 |
2003 TRACKING TEST RESULTS |
|
The BCSA Tracking Dog Excellent test was held on November 16, 2003 at Willow River State Park in Hudson Wisconsin. John and Darlene Barnard were the very competent judges who created challenging yet fair tracks for the exhibitors to run. Note: click photo to view full-size.
We had some of the most experienced track layers from the Croix Valley Tracking Club which donated their time and efforts to make our test a success. Nan Cochrane, Joan Telfer, Marge Schultz, Wendy Sommer, Michelle Schwartzbauer, and Judy Wilson were the track layers. Sheila Koon, Jacque Hoye and Jim Parent were the cross track layers and Marge Schultz also wore the hat of Trial Secretary and Trial Chair.
The trial committee consisted of Nancy Little, Wendy Sommer, Joanna Yund, Judy Wilson and Jacque Hoye. We were honored to have the Minnesota Border Collie Rescue provide hot food and drinks for the event. They also sold 2004 Border Collie Rescue calendars which were great!
We had a perfect weekend for tracking. It was misting/drizzling most of the day on Saturday and continued to be cloudy on Sunday which also helped to keep the moisture in.
We had 8 Border Collies enter the test so all of the tracks were run by Border Collies.
Joanna Yund drew track #1 with HC Ms Chief VCD2,HXAsd,HXBS,AX,AXJ "Miss" They had a rough start getting tangled and breaking the start flag but once they got started there was no stopping them. They performed the track like professionals and received the first "PASS" of the day!
Rip, TD owned by Steve and Mary Lou Flowers drew track 2 and started out like they were shot out of a cannon. Rip was cruising along very nicely and then got hooked on the cross track and continued following it, which is a big disappointment. We are all sure he will pass next time!
Track 3 was run by Doug Weil with CH Dawgworks Rockin Rubi TD, AX,AXJ. "Rubi" They had a beautiful start and made it about 1/2 way through the track. The dog passed over the 1st set of cross tracks but got pulled down the second set. Another disappointment. She is also a very capable tracking dog. Good luck next time!
Track 4 was Lisa Pruka with Czechmate Quintessential TD, HSAS "Tess". They also had trouble with a cross track that Tess went down- was sure that wasn't right- looped back to the track but then went down the cross track again. Very disappointing.
Lisa also had Track 5 with Celtic Legacy at Czechmate CD,TD, HSAS "Celt". This was one of the most difficult tracks of the day. It started and went directly up a hill- turned and went further up a hill into the thick woods and the dog had to cross both sets of cross tracks before finding the first article. The team worked very well together, had a few rough spots but were able to remain a team and found the final article to earn "PASS" #2 of the day. CONGRATULATIONS!
We were all very hopeful of track #6. We wanted to end the test with a 50% pass rate.
Track 6 was drawn by Cindy Brick with CH MACH4 Topshelf Pizzazz TD,CDX "Ariba". We didn't have to wait long to find the results. Ariba was sure it was a timed event just like agility and took off at full speed. They flew through the track in less than 10 minutes finding all of the articles with Cindy falling (of course none of us were able to see this since she was SO far ahead of us) and earning "PASS" #3 for the day!
Alternate dog #1 was MacDuff's Spot TD "Spot" owned by Joanna Yund who will get into a test soon!
Alternate dog #2 was CH Mykey Prvak Dymond inthe Ruf, VCD2, HSAS,AX,TDX "Marquis" earned her TDX 3 weeks earlier in Robertsville State Park Missouri.
So over all the test was a great success. 50% pass rate is AWESOME! The normal pass rate for a TDX test is about 18%! Way to go Border Collies!
Thank you to everyone who helped to support us and pitched in to make this test a great success! We also had a good gallery following along to help support the exhibitors! It is so much more rewarding to have people around when passing such a difficult test!