the format of the IFCS model, of Championships for each discipline, an All Round Champion (of course in separate height classes for the International and Regular Programmes) plus the Team Triathlon Championship (dogs from different heights in the same team) were all awarded. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the National All Round Champions:

2011 National All Round Champion Maxi Class	Samantha Bois with Jahzara
2011 National All Round Champion Midi Class	Maria Thiry with Kwyk
2011 National All Round Champion Mini Class	Amin Awad with Barney
2011 National All Round Champion Toy Class	Robyn Taylor with Tori
2011 National Regular All Round Champion Regular Maxi Class	Robyn Taylor with Tamewynette
2011 National Regular All Round Champion Regular Midi Class	Janine Carson with Arnikka Spy
2011 National Regular All Round Champion Regular Mini Class	Joanne Lewohl with Sophie
2011 National Regular All Round Champion Regular Toy Class	Carolyn Fieldus with Chubba

The Nationals were also the venue for the Selection rounds for Team Australia. Congratulations to the following nominees on their efforts:

Thank you to the many people who made the Nationals such a success. Whilst I may have led the event, there were many others before and during the weekend absolutely integral to the event.

Before arrival:

• Thanks to the Nationals Major Sponsor, Propac Supreme Petfood, for partnering with ADAA by sponsoring prizes for the Nationals
• Marion Allen - general event organisation, prizes & merchandise
• Gail Ritchie - AELEC Event coordinator who was so easy to deal with
• Elsina Meyer - event publicity & promotion
• Ruth Brooks - event promotion
• Leanne Wegner - processing all of the entries & office/admin items in town
• John Sissons - for encouraging local members to volunteer for the weekend
• Sharon Dungey - coordinating volunteers
• Heather Bell & her family - taking delivery of prizes & organising photo shoots with the local newspapers

For/At the actual event:

• AELEC - such a phenomenal venue with friendly & helpful staff
• Qld ADAA members - for packing & taking down a variety of equipment, prizes and merchandise (and of course taking the equipment back again at the end)
• Loyd Barker - towing ADAA equipment trailer & full-time ring manager
• Mal Williams - for maintaining and bringing up all of the NSW timing equipment
• Andrea Gibney, Penny Mead, Tony Redwood, Nat Winter - for "gate duty" issuing gate tokens Thursday & Friday
• Sharyn Palmer & Allison Britton– collection of dog food prizes and picking up supplies in town
• Mike Dungey – collection of dog food prizes
• Jim Hull - on-field manager
• Neville Allen - full-time ring manager
• Mark Lewis - technical assistance in the office
• Tandy Allen - assistance in the prize/merchandise area, and also taking return gate tokens on Monday (and I saw many PADS members helping out here too... thank you all)
• Lisa Henshaw, Debbie Duce, Damian Noud, Marion Allen, Nat Kirkwood & Wendy Blakeston- for stepping up to judge a final event each day
• Ann Burrows & Robin Cunningham - were just awesome in the secretary/admin office
• John Sissons and his team of local scribes, stewards, marshalls & helpers for their good humour and fantastic efforts - Anne Murray, Gail Smyth, Cindy Davis, David Murray, Peter Dowe, Kim Staples (where are those lollies <g>), Judy Wood, Rachael Cairns, Jean Whitby, Barry Whitby, Peter Downie, Gabrielle Davis, Shannon Smyth, Joshua Davis, Travis Davis
• And of course all of the competitors/ADAA members who stepped up and did a myriad of tasks, often without being asked, when needed (and my apologies for those I've missed in the above list)
• Huge thanks to Steve Drinkwater & Mal Williams for phenomenal courses and fair and consistent judging.

Finally, my personal thanks to Marion Allen - not just for her help prior to the event, but for her continuous support during the event, for realising when something needed to be done, and then just getting it done. Without her help, the Nationals would not have been the huge success that it was.

Notwithstanding all of the above, I think the highlight for me was the remarkable camaraderie and sportsmanship that was evident throughout the weekend. Certainly that atmosphere and all of the help, allowed me to also enjoy the weekend with my dog, Porsche. Anyway I think all of the above goes to show what a great ADAA Agility community we have and I'm absolutely proud to be a part of it. Full Results, including the National Champions, are available on the Nationals 2011 page.

Entries are well and truly open for the Grand Prix, to be held at AELEC for the second year (and the venue already booked for the next five years). Whether or not you missed out on the Nationals, don’t miss out on the Grand Prix.

Congratulations to Caryl Oates and Tailwaggers Dog Training  (Chinchilla) for organising their inaugural ADAA Agility competition. It was a one ring competition with camping onsite and locals coming to watch the action. Everyone who went along, all had a fantastic time.

Sadly I do need to remind a few members (fortunately a small minority) that harsh handling is absolutely not tolerated at ADAA events. I ask everyone to take the time to reflect whether your response to your dog is always appropriate...whether that’s at competitions, in training or just generally around the place. In the words of Susan Garrett “Your dog is a reflection of your ability as a trainer”. So if things are going wrong – whatever, however, whenever – then take that deep breath, stop what you are doing and change your training programme. If you need some help to get you on the right track, then go and seek it out.

Thanks heaps to Julia Barnett for organising the May Agility demonstration at Horsley Park (and to everyone who participated in the demo, including transporting equipment and making it happen). It is great to see that ADAA has been invited to run a full competition at the venue later in the year. Date and details will be announced when they are finalised.

A reminder that the entries for ADAA’s SE Qld Training Day 25 June 2011 (PDF), close this week on 3 June (view the booking form (PDF)), so take the opportunity now to fill in and post your registration. There are lots of fantastic classes available with many of the volunteer instructors from all of our South East Queensland clubs.

It is also nearing the end of our financial year and Membership Renewal time for those whose membership expires on 30 June 2011. Remember, only Financial Members of ADAA may enter ADAA competitions and all Owners of dogs entered in ADAA competitions must also be Financial Members. If you are not, not only will you be in breach of ADAA’s Regulations, you will also forfeit all Clear Round and/or Qualifying Certificates earned, so it is definitely in your interests to ensure that your membership is up-to-date. Please check your last membership/renewal advice for your membership expiry date. We have provided a document that separately lists members who need to renew before 30 June 2011, as well as those with membership current for another 12 months to 30 June 2012. So check them out ..... your name should be one or the other list (view the list on our Member Notice page). If not, please contact us admin@adaa.com.au.

May you cherish your time and enjoy your training with your dog and achieve your goals.

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

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