Acadia Sunburst Merry and Bright (Merry) is the daughter of Ch. Sunburst Bright Sunny Day, who in turn is the daughter of Ch. Acadia's Bright Idea, NA,NAJ, RA (Payson) x Ch. Sunburst Acadia Here I Come (Carrie). She is currently being shown by professional handlers, Joel McCarty and Nick Joines. This weekend she was Winners Bitch both Saturday and Sunday bringing her point total to 6 points of the needed 15.
This video is one of Finn's two legs for the Pre-Trial (PT) herding test. (I recommend watching it twice as it stops to download the first time. Also, click the x in corner of the ad to make it go away). To earn the title a dog must qualify two times under two different judges. Herding is the controlled movement of livestock. The AKC has two "Test" levels, Herding Tested (HT) and Pre-trial tested (PT) and three "Trial" levels, Herding Started (HS), Herding Intermediate (HI) and Herding Excellent (HX). At each level the dog must demonstrate more and more responsibility. At the lower levels, the handler is allowed to move with the sheep and the dog must demonstrate control (stopping and sitting or laying down), must keep the sheep with the handler and not chase them all over, have a change of direction, and finally, must help the handler put the sheep back in a pen in a controlled manner. The sheep must also go through various obstacles with each level. At the PT level, there are two panels. The sheep must go between the fence and the panels in each direction. They are given 10 minutes to complete the course. Finn did the course in 4:53 minutes and maintained control the whole time. He makes this look easy, but I have seen dogs really not ready for this level- and it is ugly! Now that Finn has mastered this level, he will move on the the HS level. There he will demonstrate more responsibility by going and picking up the sheep and bringing them back to the handler, and then he will have three obstacles the sheep will have to maneuver through.
Today Finn completed the required two qualifying scores to complete the Pre-trial tested (PT) herding title. Kathy said the judge on Saturday wrote, "Lovely dog- good potential" on his score sheet.
Xena and Finn are littermates. Within one week of eachother they have each completed the entry level titles of the venues they are being training in. I am so proud of both of these puppies and their owners- thank you! for all of the hard work you guys put into these dogs!
WHOO HOO Linda and Xena!! You two are SMOKIN'! These two were the Star of the Trials! Xena had 3 runs each for Standard and Jumpers with weaves. She qualified all three times in Jumpers to complete her first AKC agility title. Not only did she qualify three consecutive times, but she placed 1st in her class TWICE and was 2nd in her class the other time- each class had at least 7 dogs competing, so that is quite a nice win! Linda says, "I could not be more pleased with her progress. She listens, watches me, and loves to jump." I am just so excited for these two. Thanks for the great video!
Today at the Flagstaff Kennel Club show, Eden was Winners Bitch, Best of Winners, Best of Breed and Herding Group 1- shown by Sue Healy. Her brother, Acadia Prince of Peace (Manny), was Winners dog and Best of Winners at a show in VA- shown by Terry Jennings. I wish I had been at a show with Cassia- but alas, I am on a work trip and not at a dog show. I am just blown away with how well these puppies (well- they are 2.5 years old) are doing.
In order to compete in ASCA agility, you must be 18 months old. Xena is only 16 months old- so she couldn't compete to gain qualifing scores towards a title. HOWEVER... in this run, if she WAS able to officially compete, she would have place 1st !! Her time was 22 seconds- standard course time was 42 seconds.
She ran a second course on this day, but Linda was not able to video that run. Xena's time for her second run was 19 seconds. Have fun keeping up Linda!! :-)
This is the video Linda and Donna took of Tucker. It is so nice to be able to get videos and see the dogs in action. They look so happy. Donna is doing a great job with Tucker and I am really looking forward to reporting about his successes as well. They just look like they really have fun together. Thanks for sending this to me so I could share it.
Linda Hall lives in TX and owns the infamous Xena. This summer she and her family traveled to South Dakota for vacation. Xena's brother, Tucker, lives in South Dakota with Donna. Linda contacted Donna and got to meet Xena's brother. She said the two of them are so similar- Linda just fell in love with Tucker.
I just LOVE the fact that dogs bring people together! I LOVE having a a much larger family- thank you guys- you are the BEST!!!!!!!!!
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