An amusing lesson in
history...
 A
long time ago (1989) in a galaxy far far away called France, four intrepid GB
handlers braved the English Channel to compete against nine other countries and
international agility began. Lesley Olden, one of the team, kindly agreed to share some of her memories
of her first international competition.
There
were four of us - Liz Jenkins, Dave Hurst, Dave Blackshaw and me.
Here are
some of the things I remember.
Due to
rabies restrictions, our GB dogs couldn't go so the hosting country France
kindly agreed to let us 'borrow' some of theirs.
Royal
Canin gave us spending money.
Day 1
It was
4pm, nearly dark, and we were pretty inebriated. It was decided that we would go
to the French training ground to meet the dogs that we would keep for four days.
Mine was called Vladis, a Briard, that was ‘velly fast but usually sheets in the
ring' as she had a nervous tummy.
Great
stuff that first afternoon. She stole all the liver treats so, when we went to
the Opening dinner, I chose to leave her in the bathroom in case she 'sheet' on
my bed. I came in at 1am and let her out of the bathroom, unaware that the hotel
maid had opened my bedroom window. I just caught Vladis in time before she jumped from
the 14th floor.
The
track suit they gave me was huge. I have a 31inch inside leg so it had been
assumed I was built like a sumo wrestler. Luckily, I had a needle and red cotton
with me. Otherwise I would have looked like a hot air balloon.
Day 2 - Bonding day
Day 3 - Competition day
I walked
and walked and walked around the venue to ensure Vladis didn’t 'sheet' in the
ring.
Result.
She didn't and came 2nd, beating the French with their own dog.
Day 4
Liz
Jenkins did well in Overall,
Far too
many other memories to list here.
First published 22nd November 2022
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