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The 2000 Columbia Cup was the biggest and best ever. Over 330 dogs and their handlers gave it their best on the courses designed by judges Blair Bloxham, Nadia Barret and Michelle Vroman. And although this was the first time we have tried to run 3 rings simultaneously for an entire trial (the exception being Friday evening when two runs of Novice Standard were run), things went relatively smoothly and we were done relatively early! The three rings were designated either Elite, Open or Novice and the staffing was done from those running in each ring. Large dog handlers worked the rings while the small dogs were running and vice versa. Things did get hectic for those running dogs at more than one level, but tha's always the case to some degree. Another complaint was that it was difficult to see friends who were |
| running in other rings. The alternative, however, is to turn people away from our trials. Maybe we can come up with another scheme, but so far this seems the best. Thanks to Trial Chair Tara Choate and all those who worked so hard to make the trial a success. |
| On to the results. The Columbia Cup is awarded to the handler/dog team who amass four clean standard runs over the weekend (no mean feat in itself) and who have the largest cumulative difference between the dog's times and the standard course times. In additional, plaques are awarded for the best performances in each of the divisions -- Novice A, Novice B, Open and Elite. |
| And the winners are.... (with CAT President Marilyn Watson doing the honors) |
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| And here they all are with all the hardware (It does look a bit like a Sheltie convention. Good thing a terrier snuck in) |
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A special note about Jill Harding and Nicki is in order. Jill and her sister live in Astoria. For a couple of years they have been making almost weekly trip to Wilsonville to take classes. They have gotten a 4-H group going in agility in Astoria. When you're willing to go tho these lengths to do agility, you must love the sport. Congratualtions Jill.
