Started training own Dog in March 2001

1st competition               Aug 31st 2001

1st placement (12th)       15th sept 2001

Won out of starters         29th sept 2001

Started Instructing  {Fracas} Aug 2003

Qualified as Instructor    2nd Nov 2003

Instructing at 2nd club Aylesbury  2004

Started Judging                             2004

Passed Judging course          April 2005

Still judging today

Show manager Aylesbury 1day show 2004

                          2day shows of 2005/6/7

                       Till                         ????

Runs a working sheep dog  ‘Casey’ & helping partner train her Chocolate Lab ‘Millie’

Hi, I first got involved with agility when my wife took it up as a hobby way back in 1996 I think. I became the Taxi driver / camping supervisor at / to shows, home equipment manufacturer and training advisor! (I would watch and say what I thought while she ran / trained her dogs. Not knowing what they where supposed to do, I could only say what was happening). At shows I could not go and watch the runs as our dogs would leave the ring when they knew I was close by. Back in those days, a four ring show was a big show!. And one ring would be a fun ring with, beat the clock, Take your own line, or  snooker etc .

[as show manager at Aylesbury, we now talk of 10 rings with no fun classes] To pass the time at shows, I started a trade stand. This did have some advantages in that we camped next to the rings, but meant a lot of work loading and unloading before and after shows. The other disadvantage was that the dogs knew where I was and would run out of the ring to find me. After about five years the trade stand was more hassle than it was worth, so I was persuaded to get my own dog and start training of real.

 

I went to several clubs and training centres, with the main one being a MAD (Milbrook) {in surrey [a 68 mile, 1hr 10min  trip, each way]} who were the only one to remain open during the F&M out break’. Joined Watford & Whirlwind {closer to home} prior to the formation of Fracas. I have always been a member of Aylesbury where I did my initial obedience training (which I do not compete at) and passed bronze & silver good citizen, and now instruct agility at, as well as the being agility show manager.

 

Other hobbies are Skiing, Sailing and walking the dogs, including Europe for holidays. Making money, a good bottle of wine around a real fire after good wholesome meal (preferably Lamb)