Agility News

Our First Olympia - But hopefully not the Last

Every day Paula Triggs and her Hungarian Vizsla Ross would go for a run in the forest with her two Bedlington Xs, trying to get into shape with some free running. And it was training as usual twice a week at Wrexham DA. But trying to keep a lid on her excitement was not easy. It was like being a kid at Christmas. She didn't want Ross to catch the bug. She'd pretend that it was just another run at a local show, but she couldn't fool herself. This was Olympia!

We went to London the day before competing. The rest of the family wanted to go to see The Lion King show, so Ross and I went off to Holland Park for a run and a cuppa in the cafe before booking in at the Olympia Hilton as furry guests were welcome there!

Our room was on the sixth floor so Ross had to learn to use the lift, which didn't impress him as it was a fast one which dipped when it came to a stop, but conquered that problem by bribing him with treats! Had a pizza for tea - didn't want to risk any spicy takeaways as figured my stomach would be churning with nerves without that. Then off to bed!

Woke at 4am!
Oh my, our first Olympia/ It's really happening today,but in about 10 hours, so had to turn over and try to sleep again! Gave up at 7.20am,dressed quickly and off to Holland Park, which thankfully opens at 7.30am, and could give my furry star a chance to burn off some energy!

On return to the hotel a marvellous breakfast was on offer. It was just a shame it seemed to stick in my throat at the thought of the day's event, but did feel better after eating andnumerous cups oftea! Text messages are flooding in from friends wishing us good luck. I'll try not to let them down.

Got into the venue at 11am
Blimey, the arena is huge!Found the competitors bar and put up a folding crate for Rossalongsideones for the other dogs. A few of the handlers were there already. Some had competed at Olympia before and, in true Agility sportsmanship, they were explaining how it worked and calming down nerves with good humour and reassurances.

Had a quick wander round the shopping village, and then back to change into running shoesbefore aquick photo session with handlers and dogs. Picked up our all important copies of the two courses we would run. Soon after we were called to the Judge's briefing with Graham Partridge and further info fromDave Ray. Not long now.... Eek!

Collected our dogs andgrooms - in my case younger daughter Alexandra. Grace had drawn the short straw and was looking after our other dogs! Then all too soonwe were heading through into the main arena. Wow, it looks even bigger now, so hot too from the spectators and all the bright lights. Handed dogs to grooms and called forward to walk the Jumping course briefly as it was being built, which was weird as jumps kept being moved a bit and a few numbers put round the correct way. Thank heavens we'd all studied the course plan! All too soon the bell was going and first dog was on the line and the crowds were encouraged to 'cheer to make the dogs go faster' by the commentator!

No time to be nervous now
It's our go. Ross ran well, a bit wide in a couple of places, not woofing as much as he normally does but think he was saving his energy for once as the course was spread out more than usual! Big cheers went up as we crossed the line with Ross more interested in the movinghand held camera and me wondering where the oxygen was kept! There were a few more dogs to go and then the presentation. Wegot 6th, not bad for a noisy gundog and oldest dogof the ABC Finalists!

Back at the competitor's bar, it was water and treats for the dogs withhandlers discussing how the course ran for them. A quick dash to watch Lorenzo The Flying Frenchman - an amazing act - before a trip to the Kennel Club stand where thepublic were waiting to meet our furry star. There was lots ofattention and hugsfor the dogs, questions about the breeds andlistening to stories of their own pets. Then it was nearly 3pm, time tobeata hasty exit as theHorse Artillerywere bringing in four cannons and firing them all!

All too soon time the evening performance was about to begin. Course plans were studied again. There were relays to the bathroom for handlers and trips outside to empty dogs. Then suddenly tannoy announcement saying we would be 15 minutes earlier than scheduled! Gulp!

Back into the arena we went
The seats were full and seemed even noisier and hotter than before. A quick walk of the course and then the bell signalling first handler... ME! Over the first and second jump, into the near end of the tunnel and onto the dog walk flat out. Curses, missed the down contact and roared off the end a long way wasting valuable time. Through the cloth tunnel, over jumps to the see-saw. Nice contact. Good lad. Then off to the wall and pipe tunnel, over the jump, round the wide wings, back through the pipe tunnel to the A-scale. In the usual Ross-style, he 'hit up contact, sailed over apex and landed on down contact, much to the gaspedamazement of the crowd - and me trying hard not to laugh! More jumps round a corner and into the weaves, followed by long jump and tyre to finish. Whoooppppeee! We made it to the end with Ross springing about like Tigger! Shame about the five faults, but we still had fun.

Watching the other handlers run - some having faster runs with faults, some great clears and a couple which didn't go to plan. Such a shame. The last two dogs to run finished on exactly the same time, so both had to go again to get a winner. Fabulous second runs. Poor handlers must have been exhausted. The dogs were probablykeen enough to want to go again. Such excitement with the crowds going wild!

We have a winner. The Malinois pips the Australian Kelpie, but a close finish.Hugs and congratulations to the winner, put into presentation order followed by a quick walk round the arena to collect our rosettes, we got 7^th, and for the top three places, there were beautiful crystal trophies! Then out of the arena and upstairs for a champagne reception with group photos under the Christmas tree, toasting the winner and thanking the organisers.

Later back in the competitors bar it was time to pack up and a chance to reply to text and phone calls before the long journey home. It was a fabulous, but nerve wracking experience. Just hope we do well enough to qualify again sometime?

Author credit...
Paula Triggs is an Administrator at a Cheshire GPs. Ross is her first agility dog and together they have been competing since April 2001, working their way up. They recently won into Grade 6.

Holland Park Dog Loo

Competition time

A winner

Paula Triggs

(posted 23/02/2009)

List of all Agility News

Ice's winning form continues...

Ice is still having a successful year... (06/07/2010)
Find out more

Weimaraner Association 2010 Agility Show, 22nd - 23rd May

Results of the CSJ sponsored classes (28/05/2010)
Find out more

Twister wins Agility Winter Cup in Austria...

Congratulations to Nicola Giraudi... (06/05/2010)
Find out more

Anthony and Ruby win CSJ Final!

Congratulations to Anthony Clarke and Ruby for winning this year's CSJ Novice Agility Final. (20/12/2009)
Find out more

Nicola and Twister become Swiss Champions!

Congratulations to Nicola Giraudi and little Twister..... (10/11/2009)
Find out more

Latest installment of Beep's training by Toni Dawkins

See the latest instalment of Toni Dawkins training series. (10/11/2009)
Find out more

Twister wins at the European Open Agility Championships

Congratulations to Nicola Giraudi and Twister for winning the Small Individual Final at the European Championships. (10/11/2009)
Find out more

Herbie wins the Rescue Dog of the Year - again!

Leah Gardner and her Chaffords dogs have been having a great month. (29/09/2009)
Find out more

Kite wins Olympia heat at 10 years of age!

(30/07/2009)
Find out more

Beep Bother - Toni Dawkins

Toni Dawkins has produced her latest report on Beep's training progress and her final preparations for Crufts with Minx and Kite. See our Training Experts section.. (30/07/2009)
Find out more

What a fantastic result at Crufts 2009!

CSJ dogs win 4 Championship Finals and the Crufts Team (large) final at this year's event. (30/07/2009)
Find out more

Congrats to Leah for winning the Reserve Ticket

(28/05/2009)
Find out more

Our First Olympia - But hopefully not the Last

Paula Triggs and her Hungarian Vizsla Ross at Olympia.
(You are on this page).

Well done to our CSJ Agility Team at Olympia!

Congratulations to Dave Munnings and all the CSJ Agility Team members for doing so well at Olympia. (17/02/2009)
Find out more

Well done to K9 Capers

At the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show. (06/10/2008)
Find out more

Ant and Magic win the CSJ Senior Challenge

THe CSJ Senior Challenge at Tuffley. (29/07/2008)
Find out more

British Sport Going to the Dogs? You Bet!

British canine sporting success? (08/07/2008)
Find out more

CSJ-fed Kafka becomes Europe's Top Dog

CSJ-fed success for France. (03/07/2008)
Find out more

Scout wins 3 Gold Medals at the IFCS World Cup

Congratulation to Wendy Clay and her CSJ fed dog, Scout. (19/05/2008)
Find out more