KG Korner page 5

Highway Schutzhund Club's Inaugural Trial
By Dr. Panos D. Alexakos and Renee Michel

Highway Schutzhund Club held its inaugural trial in Groveland, Florida on the weekend of February 3, 2007. Though parts of central Florida had suffered catastrophic tornado damage the night before, participants from in and out of state braved the storms to spend time with friends and to showcase the results of their time spent working with their canine partners. Foregoing the trial, HSC member Caroline Hebard elected to help coordinate K9 Teams with local search and rescue efforts, demonstrating once again not only a commitment to public service but also a desire to reaffirm the tremendous aptitudes of the well-trained working dog. HSC's first trial was bittersweet as Jerry Tyler, a dear friend, family member, and cheerful fan had just passed away; those left behind will miss him.

The trial was held on the field of the always-obliging Amanda Hoskinson and Steve Gregalunas. Amanda and Steve not only offered HSC their field, but also supported the club's first efforts by helping with paperwork, organization and indispensable helper work.

The trial began without delay at 5 PM on Friday, with Carole Patterson presiding as judge. Following a brief meeting with the handlers, draws were made, and handler/dog team pairs established. Under the watchful eye of Sandi Purdy, herself a DVG judge, who was enlisted as the supreme overseer of organizational discipline, the BH exam proceeded uneventfully, with both phases of the BH being successfully completed by eight of nine teams.

At dawn the next morning, under very wet conditions, the trial resumed with tracking on the saturated dirt fields of Zellwood. While handlers of VPG1 candidates were tasked with laying their own tracks, Joanne Fleming and Steve Gregalunas took on the thankless work of slogging through the mud to provide VPG 2 & 3, FH and TR2 candidates with reasonable contexts within which to ply their skills. In this regard, special thanks must be extended to Joanne, a woman with what can only be referred to as iron will, as she did all this having just recovered from knee replacement surgery.

At the conclusion of the tracking phase of the exam, participants returned to Steve and Amanda*s field in Groveland for the obedience and protection phases. Nicely organized, and with skilled cooperation from the handlers, these proceeded uneventfully to conclusion. Several notable performances punctuated the afternoon, with special mention being given to Fred Lotus and (GSD) Falco's obedience routine which helped Falco earn his VPG 3 and distinguished him as High Obedience with a score of 98.

With more participants on deck, the trial extended to Sunday. Unfortunately, with the dawn came more wind, cold and rain, not a welcome sight given the terrain our convoy had to negotiate to get to the tracking fields. With Joanne and Steve again laying tracks, the participants got ready. For those with the resolve to brave the elements, the reward was a dazzling tracking performance in horrific conditions by Melissa Hepler's Mal, Flash VPG 3 who earned High Tracking (100) on his way to HIT recognition. Gino Stocchero's (ABD) Benno also earned his FH1 under these adverse conditions.

Participants were happy to return to Steve and Amanda's from the tracking fields for the last two segments of the trail. With the weather improving markedly, the rest of the afternoon passed comfortably and uneventfully with some excellent performances by the competitors; of special note was Jason McNew's (GSD) Nesko who distinguished himself with a perfect score to win High Protection on route to his VPG 3.

All in all it was a magnificent time had by all. Special thanks to Amanda Hoskinson, Steve Gregalunas, Carole Patterson, Joanne Fleming, and Sandi Purdy and to the members of HSC who helped make this inaugural trial a resounding success

Steve Gregalunas with Carole Patterson.....................................Melissa Hepler's Flash

Steve with Tracey's Icon...........................................................Jason McNew and Nesko

Lisa Little with Carole Patterson..........................................................Jason and Nesko

Steve and Flash...................................................................Carole with Tracey and Jason