WORKING TRIALS IN AMERICA

Back in the autumn of 1995 a small group of enthusiasts in Austin, Texas, arranged a working seminar, given by Moira and myself, to find out more about British working trials. America does have tracking tests but these are unlike the trials that we are familiar with in the U.K. Their tests only consist of a track, with no other obedience or agility requirements necessary, and the track is not awarded marks but is done on a pass or fail system. At the Working trials seminar we covered all of the exercises for C.D and U.D stakes and ended up by running a mock trial on the final afternoon. Needless to say, no dogs obtained a qualifying score as the dogs and handlers had only seen the scale jump the day before the event!

In May, Nelson Smith travelled from the North East of England and conducted a series of well received training sessions with the groups in Houston and Austin in Texas. This was followed by a full C.D stake where several dogs came very close to qualifying, the usual combination of stays and jumps taking their toll.

After a summer where the temperatures had made training impossible, the Texas trials enthusiasts got down to some hard training and on the 17th of November held their third British trial under a qualified British judge and history was made when the first ever dog and handler qualified C.D ex.

Working trials report:

Lone Star Working Trials Group

Held at Round Rock, Nr Austin Texas on 17th November 1996

Judge - John Rogerson

C.D. stake

The day started in the low sixties with overcast skies that threatened rain just right for the competition. Five nervous handlers arrived to take part in the competition. There would have been more but for an agility competition taking place in Houston that weekend.

After a short briefing the dogs were given ten minutes of exercise time and the competitors lined up for the ten minute down stay. We followed this with the search exercise and then completed the test with retrieve, recall, heelwork, sendaway, clear, long and scale jump. The test ended for each dog with an individual two minute out of sight sit stay where I had the opportunity to explain to each competitor the marks lost on each exercise.

My thanks to the trials manager, Buddy Trotter, for ensuring that everything ran smoothly and to my steward, Sue, for making such a wonderful job of assisting the competitors and myself.

RESULTS

1st Mark Donnell and Mako (Malinois dog) 91 points qual. C.D (ex)

A full point sendaway retrieved a sticky control section but, other than that, all other exercises were performed really well. A heart stopping moment on the scale jump kept everyone on their toes until the very end. A dog that has a great attitude to work and an ambassador for the breed in this sport, well handled by Mark who never let nerves get the better of him. The first ever C.Dex in this country - what an achievement.

2nd Kim Donnell and Piper (Malinois bitch) 75.5 points NQ

With two articles out of the search square and an unusually bad retrieve this team was left just one point short of qualifying in the nosework section. If only Kim had recognized the piece of stick as an article early in the search things would have been very different. Qualified in all other sections. Kim thus becomes the first American to suffer from the 'if only' syndrome. This pair should make it at the next trial in December 96.

3rd Cheryl Trotter and Twist (Border collie bitch) 73 points NQ

Twist sat up in the down stay and had a few problems in the agility section but otherwise put up a very creditable performance. With a dog as motivated as Twist, there should be no problems in qualifying in the very near future.

4th Nicole with Shakti (crossbreed bitch) 67 points NQ

Nicole and Shakti began their trials training in May and so deserve every credit for this result. Just short on the control section and sitting towards the end of the down stay were the reasons for not qualifying. I know that Nicole was delighted with the way her dog worked. better luck next time.

5th Diana Smith with Cheer (Border collie dog) 31.5 NQ

A dog with lots of potential who did not quite get it right on the day. I know that nerves play a big part and staying relaxed is not an easy task but all credit to Diana for completing every exercise and hopefully setting the scene for success next time.

The next trial is scheduled to take place in December and Harry Arbuckle will make the journey from bonnie Scotland to do the honours. Good luck to all who take part.

In closing, on behalf of the working trials groups in America, can I say a big thank you to a number of people who have helped, guided and encouraged the emergence of the sport in America. Roy Hunter who first introduced the concept of working trials on some of his American tours. Bill Hardaway who offered guidance to the people who were responsible for getting things started. Irene Grantham who judged an American competitor at Stamford last year and was "the sweetest, most helpful judge I could imagine" (Quote from Cheryl Trotter who worked my dog, Torque in U.D). ASPADS, NECWTS, YWTS, SWTS and Northants and Beds WTS for making my series of American visitors to trials so warmly received and welcomed. Jane Sharp who conducted a trials seminar in California. Nelson Smith for helping the trials groups in Texas in his own, inimitable way. Harry Arbuckle for giving up some of his vacation time to judge and help with training. My wife Moira who has given up so many hours to teach our American friends and to all the great trials people who have taken the trouble to talk to, and encourage their dog training counterparts in the USA.

Remember that the sport is very new to this country and if you want to help them by giving your support and advice or even just to correspond with a group of great dog enthusiasts then drop Mark Donnell a line at 800 Wagon Wheel, Georgetown, Texas 78628 USA. If you have EMail then the address is Donnell@arlut.utexas.edu

The group has a working trials web site complete with pictures of trials in the USA. and would welcome articles for inclusion. Contact Mark for more information.

The trials group in Idaho is in the hands of Marti Kincaid and her Email address is denmar@cyberhighway.net Marti is also the president of NADOI (National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors).

John Rogerson