Austin K9 Xpress Agility Training Club is proud to say that our Spring NADAC trial was a huge success by all accounts.
89 dogs 🐕 and 62 handlers entered to test their training and skills over three days on Judge Daniel Edwards’ creative courses. Daniel flew in from California with his speedy mini-poodle, Milo, and they competed, as well.
The Dripping Springs Ranch Park & Event Center arena was ready for us with two large rings with beautifully groomed dirt. They really did a great job of working with us to accommodate all our needs for this trial.
This trial is special for many reasons:
■ We include intro courses in almost every class (everything but gamblers) and we ♥️♥️♥️ to get new dogs and handlers to make this trial their starting point. Lots of intro teams entered, and watching these teams get out there was exciting, fun and joyful❣️
■ This year, we had Stibbar Leather (www.stibbar.com) bring their beautiful leashes and collars which many folks appreciated. And on Saturday, Rob Martin with Paw Prints Photography (www.pawprintsphoto.net) spent all day with us taking amazing photos of all the dogs in action.
■ We offer a variety of Specialty High-in-Trial Awards, an overall High-in-Trial Award, and an amazing worker’s raffle coordinated by Laurie Nowlin, just to mention a few perks.
■ We have great food 🍕 for our hungry workers as Jan Daley provided breakfast, lunch and dinner to keep our volunteers sated.
■ Jan also keeps the ribbons flowing, and she and Jaime Davis make our beautiful NATCH bars. Vanessa Fanelli and Stella took home their first NATCH bar when they rocked an elite Regular course. Randy Pratt and Trypp earned five different NATCH titles including his Platinum NATCH 5 and V-NATCH 5 after successful runs in both elite TNG classes.
■ Our chief course builders, Steve Martin and Linda Lavolette, worked incredibly hard for 3 days keeping classes moving in a complicated two ring scenario.
■ The two rings needed multiple Ring Stewards and Vanessa Fanelli, Charlie Hackenbruch, Annie Elequin and Jyl Hershman-ross
■ Mike Stinson always shows up for us in so many ways – this year he took on driving the trailer to move our equipment back and forth to the trial site (and many other random tasks).
■ Dana Zachgo Wright and Lauren Goldberg worked to get scores entered and results out quickly and accurately.
And the entire effort was orchestrated under the lead of Kim Diane Galusha, who makes juggling all the plates in the air look easy, while simultaneously running three dogs.
Thanks to all who came! We look forward to seeing everyone back again next year!
Huge THANKS to all our contributors for special awards at our NADAC trial.
The Club’s annual TOBY AWARD:Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun winner was Brodie! Brodie ran with Annie Elequin and some runs with guest handler Charlie Hackenbruch.
The competition for the specialty High in Trial Awards was strong, and went to the following:
HIT: Armed Services or Coast Guard Handler (current or past) sponsored by Gus, Joey &
Steve Martin Steve Swami Martin:
LEXI and Andy Grubb
HIT: Intro Team (Intro level Q’s and 3 or less trials for both handler and dog) sponsored
by Wilson, Widget & Maureen Lemke:
WHISKEY and Erin Maiorino
HIT: Small, Fearless & Fast (Dogs jumping 4”-8”) sponsored by Shadow, Peeno Rue and
Rosie Blodgett:
KIKI and Ric Bonner
HIT: Vet Handler sponsored by Carnie, Twister, Micajah and Linda Lavolette:
IZZY and Laurie Nowlin
HIT: Double Digit Dogs (Dogs 10 years or older”) sponsored by Wigan and Becky Saltwick:
ROSIE and Mike Stinson
HIT: Tailless Dog (Naturally bobbed or not) sponsored by Luna the NBT & Jan Daley:
KIKI and Ric Bonner
HIT: Rescue Dog in memory of Gigi (Adopted from a rescue or shelter) sponsored by Wit
and Dominique Fessenden:
ZIVA and Lauren Goldberg
The Overall High in Trial Award was captured by the amazing team of Kim Diane Galusha (our fearless
trial chair) and her border pap, TREK. They had a fantastic weekend.
Two teams went home with NATCH BARS:
Vanessa Fanelli and Stella – NATCH
Randy Pratt and Trypp – P NATCH-5 and V NATCH-5
If you are one of the winners and I missed your photo, please put it in the comment section.
Congratulations to all the winners even if you didn’t get a ribbon. There were a lot of wins this weekend.
