dogsportmag.eu : February 2012

issue 2 february 2012

Karen Sykes Simon Baiocco

Zsofi Biro

John Stewart Team Hero Europe Julia Zimmermann

summary

SUMMARY John Stewart 32

Simon Baiocco 20

Julia Zimmermann 12 Zsofi Biro 40

Karen Sykes 48

cover photos:

by Mushing World

4 agility at the FMBB

by ASTA Photo

10 Team Hero Europe

12 Julia Zimmermann 17 Eva Ziwcker 16 Bettina Koch 18 Jean McCollister 19 Timo Kehlbeck

20 interview with Simon Baiocco 28 What is a Skyhoundz competition?

32 interview with John Stewart 40 Zsofi Biro and the Amadeus Agility Worldcup 2011 48 interview with Karen Sykes

Agility at the FMBB

Agility at the

FM text Luca Bartole

This article , as you have seen already from the title , is about the agility and the FMBB. First of all , the FMBB means Federation Mondiale de Berger Belges and they organize every year a competition open only to dogs from this breed as the Groenendael, Malinois, Tervuren and the Laekenois. In this competition , with the breeds mentioned above , you can participate in four different disciplines which are IPO , mondioring , obedience , agility and the exposition .

Wilma Steenbakkers & Joy Du Pacage Vert

by groenendaelersinaktie.nl

MBB Jeannine Gloor & Extreme Du Clos d’Alsa

photo : Iztok Noč

Agility at the FMBB

This is one of the most expected event for the lovers of Mondioring and IPO . A great competition that every year presents us with a lot of very strong emotions and shows. Every year you had the opportunity to see in confront the most famous owners of these breeds from the whole world.

An unique event that annually brings together more people. After Slovenia, Austria, Czech rep. , Hungary Germany and Belgium this year will be the time for Italy. The 2012 edition will be held in Rome exactly at the Centro Federale Sport Equestri - Pratoni del Vivaro - Rocca Priora (ROMA) Italy . This will be the 18th FMBB World Championship.

I wanted to give space to a topic that is untouched when you talk about FMBB.

Gisela Schindler & Jona von Sempach-Station

photo : Iztok NoÄ?

jumping & agility 2009

Well, the category of agility in these competitions is not so “important” becouse the people focuses more on the category as IPO and Mondioring , forgetting that even Malinois in agility can be spectacular , if we take a look at European Open 2010 we find Jan Egil Eide European champion with Cirkus who has shown that it is not necessary to pair off with a Border Collie to bring home a gold medal at a high level competition. The 2011 vice-champion Jeannine Gloor was also the 2010 Amadeus Agility World Cup Champion in front of the two times Agility World Champion team Lisa Frick and her Border Collie Hoss . The 2009 champion Alain Remund and many others qualified several times for the World Campionships and European Open competitions. In conclusion there are teams that should not be underestimated, although this competition is not given such prominence, is a high level competition, and after all It’s a World Championship!

I have summarized very briefly the podiums from 2008 to 2011.

So, you can see that the people who took the podium at this competition has been also part of podiums on other very important competitions

2008 Slovenia (Kočevje) 1 2 3

Johan Renders & Dolce Simply Divine (Dabber) Martina Klimešova & Axa Z Lounskeho Chovu Margrith Ingold & Bony du Mont des Ecailleux

2009 Czech rep. (Roudnice nad Labem) 1 2 3

Alain Remund & Aspen Pascal Mauroux & Bejaydunia Anna Orenius & Carmen

Agility at the FMBB

2010 Germany (Cottbus) 1 2 3

Christa Savolainen & Black Master’s Wicked Željko Gora & Djurdja Simply Divine Heli Nuorivuori & Kutinan Kutinpiti

Alan Remund & Aspen photo : Iztok Noč

photo : Iztok Noč

Sanne Hugen & Daan Yoyo v. Rooverehof

2011 Belgium (Nieuwpoort ) 1 2 3

Alain Remund & Aspen Jeannine Gloor & Extreme Du Clos d’Alsan Lili Fodor & Visszhang Bard

Hero Team Europe

Team Her Europ In this article you will read about a really new Team in the disc dog sport , the Team Hero Europe. A team of disc doggers that will promote the Hero Discs and this sport in Europe captained by Julia Zimmermann.

A few questions to the capitan of the Team and also few questions to some of the members of the team.

Hero Disc is a company from Rancho Cucamonga, California (USA).Hero Disc manufactures its own flying discs, including Air, Xtra, Superhero, Superstar and Superswirl models designed for use in canine disc competition. Hero Disc runs the Ashley Whippet Invitational World Championship disc dog series, culminating with the AWI World Finals.

ro pe

The members of the team are: Sandro Eigenmann - Switzerland Marcel Buff - Switzerland Matteo Gaddoni - Italy Christina Weiss - Germany Björn Tigges - Germany Eva Zwicker - Switzerland Jean McCollister - Slovenia Maja Kokalj- -Slovenia Julia Zimmermann - Germany - Captain

Scout Team Istvan Fodor - Hungary Timo Kehlbeck - Germany Enrico Collini - Italy Bettina Koch - Germany

interview with Julia Zimmermann

Julia Zimmer

explains about text ; Luca Bartole photos by: Christian Skerbic

Team He

I have asked Julia Zimmermann few questions about the Team Hero Europe.

In this short interview Julia explains to us the meaning of being a member of the team and what will be her role in this brand new team.

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t the

ero Europe

interview with Julia Zimmermann

The Hero Disc USA has started the year with a great news .They have selected the members of the Team Hero Europe . You are the capitan of the team . What will be your role/task as a capitan?

As Captain my role / task is in first place to be a good example for all team members. I´m the one they can ask everything they want to know, to help them out if they have any problems and I am the one who is managing the stuff they need to promote the team. Of course I am the one who has an eye on them... how they present the team... too. It is a very complex “job” and I really love it! It is a great thing to promote Hero Disc USA AND the greatest dog sport on earth, together with teams from different European countries. I´m VERY proud to have the honor to be the Team captain!!

Can you explain to us how It’s all started?How did they arrive to this idea?

Well, the idea of a Team Hero here is not that new. Many years ago,when we had the first AWI qualifier in Germany , there already was a rumor about this could happen. But then nothing happens and no one was thinking about that anymore. Last year Thomas Sander brought the idea back on table and this time it happened :) Thanks again Thomas! And thanks to Hero Disc USA and Matt DiAno to make it happen! All team members are super excited and proud to be part of another piece of history in the Discdog world and we all will do our very best to make it a success!

It is a great chance to bring the people/ countries in the sport closer together!

What is exactly the meaning of being a member of this team?

Being a member of the Team Hero means we promote. We promote Hero Disc USA AND the sport!! It is NOT just about being successful at competitions! Not just about to promote the sport with shows. It is about to help the sport to keep going,to grow ,to bring in new people and help them out with getting started and so on. It´s about to help the sport with not just playing at events, to help at events ( like judging,set up,tear down ) or even host them . And of course, we are a TEAM that wants to show that it is awesome to support each other and work together for the same thing,even if we are from different countries, even everyone has it´s own style,opinion,it´s own way.....but we ALL play the same game with our awesome fury partners, so we all have the same goal...keep it going... as you can see, to be a member of the team is a lot more than just being sponsored from Hero Disc USA and promote their products :) Hero Disc USA gives us the chance to give our best back to the sport we love, the sport that gives us so much. Thanks for that!!

About the AWI championship...Something has changed in the T&C field...

YES! We made a little change for the T/C field to give some more thrill to the game :) We added an accuracy zone. The lines stay the same, 15, 25 and 35 yards...at 40 yards there will be a circle that is 5 yards in diameter. Any catch made with at least one paw in this zone will result in an additional point. This zone is a little deeper than the last scoring line, encouraging a sort of «gamble» of time vs potential payoff. :) SO let the games begin :)) We hope you ALL have fun with this. Looking forward to see you on the green!! AND GO TEAM HERO Europe !!

Hero Team Europe

Some members of the Hero Team Europe answered to some questions , about their participation in the team

Bettina Koch

(Germany)

You’re part of the scout team Europe . Now ,you’re more motivated?

I was already maximally motivated and longing to the new season to start, even before the announcing of the start of Team Hero Europe.

Of course I am very honored to be part of the team, and I feel respected as a person and as a DiscDogger.

Which is the difference between the scout team and the other team?

First- there is no other Team, we are all Team Hero Europe.

Team Hero Europe consists of open minded people, who are heavily involved in the sport and bring the sport forward with organizing competitions, running clinics and helping new teams find their way. Scout Team Hero Europe consists of newcomers who are still relatively young to the sport, but are promising DiscDoggers for the future.

Being part of this team also leads to various responsibilities, what are your plans for 2012?

It is our responsibility to be a good example for other DiscDoggers, especially in respect to our dogs safety and welfare.

My goals for 2012 are mostly to attend a lot of competitions of different formats, to qualify for the AWI world championships and I will debut in judging competitions this year.

Overall I plan to become a better DiscDogger and of course to have fun with my friends and our dogs on the field.

Eva Zwicker

(Switzerland)

This idea will be very useful to expand the fame of this sport, what do you think ?

I don’t now. We will see it in the next two years. But I think it’s important for each one of us to get the support from Hero. For the sport we can do a lot, for example to give good shows on differents events and in my opinion a good show has also a part in which one I give informations about the health, security and how to warm up the dog etc.

What does it mean for you to be part of this team? Is it more a point of arrival or departure?

I’m very thankful. I hope that the discdoggers are happy togehter, with all differents rules and also with all different opinions about how to play discdog in the future.

The past year you’ve been qualified for the finals in the USA , but you didn’t fly to the states .

You think you’ll do it this year? You’ll take part on more event this year?

Now I don’t think so because in my opinion it is a lot of stress for the dogs and it is also expansive to travel to the USA. But we look forward and see what’s happen. Never say never...

Hero Team Europe

Jean McCollister

(Slovenia)

What does it mean for you to be part of this team? Is it more a point of arrival or departure?

It’s both. I’ve invested a lot of time, effort, and money over the past four years, and made many sacrifices, to get to where I am today in the sport. Being invited to join Team Hero in one sense feels like an acknowledgment of all that work, and the success that came with it. At the same time, it’s an investment in the future: having the support of Hero means I can continue playing. In the absence of that support, I likely would have had to retire at the end of last season, which by the way was our most successful ever, since my own resources were exhausted. Now I can stay active and involved, not only through my own training and competing, but also contributing in myriad other ways to further develop the sport in a healthy, responsible way.

Will this addition bring more credibility for finding new sponsors in Slovenia and Europe?

That would be very nice :) . Yes, I hope it will help raise the visibility and prestige of the sport, and of the teams who play it well, in our region of the world, so that we can put on more events here as well as send our teams to competitions abroad. All of that takes money. We’ve done a lot of good things already, but we could do even more if we had more support.

Being part of this team also leads to various responsibilities, what are your plans for 2012?

I plan to keep training with my own dogs, honing our skills and improving our performances, and going to as many competitions around Europe as I can manage. I’ve set a few competitive goals for the season, to give me something to aim for and work towards, but as always the most important thing is to play in a relaxed and non-stressful way, so it’s fun for the dogs and the players, and to view competitions as opportunities for learning, networking and socializing with other discdoggers, not for collecting trophies. With the help of some friends I’m also organizing an AWI qualifier and other events in Slovenia. And I will be doing teaching and some judging over the year. Looking forward to all of it, and very grateful to Team Hero for the support!

Timo Kehlbeck

(Germany)

You finished the 2011 with the AWI European champion title. Now you are a member of the Hero Team Europe. You’re even more motivated by being part of the team?

Yes, my motivation is on the highest level. It´s awesome to be in the greatest Discdogging Team.

I will do my very best to take this Team on the Top of international Discdogging!

Being part of this team also leads to various responsibilities, what are your plans for 2012?

I have many plans for 2012. First of all, the 2012 AWI European Champion title. I want to hold the title this year. Then we have two tournament. On June the UFO Major and in September the AWI European Championship. I´m very proud to get the Chance to organize this great Event!

by Sandra Bühler

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interview with Simon Baiocco

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Simo Baioc text Luca Bartole photos are a courtesy of Simon Baiocco

on cco Simon Baiocco is one of the biggest representative of the IPO “new school“ in Italy , if I can express my opinion . For him to work alone is an arduous task, but the passion and love for dogs makes him continue and develop his techniques in the best way. To see things from different viewpoints is a very great quality, he and one of those people who takes advantage of this quality.

interview with Simon Baiocco

Who are some of the people who have been influential in helping you get to where you are in the sport?

I cannot say a single person, there are many... I’m living in Rome , where there is not a big culture for dog sport, I realised very soon that i need to look somewhere else... So i made some trips to Germany and the Czech Republic . Seeing other trainings/trainers , gives me some new ideas and motivation to improve. Another very important thing for people like me who don’t live in Germany or Belgium is to see lots of stuff on the internet/youtube.

This year for the FMBB you will “play at home“ . The 2012 edition will be held in Rome .

You and Rustie are ready? :))) Actually no , not yet! We still need to go through another 2 selection trials...

But FMBB in Rome is really exiting !!! I hope we are going to be able to stay in the team this year too !

“Seeing other trainings/trainers , gives me some new ideas and motivation to improve”

What about the IPO WC 2012, we will see you there?

Well maybe not, right after FMBB my idea is to make litters with Rustie ! I can’t wait to see those puppies :D So , hopefully in autumn 2012 I will need some good IPO lovers and trainers for my cubs :D How did you become involved in Decoying?

Just starting! Not so many years ago, it’s a part of the game! But even though I’m an official decoy for all breeds I was never interested on the “competition work“ . I rather prefer trainings!

Do you decoy in any other sports (French Ring/Mondioring) No. I think there is so much stuff to understand in IPO that I don’t have energy for other dog sports :D

interview with Simon Baiocco

Tell us about your dogs .How many and which dogs you had as a child until today ?

Well i grow up with dogs and puppies all over our house, my parents used to breed and show Irish Setters... but my real love for dogs started right after watching the movie : ANTARTICA, thats when i begged my mother to get me a kind of wolf dog! So she came home few weeks later with my first GSD female which i named KUMA ! We lived always together for 13 years...

But my dog sport story started only in 2000, where i met my second GDS puppy :DELTA .. She helped me to try this demanding sport, at 3 yo we were at the ipo3 nationals.. Sadly a few month ago she passed away at the age of 11 (R.I.P.)

Your dog Rustie comes from the Haus Mecki Malinois.

Why did you choose the Haus Mecki Malinois ?

At that time i did not know much about this breed, I was helping a friend training his amazing Malinois and he introduced me to W.Broumas. We went at his club in Germany... and that day i saw 4 of his breeding Malinois, 3 female and 1 male i think they were only 8 months old or something like that , from 2 different litters... Well i was just really impressed about the quality of those dogs! So i said to him : i want a puppy from your kennel ! One or two months later he called me on the phone and said : think of a name beginning with “R” I have a female for you ! So i met Rustie , she was 2 months old and i fell in love with her :D

“I was helping a friend training his amazing Malinois and he introduced me to W.Broumas. We went at his club in Germany...”

How and how much do you train during the week?

Unfortunately (or fortunately i should say) i have an important job at the UN and so i have not that time you need for high level preparation anymore, so i manage to train 3 times a week, a couple of tracking and protection work , obedience . I also try to do something at home in the garden or in the nearest park..

When the competitions come closer I need something more.

What training techniques do you use when training your dogs?

Well, basically motivation and desire to work ! A great relationship and trust are so important , commitment also from early age.. but this is theory :) What kind of physical preparation goes into preparing for a high level event?

I think that’s a very important thing... I think we all get “emotional“ in competition, dogs have an amazing ability to read body language so they know something is different :) the only thing we can do is to get them as prepared as possible and happy to step into the field! Then behave as close to what we are used to do in normal life, as possible, thats easy to say...

interview with Simon Baiocco

When did you realize that your passion was to become something more?

When i started in 2002... I thought : “there is so much potential in dogs, that this is what i can keep learning for a long time“...

In your career, what were the competitions that have marked the way? The most memorable .

I loved a lot the atmosphere at the FCI 2010 in Finland... So great ! And i enjoyed those landscapes, walking in the woods... such a beautiful time, we gained an amazing team 2nd place result !!!

What advice would you give to someone participating in their first competition?

Have fun and don’t get (like we do) too serious about it :D Do you think that the world of working dogs has changed over the years ? How? I have the feeling that with internet/youtube ecc.. everything are becoming more famous worldwide and I see many talented trainers coming up.. the average level is definitely getting really high !

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengh is my passion, training almost alone is not easy so i needed a HUGE passion... and my biggest weakness i think is that i like to try out new and differents things on trainings and sometimes its not good and also the fact that i like jumping/dressage heeling which cost me lots of points :)))

“A great relationship and trust are so impo

What are your goals and aspirations for the next years?

I have been wondering the same thing these days... I think that i can be very close to quitting this sport... The only way to continue is succeeding in what i have failed until now : raising up a team!

Fortunately i have recently met a young enthusiastic guy, who is following me everywhere now, so lets work !!!

Another sure thing is : making some amazing dogs out of RUSTIE !!!

ortant”

“...passion , is my strenght”

What is a Skyhoundz Competition?

What is a Skyho Competition? text by Jeff Perry , one of the founders of Skyhoundz photos are a courtesy of Sven Van Driessche

Skyhoundz competitions are always related to Hyperflite, the brand of discs that are well known in Europe as well. They facilitate the means to host the Skyhoundz competitions.

You have two main events in a Skyhoundz Classic competition; one that is focusing on Distance/ Accuracy, and one that combines Freestyle with Distance/Accuracy. In the latter you will have to do two rounds of 90 seconds in freestyle and a 60-second D/A round. The Distance/Accuracy event is composed by 2 rounds of 60 seconds to determine the winner.

A part from a Novice and Expert Class in the Open Division, there is also a separate competition for small dogs (MicroDog Division), our elder quadrupeds (Masters Division) and unique in the competitive formats, a Pairs Division where two people share the fun together with their dog. Also the Youth Division is something unique for Skyhoundz. In this division youngsters up to the age of 15 get the chance to demonstrate their abilities.

oundz Hyperflite Skyhoundz European Championship 2011, Budapest Barbara Soprani & Ghighi

photo by : Árkosi József

What is a Skyhoundz Competition?

The European Championship is an open competition where no pre-qualification is required. This is only for the World Championships where you need to qualify in order to play with the big boys in Chattanooga Tennessee.

There will be 8 possibilities to qualify this year for the Europeans, it all starts in Hungary followed

by Italy, Slovenia and The Netherlands. The European Championship is also the Belgian Qualifier and to finish we have competitions set up in Spain and France. Of course there is the “Last Chance” Qualifier a day before the World Championships…

As from 2011 Skyhoundz also introduced two new World Championship competitions called DiscDogathon and Extreme Distance. Extreme Distance explains itself and DiscDogathon is composed out of 5 games (Bull’s Eye, Spot Landing, Time Trial, Freestyle and Pairs Distance). For each game there are titles. Meaning you don’t have to complete all 5 to stand a chance. But I bet your dog would like to do them all… In this new discipline there will be 2 possibilities to qualify; the first in Belgium and the European Championship DiscDogathon and Extreme Distance in Hungary.

For more information, feel free to visit www.skyhoundz.com.

2012 Schedule Skyhoundz International Qualifiers Classic April 21 and 22

Hungary

Budapest

www.flydogs.hu

April 28 and 29

Italy

Milano

www.flyingdogs.org

May 5 and 6

Slovenia

Mirna

www.kd-mirna.net

July 8

The Netherlands

Zeewolde

www.flyemhigh.nl

July 21 and 22

Belgium

Olen

July 28

Spain

Victoria-Gasteiz

August 5

France

Farchat www.centredubienetreanimal.com

www.wettails.be www.txakurtzen.com

Last Chance Qualifier Classic September 21

Chattanooga

TN

World Canine Disc Championship Classic

September 22-23

TN

Chattanooga

www.skyhoundz.com

www.skyhoundz.com

2012 Schedule Skyhoundz International Qualifiers DiscDogathon and Extreme Distance April 14

Belgium

Herk-de-Stad

www.wettails.be

June 16 and 17

Hungary

Budapest

www.fludogs.hu

Last Chance Qualifier DiscDogathon and Extreme Distance September 18

Chattanooga

TN

www.skyhoundz.com

World Canine Disc Championship DiscDogathon and Extreme Distance September 19

Chattanooga

TN

www.skyhoundz.com

interview with John Stewart

Joh Ste

hn ewart text Luca Bartole photos are a courtesy of John Stewart

interview with John Stewart

John Stewart is from Scotland . Maybe is needless to say, John is Alan’s son . Alan Stewart Raced at the highest level in UK also in USA,Chile ,Argentina,Mid Europe many times.Alan . John has been running dogs for 19 years and has competed all over the world in multiple racing styles. John has raced & trained sleddogs since he was 6yrs old. Only UK junior to have gone on to race in USA & Canada ie Iditarod/Wyoming Open/Percy De Wolf/Cantwell/Race to the Sky and many more . As a junior he domineered the UK junior events,raced in kids events Iron Will Race MN/USA,Alps to Chile & Argentina . Since he was 18yrs old he has lived and raced with some of the best mushers within the sport learning the art of mushing...Tim White,Egil Ellis,Hans Gatt,Doug Swingley .

Your family is evolving the mushing is Scotland and in Europe with The Cairngorm Sleddog Centre . What do you think . The scene has changed thanks to your family, definitely would not be at the same level now.

Probably not. But despite my families best efforts to help the sport grow in the UK, just not enough people really care. Its stuck in cement as far as I’m concerned. It’s up to the them I suppose. I am not associated with any club in the UK at all. 90% of people who run sleddogs in the UK are recreational teams. There dogs are also dual purpose. They run a few races in UK a year but spend most of there time in the show ring. It is because of this fact that the Siberian breed in the UK is dying out which is very sad As you are seen by people in Scotland since you’re one of the few mushers who participates in races in Alaska .

I could count on my hands how many people would actually know me as a musher. Would I like more of them know? I’m not really bothered. If they were really interested in the Sleddog Sport Im sure they would

The biggest supports during your mushing years come from your family.

Who else “helped“ you ?

A long list. I try to learn something new every day I spend with dogs. Streeper Kennels has opened my eyes to a lot of fundamental training techniques that I will never forget. When I was 18 my first experience with racing in Alaska was with Egil Ellis. This is where I really opened my eyes to how sprint mushing should be done and from there I wanted to do nothing but learn as much as I could about running dogs in all aspect of the sport. I went to Hans Gatts in 2007, Doug Swingleys in 2008,09 and finally The Streepers in 2010/11. Every year as been a new challenge and I wake up every morning wondering what I may learn next.

Tell us about your dogs .What breeds do you currently mush with?

Who will be in your team for the 2012?

Alaskan Huskys is the stand out sleddog out here. The versatility of this animal is truly amazing.

I would love to tell you who is on my team for this year but it is still too early to tell. There are so many new dogs to this years race pool that we are having a hard job deciding who to drop. We both need 16 dogs for the Stage Stop race pool and we both still have 20.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;...90% of people who run sleddogs in the UK are recreational teams. There dogs are also dual purpose.

They run a few races in UK a year but spend most of there time in the show ringâ&#x20AC;?

interview with John Stewart

In the 2010 you have entered the Iditarod race , without having obtained good results.

When you try again?

The plan is to try again in 2013. I have been offered to run a team from Aaron Burmeister who ran the Streeper second team last year at the stage stop. I am looking forward to this experience that will take up all of my 2012/13 race season.

A fact or two that comes to mind thinking to the Iditarod.

Im not sure Im qualified to give Iditarod facts. Be prepared would be great advice id say.

Even if you’re young You boast a very long career as a musher.What ware your best moments in your carrer?

A best moment. Very tricky question. 20 minutes has passed since I hit the full stop button on that last sentence. Every time I get to the finish line of a race with every dog happy and wagging its tail is a “best moment”

Who inspires you, who gives you the motivation . Do you have a “role model“ ?

The dogs are the true inspiration and that is what keeps me motivated. The mentors I have had over the years has left me with a lot of role models. I hope that I can merge all experiences I have had into becoming a better musher What is it about dog sledding that makes you enjoy it so much?

Its got to be the dogs. Nobody in there right mind would say anything else and if they did, deep down they still really mean the dogs. Any musher would tell you that you get the most enjoyment from watching the dogs you have trained succeed and have all the fun in the world doing.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I like to think I can connect with dogs very well. The connection between the musher and his team is vital to being successful. Something I’ve been trying work on that last few years is not getting disheartened when things aren’t going well. Nothing good will come from that negative vibe you put out and the first place it will go is your dog team and thats the last place you want it to go especially during a race. Also keeping quiet on the trail. Dogs love and want to run and dont need much extra encouragement. Too much talking, whistling and yelling at the team will leave you with a very stressed out dog team and you will reap the rewards from this the next day. I solve this problem with music. Music keeps ME focused, ME motivated and lets the dogs get on with what they do best

“The connection between the musher and his team is vital to being successful”

interview with John Stewart

Who has had the most impact on your life?

Our very first Husky was a dog called Digger. I was very close to this dog. Even when I was 8 could see how much these dogs wanted to please you by pulling and working as hard as they could. Digger passed away in 2001 after going blind from a genetic condition. I will never forget the feeling had when he started to go blind. I thought to myself “This dog has won everything in the UK sleddog sport, he was the main leader on both my fathers team and my team, he uses his eyes to keep the other dogs safe and look for turns that you will give him and now hes gone blind. My Best childhood friend passed away that day and I will always remember how special he was to me. I knew from then on I would never give up racing sleddogs

“The dogs are the true inspiration and that is what keeps me motvated”

Do you have hobbies, plays some other sports or activities besides dog sledding ?

I have a keen interest in Motorsports. Mainly Formula 1 and Rallying. Also love to follow the football.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add?

You can follow my progress this season at Mushing World (on facebook) and on the upcoming website mushingworld.net. Id like to thank my sponsors Buff and the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre. I also want to thank Terry and Buddy Streeper for without them last year and this coming season would not have been possible

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Streeper Kennels has opened my eyes to a lot of fundamental training techniques that I will never forget.â&#x20AC;?

interview with Zsofi Biro

Zsofi

Amadeus Agil

Worldcup2

text : Luca Bartole

In Austria , exactly in Salzburg , from the the Amadeus Agility Worldcup 2011.

The competition was held in the agility a MESSEZENTRUM SALZBURG and The first day of the event ,friday ,was a da the following day , Saturday ,were took p The Grand Finale were took place on Su a knockout parallel system. The judges o Iveta Lukáčová (SVK) , Roman Lukác (S

And now we come to the point of the ar become the 2011 champion in the catego we will know more about Zsofi and her w Good reading!

Zsofi Biro and Scilla photo by Agility Gallery

Biro and the

lity

2011

e 2nd to the 4th of December 2011 was held

arena in the new exhibition hall at the was a part of the Pappas Amadeus Horse Indoors. ay dedicated to an agility competition , place the qualify for the grand finale. unday .The finals were based on the “American system“ , of the event were: Rollie Schiltz (LUX) , SVK) .

rticle. Zsofi Biro has ory small, in this article weekend in Salzburg .

Zsofi Biro

by Agility Gallery

interview with Zsofi Biro

On Sunday when the American style finals started you’ve found Lisa immediately as your second opponent , what was going through your head in that moment?

Yes, both on Friday and Saturday I think we did 100% with Scilla, I was really proud of the little girl! However, there was always a tiny bit of a time difference between Lisa and us. For that reason it was kind of according to expectations that in the Qualifications we reached second place behind her. Besides, when we faced Sunday, I already knew that there were also other very quick dogs and strong teams around as in the Jumping runs we reached 5th place on both previous days.

So others were also in perfect position to win the title – not to mention that KO is famous for speed, not always for handling techniques. Or so I thought. Now I rather say in such an event with such participants it’s about nerves and focus – the lack of which can result in technical failure even on an easier course. But maybe I am lucky as I get more inspired when a competition gets sharp.

For a first sight I found it very little fortunate that we had to face Lisa so early in the KO but this was a circumstance I couldn’t change so my thought was: “I do have the courage to dream!” - this was the secret message that I sent to my trainer that morning.

Did you have expected to reach the finals?

Who did you think would come to the end?

We lived a pretty good period with Scilla especially since July, winning almost all runs wherever we competed (Hungary, Slovakia, Italy etc) and about a month before the Amadeus World Cup I had the draft idea that the glory of the year could even be winning in Salzburg – I really felt like it could be a dream come true! It wasn’t a very serious thought but somehow this must have been the base of the final results. I really believe that the right thoughts can lead us to very high ups.

So, having seen the Friday results I was concentrating to do just as good on Saturday. In the moment when we fulfilled the 4th clean run, I was just extremely happy for ourselves, I didn’t pay attention on what place we reached and who else was in or out.

Zsofi Biro

by Agility Gallery

To be honest, I usually don’t care about results, just try to give all my effort into what we do.

I usually don’t even watch other Small runs until our turn, I don’t know who and where and how does in a particular course. Moreover, in Salzburg I had no information on how many teams are allowed to enter for Sunday either. And as I was running until the very end, I didn’t know at all what happened to others in the meantime. I usually watch the rivals runs via Internet when I get home – I have to admit that I am pretty curious afterwards.

Which was the most difficult moment /part of the event?

Definitely when we had to actually face Lisa in the KO. I knew she always had better results than us.

This was the moment when it was pretty difficult to keep my original spirit of concentrating only on ourselves – to avoid a kind of helpless thought and keep focusing on the course.

When running against her I even had an outage in my concentration – the only fault during the 3 days – but for my fortune she also did one. However, this just confirmed my original attitude: that I should not care about what is going on around us, only focus on what the two of us with Scilla do in course. Seems like we somehow managed to keep that until the end :o)

How did you manage to stay focused until the end ?

I’ve been practicing a mental training for some years already. This is also something that needs to be built up from the very small situations until the largest ones. If you feel comfortable about a situation, it’s easier to handle.

So I tried to create my own little world there in the Salzburg Arena, concentrating on our start ceremony (from warm-up minutes until Scilla sits at the start line) even though the circumstances were obviously new and I had to run around all the time to get information on when it was going to be our turn and which course we run on. (We had very professional judges that built the courses very carefully but having walked them there were very slight differences in angles that did matter and the lights were also different which one can also feel when being tired and my eyes are pretty sensitive.)

As everything happened very-very fast, there was hardly any resting time between the rounds, I had to continuously focus on timing and serving Scilla the most so that she could also be the most concentrated.

interview with Zsofi Biro

“I’ve been practicing a mental training for some years already”

Being able to reach the Worldcup title means that you have worked well throughout your career. Can you ravel to us who’s behind you and Scilla ?

It all started 15 years ago with my English Cocker, Philip. A dog that most people said would never fulfill a whole course – but finally even reached 15th place at the FCI World Championships and won many titles. I’m very thankful for my trainer at that time, Kati Klecska, who was maybe the only one who believed in us from the very beginning!

In the meantime I became a trainer myself and mostly trained with very little external control. In order to develop, I have always enjoyed going to seminars and meeting new handling techniques.

Zsofi Biro and Philip at the European Open 2007

Zsofi and Scilla jumps at the Hungarian National Championships 2011 photo by www.flashagility.hu

interview with Zsofi Biro

There were also periods that I competed with other dogs: Tekla, the Tervueren, Wirtus, the Fox Terrier, Eliot, the Parson Russell Terrier and Tili, the Welsh Terrier. They are all amazing mates, not only in agility but also in everyday life.

I also spent a year in Italy and had the wonderful chance to train with Ezio Bertuletti, that gave me a new aspect of handling which, when I returned home was not present yet, so I went on with my own training.

In the wintertime of 2009 I was seeking for a chance for indoor training and met Erika Szoboszlay.

I was pretty amazed to see the same perfectionism at her trainings as what I experienced in Italy and what I expected from myself, so I knew this was the road I wanted to follow. I think agility friends agree on how much external control is important in training and how valuable it is to find the support that suits you the most. As I saw Scilla’s talent, I really wanted to give her all by the best handling I could, so I gave up my membership at my original club, Top Mancs. Scilla and I have been working together with Erika since, presently doing agility under the umbrella of her club, Kraft SE. We have a wonderful team, the spirit of which also gives a very important background for such successes.

My plan for 2012 is to keep up with the idea: “Live your dream and share your passion”

Do you think that the winners of the small category are a little understimated compared to the large category?

I know about the phenomena but I personally don’t really feel that. I rather feel that many people are too much focused on results though. Of course competitive sports are also about results, otherwise we could just stay home or just train together with friends in different locations. However, sometimes I would just love to call competitors’ attention to the original spirit of agility: ENJOY! Plans for 2012 ?

My plan for 2012 is to keep up with the idea: ‘Live your dream and share your passion’. Dreams that maybe I would never expect to come true and passion that hopefully speaks for itself. :o) We received some very kind invitations with Scilla from agility friends from around the globe for training and/or competing together. So as per my ars poetica I hope to be able to fulfill their expectations and spend a wonderful time together. Feel free to follow our adventures at www.birozsofi.eu.

Last but not least, there are already a number of competitions that I am planning to partecipate at and some that we need to get selected for. The big-big dream is to have all clean runs at the FCI World Championships with Scilla (just as we used to have with Philip), to keep the gold of the Amadeus World Cup and that of the Dog Olympic Games team rounds.

‘Live your dream and share your passion’ (by Holstee )

interview with Karen Sykes

interview with

Karen S

text Luca Bartole

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first thing that I loved was that there was no compulsory moves and I had the freedom to use my imagination and truly work as a partnership with my dogs to include or discard anything that we wanted to.â&#x20AC;?

Sykes

photos by Allan Brown

Karen Sykes with Fly, Erin & Kes

interview with Karen Sykes

In the 2001 along with Lesley Neville and Kath Hardman you formed The Top Lodge Trio. A trio that has no comparison. You have demonstrated HTM/FS all over the world. How did this friendship start?

Kath, Lesley & I first met at a HTM competition and discovered that we lived reasonably close to each other. We began helping each other and training together whenever we could. Along with our partners, David, Roger & Allan we initially formed Canine Freestyle GB. This club was formed to promote the sport in the UK and give people a central point for information and help, it is still running and has members from countries outside of the UK too.

You can find the website at www.caninefreestylegb.com As the sport became more widely known we decided to promote it more directly by offering to perform at local events/nursing homes etc. Because of the warm reception that we received we then formed Top Lodge Dancing Dogs to take this wonderful spectator sport to a much wider audience.

You can see more of Top Lodge Dancing Dogs at our Website and Blog; www.dancingdogs.co.uk www.toplodge.blogspot.com

You are famous all over the world, present at biggest competitions either as winner and as a judge. What were your best moments in your carrer?

Happily the sport has provided many wonderful moments that will stay with me for ever.

My first ever competition when I was so nervous on the way to the venue that I felt physically sick, could not apply my make-up before competing because my hand was shaking so much – all worth it when I won Starters Freestyle with my wonderful dog Kes. That first competition and win really hooked me into the sport.

Judging at Crufts in 2007 Winning Crufts Heelwork to Music in 2008 with Fly Being invited to be Head Judge at the Inaugural HTM/FS World Championships held in Herning, Denmark in 2010 Winning the HTM Open European Championships in 2011 Nowadays to film the routine has become easy, even with the phone. It’s one way to see small mistakes and correct them immediately. Do you think the new generations are able to create highly perfect routines in less time?

Since I began competing there has always been the opportunity to video your performance & training sessions and the value of this is huge. To see your performance from the Judges perspective is very useful for fine tuning your training and choreography. With smaller more affordable devices this is easier but it is no substitute for a good training buddy who will tell you the truth and help to provide solutions

Top Lodge Dancing Dogs

interview with Karen Sykes

Open European HTM & Freestyle Championships 2011

After a lot of experience in dog dance can you see a big evolution in the routines?

How the dog dance has changed in the last 10 years?

There has been a huge evolution in dog dancing in the past 10 years. It is important that competitors keep striving for innovation and that is harder as time goes on. Old moves done in a new way can be as impressive as completely new moves and is wonderful to see what can be achieved with a partnership that has an open mind. Thank goodness that there are some teams out there who are continuing to expand what can be achieved in a trusting partnership The saddest thing for me recently is to see moves being banned. Any move can be dangerous, for example - a dog can be stepped on in simple heelwork, accidents can happen. Moves taught carefully and performed in context with the music are a joy. We should strive throughout the world to keep the “free” in freestyle and ensure that the Judges encourage competitors to keep their performances and the dogs safe with strict and accurate marking!

Where do you find the inspiration for a new routine.

My inspiration always comes from the music that I choose, that is why choosing the music is one of the hardest parts of the process for me. If the choice is right the dance almost choreographs itself.

I am sure I am not alone in this sport when I say that I can never listen to any music without either discounting it or tucking it away for future consideration next time I am looking for a new routine.

Can you calculate how many routines you invented throughout your career?

When I first started in this sport there were few competitions so I would choreograph a new routine for each competition. This meant 2 – 3 new routines per year for each dog in heelwork and freestyle! As routines and moves became more complicated & sophisticated they took longer to perfect and eventually I limited myself to 1 routine in each of the 2 divisions for each dog per year. In all I think I must have choreographed around 50 routines.

Do you remember which was your first routine?

I will never forget my first routine! The music was from the Rocky Horror Show and was called Sweet Transvestite. Kes was 3 years old and I used 2 props, a chair and a riding crop. My costume had a touch of the “dominatrix” about it but was perfectly respectable I wore lots of make-up and a huge ginger wig so that no-one recognised me! When I first started in dog dancing I found it easier to hide behind a character when performing.

Karen & Kes 1st Routine, Sweet Transvestite

“My inspiration always comes from the music that I choose, that is why choosing the music is one of the hardest parts of the process for me. If the choice is right the dance almost choreographs itself ”

interview with Karen Sykes

What fascinated you about dog dancing in the beginning?

I have always loved music, dogs and dancing. To find a sport which combined all 3 elements was wonderful. I had previously competed in Obedience, Agility, Working Trials and Herding with reasonable success but dog dancing really excited me as soon as I heard of it.

The first thing that I loved was that there was no compulsory moves and I had the freedom to use my imagination and truly work as a partnership with my dogs to include or discard anything that we wanted to.

Kare

Team GB 2011

How do you train and how much do you train during the week?

How proceed your training?

Training varies throughout the year depending on our priorities regarding competitions and training needs. Each of my 3 dogs require a very different approach to their training and so they are usually trained individually, although they are often all in the training hall at the same time and watch each other.

If I am not working towards anything specific I train all 3 dogs 4 times a week for 30 minutes each in the training hall. Small training sessions are also done at home as time or necessity dictates.

Time is always an issue as training can be difficult to fit in around work and travelling to the training venue takes an hour on top of the actual training time.

When I am training new moves I tend to do 2 – 5 minute sessions several times a day to help to fix it in the mind of the dog. My favourite training is in front of theTV watching a programme that does not require any concentration – 3 dogs, 1 box of treats, sitting in an armchair proofing moves is fun and the dogs certainly prefer it to lying half asleep doing nothing!

A typical day in your life This does vary depending whether it is a work day, competition day or a day off. When working I get up at 5:30 and after doing a few little jobs and feeding the dogs Allan takes them for their first walk of the day while I start work as a dog groomer at around 6:30. I don’t take any breaks so that I can be finished at around 14:00.

After a quick lunch I train at home and take the dogs for a run for an hour over the fields. I am very lucky to live in a beautiful area of countryside where the dogs can have lots of exercise. Once home, while the dogs are sleeping I catch up with my emails and other household jobs before preparing the evening meal and feeding the dogs.

“I have always loved music, dogs and dancing”

en Sykes with Fly, Erin & Kes

Winning Crufts 2008

After Allan and I have eaten I often return to the computer between watching a some TV or reading. Allan takes the dogs for their final walk of the day at 21:00 while I get ready for bed. We rarely have a late night as we are all up with the lark each morning. Days when I am not working I train in the mornings at the training hall.

My favourite days are when we have a day off and take the dogs out for the whole day walking, stopping only for lunch at a dog friendly pub!

interview with Karen Sykes

Do you have hobbies, take part in some other sports or activities besides dog dancing?

I used to have lots of other hobbies, swimming, scuba diving, horse riding (competing in dressage), rock climbing, walking, motor bikes. I was always up for a challenge and happy to try anything new!

Now life revolves around the dogs. I love walking, a day out in the hills with Allan and the dogs with a short stop for lunch is my favourite way to spend a day. I wish the coast was closer but in the centre of Englad we couldn’t be further from the sea.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

These have changed as I have gone through life as my priorities have changed.

I think my greatest strengths are my loyalty and optimism.

I can tend to be rather forthright and speak my mind – I am not sure whether it is a strength or a weakness. Maybe it depends on the circumstances!

My weaknesses are that I tend to be over-emotional and rather impatient.

What are your goals and aspirations for the next years?

To be happy, that has always been my goal.

“To be happy, that has always been my goal”

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add?

There are 2 wonderful things that dancing with my dogs has brought me.

First - a wonderful group of friends both at home and those I have made over-seas. Without this fabulous sport I would never have seen so much of the world or met so many good people with a passion for dogs.

Secondly â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the incredible bond that this sport has given me with my dogs. I have learnt more about dogs in the last 10 years than in all my previous years and I am so happy to be able to communicate with and love my dogs.

Finally I must thank Allan my partner of the past 28 years for his incredible support and love.

I really could not have achieved anything without him.

Allan , Kes , Karen , Erin & Fly

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