Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... August / September 2007

This year’s NSW ADAA Training Camp was held at a new venue and this proved to be very popular to members. Most of the participants stayed on for Saturday night’s dinner (a new addition this year) and it was great to see everyone enthusiastically exchanging ideas, not to forget the fun in watching the clicker training game before dinner arrived (thanks Marj). Nicola Read single-handedly put together this year’s camp and huge thanks go to her for her efforts. It was great to be able to give Nicola (as one of ADAA’s hardest workers in NSW) her Bronze Handler award at the Camp. Of course the Camp wouldn’t be able to take place without the volunteer instructors. In addition to Damian Noud and I who traveled down from Qld, the instructors were (in alphabetical order) Lisa Henshaw, Marj Kibby, Merrilee McGee, Nicola Read, Stacy Richards, Mal Williams, Natalie Winter and Liz Yuill. Also thanks to Julia Barnett for looking after all of the merchandise. Finally, thanks to Loyd Barker for towing the trailer with equipment to/from the venue. And thanks of course to those members who showed their appreciation (both publicly and privately) for their learning at the Camp.

I also had the pleasure of judging in NSW the week before the NSW ADAA Training Camp. What particularly impressed me was that everyone contributed to the equipment setup, ring builds and stewarding efforts. Well done NSW members. In addition I would like to congratulate trainee judges Cathy Reade, Lisa Henshaw and Jim Hull for their great efforts. NSW members should note that, due to circumstances beyond their control, PICSI is unable to hold their December competition. However they have really stepped up to the mark and PICSI will be holding an event on 14 October 2007. Please put this date in your calendar and get your entries in.

This was the first year (of the three years of the Medallion Stakes) that dogs earned Gold Medallions. Congratulations to Flicka (Tandy Allen) and Lexie (Denise Crook) for their achievements. Ten dogs achieved their Silver Medallions Sophie (Jo Lewohl), Beljekali Gypsy in Black (Elsina Meyer), Nellie (Kerry Lovell), Harvey (Sarah Jane Weston), Cody (Maria Thiry), Magpie (Merrilee McGee), Shirley (David Coggan), Jaffa (Wendy Blakeston), Saffy (Eddy Szmelter & Holly Connor) and Sonic Boom (Natalie Kirkwood), with a further 16 achieving bronze medallions. Congratulations also to the 62 dogs that have been invited to participate in the Medallion Stakes Invitational at the Grand Prix by being within the top 10 points accumulators (and met the points criteria) within their state. Rules and allocated competitions for next year’s Medallion Stakes have now been finalised and will be released shortly. The exciting news for those with dogs on the Regular Programme Register is that they will be eligible to earn Medallions in 2007/2008.

Members are reminded of a couple of Regulations affecting competitions. Where a ring has been defined by three or more sides, the rules that apply to the Start Area apply to the whole ring. That means Handlers may not use a Reward within the Ring (at the start or end) however their dog may have a collar on and be on lead (provided the lead is not used as a Reward). The handler may also hold, touch/pat and/or lift their Dog without penalty. The other reminder surrounds infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are predominantly managed by members vaccinating their dog(s) however kennel cough is a bacterial and/or viral infection and for which vaccinations only exist for two of the many strains. Members are reminded that they are required to comply with ADAA’s Regulations with respect to ADAA sanctioned events, and of course their local club’s requirements. They should also exercise due diligence in respect to their dogs’ contact with other dogs at non-ADAA events (and of course adhere to that group’s rules for infectious diseases). This includes private training and other organisations’ events. It is strongly recommended that if you take your dog to a location with other dogs (whilst ADAA has a kennel cough warning in place) then you should ensure that both your club and any other training partners have been informed.

The Board takes its obligations for the health and safety of our Juniors very seriously. With that in mind, would you please note that, effectively immediately, all entries by Junior handlers must be accompanied by a completed (and signed) Parent/Guardian permission slip.

ADAA provides as much support as possible to its affiliated groups/clubs, especially those who are just trying to get started. In particular ADAA extends small interest free loans to not-for-profit clubs to help get them started, however it should be noted that this does not extend to private businesses/for-profit groups. ADAA has not provided any (non-repayable) grants to any of its affiliates. If you are interested in forming a group in your local area, please contact the writer and we will provide to you the information currently available.

Grand Prix 2007 update - view schedule

Entries have now well and truly closed for the Grand Prix, so the Sub-Committee (under Alison and Marion’s leadership) is now hard at work with the final preparations for meals, shirts, rugby tops, entry gifts, prizes, catalogues, running orders, equipment…. There is much to organise for such a large event (especially with this year’s record entries), and one of the most important pieces of preparatory work is the course designing by the Judges. I have no doubt our Judges (Peter and Karen from New Zealand as well as our local Judges) will provide competitors with a veritable feast of Agility and Jumping over the three days.

Members should note that Applications for Titles or to Dog Transfer requests must be received on or before 21 September 2007 in order to be processed prior to the Grand Prix. Please note that all requests received after 21 September 2007 will be processed after 2 October 2007.

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

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

[Top]