Congratulations to our 2023 Novice/Novice Champion and Reserve Champion!
Novice Novice Champion: Fleetwood and Lynn Inia
by Lynn Inia
I imported Fleetwood as a pup from Italy in 2019. He is ISDS and FCI registered by Astra Maverick out of Kinloch Penny Junior, who is a littermate of Kinloch Carlos. His sire is a sheepdog on the breeder’s farm and competed with success at the highest levels of agility in Europe. His dam is a farm and trialing sheepdog for his breeder.
Fleetwood is my first Border Collie and I got him to be my next agility dog, but I also wanted to try herding. I had worked professionally with horses since my teens, along with owning, competing, breeding and hunting with working bred Jack Russell Terriers for the last 25 years. Being a certified Professional Dog Trainer, I built and own On Target Dog Training, teaching Puppy, Life Skills and Manners, Behavioral Consults and Agility, qualifying for agility Nationals and earning podiums. The one thing I hadn't tried was herding and it is now my new addiction !!!!
Fleetwood is a fantastic and fun dog to train and run in agility. We have had a limited career competing in agility because of our new journey into herding. Agility to Fleetwood is his fun hobby, however Herding is serious business to him. Winning the NN Championship was a nice surprise this year and I owe my dog for never giving up on me and always trying for me.
There are several people I would like to thank, because without everyone’s guidance and support this would not have happened.
We absolutely landed with the right Trainer, and I owe John Palmer a huge thank you for taking us on, for his knowledge, skill, patience and quiet ways. He is always encouraging but realistic and kind to my dog and me. It takes a Master teacher to unscramble my brain and to have the tolerance to continue with me. Thanks John.
Anne Wheatly came to my place and watched me work my sheep, at a time when our training was in trouble at home, which was severely impacting how much we were progressing in our lessons at Palmer’s and at any seminars/clinics I attended. She explained how my very novice mistakes were setting my dog up to fail and he couldn’t be right. I changed almost everything I was doing at home and immediately had a different dog that was able to be successful and back on the path of progressing. Thanks, Anne.
A big shout out to the OBCC Learning and Development Committee and all the Trainers, Open Handlers and Volunteers along with the farm owners for giving us these wonderful opportunities to learn, train in new locations and with a variety of sheep.
I also would like to thank Cynthia Palmer and Carol Guy for your encouragement and support.
Tania Costa of the Canine Wellness Centre for your encouragement, support and for keeping my dog in top condition.
And finally, to Scott Glen, you were right, “Fleetwood did do right by me”, it is a privilege to have had the opportunity to train with you. Thank you.
I have been inspired and in awe of my fellow competitors.
Novice Novice Reserve Champion: Nan and Mike Rember
by Mike Rember
Nan was bred, raised and trained by Fernando Loiola. Sired by his Josh, out of Pa cool little female called Nash. She arrived in the Fall of 2022 and I did not realize that we would walk to the post together so soon.
I have been to many trials with Stacey and had become a seasoned fence line commentator when I was finally convinced to give it a go…. How hard could this be?
Well, I left my first judge shaking his head and having a good laugh. All of the judges over the season had positive words and constructive advice for us.
We went home and went to work which was easy enough to do in theory, harder when actually trying to do it. We have an opportunity to try different situations which helped to create a bond on and off the sheep.
I would like to thank everyone for their encouragement and support.
Guess this means I'd better learn how to whistle!!