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It was pleasantly cool pre-spring weather for our AKC obedience and rally trials held at Masterpeace Dog Training in Franklin, Massachusetts over the March 18-19, 2023 weekend. The trials were dedicated to Margaret Stubbs. For Saturday’s obedience trial, there were 96 dogs entered with more than 40 breeds represented.
Top honors on Saturday went to Chris McClure whose Golden Retriever, Sunka Luta Lakota, PCD, SH was the highest-scoring dog in the trial (HIT) with a score of 198.5, and to Sharon Romeyko whose Border Collie, GCHS CH OTCH Julie Too’s Not for the Faint of Heart, UDX3, OM4, BN, VER, RN, DS, TKA earned the highest combined total score (Open B and Utility B classes) with 391 of 400 points. From Preferred Obedience, the winner was Claudia Novak and her Keeshond, KeeNorth Indigo Sky, from the Novice class. The Rena Fucillo Trophy for highest-scoring CRDTC member went to Roseann Mandell and Twizy (Mirasol’s Owlternative Energy, BN, RE, JH, OA, NAJ, OXP, AJP, XFP, WC) who competed in the Novice B class! Congratulations to everyone who entered, to all who qualified, and especially to those who finished their titles at our trial – always a thrill!
It takes many people working together for these trials to be successful, and this weekend was no exception. We appreciate Alanna Kelly for hiring our judges, Nancy Grimm from Alabama and Denise Lacroix from Massachusetts. Thanks to Barb Burri for expertly handling all of the trial secretary duties. Nancy Sankus worked with Barb to create easily-readable ring charts. Marianne Brinker got the rings set up with the help of Esther Zimmerman and a few other Club members and early-arriving competitors. Ronni Dalton, Chief Steward, put together a great group of stewards, including new members and 4-H volunteers, who kept the rings running smoothly for the judges starting with two very large Open classes through the Novice and Beginner Novice classes at the end of the day. When Fran Masters unexpectedly could not attend, Ronni filled in as Emergency Coordinator. Lena Kalita had the trophies and ribbons wonderfully organized, and Marita Terefenko presented them to each ring on Saturday. Nancy Taber had delicious breakfast and lunch items [and chocolate] ready and available all day. Maryanne King brought lovely cyclamen plants to grace the secretary’s table. New competitors in the Novice A and Beginner Novice A classes were charmed with the goody bags which Marilyn Tromer had put together for them. Debbie Stern on Saturday and Elizabeth Evans on Sunday organized the variety of donations, including books and leashes, for our workers’ raffle. The judges appreciated the gifts which Becky Leonard had for them. I am so grateful to each of these people and for the extra assistance we received from other Club members who lent a hand wherever needed, both before the trials and throughout the weekend!