Midsummer Madness - 7-8th August 2004 (Report by Anne Alderman)

Firstly, thanks to Kevin for coming along Friday afternoon to help put up the flyball lanes and 'marquee'. Jeff & Marilyn came along early to help, but somehow Kevin & I had managed to put up both lanes, parallel, with the start/finish poles looking straight as well, before Jeff & Marilyn had begun to sort themselves out! With the help of spray paint, it looked quite professional!

It was good to have the majority of us camping over the w/e. I think we were just missing Tina & Andy, Jan & Katy. Our membership has been getting smaller over the past year, and with lame dogs this w/e as well, there seemed very few of us there. But it did make for a more 'relaxing' w/e!

Saturday was hot! Too hot! We started off with some singles runs, just to get the dogs times, which would then mean we could seed them for any other flyball games over the w/e. And the results were:

We then went straight on with knock out pairs. Unfortunately Elaine had to leave (to go to work!) before we got to the end, and Breeze, Angel & Daisy was finding the heat too much, so all 4 were pulled out. We then had to re juggle 2 of the pairs, and the final out come was:

After a longish siesta, we set up flyball-agility. Jill & Marion came along for the afternoon, and joined in. As it was so hot, and we were in no hurry, we just done singles, and had 3 runs each. The course had a little bit of handling at the beginning. The dog walk was obviously more of a trap than I thought it would be (I think the handlers were actually veering off towards it, just to get in position to collect them after the tunnel) and then it was a flying finish, unless your name was Ollie & Tog, who found the 'pond' was a trap in itself! And the results were:

In the evening we had our 10th Anniversary BBQ. The 'old timers' who joined us (and it was good to see them) was Sam, Ian & Debbie, Ann P (and Margaret, who bred Molly), Anita & Paul, Jill & Jim, and Marion & her son, Robbie.

Dave & I decided we were having a year off cooking the BBQ, so Rachel kindly offered her & Marks cooking skills, and Jeff also helped. Kevin then took over for the last session! Judging by the amount of food on the freezer, I didn't think we would ever get through it, and was amazed at the end of the evening, when it had virtually all gone. And the pudding just vanished! Finally we cut the BA cake, with logo and candles.

Hilary gave us a trip down memory lane, with a brief history of our progress through the years. It was quite nostalgic, and a bit of a tearjerker when it came to the thank you's particularly to and from Pat & Ray.

The Bridie Cup

This year the Bridie Cup was awarded to two people. Again, there were a few contenders worthy of the award. Jeff & Marilyn have attended club week in, week out, helping hold dogs, box loading etc. They have transported equipment to various venues, and are always willing to help. And they have done all this, even though they don't have a dog to run in competition - yet! Bailey has been a difficult dog, but they have persevered with him, and not only that, but they went all they way up North to get a little nervous puppy from a farm, who this w/e proved just how much work they have put into him. Alfie who has never run in a competition situation, came 1st in pairs, and ran extremely well all w/e. I think everyone was delighted at how he has coped, and how he ran. He is just 14 months old. Well Done and thank you to both of you.

BAFTA's 2003

I only did certificates for 3 dogs, as they were the same 3 dogs for virtually every category (Best Collie, ABC and X-Breed, in each of the 3 teams). So those dogs were:

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And so onto Sunday. Although still warm, there was a 'brisk' wind. In fact a little too brisk, as it almost took the awnings (well it did take Hilary's, and at one point, we all stood and watched Chris holding onto hers…..) As it was cooler, we got quite a lot done. We started off with a round robin pairs. The 5 slowest dogs were pulled 'out of the hat' to be paired with the 5 fastest. And the results:

While they were racing, I timed the dogs individually again, to compare with the non racing times, and they were as follows:

* Individual Time

Using the seed times, we went onto a singles shoot out, and times for the fastest box were also taken. The final, between Beano & Molly was particularly close. The results:

By now, the clouds had rolled in, and it was beginning to look stormy. We stopped for a short break whilst awning were taken down, and went straight on with pairs cleverdogs. Again, the course was relatively simple, but this time, you had the choice of dog walk, tunnel & weaves, which could be taken in any order, but once only. It was amazing how quick thinking you had to be, when the dog didn't go where you had planned! Results:

And finally to exhaust us all and round the w/e off, we done a straight knock out handicap pairs (closest to your submitted time, wins). And the final results:

And so ended an enjoyable w/e. I think everyone went away with rosettes (a special for our 10th anniversary!). It's probably the last BA w/e will be able to do. But if we find a suitable venue next year, then we might manage a day perhaps??