dogsportmag.eu : Special Christmas Issue 2011

SpecialChristmasIssue

summary

editorialreviving the 2011 part 1

interview with Matteo Gaddonireviving the 2011 part 2

reviving the 2011 part 3

interview with Mark Douglas

interview with Niina-Liina Linna

interview with Tereza Králová

interview with Silvia Furtwängler

summary


dog sports in Sicily with Antonio Rapazzo

summary

editorialreviving the 2011 part 1

interview with Matteo Gaddonireviving the 2011 part 2






cover photo by Ray Hoffmann / SHARP ART


dog sports in Sicily with Antonio Rapazzo

http://www.sharp-arts.eu/

Dear friends, dear readers,

What a program! EURO DOG SPORT MAGAZINE has only 6 months and you are already more than 200 daily to follow us. Thank you!6 months, this represents 300 posts, 500 emails, 7OO hours, but above 1000 times of happiness.

We have prepared EURO DOG SPORT MAGAZINE to be the reflect of the dog sports in Europe. We have made contact to offer you the best infor-mation and get results even faster.In 2012 we will launch our Twitter service to communicate with you in real time.More importantly, in 2012, you will have the opportunity to become dog-sportmag.eu reporters.“You” who live event, “you” who are taking part in competitions: experience matters!All information will be available on our Facebook page. Sign up now!

I wish us, my friends, a wonderful 2012 year. This new year full of sport expe-riences, our families happy and our dogs healthy.

Sportively yours.

Alain Vanderbeke

editorial

dogsportmag.eu

...laying out the dog sport history

reviving the 2011

part 1

reviving the 2011

MORAVIA OPEN 2011Eliška Panáčová and Nyx

photo: Pavel Humpolec / fotohacko.cz

reviving the 2011

http://fotohacko.cz/

“Moravia Open was big event for me, I compared me and Nyx with many good teams. And it was our last start in LA1 category.”

Eliška Panáčová

part 1

reviving the 2011

Marko Konsensalo and Mecberger Duunar

photo by : Anke Muller / SPORT HUND FOTO

FMBB 2011 Nieuwpoort, Belgium

http://www.sporthundfoto.de/


Marko Konsensalo and Mecberger Duunar

part 1

reviving the 2011

Sari Niiranen dog Ruutipussi D`Ukko

“I competed with Ukko at the FCI World Championships for the first time in Rheine. It was a wonderful experience to be in the same field with the best in the world”

Sari Niiranen


photo by : Anke Muller / SPORT HUND FOTO

part 1

IPO WC 2011 Rheine , Germany


reviving the 2011

European Championship USDDN 2011 / Boom (Belgium)

photo by : Patrick Selder / DIGI VARIA

Alena Smolíková and Keisy

http://www.digivaria.nl/

Eva Čániová and Ebi



part 1



interview with Matteo Gaddoni

“...I was 5 years old when I had my first rounded piece of plastic experience, I still remember that day, even if I hated the disc at that time: it was a very bad mold and it was impossible to make it fly straight”

maTtEo GaDdoNi¨GaDDoz¨

text by Luca Bartole

photos by: Eros Giordano & Stefania Crosara

Matteo. From Forli, Italy. He’s the coach and captain of the Team Hard Disc Dogs . Several times world and European champi-on in Frisbee ® . Since 2006 he has also start-ed practicing disc dog and now is one of the greatest players even in this sport. A champion in every sense , he’s got style, determiantion and it’s a pleasure to see him in action with his dogs

photo:Stefania Crosara

http://www.erosgiordano.com/

“...I was 5 years old when I had my first rounded piece of plastic experience, I still remember that day, even if I hated the disc at that time: it was a very bad mold and it was impossible to make it fly straight”

maTtEo GaDdoNi¨GaDDoz¨

“I was in Berlin in the 2006 for the freestyle worlds and for the first time I saw a disc dog demonstration by Jochen Schleicher... It was such a thrill!”


How do you think has helped you to be a professional frisbee player before becoming one in disc dog ?It helped me mainly in two ways: first of all on the disc handling capabilities, even if freestyling is way different from discdogging (I’m very good on catching, while in discdog I’m not supposed to catch and I was doing mainly two throws: counter spin and clock spin, nothing more) the disc is really familiar in my hand and it was easy to learn how to throw for a dog since I had a very proof concept of the dinamics of the flight of the disc. On the other hand, I was used to competition, I already faced the audience and crowd “problems”, found my way to get focused before entering the field for the 2 minutes of the routine, even if it doesn’t work perfectly every time, I’m supposed to know what I need to do to feel confortable.

How did you get involved with frisbee? I was 5 years old when I had my first rounded piece of plastic experience, I still remember that day, even if I hated the disc at that time: it was a very bad mold and it was impossible to make it fly straight. Then ten years later me and some good friends started to play throw and catch. We were addicted: spending full days at the park or at the beach.

You are a champion, that’s indisputable, but did you also have some mentor or someone who in-spires you, perhaps in the past ?Of course yes! Everybody takes inspiration from others, the key is to make it yours, make it fitting to your style, instead of brutal copying without any personal feeling.I try to pick up and learn something from everyone, but the most influeantial players for freestyle disc were: Tom Leitner, Rodney Sanchez, Pipo Lopez, Arthur Coddington and Randy Silvey; for discdog I had: Jochen Schleicher, Julia Zimmermann, Connie Sawiki and, of course, Lawrence Fred-erick.

Thinking about the people who helped your evolving in this sport . Can you associate a particu-lar fact to each of them?Yes, and it’s really nice to remember all the people, all the facts and how they reconnect each other later.. The last story happened is pretty cool: one of my best friends and favorite beach players, which helped me so much on emproving my wind game, is Pipo Lopez.

photo : Eros Giordano

“I was in Berlin in the 2006 for the freestyle worlds and for the first time I saw a disc dog demonstration by Jochen Schleicher... It was such a thrill!”

He is from Puerto Rico and I spent two wonderful weeks at his house in 2005. Well in 2008 he was in Italy at my house when Spike was a little puppy and I was getting started in the sport of discdog. He told me: “You have to meet Lawrence, he is definitely the best in the world”. When I was back at home, he sent me some videos of Lawrence training his dogs: WOW, he was absolutely right! Life get hard sometimes, and me and Pipo didn’t met for almost 6 years.. This year I was in Jacksonville to train with Lawrence (a dream become true) and before leaving I planned some freestyle jams on the beach with Paul Kenny and guess who showed up.. Pipo Lopez!


“... two weeks in Jackson-ville with Lawrence gave me inspirations for at least 5 years of discdog-ging :)”


Are you interested in other sports or hobbies as well as the Frisbee?I love scuba diving and skiing even if in the last years I’m more focused on spending the more I can with my dogs, so I’m more on trekking in the last period. Love listening to music and watching movies, but the time is never enough.I also love bricolage but not always bricolage loves me.

Tell me a little bit about your start in dog sports?I was in Berlin in the 2006 for the freestyle worlds and for the first time I saw a disc dog demonstra-tion by Jochen Schleicher.. it was such a thrill! My first attempt was with my father’s hunting dog, a very nice breton spaniel. I was trying to make her to catch a frisbee while my father was grawling at me: “stop to ruin my hunting dog!”So I had to quit and wait two long years before I could manage to get my own dog: the great Spike, my first border collie.

What are your most beautiful memories of 2011?Of course my visit at Lawrence house is on the top list, it was such a great experience, since he is not only a wonderful player, he is also an excellent trainer!In this year I hosted for the first time an official AWI Qualifier and a official UFO Local, and it was nice to see discdoggers coming over from Slovenia, Spain, Swiss, Germany..I also had another big event: my sister’s marriage, that was a great day.. even if it was happening in the meantime of the Skyhoundz Europeans Championships! She is 5 years younger than me and I always thought “she is my little sister” but that I had to admit that she is grown and I’m getting older!Last memory: last week I had the worst training with Flower of all the season. I start with a medium range throw, waiting for her return but as soon as she catch the disc, she stops and lay down on the ground...”Flower, come on! Let’s go” another throw in the opposite direction and stops again laying on the ground. This was scary.. I quitted the practice, cheched if everything was looking right with her.. and started for a long walk.The day later she was playing with the old exitement and willing I was used to see.Our dogs are not machines. They can do things every day in the same mood, making us feeling like they are like this.. but then.. it’s not true. We have to take care of them and try to understand their feelings and their phisical conditions everytime.

“The unique goal is to have fun, always. There is no other way to play frisbee with success”

How are going your preparations for the new season? You have set some particular goal or you would only to have fun?The unique goal is to have fun, always. There is no other way to play frisbee with success. And hav-ing fun means learning new things. It’s soo cool to find think about, try one idea, the second one, try a mixture of the two.. try a third one way.. and then all of a sudden, you see the light in your dogs eyes: the trick will start work on the right way. Then try to round off and make it more nice and more consistent... that’s the greatest part of the year!

How much time you devote to training during the week (frisbee® and disc dog)My dogs are having some fun with disc almost everyday, except when we practice agility and obedi-ence or when the weather is really bad. I practice some throws everyday as well, but I’m not free-styling myself so much anymore, I’m more focused on dogs in the last year. It>s not easy to keep up with training two different sports, even if they can appear similar, they are long way different each other.

How changes your training during the season and off season ?In the off season I keep the old routine fresh playing it once or twice a week, and on the other train-ing I try to work on new ideas separately and jam a bit to figure out something that could come out spontaneously. I’m used also to give the dogs a break from middle dicember to middle january. Dur-ing the season I’m just focusing on the routine, making it cleaner and smoother day by day.

“The unique goal is to have fun, always. There is no other way to play frisbee with success”


Where you find the inspiration for new tricks ?Usually I watch videos from competitions and try to find something new for me and my dogs, but sometimes it happens that practicing some trick, something else comes to my mind... and even few tricks came out of a dream while sleeping. And to be sincere.. two weeks in Jacksonville with Law-rence gave me inspirations for at least 5 years of discdogging :)

Favorite trick?The next one i’m gonna learn! That’s the main reason beside my love for disc sports like freestyle and discdog.. you are never done! There is always something new to learn and add to the bag.. to me it’s very challenging and motivating: you got a new trick? Ok! Now do it upside down, or lefthanded, adding a spin, a jump, trying the other way around... it’s endless!

Can you give our readers some tips that they should remember when training their dog? Keep it fun and safe. Get inspirations from other players but make it yours by finding and building your own style. Be sincere and honest to you, to your dogs and to all the frisbee family.

What advice would give to someone participating at his first competition?Go off and show us what you can do! Play like being at your usual field, don’t think about judges, spectators.. just focus on your dog and on your game. Be positive and smile, your first competition is happening once in your life :)

What are your greatest satisfactions in your carrer?The bigger one is the »frisbee family«. In these years I met so many people and got so many good friends all around the world that the world itself looks different to me right now. It’s amazing to have frisbee friends in Seattle, San Diego, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Puerto Rico, Berlin, Karl-sruhe, Prague, Amsterdam...

What are your strengths and weaknesses? One of my main strenghts is patience: this helps me with dogs and with people :) One of my main weaknesses is my memory: it’s really hard for me memorizing people’s names, appointments, agility traks...

“Play like being at your usual field, don’t think about judges, spectators.. just focus on your dog and on your game. Be positive and smile, your first competition is happening once in your life”


Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add? Frisbee is an awesome sport, the spirit of the people involved is great, even if we see time by time some bad habits.. the only thing we can do is to point out the bad in order to make it evident to everybody coming into the sport.

“Play like being at your usual field, don’t think about judges, spectators.. just focus on your dog and on your game. Be positive and smile, your first competition is happening once in your life”

photo : Eros Giordano

www.frisbeehd.com/en/hard-disc/chi-siamo/�



reviving the 2011

reviving the 2011

part 2

reviving the 2011

Open European HTM & Freestyle Championships 2011

Freestyle routine Thierry Thomas with Ubac

Open European HTM & Freestyle Championships 2011 photo by: Svetlana Astashina / ASTA PHOTO

part 2

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ASTA-photo/166301970051523

reviving the 2011

The Heelwork to music routine of Karen Sykes with her working sheepdog Iatka Spring Spangle (GB) working to ‘Hernando’s Hideaway’

photo by: Svetlana Astashina / ASTA PHOTO

Open European HTM & FreestyleChampionships 2011

part 2


reviving the 2011

Alena Smolíková and Chipsy




part 2




reviving the 2011


“The 2011 European Championship was our (and Slovenia’s) best ranking to date--3rd place in the Open Freestyle, competing against many of Europe’s top teams”Jean McCollister

Jean McCollister & Olivia




“The 2011 European Championship was our (and Slovenia’s) best ranking to date--3rd place in the Open Freestyle, competing against many of Europe’s top teams”

part 2

Jean McCollister & Olivia


photo by : Chris Jolink / CANIPICTURE

reviving the 2011

“The European Championship USDDN 2011 was the “must do” competition this year. High level DiscDogging was the whole time accompanied by a overwhelming European teamspirit under the many competitors. Merry x-mas & C U next year again! We will rock!”

http://www.canipicture.nl/

Bettina Koch & Tabasco


part 2

“The European Championship USDDN 2011 was the “must do” competition this year. High level DiscDogging was the whole time accompanied by a overwhelming European teamspirit under the many competitors. Merry x-mas & C U next year again! We will rock!” Bettina Koch


Silvia Furtwänglerinterview with


text by Luca Bartole

photos are a courtesy of Silvia Furtwängler

Silvia Furtwängler

Silvia is one one of the most skilled musher in Europe. She moved from Germany to Norway to bein in close contact with the mushing world. She has a long carrier with a lot of spectacular results ,she raced and race in all the most exciting and challenging sled dog competitions(Yukon Quest , La Grande Odyssee, Pirena , Femundlöpet and many more) A feisty woman who will take part in the 2012 Iditarod edition.

The next year (2012) we find you among the participants of the Iditarod 2012.Why did you choose Iditarod?It is one of the biggest dogsled race in the world and because it’s still on my to-do-list it’s time to face it.

In the 2003 you have finished the Yukon Quest . Remembering this event , what’s the first thing that comes to your mind ?Oh shit it’s over and I don’t want it to be over…..

There are only 3 mushers coming from Europe at the Iditarod 2012. For an European musher to race in Alaska is very expensive... and how many sacrifices must do a musher to arrive in Alaska, how is your trip until the arrival? It is extremely expensive and without a sponsor, this race is not possible. Behind me there is not a super crew, which would make it easier for me.. I have to do all by myself, as a dog handler and musher, PR and marketing, searching for sponsorship and between I am a mother and grandmoth-er…this is one of the biggest sacrifice I had to bring, that I got not as much time for the kids like I wanted to have as a mother and grandmother.

You moved from Germany to Norway. How has your life changed after this choice?Everything changed. Where I live now, in Rauland Møsstrond/Varmevoll, there are no streets. In summer you can only get to my place with a boat and in winter with a snow mobile. Sometimes there are nothing else then nature, dogs and me… this is something you have to learn to deal with. I am coming alright and more like that – I don’t want to miss it at all!

What do you miss most of Germany ?Nothing – except my kids

“The Yukon Quest will always be MY race... The Start and specially the Finish – when my little leader dog Mini looked in my eyes and said: “haven’t we be great! ‘” ...This meant so much to me, which surely no other race can give”


Do you remember how was your first mushing competition?1984 I bought my first Siberian husky. Winter 1985 somebody phoned and asked if I would like taking part at a dogsled race… on ski (Scandinavian class)…great-never was skiing before…but I ac-cepted and managed the race. Since this I couldn’t give up this sport anymore….

After many years of presence at major competitions.What was the competition that remained most in the heart ?Which were for you the most beautiful moments of your career ?(the most beautiful races)The Yukon Quest will always be MY race... The Start and specially the Finish – when my little leader dog Mini looked in my eyes and said: “haven’t we be great! ‘” .. This meant so much to me, which surely no other race can give

You have participated in important races in Europe (La Grande Odyssee, Pirena , Femundlöpet and many more) and in Alaska (Yukon Quest)Do you have found any big differences in Alaska ( as the organizations)?There is a big difference: Alaska (Yukon Quest) they live for this sport, with their hearts and souls, with their whole body. You can see it at the Volunteers, always friendly, always helpful and they support you where ever it’s necessary – even if you are not within the top 10 – It is like a big family. There are two races where I made the same experience here in europe like in Alaska: the Pirena and at the Femundlopet.

How and how much do you train during the week?How proceed your training after the season? Your dogs have a stop?I am in training nearly every day. I got 38 dogs to run and train – the best 16 huskies I will take to the Iditarod in February. After the season the dogs still get trained till the end of July.. then the dog-gies will go in ‘holiday’ which means – long, free walks and runs, swimming and from time to time a little, short run… till August when the season starts again.

A typical day in your lifeWake up at 5, having a cup of coffee, feeding dogs, cleaning dog shit and having a breakfast after-wards… Training with the dogs, per team around 6 hours ( at the moment I am training 2 teams a day) which means finish time at night. Between all this I am doing the housework, try to do the PR work etc…. at least I think a day should have more than 24 hours.

“The Yukon Quest will always be MY race... The Start and specially the Finish – when my little leader dog Mini looked in my eyes and said: “haven’t we be great! ‘” ...This meant so much to me, which surely no other race can give”

Who has had the most impact on your life?My Family and my dogs.

Do you have hobbies, plays some other sports or activities besides dog sledding ? Photography, cooking, hiking

What are your strengths and weaknesses?I believe in myself and in what I am doing. This is surely one of my biggest strength. Weakness – of course there must be some as well – but at the moment I don’t know one….

3 things you can’t live without?My family and my dogs

What advice would you give to a musher at his first race? To prepare yourself and the dogs properly and right. And if this is done – just enjoy the race. Don’t be to dogged and determined – because this race will be something very special!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add? Yes. I want to thank all the people who believe in me and supporting me and the team. Without this people it would not be possible to take part in such a big race like the Iditarod. Thank you!

“I believe in myself and in what I am doing. This is surely one of my biggest strength”


support the Team Silvia FurtwänglerCorporate and Individual Sponsorship is critical to the success of our kennel. It provides substantial resources to Silvia`s Team- both cash and in-kind

For any amount, you can help me pack the sled with the necessary gear. Having the right supplies is essential to the success of any good dog team.

The list of supplies needed is pretty extensive. It includes things like fleece gloves, batteries for head lamps, dog “booties”, sled runners, dog blankets, harnesses, parkas, boots and more.

Any amount you can contribute will be greatly appreciated and put to great use My team and i sincerely thank you for your sponsorchip.

Silvia Furtwängler

http://www.teamsilviafurtwaengler.com/teamsilviafurtwaengler/home.html

http://www.teamsilviafurtwaengler.com/teamsilviafurtwaengler/support.html

dog sports in Sicily

dog sports in Sicily with Antonio Rappazzo

text : LucaBartolephotos are a courtesy of Antonio Rappazzo


Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, architec-ture and language. With the help of Antonio Rappazzo , a dog trainer from this Island, we will know more about dog sports in this beau-tiful region of Italy.


What about to introduce you , before starting I’m from Bafia, a small hamlet in Castroreale, where I spent my childhood, I climbed on the wall full of rocky coves until I reached the nests of kestrels (cacciaventuli) and up on the pine trees to reach nests of magpie(caccarazze) and every kind of raptor. I competed with my friends who had sighted more eggs or birds’ nests, looking for lizards(lucirtuluni) and snakes and I was racing with the donkey(scecchi), my grandfather had got two. I had the availability of a room where I breed, small birds: canaries, blackbirds (merri i fattina) ,snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs(Uzzi), goldfish and river crabs (iambiri) ...

You come from Sicily . I can say that Sicily has a little in common with the rest of Italy. The way of living is quite different .

Yes! In fact, we have less frenetic rhythms than those who live in northern Italy, especially when it comes to large urban centers and perhaps that is why, among us, known as union and more attach-ment toward each others, we are ready to help us and, in any case, I find that we are more communi-cative and less detached.

The people do not show a great interest to train a dog or am I wrong ?

People have always shown interest in the art to train the dog, only that the training was directed to exhibitions dogs and utility and defense with particular reference to the hunting sectors and IPO trials. For a decade to this part there has been considerable attention to the “domestic” dog and/or “companion dogs”.

How is working with dogs on this island ? It’s difficult?

We work by word of mouth. Our students are the center of our advertising campaign. And we noticed that now even the veterinarians, who often we do not know, they direct their clients at our center just by hearing the talk that the owners of the dogs are doing in their ambulatory.

Nowadays there are more interest from the people or is more a deadlock situation ?

I must say that today there is a lot more attention and participation concerning the training dogs and especially in families with children. I think this is also due to the fact that the percentageof dogs living in the household has increased, but above all, I noticed that decreased the percentage of purchases at the stores. Some retailers have confirmed that during this holiday season, especially in recent years have significantly decreased the requests for puppies. Thisfigure is very comfortable and is a symptom of a greater sensitivity and knowledge of the subjectin question.

You are the founder of the ACDOS (Associazione Cinofila Dog Obedience Society) .Tell us more about this Club. How it’s all started and what it’s all about?When I moved to Sicily and in particular in Barcellona PG (2000) I didn’t find training centers practicing different sports from IPO. However I continued to help friends and acquaintances to manage and control their beloved dogs. Following the philosophy: to live for dogs and not with dogs, soon I became a reference point for a group of people who shared my same passion. I began to organize competi-tions and Dog Trekking, to elaborate special regulations that was closer to other regulations of the North Italy. So it was necessary to found an association that should govern the way I practice dog training, and then on the 27.09.2001 was born the ACDOS. This decision was shared by my friend Gianluca Sidoti who supported me since my arrival so as did Franco Cutugno. Since then we had been always side by side and we went forward in unison learning Sicil-ian obedience, agility and ultimately Disc Dog. We are the instructors of the center and everyone define us the twins. I am happy and proud to have met Franco because we help each other and support each other like real brothers.

How is evolving the disc dog in Sicily? We can hope for some Sicilian at the European or World discdog Championship?

The Disc Dog in Sicily is developing very slowly. Anyway I think it’s fair. Things done in haste can become a mess. To practice this spectacular sport, you have to have mind and body prepared to not compromise your health and that of the dog , in other words you have to feed a lot of passion.

At the center there are few enthusiasts discdoggers who have the credentials to be able to compare decently with the “big” Disc Doggers. The time will bear me out ...

http://www.acdogos.org/


There is even talk of a stage with the disc dog legend Mark Muir at your club . Is it true?During a seminar on Rally-Obedience, performed by Barbara Soprani Professional Dog Trainer, some games with discs were included and this was so amusing that we were spurred to undertake the discipline of the Disc Dog. It was Barbara to provide us the foundations of the discipline, giving us all her knowledge sparing no effort, as do “someone”. We began to study it in all it’s entirety and then from the point of view of the handler and dog. Net surfing on line looking for models to fol-low we got enthusiastic about Mark Muir. We like the way Mark moves or plays Disc Dog. We believe that he’ll give us a lot. It is a little over an year that we practice this discipline so before moving to the next level, to avoid making mistakes, we want to grow slowly fol-lowing a guideline in tune with the way we interpret ”love of dogs”, focusing our efforts to do our better without leaving space for improvisation. We understand that the profession-alism, experience and the basis for judging of Mark is indis-pensable for a discdogger. Mark! we look forward to your arrival!

https://www.facebook.com/events/198747053533479/

What do you think, which sport and where is more concentrated in Sicily?The most practiced sports in Sicily regarding the IPO championships and is followed by the hunt-ing tests. In this year began the rally-o and only our center has more than 20 practitioners and the binomials are in a sharp increase in other parts of Sicily thanks to our work of spreading. The cent-ers that organize more IPOs and hunting tests are: Palermo, Catania, Ragusa, Siracusa and Messina, and the Rally-O is currently practiced, officially, only at our center.

Do you remember some Historical notes about Sicilian Handlers , the results that have made the history of dog sprots in Sicily . Who we should mention , who made the history there?

I remember Salvatore Gambino, a native of Palermo, and I think that there is no doubt in IPO tests, first as a handler and later as a Judge of working tests, he was the first to encourage and motivate lovers of this discipline. In Sicily every year in his memory during a National IPO test they organ-ize a working test entitled “Trofeo Gambino”. Then other people achieve important results in this discipline in the National championships, including Agatino Corvaia (Siracusa), Mario Ariosto (Acireale) e Nino Morabito (Messina), he is involved in trials since 1979, which I personally know and with whom I have often had occasion to confront in seminars and workshops organized at the his club, SAS section, in order to improve his skills and those of the handlers in the section that he follows , in use of techniques using positive reinforcement. Finally I must mention my dear friend Pierluigi Diamanti (Catania), this year Regional Champion IPO 3 - Eastern Sicily ( back in Sicily in the 2000). I feel obliged to add, since I’m sure that Pierluigi will give much satisfaction to the Sicil-ians, and not only because it will achieve great success and he could be a model to follow.

“...It was Barbara to provide us the foundations of the discipline, giving us all her knowledge”

Barbara Soprani in action

http://www.giococolcane.it/

How many competition are organized on this Island every year? I think twenty official competitions

Nowadays , How many clubs we can find in there?Not many. The centers where there are few sports you practice, you probably count on the fin-gers of the hand. In the province of Messina apart from our center that has 80 members, as I>m concerned,I do not know others. Other centers performing basic education and guidance in these cases is to work on individual pairs of words without even direct them to sports at an ama-teur level. Forthis reason, our Association strives to promote sports activities (official and unof-ficial) in Sicilythat dog owners are as close to this world by acting as a sounding board, as hap-pens in our city.

Which club is the most equipped?Our center is certainly very well equipped for both organization and as equipment and structure.

How are the winters there, you can train every day?

The winter is very mild, sometimes there are periods of cold, but last few days, but the tempera-ture rarely drops below 3-4 degrees (at night). At this moment (12/24/2011 hours 19:30) out there are 9 degrees. Wishing we could train almost every day, but since we are busy with our work, training in relation to sports events are reduced to two per week from 21:00 hours onwards.


Are you (or someone else) planning to organize a big event in a near future in Sicily?

We would like to organize an event like a Disc Dog world championship , bringing together the best Discdoggers and Judges of the sector in order to introduce the discipline to the Italians, but above all, make everyone understand the basis for judging by whom know what the Disc Dog “means”.

Thanks for the interview .Do you have something to add? A last word ?

Thank you for giving me voice it was very nice. Dog lovers, enjoy yourself

“...to live for dogs and not with dogs”

reviving the 2011

reviving the 2011

part 3


“A sunny day with flying fun in Karlsruhe on the first AWI qualifier. Let the dogs fly and enjoy the atmosphere. Awesome Time”

AWI Qualifier Karlsruhe, Germany

Alen Soldic

reviving the 2011


Alen Soldic and Divadiscdog-ostschwiiz.ch

part 3

http://www.discdog-ostschwiiz.ch/


Jürgen Bartz & Summit

reviving the 2011



AWI Qualifier Karlsruhe, Germany

part 3

“Summit, the sometimes shaved Australian Shepherd, will make a good job for his thrower.Now, we could not remember,catch or no catch, but...We could remember, it was a great event for all the teams!”

Jürgen Bartz


Thierry Thomas from France with his border collie dog Ubac also did a fabulous routine using music from ‘Zorro’ which was exceptional in all the requirements.

reviving the 2011

Open European HTM & FreestyleChampionships 2011photo by: Svetlana Astashina / ASTA PHOTO



part 3


photo by: Svetlana Astashina / ASTA PHOTO

Anja Christiansen from Denmark performed to ‘The Avatar Theme’

reviving the 2011



part 3

Budějická tlapkaPurina Pro Plan Cup 2011

České Budějovice (Czech Rep.)

“The last tournament of this year, it was very cold, but we were happy to race flyball with our dogs. On the photo is me and my dog Benny... We had only 4 dogs for entire tournament, but we still get to the final race.”

Marek Russ“flyball team Lavina Alfa”

reviving the 2011

“The last tournament of this year, it was very cold, but we were happy to race flyball with our dogs. On the photo is me and my dog Benny... We had only 4 dogs for entire tournament, but we still get to the final race.”


photos by: Flyball Team Lavina

part 3

http://www.flyball-lavina.cz/

“Here we celebrate third victory on czech championship in a row”

photos by: Flyball Team Lavina

reviving the 2011

“2010:Here we celebrate the 2nd victory on czech championship”

photo: Pavel Humpolec / fotohacko.cz

7. Czech Republic Flyball Championship (2010 )

http://fotohacko.cz/

“Here we celebrate third victory on czech championship in a row”

Mladá Boleslav8. Czech Republic Flyball Championship (2011)


part 3

“2010:Here we celebrate the 2nd victory on czech championship” Marek Russ“flyball team Lavina Alfa”

7. Czech Republic Flyball Championship (2010 )

Niina

text : Luca Bartolephotos : Iris Kieme


LinnaLiina

text : Luca Bartolephotos : Iris Kieme

Linna

Niina is from Finland. Finland is the land of many great expo-nents of agility and Niina is one of them. She’s involved in agil-ity for more then 10 years. During her carrer she had the chance to be present at the European Open , World Championship and also to several well-known competitions , always gaining good results.

I leave you with this very interesting interview.


You are active in agility for over 10 years , how much has changed your way of view during the competitions from the early years to nowadays?Many things have changed. Courses are much more difficult nowadays, han-dling technics has develop a lot (for example front crosses are so much better nowadays than they where in 90’s) and dogs are very skilful .

Do you have experience in many different breeds or do you train /work only with Border Collies?I started with staffordshire bullterrier, and then with malinois (Rimi is now 11 years old and has retired from agility). We have trained also obedience, search and IPO.

Tell us about your dogsNow I have two border collies, who are competiting in agility. Rhett is 7 years old and Rei is 3 years. My youngest dog is Harald (1 year) and I hope we will start compete in next spring. All my dogs are very different, and I like that, because I think it improves me to be better handler.

Do you remember your first competition?Yes, I remember. It was with my staffordshire bullterrier Reeta and we were disqualified :)

Which is the competition that gave you more emotions ?I like so much big competitions, (WC, EO etc), because the atmosphere is awe-some. There are also many talented handlers and dogs.

“All my dogs are very different, and I like that, because I think it improves me to be better handler”

What are the most memorable competitions that you have entered?Of course World Championhips 2009 in Austria and European Open 2009 in Netherlands, but I think the most memorable competition is European Open 2011, because circumstances were not so good (dark, rain etc) and Rhett and I made very good run :) and I was so happy, thay both Rhett and I have developed from year 2009 to this year.

In Finland there is a myriad of talented agility handler and Is very difficult to qualify for the World Championship. As you can see this fact , you really have to give always 120% to reach this goal? Yes, in Finland we have very talented handlers and dogs, and I think this is a good thing, because it makes you to train and be better each year. But of course, it>s very hard to get in WC team.

This year you have partecipated to the first WORLD AGILITY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. You have collected a excellent 2nd place in Pentathlon and a 5th in Biathlon . How it was this first event?I liked it so much. Very good competition place, all the arrangements worked without any problems and atmospehere was excellent.

Now the winter is coming as you train during the winter ? I just got own training hall, which is heated and there is an excellent artificial grass. I’m so happy about that, because it helps a lot for the trainings in winter.

Tell us on what is based your workout / agility training. Does it changes before a big event ?I train a lot my dogs tecnical skills, but also course skills (means that we do very long courses, over 30 obstacles). I try train many different things, so that when I go to competitions, there will not come that kind of situations in front of me, what I haven’t ever trained.Before big competitions I train mainly short exercise and reward dogs a lot. I think that you have to do the work long before (in winter) and before the big event only maintain your skills.

Are you superstitious? Have you ever try something like a beg / conjure before a race?No , I’m not superstitous. Instead of that I try to find out (train) the best way to act in competitions, what will bring out our best. I have trained the routines, what I do in competitions, because it helps me and my dogs to get in a very good state of mind.

“I appreciate athletes who makes a lot work to be better and they are humble in the right way”


What are your major strengths and weaknesses? I think the major strength is that I love my dogs and to do agility with them. There is never situa-tion, when I would not want to train or compete. I train a lot, because I want to better, and I want my dogs to develop.

From time to time I’m too hard and demanding to myself, so I think that might be sometimes also my weakness.

What are your goals and aspirations for the future? I hope my dogs will stay healthy so that we can train and develop each year. And of course I want to be in our WC team next summer :)

Who or what had the greatest influence on your life? I appreciate athletes who makes a lot work to be better and they are humble in the right way. In agility I appreciate people who really are loving their dogs and taking care of them.

The favorite toys of your dogs?The rope ball.

Before the end , do you have any advice for a beginner in the dog world?Be fair to your dog, and love every day when you can do something together with your dog.

“Be fair to your dog, and love every day when you can do something together with your dog”

reviving the 2011

part 4

reviving the 2011

Daša Zakotnik & Jasenak Negresco

k o i r a k u v a t . f i JUKKA PÄTYNEN | DOG PHOTOGRAPHY

FCI Agility World Championship 2011 , Liévin (France)

http://koirakuvat.kuvat.fi/kuvat/

part 4

photo by : Jukka Pätynen / koirakuvat.kuvat.fi

It was the first time I have qualified for the AWC

“The 2011 season was definitely a great experience for me, something new and a learning curve as well.

with two of my dogs in the same category. We haveendured a difficult test in the form of a double team run and have achieved an outstanding result - 2nd place Teams Finals. I am proud of myself and even more of my amazing small dogs.” Daša Zakotnik




Nicola Giraudi and Twister

reviving the 2011





part 4


Czech Large Team (left to right)RADOVAN LISKA and AMULET FOR LUCK OD ZLATONOSNÉ ŘÍČKY MARTINA VASKEBOVÁ and CINDY AYKYTEREZA KRÁLOVÁ and LITTLE JACKIE BLACK CHEVERS

“Czech large team enjoying the 3rd place on Agility World Championship 2011. I´m happy that we were the members of the team “

FCI Agility World-Championship 2011 , Liévin (France)

reviving the 2011

Tereza Králová

“Czech large team enjoying the 3rd place on Agility World Championship 2011. I´m happy that we were the members of the team “


part 4


Tereza Králová



Agility European Open 2011 , Bad Hall (Austria)

photo by Iztok Noč

reviving the 2011

http://myspace.agility-slo.net/



Nicolas Joly and Antalayaphoto by Iztok Noč

part 4

Silas Boogk and Caja


reviving the 2011

photo by Iztok Noč


Silas Boogk and Caja


part 4

photo by Iztok Noč

reviving the 2011

Agility European Open 2011 , Bad Hall (Austria)photo by Iztok Noč

Petra Pečar and Veni

“The Agility European Open 2011 in Bad Hall (Austria) was really successful for us. We had 4 clean runs (out of 5) and made it to the individual finals with a clean run in jumping (despite a small mistake that almost got us disqualified). And we had a perfect run in the finals, finishing in 5th place at the end.”


part 4

Agility European Open 2011 , Bad Hall (Austria)photo by Iztok Noč

“The Agility European Open 2011 in Bad Hall (Austria) was really successful for us. We had 4 clean runs (out of 5) and made it to the individual finals with a clean run in jumping (despite a small mistake that almost got us disqualified). And we had a perfect run in the finals, finishing in 5th place at the end.”

Petra Pečar


MarkDouglas

“the red baron”interview : Luca Bartolephotos are a courtesy of Mark Douglas

Douglas“the red baron”

“Agility should all be about having fun and enjoyment for you and your dogs! If you teach your dog to do something for you ,and they then begin to give you the behaviour then be happy.”

Mark Douglas

interview : Luca Bartolephotos are a courtesy of Mark Douglas

You are a veteran in Agility.Do you remember yours first steps in this sport ? How did you get involved with Agility? I wouldn’t describe myself as a “veteran”- I’m not old enough yet-! and haven’t been in agility long enough! I started in 1996 with a crossbreed dog named Archie- he was too clever and boisterous for obedience and the obedience school recommended that I start agility with him. I remember that at first I did agility I did not enjoy it- I have changed my mind since then ;-)

How many dogs do you have? We have 13 dogs, 5 working kelpies, an Australian shepherd , a smooth collie, a poodle , a chihua-hua, a papillon and 2 shelties, and a crossbreed.

Do you train any other activities in addition to Agility? I only have time to train agility!

You are a member of the The Flying Circus Agility Club. Tell me more about this “club“ and why your nickname is Red Baron?We started this club in 2005, a group of 6 friends who wanted to train together to improve out han-dling skills with our dogs. Only myself and my wife Marie are left from that group still competing. We have many more members now, from all over the United Kingdom. We have 2 training schools- training other people and ourselves . Flying circus came from Monty Python, and the Flying Circus from World War 1- and I , as the leader of the Flying Circus was the “red baron” - and all my dogs then were red!

How often do you train? You separate the physical training of technicians? Work tends to get in the way of my training- but I have made efforts recently to try and train 2 times a week- not for very long with each dog, but of the highest quality I can give to them.

“Agility should all be about having fun and enjoyment for you and your dogs!”


http://flyingcircusagility.weebly.com/red-baron.html

When you get to certain levels and difficult to improve (I am referring to file thethousandths). What exercises do you do with your dogs to increase strength and speed? I try and make new things fun and rewarding for the dog. Exercises are short and given high value if they get them right. I am lucky that my dogs are high drive, I also use a treadmill to develop strength and fitness. Every winter I set myself new goals and objectives to learn- I love to learn new things and am constantly striving to Improve myself and the relationship I have with my dogs. I believe I can still learn more from my dogs- I have made many mistakes with them in the past- and have learned from their response to those mistakes- to hopefully not do it again.

How change your preparation before a big event? I try not to change too much, dogs don’t ask too much of us as their owners , but they do like us to be consistent with them- so I try to keep them as settled as possible, I work on their general fitness and suppleness, increase their food gradually leading up to the event ( I feed Purina PRO PLAN performance, and have great results with this food). I give them Riaflex joint supplement as well to help them .

How do you prepare yourself and your dog before entering the ring? Plan, plan, plan - and stick to it! And as I say ,try to stick to the routine we have built up together in training and other competitions.

“Plan, plan, plan - and stick to it!”

What is the secret to being able to stay focused during a high level competition?For me- is not to let the nerves overcome you and trust the partnership you have with the dog- and the training you have done leading up to that moment in time. Work on my weaknesses and develop my strengths .

What are the most memorable competitions that you have entered?Both EO competitions 2010 & 2011 ( though they were both very wet) My first Crufts Championship classRugby show in 2007 and Ruby becoming an Agility ChampionOlympia every year!

How was your first international competition? The EO in 2010- i did not really want to compete in Eu-rope before this! But, boy do I regret this! I loved it- run-ning in the rain and mud, watching all the different new dogs and handlers! And getting to the final- all of it was a great experience !

In the 2011 you and Ruby have won the title of world champion in Penthatlon and a silver medal in Biathlon at the first World Agility Open , 1st place at the Crufts ABC 2011 and other superb results during the year . What do you think about the 2012 season? You’ve come to climax or you will give us a memorable 2012?Ruby will be 10 next year- and has had a fabulous career- an extremely special and truly once in a lifetime dog! It>s hard to ask more from her - but we will try and retain her World Champion title if nothing else. Her son Puck will be at Olympia- Crufts and the WAO as well- a phenom-enal dog when I get it right with him, and my sheltie Blossom , as well at the WAO- these dogs are my future and I hope to have a very successful year with them.

What is the worst part of agility? Watching people not learn from their mistakes- and always blaming their dogs!The cost of agility!

What is the best thing about agility? Being able to spend time with your dogs doing some-thing that they love and enjoy


How is the life of your dogs at home? Noisy- lots of hair and cleaning up! I’m in the process of building new kennels and run for them- so hopefully they will appreciate it when it’s finished. I love having my dogs around me- I don’t spend as much time with them as I’d like- as work takes me away so often- so the time I do get to see them must be made the most of !

The favorite toys of your dogs?Some like toys- some don’t , rabbit fur tuggies and balls are Pucks favorites just now

Before the end , do you have any advice for a beginner in the dog world?Learn to love and enjoy the time you will have with your dog.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add? Agility should all be about having fun and enjoyment for you and your dogs! If you teach your dog to do something for you ,and they then begin to give you the behaviour then be happy.

“Learn to love and enjoy the time you will have with your dog.”

Tereza Králová

Author: Jakub Štýbr / www.psisporty.czphotos : Tomáš Seeman / borderky.cz

interview by Jakub Štýbr


http://www.borderky.cz/


http://www.czech-press.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6056&Itemid=8

Tereza Králováinterview by Jakub Štýbr

1.Afterwards, congratulation to perfect performances. Standing back, how do you evaluate your first AWC?

Thank you! My first AWC was huge experience for me, it was such I´ve never dreamt about. Big emotions, running at full blast, maximum confidence in Nice, who would die for me there! Only the thing I regret is my health. Because of bad health I tried to save energy so I did not enjoy sup-porting and dancing between runs enough as I enjoyed it last years as a fan.

2.When exactly did you find out that you had a fault on the long jump? What came to your mind in that moment?

I always know what happens on the parcour so I knew immediately about the long jump, Nice ran through the finish alone in a fact. My legs got paralyzed, I had darkness in my head, words which came through my mind are unpublishable :-p I was very exhausted, so in that moment I couldn´t defend the emotions which came.

3. How many times had you have the fault on the long jump before AWC?

Once, I guess, this year on European Open…

This interview is a courtesy of psisporty , a Czech dog sport Magazine . Jakub Štýbr interviewed Tereza Králová about agility and the Agility World Cham-pionship 2011.

Enjoy in this very nice interview.

http://www.czech-press.cz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6056&Itemid=8

5.What is your biggest experience from AWC except your success?

From the positive experience I must choose the pleasure of Martina and Radek from the 3rd place in teams large :o)) From the sad experience, very strong, final run of Martina Klimešová. Big experi-ence for me are also 3 years lasting performances of Lisa Frick and Hoss.

6. Can you reveal with whom you train?

Part of a year I train once a week with Barbara Sajdokova in Mokre Lazce, besides this I train alone, sometimes within my training group, sometimes with other coaches of our club, on the seminars, on the competitions :)

4. How did you like the surface – artificial grass in Lievin? Were you forced to change your han-dling because of it?

I – as a handler – did not mind the surface, I didn´t have to jump :). First contact with the surface during the Thursday training disappointed me. Nice had big problems, she threw down barks, she slipped and thanks to this she did not percieve me fully, I was very unhappy because of that. Next meeting with the surface – the same day on 3 jumps given for warming-up she adapted nicely and it was seen that she regained her assurance in a jump. I don´t feel that I had to change my handling a lot, but there were some moments in the parcour I had to watch her more than I do on the natu-ral grass.



“...How you can enjoy agility if you are think-ing only about what will do your dog wrong for all the training?”


7. According to my experience there is still something to discover during training. Which “trick” you found interesting recently?

Probably the “german cross” – a trick which works perfect.

8. You yourself coach other agility teams. What is your most given advice?

There are more pieces of advice I repeat again and again. Lately I often tell the people trust to their dog and also trust themselves because if they don´t, agility looses sense. How you can enjoy agility if you are thinking only about what will do your dog wrong for all the training?

9. Tell us one thing, which is, according to you, the most important in agility and why?

The relationship with your dog - understanding each other. Why? Because I cannot imagine how I should work with my dogs well and without stress if we wouldn´t understand each other. I always say, it is not the most important thing to have a crazy dog for agility (or as many agility people and even experienced ones say „main thing is that he/she runs…“), but it is necessary to have your dog well prepared for life, everyday life, ordinary situations, mutual cooperation – not depending on the cynological discipline. According to me – the most important thing in agility is to know – the life is not only about agility ;-)



10. How will you remember the year 2011 in agility after some time? Year 2011 was hard and showed me a lot – though not always the good things. Now I´m happy with that cause „what doesn´t kill you makes you stronger :) I met many fine people and learned much new in training of other teams.There are runs which i will remember for a long time and there are such of them I´ll never forget. Sometimes we had more luck and somewhere a little bit less. Nice showed who she is and I´m so proud of her! It´s great that we were healthy for whole year and we had a lot of fun with agility!

11. Have you other hobbies outside the agility?Of course, sport, friends, fun :) And what about my doggies, so Nice especially, we doing guard training now, we said by to regular agility trainings after Sunday on AWC, Nice loves that!

“I cannot imagine how I should work with my dogs well and without stress if we wouldn´t understand each other.”

THE END


Wishing you a fabulous 2012with full of great achievements and experiences. A meaningful chapter waiting to be written

Happy New Year !!!

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dogsportmag.eu : Special Christmas Issue 2011