Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

From the ADAA Chair ... May / June 08

Wow, in my last report I foreshadowed that May had two major events coming up and they both turned out to be hugely exciting benchmarks for ADAA.

This was the first time, ever, that Australia has had competitors in World Agility Championships. Congratulations to Tracey Harrison-Hill and Mal Williams for their great efforts with host country, borrowed, dogs.  Read the report on the event from Penny Mead (Australian Team Manager) for some of the highlights of the weekend, check out the photos and the courses. Keep an eye out for full results which will be available very shortly. For me, as one of the officiating Judges, it was simply inspiring to see the level of skill and training exhibited by a number of the dogs and handlers, and also to experience the camaraderie by everyone there, especially the volunteers who gave up their weekend (plus much more) to help out. There were 40-60 volunteers each day making sure that the event ran as smoothly as possible, and every one of them were just so helpful (and it was also good that nearly all spoke English, many very well – and definitely all of them better than I spoke Dutch or Flemish!!!). There were many proud moments – the most poignant being the entry of the Australian team with the Australian flag into the arena for the Opening Ceremony. Also the opening speech for the Championships made by Steve Drinkwater, as an IFCS Council Member further demonstrated the influence that Australia has on the global Agility scene. For the biggest heart-in-mouth moment I would have to say it was Tracey’s run with Gizzy in the Jumping class (from the Individual and All Round Championship). There was an audible sigh of disappointment from the crowd (who by then all knew about the borrowed dogs – many including Belgium team members were not aware of that on the first day) when she had the Refusal. The biggest inspiration for me was Susan Garrett’s run with Encore in Snooker, gutsy handling manoeuvre and awesome outcome. The host country for the IFCS World Agility Championships 2010 has not yet been decided/announced, although Great Britain did express interest in Belgium in hosting the event. Now that the first step has been taken to competing at the WAC, the Board anticipates seeking a much larger team to represent Australia in 2010 and is currently reviewing the various selection processes used by other countries prior to announcing ADAA’s.

Walking the Power and Speed course at the World Agility Championships

On the domestic Agility scene, Dogmania 2008 represented the best Agility event that many of our members have ever attended (let alone all of the other sports). It had all of the essential elements - stalls with lots of dog/Agility paraphernalia, other dog events (Frisbee, DogSports, herding and dog-dancing) and entertainment, as well as Agility events that culminated in some exciting finals ... head to the full results available online. Again, there were special memorable moments, such as Dogmania organising committee volunteers visiting the winners of the colouring in competition and finding that some had come along and visited the event not one or two days, but all three. I cannot think of a better endorsement of the event and our sport and what it is all about – fun for the handler, dog and spectator. This was definitely achieved by Marion and the Dogmania team over the weekend.

In order to meet the requests of members, this year’s Grand Prix will be held at Macksville. The Grand Prix schedule and entry forms are now available on ADAA’s website. After the popularity of last year’s Starters and Intermediate Challenges, these have been again included, however the Programme has been revised to give emphasis on Sunday to the two key Challenges - the Team Challenge and the Individual All Round Challenge. Thank you to the event’s Major sponsors Brisbane Pet Motel (Boarding Kennels, Cattery and Pet Transport), however don’t forget you can also contribute with as little as $10-00 towards the event (whether or not you are attending).

It is the end of our financial year and membership renewal time for those whose three year membership expired on 30 June 2008. We have taken every effort to advise all members who have renewals due, however, unfortunately there are many instances in which members have moved address since our last contact and our correspondence (email for the majority and written for those whom have subscribed to the postal mail out service) has been returned - see the list of Members due for renewal 30 June 2008 whom ADAA has not been able to contact due to no valid email address (8kb PDF). Please check your last membership/renewal advice for your membership expiry date. If still unsure, or if you cannot locate the details, please email chairman@adaa.com.au and we will confirm when your membership expires. 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.

I hope you agree with me that members of ADAA can participate in Agility competitions and training and experience a phenomenal range of services and events at extremely low cost. This is only possible due to the wonderful and significant contribution made by all of our volunteers. This is from your Board of Directors, Judges, organizing Committees, to Competition Scribes, Scorekeepers and Stewards and, of course, extends to ADAA’s group of affiliated training clubs. Therefore it is disappointing to hear of occasions in which these volunteers are spoken to, or treated, in an inappropriate manner. Members are reminded that should you have a concern at a Competition you may seek clarification from a Judge regarding a decision and/or lodge a Competition Complaint form in accordance with ADAA’s Agility Regulations 8.1 Edition and Complaints and Grievance Policy (view ADAA's Policies). It is entirely inappropriate to make such a complaint to Scribes, Stewards or a non-officiating Judge.

Members are also reminded that it is their obligation to report incidents of dog aggression, harsh handling or bad sportsmanship that they witness anywhere within the Competition precinct (excluding in the ring) to an officiating Judge. In such an event, a Competition Incident Report form is available from the Competition Secretary or Judge. This form must be completed by the Member and signed off by the officiating Judge.

The Board of Directors is pleased to see that the intent of the Regular Programme is now coming to fruition with members making their own choice of the Programme they wish to participate in with their dog, irrespective of its age and/or previous ADAA experience. Members are advised that the Regular Programme is not intended to be solely the realm of older dogs, or dogs returning following injury (or other circumstances), but is open to all. There is no prerequisite prior to any dog being transferred between programmes or joining the Regular Programme at initial registration.

I would like to end on a thank you note to Vern Muddle and Tracey Swann for making and donating Scribe sheet boxes and Timing box holders respectively to ADAA. Thanks guys, these are just a small part of the huge and continuous contribution that you both quietly make to ADAA.

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

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

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