2009 USA Nationals - Page 6

First results are up.
http://www.quinebaugschutzhund.org/nationals09.aspx

And again, does anyone know which helpers got picked?

I believe

Sean murphy is the Fronthalf and marcus hampton is the back half...

I think the website for the event is fantastic, especially the  way the competitors scores are being updated, both on the schHIII page and the FH page  - nice!

 It really is fantastic! Good job!!

#1 mike diehl
#2 jason wiggins (high h.o.t.)
#3 martin vollrath

(this is from my phone....so not great)

my favorite dog was the #5 dog, Vienna von der Sägmühle
 with Mark Saccoccio.  i admired her in the trial catalog, but when i saw her obedience
and protection i was convinced that she is one damn fine female.

What was the reason behind the 8 dogs that pulled from competition? Was this  due to the UScA's  board decision to ban members from joining other clubs??

Before anyone starts unilaterally ascribing speculative reasons on why I pulled.... let me tell you my dog had a minor injury in the weeks leading up to the Nationals which put a severe crimp on our training and preparation + I had personal issues that made it increasingly difficult to get everything together for an event of this magnitude.

I am sure that other people who chose to not show had their own equally important reasons and I am sure that they can speak for themselves.

Congratulations to Mike Diehl, Jason Wiggins & Martin Vollrath..... they are true champions.

Judging this year was incredibly tough in all three phases, and I was told that Herr Gunter Diegel (head judge of the SV) was using a knife instead of a pencil to carve points out for routines.

Anyone who showed under this years panel of judges and passed can very well go home assured that they have one of the best dogs presently alive on the planet.

Best Wishes to everyone.

Ravi Iyer

Missed you , Ravi!! I had been looking forward to seeing you, but Pedro explained the situation. Hope Juneau is recovering well! :-) Mking: Some people pulled PRIOR to the meeting and did not show up,for various reason AS OFTEN HAPPENS. One woman competitor came, but with a brace on her leg and clearly in pain. No big surprise that she pulled. A couple others pulled because of what happened during practice. Just the "usual stuff." Even competitors who ranted and raved about the amendment passing refused to pull and went through draw nitght AND competed. So, perhaps it is better not to speculate as to why the usual percentage of pulls did so.

Just my view on the event. The judging for the OB was very sharp, the judge wanted to see continuous focus to the handler, ALOT of temperment from the dog, lots of speed for each exercise was looked for. Points were taken for the slightest crooked sit in any position, dog touching the handler w/ dumbell, slighest grip change in the retrieves, just given some examples on how sharp this judge was. I am sure alot of handlers never recieved these type of scores before this event. I just hope this type of judging continues at this level. A few scores given in OB were not deserved IMO but I guess it still does depend who the handler is so extra points were given.

Protection was also judge VERY VERY hard as it should be at this level. The judge wanted LOTS of power in the B/H with strong continuous barking, the same in the guarding after the outs. He did not like the silent guard or a dog looking away from the helper. He wanted to see dogs stop the helper on the escape and only a few did that. Grips were to always be full through out the routine. Again some points were given to certain handlers because of who they were and some were taken away also.

My favorites in OB/Protection

Jason Wiggins/Nick del Lupo Nero very very nice dog, very well balanced and the training on this dog is superb. Jason is a very good handler also. This is a young male and has a great future ahead of him. The only thing that I would like to see is more power in the blind and guarding after the out. This is where he lost points.
 
Dan Cox/Chuck v Dorneburger  same as above but IMO he got screwed in protection, Chuck had the best long bite in this event, heard the hit from the stands and that alone should have been a few extra points.

Krista Wade/Berlin v Glucklichen Tal  Lots of drive and temperment in this dog, very nice OB and the handler did a super job, but also got screwed in OB as far as points.

Frank Phillips/H-Cayos av Xazziam had problems in both phases but still a very strong dog in protection with lots of temperment and drive in OB.

Mark w/ Vienna put on a very very nice OB routine and for a female that is almost 7 is very nice to see. Super drive and spirit in this female, protection was ok but for me would like to see more power.

Johannes Grewe/Ukon v Rheinland has problems also but another strong dog in protection and did an awesome escape.

Jim Alloway/Joker v Klietzer See has problems in OB was again another dog that was very strong in the blind 94 in protection.

The best long bite IMO was Dan's dog and a female that was the last to go because she was in season don't know her name but she was #64

Missed Chico in OB and Mike Diehl in both OB and protection. I was surprised to see ALOT of dogs that were flat in OB at this level but congrats to them for getting to this level. As far as the event goes the food was crappy and they had no buckets for your dogs poop. They complained about people not picking up after their dogs  (what else is new) but for some of us that did pick up there was no place to throw them.

Denise

The weather was perfect and I am glad I got a chance to see this event