New England Regional CHAMPIONSHIP - Page 3

and Debbie Zappia was there just observing and we all know why she was not entered but I wanted to see her dog compete

Congrats to all who competed this past weekend at the New England Regionals!!

It was super to hear that Alex  Jacopino was chosen yet AGAIN to do a regional event!  He has gained quite the reputation in his abilities and sportsmaship across the USA! 

It is obvious that both USA and SV judges feel confident  that Alex  is up to the task of working dogs at this level of competition.

I certinaly hope that he has thoughts of submitting his resume and helperbook  in to other  Championships in the up and coming year.

From my  read of the event (of which I couldn't travel to my home region of New England to support them) I heard  that it was a wonderful venue  and  top level competition.

KUDOS  to all who stepped on the field and competed. It isn't a place for the faint of heart that is for sure!

just my 2 cents

Michelle Testa

SG Enya v Engelskotten SchH2 IPO3 kor+/-3 WRSF ( hoping to someday to have Alex as a trial decoy :)  )

V  Ax  v.d. Kiwis SchH3 IPO3 FH2  ( would be honored  to have a geriatric protection session with Alex  if he is available when mom makes a trip up to Bay State this fall)

That "kid" can work my dogs and lay my tracks anytime he feels like it.  Great job, Alex!  Congrats to Chris and Jasper, New England SchH 3 regional champions with a homebred show dog!!!!!   Congratulations to everyone in the trial, the sportsmanship was fantastic despite some disappointing results for a few competitors.  And thanks to everyone in the region (and the numerous out of regioners) who helped us put on a great event! 

Becky Garnham

As a helper of the past...I saw the kid do the SchH 1 dogs from the sideline.  He looked good to me.  Tested the dogs well and fair.  Made a little noise on a reattack on one dog, but it was about 200 degrees in the scratch pants.

It's good to see a young man like this coming up.

Be happy!

V

I'd be happy to have a quality helper like Alex catch my dogs.  He earned his classification and the right to work the dogs.  It's disappointing to see some anonymous poster trying to sling mud.  So where's this $20,000 dog???  Has anyone actually seen the dog, or the handler for that matter?

I'm glad to see so many posters defending Alex, and that comment by ListenNow is just a low blow, and apparently for no good reason.  Pfui!

Yvette

Yes, but not at the event in question. So what does he have to complain about if not only he wasn't entered, but wasn't even present during the event?

Listennow is actually Jim Styles AKA Jimmy the wig. First he should actually train a dog himself to a title and not buy a 20K titled dog and try to comment on who is laying his tracks or catching his dogs. You should be more concerned with that rats nest glued to the top of your head instead of a qualified helper/track layer at a trial where you were not even entered. You get the a**hole of the year award wig man.

I just watched the video of that "kid's" helper try-put performance.  Good sleeve presentation, neutral in the blind,   graceful, fancy footwork, excellent catches, no chance of the dog being jammed, (and she is a nice, quick, hard-hitting girl) well-tijmed and well-placed (fairly delivered) stick-hits, good upper body strength/absorbsion of impact, solid arm lock up and position for the outs... over all a perfectly fair opportunity for the dog to demonstrate what it brings. He can catch my dogs any time, (and as a lot  of you know, I have some serious bangers!)

As for track-laying, by the time you get to Regional-level tracking, your dog ought to be able to track an inebriated rabbit across any half-decent terrain that hasn't seen foot traffic for a day or so. They don't always, of course, and I have a lovely 2-page list of excuses for "Why My Dog Failed Tracking" in case anyone needs it, but you won't find "Track-layer too young/inexperienced" anywhere on it.  In fact, there's a cosmetic mirror glued at the top of Page 1. Sorry folks, but there ARE no good excuses for why an animal that can smell a teaspoon of salt in 55 gallons of water fails tracking. Sad but true. LOL

IMO: For $20K a working line dog ought to at least come with an LGA-level helper, if not a high placing score in the BSP in its score book.

Not many can out-run Chris Carr, one of my all-time favorites for catching my dogs at any event. I know my dog and I are in good hands when that boy steps on the field. Good feeling when you're sending a banger.  I'm wondering if he's sneaking formaldehyde into his Gatorade these days. Some lucky people just don't ever seem to age along with the rest of us...

When ya'll get done bashing that excellent young, still sound and healthy helper, with a super future in the sport still ahead of him, go ahead and ship him here to us. If we can't find tracking boots and cleats in his size we'll have some custom made.

SS

WOW - outstanding post Shelly.  The female in the try-out video is my girl Laika v Riemsloherwald Schh3 - she is a really strong female, and I had NO hesitation to send her up north for the tryouts when Alex asked me if he could use her.  Not even a second thought.  He's worked my (very good working) show line young dog as well, and caught a few others of mine - he's a very talented, hard-working young helper who is still learning but willing to listen and obviously with talent to catch the good dogs - even a $20,000 dog.

molly

So typical of not only this sport but jealous people in general.  Here we have a VERY talented young man that is freakin hungry for this sport and has gone, done, tried everything he can for his age to be a good schutzhund hand.  I've never watched him work dogs other than when he was just a skinny little kid at the nationals helper seminar one year in alabama, but he was as good or better at 14(?) than most small club helpers are at 30.  Whom ever it is that is ragging about him doing helper work at a regional or laying tracks needs to be very embarassed of themselves because that kid is exactly what we need in the sport and your sour grapes comments are exactly what we don't need. Shame on you.

Mike Williams