November 15, 2011
DISCOVER DOGS The next few months pass in a blur. In September, they moved into Grade 2 and in October, won a Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year heat qualifying them for Crufts 2012. They’re going brilliant in training, but we know that’s not always carried through to competition! Soon the big day arrives and we head off to Earls Court.
It’s all quiet at the benching without the public, but that soon changes. It’s our first time in this environment and Nemo won’t settle in his crate. We walk him round the hall, visiting friends at the Black and Tan breed stands! He calms down a little, but then it’s time to walk the jumping course - it’s nice and flowing and the carpet doesn’t seem too slippery.
As the crowds grow a buzz sets in, how will Nemo react? Their turn arrives and Laura does some tricks to get his attention on her. The commentator introduces them and away they go! Laura keeps him focused and despite the odd slip on the carpet they finish clear in the jumping round, and with a decent time go into 2nd place! Nemo barely seemed to notice the crowd. The winner was more experienced and almost won this event in 2010.
The crowd gets bigger, the noise gets louder and then the flyball dogs start up. At times it’s deafening and Nemo still won’t settle. The time arrives for the agility round. A lot of the early runners get spooked at one corner where the crowd is very close. Laura has the penultimate run and sets off. It’s steady rather than fast. They reach the spooky corner and Nemo hesitates a little, but not enough for a fault. Some great handling by Laura gets him past that and they finish with a flourish to go into the lead with a clear! Only one runner left and the tension ratchets up a notch. They’re fast, but the dog comes out of the tunnel and runs completely past the next jump! Laura and Nemo have won!!!!
Who knows where their next adventure will take them. The winners of the Starters Cup 2011 for medium dogs were Laura Vint and her English Toy Terrier Nemo
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