Whizzers' Winter Warmer

The New Year started with the Wimbledon Whizzers first tournament. For a team who only formed around Easter last year this was really ambitious - but then Ray and Guy are not faint hearted. The result The Wimbledon Whizzers' Winter Warmer a 2 day open tournament with starters and fun events. This was held inside a massive marquee so the dogs had the advantage of running on grass.

One thing was obvious - it was not a "warmer". Temperatures were sub zero. My car was reading -2 when we went home on Friday after helping set up. Saturday dropped to -4 driving up. Rachel's Hit coffee machines frooze up. The dogs' paddling pools were solid ice. (Great for cockers to skate on (lol!!) Water put down for the dogs to drink frooze.

This was our first flyball tournament after the starters last Easter. The Whizzers were running 2 teams in the open in divisions 5 and 6 and were sharing a Starters team with the Mad Mutts. Rupert was in the Whizzers in division 5 on Sunday - scary for a dog who had only done one starters event. Magic was keen to do a starters debut.

Guy advised me to make it known on the Saturday that I had a dog that I'd like to run in the Starters in case a team could take an extra dog. The Hamphire Harriers were really supportive and Magic joined the Hampshire Hurricanes in the Saturday night starters. It was minus -2 when we started. Magic ran in 3 position and was a real natural. He needs to mature as he has a tendency to bambi hop along to the box and was running at about 5 and a half seconds. He can also run back in as he is still not used to cross overs. We were delighted to come 3rd. Not a bad debut. Thanks to the Hampshire Hurricanes for squeezing in a mad cocker.

Rupert teamed up with Jed in the pairs and it was funny. In the first race we tried with Rupert as start dog and the mad thing ran back in with Jed. The next race we swapped them round and they ran well. The last race was the funniest. Jed dropped his ball and couldn't find it hidden behind a jump so came out a bit dejected. Rupert raced in picked up Jed's ball and raced to the box to get the other ball and ran back happily chomping on 2 balls. After this performance we were really shocked to come 3rd!!!!

As our team ran NFC on the Saturday in division 6, our Division 5 team were keen to do well. Rupert measured as between 16-17" so will jump the 12" height. I was relieved when we decided not to run Rupert as he, like Magic, still needs more practice with crossovers and would have lost us seconds. He can also only run as anchor dog due to this. We gave him the run backs and run ups and he ran really well on those in stimulated conditions and I was well pleased with him running like that in open lanes. I was also pleased that not giving Rupert a run paid off and we won Division 6 with a new fastest time!!!

Ray and Guy decided to run Magic in the Mutt-Whizzers starters team. Sam from the Mutts was really great and I had the time of my life running in that team. It was maaaaad!!! The Mutt's ran 2 staffies about the same age as Magic - 12-13 months. We decided to run Magic as start dog and I feel (unless Ray and Guy disagree) that this is his natural position. He is a joy to run as a start dog. He stands ready, pointing and watching that ball... and flies on the first amber light; racing the other dog adds to his speed. It's also a nice place for a deaf person to run as you just wait for the first amber light and if you make a false start everybody waves madly!!!! Sam stood by to stop him running back up - and at one stage she did an ace rugger tackle!!!! I think we can solve this by me tying a slipper on a tuggy rope and lowering it to the ground when he leaves the run which will be more attractive than tuggy ball. Our biggest challenge was interference from the staffies who couldn't resist running to say hi to the other team to share a few balls! We came 6th having had the biggest laugh with the youngsters.

Jordan had the time of his life with his new best friend, Charlie. That is really what flyball is about to me the people. We left after the Starters in freezing temperatures as Jordan was falling asleep.

I was going to help clear up this morning but we are snowed in!!!

Well, I'm now on a flyball high with Magic who is in love with flyball. Rupert prefers agility.