issue 8October/November 2012

Line Fatland Frøystad

Igor Tracz Zsuzsa Veres

Olga Nylec Rally Obedience Poland

József Zsíros Skyhoundz World Champion 2012

Adam KratkyAgnieszka JareckaNikolas Imiołczyk

Silvia Trkman

Tobias Wüst

After the AWC 2012After the EuroCanix 2012

SummaryJózsef Zsíros

Tobias Wüst

Line Fatland Frøystad

Silvia Trkman

Zsuzsa Veres

Olga Nylecinterview with

interview with

Skyhoundz World Champion 2012

after the Agility World Championship 2012

Agility World Championship 2012 : Clash of the Titans

Rally Obedience Poland

Obedience Norway

October / November 2012

Agnieszka JareckaNikolas Imiołczyk

Line Fatland Frøystadinterview with

after the Euro Canix 2012

after the Agility World Championship 2012 Andrea & Pavel Kucera :

Sedivackuv long 2013

Euro Canix 2012 (15th Canicross European Championship)

Igor Tracz

Adam Kratky

Obedience Norway

Zsíros Zsíros J ó z s e f J ó z s e f 2012 Skyhoundz Sport Expert

World Champions

& Seesco

Veni, Vidi, Vici

Your "tour" in America could be called Veni, Vidi, Vici ... How did you celebrate this victory?

The Veni, Vidi was great but the Vici was real hard! The celebrate, What could I say, I don't like the big party where everybody look me But I have tell you that Matteo, Angela, Julia, Bettina, and Christina called me in the party after the competition, They told me I have to be there, but I know that I'm not able to go to the party! I wanted to go to home ! But I got lot of nice words from the people everywhere, and these words are means a lot for me!

József Zsiros & Seesco

2012 Skyhoundz Sport Expert World Champions

photo by Kat Fahle (Good-Dog Sports)

József is from Hungary and he’s the disc dog distance master ... last year he had already been present at the World Championship in the USA, but did not go so well...this year was totaly different...he stayed focused and demonstrated what he can do on the field. József and Seesco have become the 2012 Skyhoundz Sport Expert World Champions!

His other very significant results are : 1st USDDN EC 2011 Super-Pro Toss & Fetch ,1st 2010 Skyhoundz Sport Expert European Championship , 1st 2011 Skyhoundz Sport Expert EC and 3rd with Blacky the same year in Sport Expert .This year he finished second at the 2012 Skyhoundz Sport Expert European Championship.

how did you feel after the first round?

I was very disappointed, my all throw was good but Seesco did two mistakes. I didn't understand why, because in last competitions he can catch the disc in all weather condition. But I could see the first round result I thought I have a chance on top 10.

What was the first thing crossed your mind When Seesco has caught the last disc?

Before the last round, I knew that I should throw in the last zone all my throws. I thinked that the podium would have been available. I tried, but two times my throws were shorter. It was my fault. I didn't know after It will be enought. So ,first thing was that: I hope these point will be enought !

I was afraid about to points that we have lost in the first round these will be missing for us. After that I can't see nothing, because, I was talking with otther competitors. ..But when I came back to our place, the canadian people said me congratulation because I'm on the podium and little bit later Mark and Chunk said me I'm the winner, but I couldn't believe it!

For the Skyhoundz World Championship 2012 results CLICK HERE

At the 2012 Skyhoundz Xtreme Distance Davy Whippet and Rob McLeod have set 2 new world records...Now one of your future plans will be a new world record?

One of my favourite competitors is Rob, Rob is a higher level than the other competitors! In this moment we can't compete in SkyHoundz Xtreme distance, because I have to leave Seesco to run ,with no errors by him.

But I hope we can break our Europen Record in Quadruped the next year with Seesco, and I hope I can compete in Xtreme distance with my new dog Ivory few years later. I could learn some thing from Rob. And I need a little rest , but after that we will start the preparation on the next year!

Agility World Championship 2012 4-

7 oc

tobe

r

From the 4th to the 7th October in Liberec , Czech Rep. was held the AWC 2012 . This article is a brief summary about what happened in Liberec at the Agility World Championship 2012. On the following pages, after the article you can read three short interviews with some of the partecipants that made some special results this year.

Clash Clash of theof theTitansTitans

AWC 2012: Clash of the Titans

The AWC is an event that every year is more incredible , where the best representatives of this sport “discipline” are ready to facing each other , the best ones come to light demonstrating their skills doing some spectacular turs. The suspense persists during each competition, this to show that all the participants are almost at the same level...

Agility World Championship 2012

TitansTitansEverything started on October 4, when was held the opening ceremony and the first race of the Agility World Championship 2012 started. The first competition was the Jumping for the Large teams. The best one was the USA team which was the only team with 2 competitors with the time under 29sec . Silvina Bruera 28.86sec and Tori Self 28.96sec . Channan Fosty with 30.01sec and Daisy Peel that finished in 31.78 seconds. The second place was for the Slovenian team formed by Polona Bonac, Silvia Trkman and Matej Čuček. The Swiss were placed third. On the second day the first course was for the Jumping for the Medium team. The best ones were the French. Second place for the Czech Republic. Third place for the Hungary with Zsuzsa Veres & Eta who "rescued" the podium by lowering the average time of 32 sec with an excellent 29.97 sec. In Fourth place again the Slovenians Polona Bonač and Silvia Trkman this time together with Zoltan Pap. The Small Jumping team run. The time limit of the course was 31sec, which was too low, only a dozen of competitors were able to complete the course in the time limit. The Hungarians have won this competition Ágnes Tóth & Gory 30.55 sec, Zsófi Bíró & Scilla 31.21 s , Katalin Farkas & Kleo 31.41 , Rita Vincze-Papp & Cikk-Cakk 35.40 s. Second place went to Japan, third on the podium Americans.

The girls from the Czech Republic have amazed and pocketed the first place in Agility Team Large especially Tereza Králová & Nice that made a beautiful run and stopped the clock with the second fastest time 35.88 s. The best time was done by Juha Orenius Gaia with 35.19 sec. Finland could win , the team has done everything possible but with a small error Pirjo Yli-Juuti and the disqualification of Jaakko Suoknuuti took home "only" the 7th place. The second place on the podium went to the Swiss, the third to the Japanese, Germany fourth , Italians fifths. After all Switzerland won the World Champion 2012 title in Large Team , Germany was second and Italy third! Also in the Agility Team Medium run the competitors from the Czech Republic did excite the audience. Martina Magnoli Klimešová & Kiki, Hamšíková Petra & Lara, Kateřina Malačková & jackiee Nikola Schovancová & Kejsi have won this competition and have taken the first place in the raniking Jumping + Agility : the Czech Republic girls have become the World Champions Team Medium 2012! In the Agility team Medium competition the Belgians came second and the third United Kingdom. In the final standings on the podium are the Czech Republic first, second the Spain and third Hungary!

AWC 2012: Clash of the Titans

In Jumping Large individual the best was Lisa Frick and Hoss who finished her run in 30.08 sec. Second place went to the German Philipp Müller-Schnick with Heat. Third place went to the great French pair Gregory Bielle Bidalot & Cayenne. In Jumping Small Individual this time the German Tobias Wüst with his Shetland Sheepdog Peanat has registered an impressive time 28.97 sec , the only one under 29 seconds. On the podium with him the two Russian Elena Kapustina with Tekna and Polina Soloveva with Adrenaline. The young Swedish Jannie Abelsson Svensson took on fourth place her Sheltie Inna. Luca Raimondi with Nice Blocker "Ori" was the best of the Italians finishing in 5th place with 29.58 sec. Mireille Oé & Less with the same time ended also in 5th place. In the Jumping Medium Individual run were on the podium 2 of the 5 Border Collie in the competition. The first place went to a very fast Natasha Wise with Dizzy (28.98 sec). The Belgian Andy De Groote & Deedee (29.09 sec) came second, third place for the French Johann Canal & Bad Boy with 29.12 sec. The best team in the Agility Small competition was the Danish composed by Natasha Gjerulff Jensen with Primadonna and Cider, Susanne Prier with Dweet and Hanne Svejstrup with Soffy. The second team on the podium was the French, third the Czech Rep. After the 4th place in jumping and the 4th in agility the Germany becomes the World Champion in Small teams , second place for the Czech Republic and third in the world the Danish team! The best Agility Small competitors in the world are seen struggling with the second and final round of the event for them . The best was the Russian Elena Kapustina with Tekna , the only one to beat the time of Tobias Wüst with Peanat , and take home the 2nd place in Agility and the title for World Champion 2012 in Small. Еlena Kapustina never ceases to amaze in Liberec because even with her dog Party finished the Agility run in 5th place behind Natasha Gjerulff Jensen & Primadonna and Ruta Garda & Reila. Еlena & Party have closed their week at AWC2012 with a 4th place in the final ranking. The penultimate competition on the last day of the World Championship Agility 2012 was incredible.

Olga Kwiecien-Maniewska and the Polish team

In the Agility Medium individual run we have seen impressive runs from a lot of competitors ... Silvia Trkman wrote another chapter in the history of Agility. An incredible run for Silvia Trkman & LE 32.19 sec (eliminated in Jumping) with more than one second ahead of the Polish Olga Kwiecien-Maniewska 33.28 s. Natasha Wise also gave to everyone a perfect run for the third place with Dizzy in 33.65 sec. After the victory in Jumping and 3rd place in Agility today Natasha Wise won her 3rd title of World Champion in the Medium! Petra & Lara Hamšíková today sixth take home the title of vice-champion of the world. Third on the podium Silvia Trkman with La (7th in jumping and 8th in agility ). The last competition, the most waiting of the weekend, saw the best competitors in Agility Large struggling on the second and final run for them ,the Agility course. Lisa Frick & Hoss after the wonderful jumping run , triumphs also in agility , she did an incredible run in 35.05 seconds . Lisa has put her signature also this year and has been proclaimed Agility Large World Champion 2012 for the 3rd time! Lisa Frick and Hoss have won all the 2 rounds jumping and Agility! A shame for the other austrian competitor Andrea Foglar and Twiss (AUT) who made the 4th time agility but were disqualified in Jumping and in the overall standings was far behind, the same story for Tereza Králová sixth time in agility but a mistake cost her a DIS in jumping . We should point out that the French GREGORY BIELLE BIDALOT and the really young CAYENNE were impressive in this run and of course the whole weekend .They took home the title of Vice-Champion of the World. Third place for the great and the also joung BU with SILVIA TRKMAN a great third place that leads the Slovenian on the 4th place in the overall ranking . The German Philipp Müller-Schnick and Heat 5th in agility and 2nd in jumping finished on the third step of the podium in the final results .

AWC 2012: Clash of the Titans

All the results ,courses and videos

of the AWC 2012 are HERE

In the Agility Medium individual run we have seen impressive runs from a lot of competitors ... Silvia Trkman wrote another chapter in the history of Agility. An incredible run for Silvia Trkman & LE 32.19 sec (eliminated in Jumping) with more than one second ahead of the Polish Olga Kwiecien-Maniewska 33.28 s. Natasha Wise also gave to everyone a perfect run for the third place with Dizzy in 33.65 sec. After the victory in Jumping and 3rd place in Agility today Natasha Wise won her 3rd title of World Champion in the Medium! Petra & Lara Hamšíková today sixth take home the title of vice-champion of the world. Third on the podium Silvia Trkman with La (7th in jumping and 8th in agility ). The last competition, the most waiting of the weekend, saw the best competitors in Agility Large struggling on the second and final run for them ,the Agility course. Lisa Frick & Hoss after the wonderful jumping run , triumphs also in agility , she did an incredible run in 35.05 seconds . Lisa has put her signature also this year and has been proclaimed Agility Large World Champion 2012 for the 3rd time! Lisa Frick and Hoss have won all the 2 rounds jumping and Agility! A shame for the other austrian competitor Andrea Foglar and Twiss (AUT) who made the 4th time agility but were disqualified in Jumping and in the overall standings was far behind, the same story for Tereza Králová sixth time in agility but a mistake cost her a DIS in jumping . We should point out that the French GREGORY BIELLE BIDALOT and the really young CAYENNE were impressive in this run and of course the whole weekend .They took home the title of Vice-Champion of the World. Third place for the great and the also joung BU with SILVIA TRKMAN a great third place that leads the Slovenian on the 4th place in the overall ranking . The German Philipp Müller-Schnick and Heat 5th in agility and 2nd in jumping finished on the third step of the podium in the final results .

SilviaTrkman

This year you have participated with three dogs at the World Championships in individual Medium and Large and in Team Medium and Large With all of your dogs you have taken home amazing results in almost every run... How much it makes you proud of them and of you...What has been the sweetest result for you this time? Hard to decide... Normally, results in individual runs such as Le's win and Bu's 3rd place mean the most to me, but then, winning podium with an 11-year-old is certainly very important to me, especially as it shows how important conditioning of the dog is! And I'm very happy abut our large team placing 2nd and medium placing 4th in team jumping too! Pretty impressive for a small country like Slovenia! About the 3rd place in Medium ...How special does it feel to have done it with La ?

It's a very special achievement for me, to be on a podium in 2012 with the same dog as in 2003. La is certainly a one in a billion dog. You seemed very relaxed, calm and focused throughout the weekend but were there any particular moments where you did start to feel a bit of pressure or anything like that? No, I don't do well under pressure. All my focus is on the dogs and the course. It's just me, my dog and the course. I stay off line for all the days on purpose, as all the good wishes on e-mail and Facebook make me feel under pressure. I do appreciate them, but only read them after it's all over.

After the AWC 2012...after the AWC 2012: Silvia Trkman

One thing that remained impressed in your mind at this AWC? I really liked the organization team. After the scare on microchip check before you can reward the dog, waiting in line 20 dogs before your turn etc. the whole team was very relaxed about the rules and with WAY more feeling for the dogs as these rules implied. They allowed everybody to run their best and were all very nice. The footing was great too. If you could give a vote / opinion to the courses of the AWC ...How would you rate them in a scale of 1 to 10? Nine. These were really cool, flowing, interesting courses. But from selfish reasons, I of course always vote for few more turns and technical stuff I also think the judging was the best so far - usually we see many more wrong calls on contacts as we did this year. I also liked that they finally dared to measure some dogs as too big as the trend is that countries are entering bigger&bigger dogs in classes they don't belong to. Your overall impressions of the event? Loved it. Great atmosphere, footing, organizers, enough parking, no traffic jams like last year and many great dogs and handlers. Too bad next year is South Africa and most of us won't be there...

Tobias

You have participated with your two dogs at the AWC 2012 : Peanut with Eager to Work – “Peanat” in individual Small and team Small and Brun-Noir’s Bizarr Don – “Don” in Large and in Team Large . You become the World Champion with the German team in Small , The vice champion in Small and vice-champion in Team Large... Did you have imagined a weekend like this? I didn´t imagined the weekend to be like that of course i wished i would be successful. For me this was the best WM ever and the good cooperation with the Team and Teamleaders was very important for the successes. What has been the sweetest result for you this time? Specially to be the vice-champion with Don in Team Large makes me very happy and proud. But all the other results are amazing aswell.

After the AWC 2012...after the AWC 2012: Tobias Wüst

Wüst

Of which of your runs are you more proud of? I am proud of all runs. From 8 runs i got 7 of them without a mistake which is great. The Team Runs where a challenge because i started at the third or last place and i had to run clear. If you could give a vote / opinion to the courses of the AWC ...How would you rate them in a scale of 1 to 10? Small: 7 Large: 5 One thing that remained impressed in your mind at this AWC? The atmosphere was amazing and my Dogs where absolutely excellent. Your overall impressions of the event? The AWC was very good organized. They did a great Job.

Of which of your runs are you more proud of?

The team jumping run with Eta of course! J We had the 4th best time and finished only 0,07 seconds after the triple World Champion Natasha and Dizzy. But I also liked Kaj’s individual agility run a lot till the elimination – even if it was not perfect… Kaj was just amazing! :) If you could give a vote / opinion to the courses of the AWC ...How would you rate them in a scale of 1 to 10?

I liked the individual large courses the most, especially the jumping and the team medium jumping course. Some courses looked to be a bit too simple without any special challenges or sometimes not so nice angles for the dogs. I don’t like to score things, sorry… :) My general impression was that may be the courses were way too easy for a WC… but yes, there you always have some extra challenges just because it is a WC! :)

After the AWC 2012...after the AWC 2012: Zsuzsa Veres

VeresZsuzsa

One thing that remained impressed in your mind at this AWC? At WC I always have so many impressions that it is hard to say only one… :) But things I will always remember… Being part of the 3rd placed Hungarian medium team (first time Hungary earned a medal in team competition at WC!) and fighting for each other, 2 people becoming TRIPLE World Champion (isn’t it impressive?) and just being part of this special event! Your overall impressions of the event?

After a bit chaotic start with the delayed veterinary inspection I think it was the most amazingly organized WC I have ever seen! The footing was perfect, they built the courses fast, the price giving ceremony was really spectacular and generally every small detail was on its place. The organizers were really professional and in the same time finally it was a dog and handler friendly event what lately was not the case! The handlers were not forced to stand in there before their runs for long and it was possible to reward the dogs quite fast after the run. I think this is really important since lately at the WCs they seemed to forget the most important ’thing’ in agility – the dog. Well done for the Czech and big thanks from me! ;) And last but not least… it was soooo good to see many friends again and got some new ones! :)

Interview with

Olga is the founder of the PSIOK dog school which organizes events and dog trainings from obedience to agility . She’s also the president of the Polish Rally Obedience Association. Read this interview about the state of this sport in Poland.

Olga Nylec Rally Obedience

in Poland

Olga Nylecinterview with Olga Nylec

You are the founder of the PSIOK dog school which organizes events and dog trainings , you are also the president of the Polish Rally Obedience Association. What led you to start with the rally obedience?

Training dogs I was looking for some idea to encourage my students to continue working with their dogs. A lot of people who ends elementary obedience course and then they don’t continue working with their pupils.

I tried to encourage my trainees to continue trainings (not necessarily at school because of high costs) and to check themselves during the traditional obedience competition. Unfortunately in most cases people said that this was not for them or their dogs and it was too difficult and needed lots of training to start in such kind of competition.

I tried to overcome it and I took part in obedience competition on my own. I was second with no special preparing. I relied upon walking near leg remaining the dog on the handlers left side and reasonably close and attentive to the handler.

We do not have this commend elaborate as well as it is required in obi but we've never need it.

It would be 'irritating' for me if my dog 'lied' at my leg during this command. I don't want to be misunderstand because for me obi is fantastic sport just the way of dog walking at my leg is impractical for me.

And so I started wondering if there was any discipline in which ordinary owners of well-brought-up dogs could work out.

I was searching in Internet and found rally. I made contact with rally founder Charles L. Bud Kramer and that's how it started.

In the 2011 you have organized the first Rally-O competition in Poland . Now before the end of the 2012 how the competitions are progressing?

The first rally-o competitions I organised in December 2011. Before that we had organised informal games for disabled people – wards of DogIQ foundation. Most of them got around in a wheelchair. Teams started according to the regulations for able-bodied people and they managed very well all the more that they had two days for knowing regulations!

In December games nine teams took part and as for the first time we found it as a good sign.

We have managed to organise 8 editions in different Polish towns so far and to the end of this year there will have been four more competitions.

On 6th October there were 26 teams which is very promising for the future.

We get very nice e-mails from participants of competitions or workshops with greetings or information that they work with their dogs as the rule (during walks) and they train rally – I'm really found of it.

After competitions in Warsaw mum of one of competitors ( Junior Category) came to me and thanks with a word ‘You don’t even know how much joy you made us’ – so I think that rally-o has future in Poland.

interview with Olga Nylec

How many clubs that practice Rally obedience we can find in Poland?

There are more and more clubs and schools which lead lessons from rally-o. At present there are about 30 but there appear new ones. There is a lack of schools in the east but we will try to change it.

There is also some number of people who not taking part in dogs school but they are practising according to directions from our website.

It was a great surprise to me during competitions in July in Oleśnica when a handler who had prepared by herself took part in competition and got by very well.

I'd like to stress that in Senior Class there are the largest numbers of signs to become familiar with (62 stations with counting out a few forbidden connected with the dog's age).

Do you have a real championship in Poland? Is this an official sport in Poland?

As Rally Obedience Association we have written permission from rally-o creator – Bud for introducing this discipline to Poland and on that grounds we organise competitions. Rally-o gains more and more followers and from competitions to competitions there are more and more teams.

At your club , PSIOK . Is there a lot of demand for practicing this sport ?

The idea of rally-o is to encourage to work with dogs all „regular owner of the dog“ and it's working out as a rule.

As I explain doing an exercise I always call on to daily live with a dog and thanks to that it's easy to encourage people to rally.

At the moment I have a group of 15 people training rally and some of them have already started in the championship and for some the first time it was in Gdynia.

That kind of competitions it is a great socialization for dogs and for handlers it is a lesson how to control nerves and to learn how our emotions have an influence on dog – so it's a real school of life.

Where the rally-O scene is developed more? Which City?

In my opinion we could say something more about that by the end of the year when we will see the number of teams in particular cities.

Rally-o is developing and it will be developing especially in big cities because there is higher knowledge of dogs’ education and there is easier access to dogs’ schools.

In Warsaw started 17 teams, in Gdynia 26 and both are big cities.

How the Rally-O scene grew in your country this year?

Altogether in this year over 100 teams took part in competitions and to the end of year we are planning two more competitions. More and more schools are informing us that they are leading rally courses. Here in Poland we are not used to that kind of competitions as free and easy obedience so it has to pass some time till rally takes.

How do you see the scene in a couple of years?

For a few years during the same competitions there will be several rings at which there will take place rally – like in US. So during one championship several dozen teams will be judged.

Also in Poland appreciation about dog’s education and needs is growing. When it comes to knowledge about this subject I don’t think that we lag behind other countries. Great trainers and behaviourist from all over the world come to us and share with their knowledge during workshops. People gladly take part in these meetings and more and more willingly work with their dogs.

Rally makes an opportunity to check what the team has learned and what the bond is between the owner and his dog. Rally also encouraging kids and teenagers to work with dogs and here I can see a huge potential and development of this sport in this circle of people.

What about dog trekking...Dog trekking is a very popular sport in Poland there is the Polish Cup and many events as well as those who organize you, it means that Poland have many beautiful landscapes and a lot of people who want to realize something good.

interview with Olga Nylec

Your club also organizes dog trekking events...the POMORSKI DOG TREKKING CUP , tell us something more...how was this year?

Now the Rally Obedience Association organises dog trekking cub competitions. As school I passed it away into good hands of Association what gives us more opportunities especially in the subject of prizes for competitors. The Association organises competitions in the area of Pomeranian voivodship. It’s competitions for fans and than professionals.

This year we have arranged 6 competitions so far in the area of Pomeranian voivodship. To the end of the year we have two more but we are planning an extra edition.

What is very enjoyable average during each championship there are about 30-40 teams.

Some teams approach competition in very serious way. It means that every day they train and during the competition they run. Some treat it as a good fun and walk not run with a map. Dog trekking is for everyone as it can be seen during our competitions In which whole families take part and In which also small dogs start.

During one of the competition on the distance of 10 km a family with Yorkshire Terrier took part.

We can also see that some of the competitors began from 10 km and now they start at the longest distance about 50 km so they take up new gauntlet – well done.

In Pomeranian voivodeship we have beautiful areas- some flat some with hills, amazing forests near the town centre and marvelous lakes. There are a lot of places for walking and definitely we use it during dog trekking.

Apart from individual classification we also have team classification what is a great idea for promoting animal shelters or foundations. In our competitions dogs from these shelters take part promoting themselves. It could help in finding them home. That kind of shelter or Association collect points as a group and thanks to that it could be more visible outside what gives a better chance for calling attention at its activity.

We hope that our activities both dog trekking and rally-o will activate the dog owners to spend a nice time with their dogs not only at home.

European Championship 2012 Canicross

The 15th ECF European Championship was held on the 13-14 october at Cirencester Park in Gloucestershire , United Kingdom .The main characteristic of the event was the muddy track ... with many problems, especially for the participants of bikejoring , in some areas you had to pass right into giant puddles... But after all, these are the races, the unexpected is around the corner. The races were formed by 2 rounds : 1 on saturday and the 2nd on sunday. That were not present the last year champions in Canicross and Bikejoring , was able to give a valid reason in the others to do their best.

European Championship 2012 ...mud for everyoneCanicross

The winner , the 2012 European Champion in the canicross Adult man class was the young Polish talent Nikolas Imiołczyk . He finished in front of Robin Leyon. Robin was also 2nd last year when he finished behind SEBASTIEN SPEHLER . Third placed was the french Antony Lemoigne. In canicross Woman the podium was all formed by Belgian girls :1st was Sabine Vanderzwalmen , 2nd Tessa Philiooaerts and third Kirsten Schoonbaert. Sabine was 4th in the 2011 ,she finished behind the three Czech that were not present this year ŠTĚPÁNKOVÁ MARTINA, KLIKAROVÁ SOŇA , SOBECKÁ HALÍŘOVÁ JARMILA. In the Bikejoring Adult man , another Polish took the gold medal , Marek Długołęcki . He finished in front of the young Franch talent Alexis Bolcato and Olgierd Tracz. Marek was 3rd in the 2011 behind the Slovenian EDVARD SCHUMET and IGOR TRACZ . The more times champion and legend in bikejoring Igor Tracz was "only" fourth this year after a very unfortunate weekend for him . He had problems in the first round (and in the second) , he crashed, broke the bike , saddle, grip, broken shifter and much more ... a real shame . Kajetan Jasiczak was again 5th as in 2011 . In Bikejoring Woman , the Polish , Agnieszka Rychwalska , 4th in the 2011 , won the title of European Bikejoring Champion 2012 . She finished in front of the 2011 champion Agnieszka Jarecka and Mélanie Vermot.

To see the complete results list CLICK HERE

photos by Adam Kratky

after the Euro Canix 2012...

Adam KratkyDNS bikejoring man

race course 30min before start on Saturday

photos and text by Adam Kratky

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Adam Kratky

after the Euro Canix 2012...

Adam Kratky did not start the bikejoring race and wrote an article where he explains all the background of this crazy adventure at the European Championships 2012 and why he didn’t start the race.

Last week I drove 1500km to Cirencester, UK to compete at the ECF European Championship. After my arrival, I soon realized what I am up against.

The British hosts, while designing and preparing the racecourse, failed to take into consideration many crucial facts such as the typical local weather, the fact that many athletes came to compete on the highest performance level with extremely fast and powerful dogs, or the simple fact, that a racecourse for a top level bikejoring event demands different standards.After walking several times and riding (alone as well as with a dog) through the original and the augmented racecourse, I decided not to race at the ECF Championship in Cirencester for the sake of safety of my dog and myself. Furthermore, I was shocked by the level of amateurism and arrogance by the Canix.co.uk organizational team. I regard this as the worst race I have ever been at.

Below, I would like to state the reasons for my criticism. I will also provide a few photographs to document my points.

- the vast majority of the course was covered in mud that was 10cm deep or deeper

- there were many deep tracks after quad-bikes and 4WDs filled with mud and water

- nobody knew how deep these puddles are

- at several parts the track was very narrow with semi-solitaire trees with no tapes indicating the correct path

Adam is a bikejorer , canicrosser , scooterjorer ...from the Czech rep. Adam in the 2010 has earned the fifth place at the European Championship in Baraque de Fraiture, Belgium . This year can boast of good results obtained at the Hill’s cup in Czech Rep.

race course 30min before start on Saturday

- while walking I had to bend down because 1cm thick (or thicker) branches. There was no realistic way anyone could fit under them while bikejoring

- the organizers failed to follow the ECF's standard way (specified in general rules) of marking the course. They used arrows on trees that proved to be confusing at several places as well as the Danger signs used.

- the Swiss, French, Spanish competitors were complaining on the track too when speaking to the organizers, we were told, that the UK competitors are OK with the track. That was Canix's solution for the time being.

- only later they decided to cut some of the dangerous branches

- on Friday (one day before the race) I went on the course for a test ride without a dog. After 2km, the bike was covered by so much sticky mud, that it would not shift or just simply go forward. The rear wheel did not spin. (see photos)

- on Friday afternoon ECF's track commission reviewed the track, saw my bike and claimed the course not suitable for bikejoring

the bike after 2km of track

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Adam Kratky

during the Team leaders' meeting, the organizers were forced to make a few alterations to the track. These were minor, due to the fact, that the organizers didn't negotiate the right to change the course (if needed ex. due to the weather) with the landowner

- about 14 hours before the start of the European Championship we were sent on the new racecourse!

- none of the changes (except of one) were marked. We were struggling with the ambivalent arrows again, no use of colored plastic tape or barriers to navigate us the right way

- after a test run on the racecourse , Patrik Zupanic's dog started to limp and did not, therefore, pass the vet check on Friday

- most of the dangerous parts remained unchanged

- at 7:30am (30min to start) while expecting the track, the Polish competitors pointed out, the changes to the track are still not made/marked

- the surface of the course was deep mud slush (see photos)

- the course was not marked properly even during the Saturday race

- many top level bikejoring competitors repeatedly crashed on the racecourse due to its condition (ex. P. Zupanic or I. Tracz who broke off his saddle, destroyed his Sram XO shifter)

This was my criticism in regards to the race track. However, there are other unfortunate things that made the even less enjoyable. The unusually high starting fee didn't include camping at the venue, there was no dinner for the competing athletes during the welcome ceremony or closing ceremony and decoration of the winners was free only for the three top scoring competitors to name a few.

All of this made the whole event less enjoyable than it could have been. It is also leaving a bitter taste with the athletes who spent a lot of money just on traveling to the venue. It is my big hope that the ECF as well as the organizers of the 2013 European Championship will learn from this and will not repeat the same mistakes. After all this was meant to be an international competition for all of the the European athletes in canicross and bikejoring, not a local event showing what some of us may be used to.

after the Euro Canix 2012...

Agnieszka JareckaYou are the outgoing champion , you look at this second place as a "defeat" , with bitterness or not?

Of course the second place on the European Championship won in such difficult conditions is a success. But I also feel a little bit disappointed because on day one I made a lot of mistakes so my finish time was worse than my main competitor's.

2nd place bikejoring woman

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Agnieszka Jarecka

Last year you have won at home in Poland . This year everything was more difficult (muddy,bad organization...) How was the race for you?

This competition was very difficult for me. On Thursday when I saw the trail I was depressed about the conditions. This terrible mud made this event one of the most difficult ones for me. On Saturday I fell down 3 times and every now and then had to support myself with my foot. On the descent I decided to get off my bike and I was completely dispirited. When we were going into deep mud and my bike nearly stopped, my dog became disoriented. He also stopped and did not know whether to run or not. We weren’t prepared for these conditions. On Sunday, after the night frost the trail became more passable. I had no falls, only one stop for the dog’s mistake and our finish time was 1.5 minute better.

One thing/ a fact that remained impressed in your mind at the EuroCanix2012?

Mud ;)

Your overall impressions of the event?

I had expected the British edition to be best Eurocanicross and dog related event I ever attended. Unfortunately I think that the organisation was not good, there were many shortcomings, e.g. the trail was dangerous and poorly marked for fast competitors, there were high fees for everything, poor facilities.

Which edition has remained more in your heart?

Last year’s edition on the Annaberg (Góra sw. Anny). After 16 years of training and competing in sleddog sports I succeeded in winning the coveted gold medal in bikejoring.

After many years of presence at major competitions. Your most memorable experience? Which is the competition that gave you more emotions ?

The most memorable event for me was also this European Championship in Poland last year. On the second day I had a serious fall on the descent at full speed. When I got up after hitting a tree and looked at my bike which I had to fix quickly I was sure that I would lose the first position. With the rush of adrenaline I managed to reach the finishing line. After the event it turned out that I had a concussion and I spent the following week in bed. So it was a painful victory for me.

How are you preparing for the winter?

I am still training on my bike but as soon as there is snow I will start my cross-country skiing training. This year I am planning to compete in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Unfortunately, the World Championship on Alaska is too expensive for me.

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Agnieszka Jarecka

Nikolas Imiołczyk1st place canicross man

How was the trip to the UK?

Trip was tiring and long. Almost 1700 km one way. And two days in our car. But we were also in London on Thursday. It was my first visit in the UK.

One thing/ a fact that remained impressed in your mind at the EuroCanix2012?

I think that last 500m before the finish line second day. I was very tired, but it was a last metres to victory. And my dog's joy after the run

after the Euro Canix 2012...

Your overall impressions of the event?

Generally good, but many things weren't good in my opinion. Too many conficts beetween organizers and competitors from Bikejoring. And everything was too expensive there. We had to pay even for a place on stake out. I don't understand many their decisions. But I'm proud of my dog! And race was very good.

The trail in Cirencester?

Trail was slow and hard. Beginning and the end on the grass. In the forest, we were running in the mud, on single tracks. We had many sharp turns and the second day 2 uphills. In some places there were a puddles of water. Last 500-600m everyone could see our finish. Average speeds were low. But i must say that I liked it !

How are you preparing for the winter?

After Championship in Germany I'm going to go to the doctor, because I'm running with injury and I must cure my leg completely. So I will have a break in running, but I will start on dryland competitons in Scooter. And of course train with my dog.

Are you ready for the ESDRA in Germany?

I think yes. I hope that will be good, and we will fight with Nascar in canicross

after the Euro Canix 2012... Nikolas Imiołczyk

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Nikolas Imiołczyk

after the Euro Canix 2012... Nikolas Imiołczyk

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Igor Tracz

Igor Tracz4th place bikejoring man

This time wasn't all according to plan...One week before this event you were expected a weekend like that ?

Yes, I have accident on trail and i broken my bonds in fingers one week before ECF (first time i broken this bonds in august and i don’t have a time for repaire my body and I can’t stop training :)

What's happened on the 1st round? How did you feel after the first round?

In the 1st round I had a big accident I hit a tree, beacuse trail was so sliding. I broken my bike, I lost the saddle, I don’t have gear shifter and handlers. My dogs escape beacuse line was broken. After one minute when my dog back to me, i fixed line againe and try to drive, but was really hard, without gear shifter and seat. I broken my fingers again... I fell really bad because I I wanted to fight but I could not, this trail was too sliding for my dog and me, I could not ride on that mud I fall down 5 times and I felt pain in my hand.

Your overall impressions of the event?

It was not a real race it was a survival camp with dogs ;)

It was reallly bad preparing trails, I like hard trails but it was so hard for fast dogs, maybe it was good for sunday competitors who walking with dogs.

All is very expensive and I hope that in future I will not compete anymore in races like this .

after the Euro Canix 2012... Igor Tracz

Igor’s bike after the 1st round note the missing saddle, grip, broken gear shifter and without handlebar...

after the Euro Canix 2012 : Igor Tracz

After all, are races and during the race anything can happen...One thing That Remained impressed in your mind at this EuroCanix2012?

In 2 round I hit the same tree .... and i fall down 4 times.

After this race i remember only mud:)

Poland has brought home great results in all categories, it means that there was a great job throughout the year and that on the next competitions and the next year will be even more tough to beat the Polish.

Polish team is very goood, we trani hard all year but we don’t have a lot of concurrence... It was a really small competition.

What do you expect of the ESDRA European Championship in Germany?

Are you ready for the ESDRA the next month?

I’ m ready for the ESDRA I always want to win there ;) but I now, it will be hard, year by year it’s much more harder.

Šedivackův longAndrea & Pavel Kucera about the Šedivackův longabout the

The Sedivackuv long 2013 edition will be held from January the 22nd to the 26th , a four days stage race including one bivouac on Czech side in Orl. Zahori, with total race distance 240 km. Sedivackuv long is the longest sled dog race in the Czech Republic and also one of the hardest races in Europe. The race is rated as the Czech championship in LONG-distance(long trail). In 2004 there took place the Europian championship in LONG and MID. Categories: LT1, LT2, LTO, pulka, OPEN. Skijoring.

This is the interview with the organizers of the event : Andrea & Pavel Kucera

Andrea & Pavel Kucera : Šedivackův long 2013

Šedivackův longAndrea & Pavel Kucera Šedivackův long

20132013Šediváčkův long is the longest and biggest sled dog event in Czech Rep. Everything started in the 1997 , is it right?

Yes, 1997 we organized the first race in Destne with 17 participants.

The year before we were in Destne for training and there the Idea for a race was born. We were fascinated about the beautiful nature an the great snow conditions in Orlice Mountain.

The fame of this events have grown over the years and in 2004 there was a big step forward when was selected for the European Championship FISTC . Things have changed more in recent years, there are more participants?

For FISTC Championships we also had MID Distance on the trails in Destne. And we had the the largest number of participants , in the 2004 there were 130 teams on the start.

Now , we only have Longtrail and in the 2012 we had 97 teams on start. For a Long trail race this is a great number.

Which is the edition that has left you the most beautiful memories?

Every edition leave beautiful memories and is special , too. Last year we had the best snow conditions and weather conditions we ever had. We hope that will repeat for the 2013 edition.

The Sedivackuv long 2013 edition will be held from January the 22nd to the 26th , a four days stage race including one bivouac on Czech side in Orl. Zahori, with total race distance 240 km. Sedivackuv long is the longest sled dog race in the Czech Republic and also one of the hardest races in Europe. The race is rated as the Czech championship in LONG-distance(long trail). In 2004 there took place the Europian championship in LONG and MID. Categories: LT1, LT2, LTO, pulka, OPEN. Skijoring.

This is the interview with the organizers of the event : Andrea & Pavel Kucera

www.sedivackuv-long.cz

To whom came the idea of the bivouac in the Souvlastí village ?

In Souvlastni we had Bivouac only two times.

Currently , we make bivouac in Orlicke Zahory near Chata Bedrichovka. This place we can reach better with our Support vehicles.

How many people is involved in the organization?

About 60 people help us during the race for a smooth running.

During the year we are a group of 10 people working on the preparation of the race.

This begins with obtaining permissions for the trail, to update website and last but not least ensuring sponsors for the race .

How has changed the organization through the years . Now It's easier to find volunteer or sponsors compared to the first years ?

We have some volunteers and Sponsors supporting us from the first race 1997. Thanks a lot to them and all the others that help us. It is not easy to find them.

The route change every year?Who is involved in the preparation of the stages? who decides where the mushers will pass?

The weather decides about the trail. We have many alternative trails and the snow conditions and the quality of snow decides on which trail we choose.

Sometime we must change the trail the day or night before start, because the weather changes. ..

Andrea & Pavel Kucera : Šedivackův long 2013

How much time does it take to put it all together?

12 months :-) The day we leave Destne we fix the date for next race and we start working on the next event.

How this sport is growing in recent years?

The boom of this sport is over. This sport will not grow. The financial and living conditions of many mushers do not allow them to own many dogs and go far to races.

About the new edition.Did you have prepared something new for the 2013 edition, a surprise ?

2012 we had the new thing with a 4 hours break and we will repeat and improve this also in 2013. We also have a night stage, so what other surprise we can prepare for the mushers.

Thank you for your time . If you want to add something , go ahead!

Sedivackuv Long is not only a race, it´s a week where we meet many friends from all over europe and have fun with our dogs in a beautiful nature.

www.sedivackuv-long.cz

http://www.profpetcorporation.com/cz/home

Line Fatland FrøystadLine Fatland Frøystadinterview with

In the last 3 years at the World Championship you always had left the mark...Norway has shown every year to be among the best in the World (...Kuellaug Selsaas World Champion 2005,2006 / Oystein Odegaard 3rd 2005 / Synnove Matre 3rd 2007 / Trond Brustad 2nd 2009 / Maren Helen B. TEIEN World Champion 2011 ...and many more super results...) Representing Norway for you is a big responsibility or a strong motivation to do better and better?

To be on the Norwegians Team give me a lot of motivation. Norway has some of the best obedience athletes in the world. As a team we focus on motivating each other. We have team meetings where we share experience and training tips. When we travel together to a championship, it is important that we all play on the same team! that we are there for each other. This is important to be a strong team

Together with your sister Aina you are a very powerfull team in Norway, which is growing every year , this year she became the Norway Champion...Plans for the future?

Yes , it is amazing! that both me and my twin sister are Norwegian Champions ! and that we are both on the Norwegian national team. it has always been a dream for both of us, ever since we started obedience training. Our goal have always been to improve our results in championships. The last two World Championships me and Harry came in 4th place. Next time our goal is to be on the podium :) standing there with my sister by my side would be another dream come true.

To be on the Norwegians Team give me a lot of motivation

interview with Line Fatland Frøystad

“”

Line Fatland FrøystadIn the last 3 years at the World Championship you always had left the mark...Norway has shown every year to be among the best in the World (...Kuellaug Selsaas World Champion 2005,2006 / Oystein Odegaard 3rd 2005 / Synnove Matre 3rd 2007 / Trond Brustad 2nd 2009 / Maren Helen B. TEIEN World Champion 2011 ...and many more super results...) Representing Norway for you is a big responsibility or a strong motivation to do better and better?

To be on the Norwegians Team give me a lot of motivation. Norway has some of the best obedience athletes in the world. As a team we focus on motivating each other. We have team meetings where we share experience and training tips. When we travel together to a championship, it is important that we all play on the same team! that we are there for each other. This is important to be a strong team

Together with your sister Aina you are a very powerfull team in Norway, which is growing every year , this year she became the Norway Champion...Plans for the future?

Yes , it is amazing! that both me and my twin sister are Norwegian Champions ! and that we are both on the Norwegian national team. it has always been a dream for both of us, ever since we started obedience training. Our goal have always been to improve our results in championships. The last two World Championships me and Harry came in 4th place. Next time our goal is to be on the podium :) standing there with my sister by my side would be another dream come true.

To be on the Norwegians Team give me a lot of motivation

interview with Line Fatland Frøystad

What is your approach at the beginning of working with dogs?

When I start training a puppie I always focus on training the puppy to be calm and focused in all situations. I use small toys and balls but mostly treats. I want all new learning to happen when the dog is calm and capable of taking in the information. The speed will come when the dog knows what to do.

Do you remember your first obedience competition?

My first competition was with my mixed breed Sasha. she was a very special dog with very strong opinions. We did not get top grades, but we got promotion to class 2 and won the class despite me being nervous and unexperienced.

Which competition remained more in your heart (the top 3)

1. when we won Nm first time. Harry had then been in the elite for about 5 months and was just over 2 years old. it was very special. # 2: World Championship in Herning, to perform a VM with a young dog was an experience. Harry won the qualifying day. no: 3 Dog show in Lillestrøm where we had our very best competition! Despite slippery floors, small rings and lots of people we reached magical 308 points! A very special moment where everything we had trained on went perfect to the smallest detail!

Describe your typical training day

I meet my training buddies Aina and Kristin. We always have a good time and the social aspect is very important to us. We like to talk a lot ;) We train one dig at the time and always help eachother and give advice. Some days I’m focusing on details and other days I want to go through whole exercises, and parts of the program. I focus a lot on getting the dog in the right mode for each exercise.

What is the easiest exercise for you and Harry Pepper? And the most difficult?

Harry is trained in a way so that all the different exercises are equally ranged. I dont want any of them to be more extreme than the other. The one exercise that Harry likes the best is rute. In this exercise he likes to show of and run very fast, so this exercise can make me a bit nervous in competitions.

Can you give our readers some tips that they should remember when training their dog?

Don’t make things to complicated, this will just confuse your dog. When learning new exercises you should train on the different parts separately, but quickly put everything together so that the dog recognises the full exercise. If the dog makes a mistake you should help your dog and quickly go back to the way you learned the exercise.

Don’t make things to complicated, this will just confuse your dog”

“

interview with Line Fatland Frøystad

What advice would you give to someone participating in his first competition?

Enter the ring and focus on you tasks, be there for your dog and have fun together. It is important for both you and your dog to have a positive first experience. If something doesn't go the way you expected - make the most of it and then focus on your next task.

What are your major strengths and weaknesses?

My biggest strength as a dog trainer is that I always have a clear picture of how I want my program/exercises to be, and that I'm able to communicate that to my dog and motivate my dog so he wants to work for me. My weakness is that I'm very impatient, but I have learned now that this can also be a positive thing.

Someone said that you don't win with luck but with skills. At most you can have bad luck and can't prove what you have learned with your dogs. What do you think? Can luck play an important role in competitions or not ?

Yes, I think that luck can play a difference, but in the end what really matters is the skills you have together with you dog, and your special connection together

My life philosophy is to live a life that I can stand for

“

3 things you can’t live without?

My family, my dogs and my iPhone.

Your favorite part of the day?

When I'm finished at work, my kids have had a great day and are sleeping beautiful and it's time to train my dogs.

Best advice someone has ever given you?

The best advice I've got from a good friend is to be myself and to follow my heart.

If you could go back in the time what would you change in your life?

My life philosophy is to live a life that I can stand for and for that reason there's not really much I'd like to change. But if I think of competitions I've been attending there are always small details that I wish I had done differently. This is part of learning and getting experience.

What are your dogs favorite toys?

My favorite toy when training is a small ball with rope. Harry loves when I reward him with this ball. He runs after it and brings it to me so we can play together.

My life philosophy is to live a life that I can stand for”

“

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