No Frills U Fli Tournament
Saanichton March 4 and 5, 2011
The flyball season got off to a chilly start at the Saanich fairgrounds on March 4 and 5, hosted by Pawcific Storm. Vancouver Island clubs, including Barn Stormers, raced as teams and singles in the U-Fli tournament. The Sopwith Mutts posted some good times in Division Two, placing third on Saturday and second on Sunday. It was also the debut of Bandit and Kona, both participating as singles and doing well. Buffy, Annie, Dancer and Ruff also ran in Singles and the Brat Pack boys held up their end in the Pairs competitions as well. There were only two Perfect Starts in the entire weekend, and our Kathi and Dancer got one of them… way to go! It was cold, but we still had fun!
Saturday's team
Sunday's team
It Was Party Time !!
On Saturday, December 11, the Barn Stormer gang gathered at the home of Liz and Ken (thanks, you two) for the annual Christmas party. It was definitely a full house as we had the biggest turnout ever. Not only were partners and spouses of most of the members able to come, but our honourary Barn Stormer from Maple Ridge, Lorraine, joined us and for a change when she was with us, she didn’t have to chase balls around on a tournament floor!
Of course, there was enough food to feed an army. There’s something about Barn Stormers – they always load the tables with lots of tasty food, whether it be a party or a tournament. They’re also very good at special surprises too – Anne decorated a flyball cake that had everyone awed. It didn’t just look great, it tasted great too.
As usual, there were a few bits and pieces of business to get out of the way before the awards were presented: Most Improved Dog for 2010 was Bandit, and the Team Spirit Award went to our super box loader, Tony.
Overall opinion? Barn Stormers even know how to have fun without their dogs!
The fantastic flyball cake by Anne
Dogwood’s Christmas Tournament
Abbotsford – December 4 and 5
Although Barn Stormers weren’t able to send a team this year, they were represented by the “boys” at this annual Christmas tournament. Dancer and Ruff ran with their friends, the Pawcific Storm club, who are also sometimes short of dogs to make up teams, thus having some room to fit the boys in.
One team included Dancer and ran in Division 3 while Ruff joined the other in Division 2. Both teams finished the tournament with some very respectable times and placements, and, as well, tired but happy dogs and handlers.
Flying Squad’s Remembrance Day Tournament
Cloverdale, November 6/7, 2010
An elusive sight was seen on the Vancouver mainland this past weekend – a rookie team of Barn Stormers. Newcomers Buffy, Cali and Jonas were anchored by veterans Jackson and Walker. The team represented itself well, showing good spirits even when mistakes happened. There are some promising flyballers developing. Congrats to all the dogs and their handlers for showing true spirit and a great sense of fun. We hope to spot more of the Sopwith Mutts at future tournaments.
Two other veteran Barn Stormers, Ruff and Dancer, joined with Pawcific Storm dogs Ben, Chianna, Seeker and Sophie for some competitve racing in the Open Division. Marg and Ruff had the great honour of having the only Perfect Start for the entire weekend. Woohoo!!
Barn Stormers' Sopwith Mutts.... team with spirit!
Dogwood Pacesetters – Abbotsford, August 28 & 29 –
The weather cooperated on the weekend, being warm, but not overly hot, and the Brat Pack had a chance to run again, picking up a best time for the weekend of 9.076 seconds…well done! Dancer earned enough points to claim his next title – Top Flight Executive – Level II; congratulations, Dancer and Kathi!
As well as running pairs, the boys took part in a Pick-up team with Laura and Seeker (Pawcific Storm), Linda and Sophie (Pawcific Storm) and Cheryl and Sadie (Kaotic K9’s), putting some very respectable times on the board. The best time on the weekend for this team (who’d never all been together before) was 19.409 seconds; thanks for letting us run with you.
The boys in "camp" waiting for the next race
Flyballed Eagle Ridge
Barn Stormers got together for another weekend of fun, participating in the Flyballed Eagle Ridge tournament in Langford over the August 14-15th weekend. Despite the heat we had a great time.
Saturday’s team included Ruff, Dancer, Sadie, Cali and Walker (who was the hero, valiantly acting as our height dog). The team’s best time of the day was 22.324 seconds, very respectable over 11″ jumps. Congratulations go to Myrna and Cali, who participated in their very first tournament and earned Cali her Flyball Dog title.
On Sunday, which felt even hotter than the day before, the team’s best time of the day was 23.271 seconds. The team was made up of Ruff, Dancer, Walker, Jackson, Buffy and Zeke. Ally and Buffy performed very well in their first tourney, earning Buffy her Flyball Dog and Flyball Dog Excellent titles. Darren and Zeke also made us all proud, working on Zeke’s confidence in the ring. By the end of the day, Zeke was successful at the box, despite all the noise and excitement around him. Way to go Zeke and Darren!
Titles earned:
Walker, FDCh-S (Flyball Dog Champion – Silver)
Jackson, FDX (Flyball Dog Excellent)
Cali, FD (Flyball Dog)
Buffy, FD, FDX (Flyball Dog, Flyball Dog Excellent)
Sunday's team in action
Cali and Myrna ready to go
Zeke and Darren on the line
Buffy with Ally, ready to run!
Synergetic Surge’s “Ignite It Up”
July 31 to August 1
The Brat Pack traveled to Morinville, Alberta, to learn from the world record holders (14.864 seconds), Touch N Go from Las Vegas. Auditing the workshop on the Friday was a terrific opportunity to see various techniques and tips to aid in our own training; different aids to work with all our club dogs, and ideas for improving box turns and stride were the main focus.
The tournaments that followed on Saturday and Sunday saw teams from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and of course, the Las Vegas group, compete, as well as lots of singles and pairs. Dancer and Ruff represented British Columbia and ran well despite the heat; Dancer’s best for the weekend was a very respectable 4.771 seconds, and Ruff, a 4.015, and the Brat Pack boys raced to an 8.841. We were very proud of our boys!
Alberta weather did its best to complicate things by giving us hot days, and thunderstorms with winds in the evenings; the mosquitos just added to the mix to make the camping interesting.
It was a great weekend and an experience for us to remember. The following url is the local newspaper’s write up and video….copy and paste it into your browser and have a look.
http://morinvillenews.com/2010/08/02/dog-sport-team-hosts-international-event-video/
One camp....
... the other camp
.. and the camp inside
BBQ and Swim Party
The weather cooperated finally, with the sun shining warmly for our annual doggie swim party and people bbq on July 3rd. Nearly all club members and dogs were able to come so it was a rowdy time on the beach, as dogs chased toys, sticks, and bubbles, or in Cali’s case, tried to pick up clam shells from under the water! When the dogs were worn out, and the people thoroughly soaked, everyone headed for the deck and house to nibble on appys; the bbq got fired up and Colleen graciously took on the role of chef to do the burgers. It’s all about fun for our dogs and people…. Barn Stormers know how !
A few of the gang
A few wet dogs....
... and more wet dogs !!
Flyball Storm 2010 Tournament
A fun time was had by all at the Pawcific Storm tournament on the Easter Weekend and the Barn Stormers represented themselves well. Special thanks to Ashley, John, Lorraine, and everyone who helped out wherever needed; we really appreciated the help.
Congratulations to the dogs (and their handlers) that earned new titles.
Jackson & Jackie, Top Flight
Buster & Liz, Top Flight III
Sadie & Heather, Top Flight III
Walker & Lynn, Top Flight III
Best times of the tourney:
Team:
Saturday 23.112, Sunday 23.526
Pairs:
Saturday 9.92, Sunday 9.849
Singles:
Saturday – Jackson 7.284, Dancer 4.964, Ruffy 4.262, Walker 6.339 (unofficial)
Sunday – Dancer 5.121, Ruffy 4.187
Over the entire weekend, the team had only 6 flags in 62 heats. That’s a statistic to be proud of. I’d wager we were the team celebrating clean runs the loudest, win or lose. Barn Stormers have such wonderful team spirit. I’m proud to be a member of this club. Captain Kathi
Barn Stormers on the line, getting ready
Lorraine had to brace when Ruffy hit the box
Kaotic K9’s No Frills Tournament
The Brat Pack of Dancer and Ruff made the trip to Cloverdale for the weekend of March 20 – 21, 2010, to enter their first mainland tournament of the new year. On both Saturday and Sunday, they ran in Singles and together in Pairs, coming closer to getting those Ufli titles under their paws. No personal best times for either of them, but respectable times nonetheless – weekend best for Dancer was 5.083 seconds, and for Ruff – 4.279 seconds. One special highlight on Sunday was in the Brat Pack’s first race of the day, in the first heat – Ruffy had a perfect start – 0.000 seconds. Well done, Ruffy.
As well as running with Dancer, Ruff was a member of Pawcific Storm’s Pickup team and managed to get enough points to earn his Level 1 bar for TFE. Thanks for letting us run with you.
Box loader Tony wasn’t able to be with us this time, so we’re very much indebted to Kathi’s Mom, Lorraine, for filling in, and to Twister and Wyatt for being the cheering section.
Once again, Barn Stormers had fun!
