100 Mile House was home to a different breed of athletes last weekend as the Cariboo Agility Team held its annual Agility Association of Canada trial, Aug. 24-25.
In all, 33 competitors and 56 dogs ran the colourful obstacle course at Lumberman’s Park a total of 370 times. Of those 370 runs, 101 were qualifying runs.
“They met criteria of time plus accuracy required at their level [to qualify],” explains organizer Roxanne Ziefflie, a member of the Cariboo Agility Team.
Competitors look to qualify at different levels – standard, advanced and master – with all types of dogs in different categories and events.
Georgina Connelly of 108 Mile Ranch and Brenda Witt of 100 Mile House are also members of the Cariboo Agility Team. Witt and Ziefflie each had two qualifying runs during the weekend and acted as judges, accompanied by Yvonne Babij of Lac Le Jeune.
Ziefflie says the event continues to draw a number of happy participants.
“People really like coming here every year. This year, we actually had to turn [competitors] away because we were full. [People] have a great trial and everyone pitches in to help.”
Two big awards were handed out. Christine Woodley of Langley and her dog, a Kelpie named Flexible, received a steeplechase gold medal and Naomi Packer of Big Lake received a gold award of merit with her dog, a Cardigan Corgi. Teqwen.
That is one our highest (awards), Ziefflie explains.
The next agility event for many of the competitors takes place in Kamloops on Labour Day weekend.
“Hopefully, we’re going to start seeing some more competitors from around here.”
