Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the Chairman...August 2005

I would like to commence by extending my congratulations to all who participated in this year’s Inaugural Medallion Stakes Competition, and especially to those who earned a medal.  A total of 13 dogs earned Bronze medals and encouraging to see, was that all height classes were represented in this final tally.  There were 4 Silver Medallists - Karana Zippy, Elli, Lexie and Flicka.  A fantastic effort by all.  Maybe next year we will reach the elusive Gold, but I think what can be seen is regular participation and consistency is needed to reach the medals.

Its almost final closing date for the Grand Prix 2005, so remember all entries must be received by 12^th August, 2005.  Thereafter the organising team has to get to work so no late entries will be accepted.  I hope you are all well prepared, teams sorted and getting excited about this fantastic event.  Once again the main sponsor for the event is Eukanuba, for which we are very grateful, as they have been most generous in allocation of prizes which assists the ADAA Board in offering competitors a great Prize spread.  This year’s Challenge winners get Soft Crates, but there are also Bags, Backpacks, Eskies to name just some of the prizes.  Individuals may also sponsor events at a cost of $10 per event so if you would like to do so and have not so far, please send in to the ADAA Secretary.  You may specify your preferred event and we will try and accommodate your wishes.  While we are thinking Grand Prix, congratulations to Elizabeth Sykes the winner of the early Bird draw and as so many assisted us and entered early we have added a 2^nd mystery Prize, this goes to Sharon Fraser.  These  prizes will be presented at Uralla.

Please ensure that your ADAA membership is current, as end of June was end of membership year.  For many; the new three year system will mean this no longer has to happen quite as frequently and should ease this particular worry.  If unsure please email the secretary@adaa.com.au to confirm your membership status.  Qualification cards earned are not valid unless you are a financial member at the time they are earned.

I would like to congratulate Debbie Duce who has just joined the ranks of ADAA Judges.  May she have many happy competitions in the ring as a Judge, seeing the Agility Competition “from the other side of the fence”.  Anyone who is interested in investigating the judging aspect of Agility can find all the information on our Judges Training Program on the ADAA webpage, under ADAA Judges.  In addition, chat to any of our existing judges or email your queries to the Board.  Without judges we cannot run agility competitions, and as competing numbers grow, the judging commitments of any one individual judge can be kept reasonable if the numbers of judges grows too.  Judging is certainly not for everyone, but if you think it is something you may enjoy please contact us.

Finally, a reminder to post in your Helpers Hamper Forms!  Remember those forms that were announced at the beginning of the year, and you have been filling in each time you scribe or score or otherwise assist at the ring.  They must be posted to the Grand Prix Sub Committee by 26^th September, 2005.  There is a really great hamper to say thank you for your assistance through the year.  It will be drawn at Uralla, but if you will not be attending it will be sent securely back to you.  So find those incomplete forms, and get them finished, and its not too late to complete a new one and get it sent away. You may download the form from the website.

To close, I would like to thank Gordon Thiry for his hard work done while holding the onerous role of Treasurer of ADAA. Gordon has stepped down from the Board due to work commitments, so that any off time  can actually be spent  with his wife and dogs, but the time and commitment he has given to ADAA is much appreciated.

Keep having FUN - Marion

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