Website: www.southernregionobedience.com
Email: Arend van den Bos; Southern Region Representative, arend7@xtra.co.nz
Janet Bainbridge; Southern Region Secretary, gjbainbr@clear.net.nz
Issue 79
June 2014
Regional Representative’s Rap
As I (finally) sit down to write this month’s edition of the Southern Rapport, I am
again very mindful of the fact it is going to be a late one, and for that I apologize I
am well aware of the popularity of this newsletter and while the thought from
time to time occurs to either lessen its distribution frequency or simply provide as
opportunity arises, it does not sit well with my own desire to provide a continual
updater of all that is occurring within this Region pertaining to Obedience. One possible solution I have thought of is
that there might be others who may be willing to take responsibility for the writing up one of the current (or
additional) sections on a monthly basis. If there are, then please let me know. Otherwise, because of a number of
other roles I am also required to commit to, there will inevitably be periods throughout the year when a late
distribution of the Southern Rapport is quite likely.
Why does your nose run,
while your feet smell?
Dog Obedience Committee Report
The next NZKC Dog Obedience meeting is scheduled for June 22nd. As in previous years, this meeting is held on the
day after NZKC’S ACOD (NZKC’s AGM), which both Alistair and I will again be attending. There is in fact an NZKC
requirement that the Region Representative be present at the ACOD as a voting member, but I have also successfully
argued that it is equally important for Deputy Region Representatives to also be present, so that they are as well
informed about NZKC political matters as each of the Region Representatives. So, while it was agreed at a recent
Southern Region meeting to subsidise the Deputy Region Representatives overnight accommodation cost, I have
been successful in convincing NZKC that this cost should be borne (in full) by them, based on the importance of
having Deputy Region Representatives at the ACOD, and who are then required to attend an NZKC Dog Obedience
Committee meeting the following day.
As reported in the last issue of the Southern Rapport, National voting for Working Trials, Obedience and Rally-O
matters had just concluded, and I am now in a position to announce to you all the results of this. I will present this in
an abbreviated form, but if anyone wishes to have a more expanded version, you could either contact me or view
them on the NZKC Dog Obedience website. Results were as follows:
Obedience:
Remit One (Specialist Breed Clubs being permitted to host Championship Obedience Shows). Southern Region 95%
(National 87%) in favour.
Remit Two (Obedience Regions being permitted to host Benefit Obedience Shows). Southern Region 99% (National
89%) in favour.
Remit Three (Region Representatives becoming solely responsible for the granting of Obedience fixtures). Southern
Region 100% (National 95%) in favour.
Remit Four (Exclusion of the use of Dog Coats). Southern Region 84% (National 65%) in favour.
Working Trials:
Remit One (Change of down stay time). Southern Region 60% (National 81%) in favour.
Remit Two (Use of whistle in UD). Southern Region 80% (National 94%) in favour.
Remit Three (Clear jump height adjustment). Southern Region 53% (National 77%) in favour.
Rally-O:
Remit One (Subcommittee appointments). Southern Region 100% (National 96%) in favour.
Remit Two (Event format approval requirement). Southern Region 100% (National 96%) in favour.
You will see from the above results that this region’s results were largely in line with National results, which is
especially pleasing since the first three Obedience remits, and the two Rally-O remits originated from this awesome
region.
Voting numbers were also considerably higher with the advent of
(region) centralized voting.
On behalf of NZKC and the Region especially, please accept my
considerable gratitude for your willingness to participate in this
round of voting and, I trust this level of participation will long
continue.
While most of the remits will now be adopted, there will still
need to be further considerable discussion concerning the first
two Obedience remits given that the implications of these two
remits have far wider ranging effect than simply altering the
NZKC Dog Obedience Regulations. As always, I shall keep you
updated regards their ongoing progress.
“The first step toward
success is taken when you
refuse to be a captive of the
environment in which you
find yourself”
Mark Caine
New Zealand Kennel Club Intelligence
The next NZKC Executive Council meeting is on 20 June (day before ACOD), so will report on any obedience relevant
matters arising at this meeting in the next issue of the Southern Rapport. Perhaps of relevance though is the ACOD
itself. As mentioned in a previous section, this is NZKC’s AGM. On most occasions, much of what is dealt with at
these meetings generally have little direct on obedience. However, neither is there any reason to become
complacent or unwary regarding the plethora of remits presented. By far, most of the remits being presented this
year concern changes to the NZKC Constitution, which in turn changes the way we (as a corporate body) are
governed and administered, and by whom. While it has generally been left to the Region Representatives to vote on
such matters in the way they best think fit (after listening to all the arguments presented), it is also very helpful and
useful to receive feedback from the various societies (clubs) we actually represent. So, if you are on a club
committee and the remits in the NZKC yearbook (which has been distributed to all the clubs) has not been discussed,
perhaps you should ask why not. If there is an indication from a majority of clubs supporting/rejecting any one remit,
of course that is the manner in which the Region Representative will also vote. After all, as afore said, we are there
to represent you.
Region/Area Rumours
With the Southern Region’s AGM out of the way, a Southern Region meeting having been conducted, voting
concluded for another six months, and winter approaching, it would appear (on the surface) that Region activity has
entered a quiet period. However with all the “public” participation over, a lot of the administrative consequences
have now to be worked through. At present, there is quite a considerable backlog, but rest assured that as it is
worked through, and some of it will take time, you will be kept informed.
One very significant Region activity that I am very pleased to announce is that the Southern Golden Retriever Club
has put up their paw to host this year’s Southern Region Mini Assembly, which will be held on Sunday 18th October.
Further details will follow as they come to hand, however now would be a good time to consider getting club teams
(for Obedience and Rally-O) together.
Club Comment
Every weekend over the past month has been occupied with an Obedience activity of one form or another meaning
that clubs and competitors alike have been very active in a prelude to the coming winter months. The month of May
started off with a Championship Rally-O Event co-hosted by both the Canterbury Canine Obedience Club and Selwyn
Dog Training Club. Following on from the success of this new combined venture last year, while there are still areas
that need finessing, this year proved to be an even greater success, which shows (pun unintended) how, in this age
of solo club activity difficulties, combined ventures can be very opportune.
“Speaking” of combined ventures, the very next weekend saw Mid Canterbury Dog Training Club and the Southern
Golden Retriever Club co-hosting their now well established annual Championship Obedience Show, which has
recently also incorporated a Championship Rally-O Event. This Show/Event further enhances the ability for smaller
clubs to combine their skills and manpower (sorry… personpower), to co-host shows/events. It is also a show/event
where you might be forgiven for thinking that somehow you got involved in an agricultural field day with
conversations predominantly featuring rural setting and weather. As always, a tremendous (and growing)
show/event.
Following on from this weekend, it was South Canterbury Dog Training Club’s turn to prove that not every
Championship Obedience Show hosted by them is done in the most adverse conditions nature can provide. Actually,
historically, the vast majority of their shows (especially given that they
host four per annum) are done in absolutely brilliant weather. However,
who cannot remember the shows there in the driving rain, knee deep
mud and… on one occasion (the only one I can recall in twenty years),
ankle deep snow. Highlight of this show however had to be Peg
McKenzie receiving an NZKC Certificate of Appreciation (see “Individual
“The weather is like the government,
Newsflash”).
always in the wrong.”
It seems that all obedience activity in May was centred in Canterbury
with the Obedience Trials Association having their Working Trials in rural
Jerome K Jerome
Canterbury while the Canterbury Dog Training Club hosted a very
welcome Obedience Ribbon Trial at their club grounds.
This month (June) kicked off with the Nelson Dog Training Club hosting
their annual and very popular Queens Birthday triple Championship
Obedience Show, which I did not personally attend this year due to an alternative activity having been pre-booked
some time ago. From what little feedback I have received though, it was again (as always) a very successful and
enjoyable Show, once again also boosted by overseas (North Island) entries. If there is anyone out there wanting to
write more about this show, then let me know, so that I can place this in the next issue of the Southern Rapport.
During the same weekend, there was also a Championship Rally-O Event going on, hosted by the Southland Dog
Training Club, which from everything I have been “told” was also a very successful event.
One thing I have been asked to mention through the Southern Rapport by a number of show managers though is to
request that competitors who choose to “scratch” from a test to please inform either the Show Manager or Test
Judge PRIOR TO LEAVING the show. There have been several instances lately where competitors have simply left a
show without advising either the test judge or show manager, which have resulted in search parties having to be
organized to find out whether they are still viable competitors. Apart from being a gross lack of courtesy, it does
create frustration amongst competitors and officials alike.
Working Trials Transmission (written with much appreciation by Carolyn Roberts)
The 2nd working trial of 2014 was held on the 24th & 25th May at Inverary Station near Mt Somers at the foot of the
Southern Alps. This is a stunning location, with beautiful, lush green paddocks for the lower level UD tracks, and
challenging, rocky hills covered in matagouri for the WD & TD tracks. But the most challenging factor for the last 3
years has been the weather. 2 years ago it blew so hard it blew over and damaged the very heavy wood & steel scale
jump, this is terrible we thought. Last year the winds were even stronger – gale force at times, very difficult to stand
up, or walk in a straight line or open your car door without it being ripped out of your hands. Let alone for a dog to
follow a 3 hour old track. This is really terrible we thought, but we did all survive to come back this year…. Well my
God this year was HORRENDOUS. Gale force winds on the Saturday, but at least it was sunny most of the time, and
we were used to it by now of course But on Sunday the winds were even stronger and then it decided to rain as
well, horizontal & freezing cold. I will never forget being blown along behind my dog as he somehow successfully
followed his track, despite just about being blown off his feet and then trying to praise him with frozen face & lips.
Despite these conditions we did have some success. On Saturday Dawn Prattley & Maiyah gained their very well
deserved 1st TDX, meaning Maiyah has one more to go to become a double champion. For a dog who has struggled
with tracking to qualify under those conditions is truly incredible. Anita Pearless ran Mike & Maria Frahm’s little
Viszla Ziva and achieved her 2nd UDX, Billie Fletcher got her 2nd UDX with her little foxy / border cross Elsie, and Anita
got UD with her flatcoat retriever Magic.
On Sunday, Anita got her 2nd UDX with Magic, I got my 2nd UDX with my border collie Willow, and Dawn & Maiyah
couldn’t quite repeat the heroics of the day before, but did manage a TD qualification. Thank you to the organisers
for all their hard work and to everyone who was there for your good humour under such awful conditions, and to
our wonderful, talented dogs who worked their tails off for us – “You’re amazing”
Individual Newsflash
Despite there being many members in the Southern Region being worthy of mention, I do sometimes struggle with
either getting a bio from them or simply get around to asking them for one. Of course, as I have frequently stated,
should you wish to know something about the other or, wish to raise the profile of someone, all you need do is ask
or, better still write about them for this section. Such has been the case for this issue of the Southern Rapport, and I
am grateful to Jenny Miller for forwarding on the following information about three deep south dogs and their
handlers who have recently accomplished “milestones”:
Three Golden Retriever owners need to be very proud of themselves and their dogs.
 Topsy Kooij and Tammara Mac De Seamus “ Hunter” CDX. Canine Good
Citizen “ Foundation & Bronze.
 Debbie Legat and CH Winterlea Heza Cool Dude : Coby’ Canine Good
“Follow your passion.
Citizen Foundation & Bronze also RN
Nothing – not wealth,
 David Legat and Flagstaff Son Of A Gun : Monty RN.
success, accolades or
Another member who also almost flew “under the radar” having achieved yet
fame – is worth
another Obedience Champion title was Helen McLellan with Kerrybrent Bettle
spending a lifetime
doing things you don’t
Juice who I had the pleasure of judging (and awarding a challenge certificate).
enjoy.”
Another Southern Region member I had very much pleasure in presenting an
award to at the recent South Canterbury Dog Training Club Championship
Jonathon Sacks
Show was Peg McKenzie. One person I think has long been overdue in being
recognized for all that she has done for Obedience over very many years. Peg
was awarded the NZKC Certificate of Appreciation which is given only to a very small select number of people once a
year.
What I read out to a very appreciative audience will also be written in next month’s issue of the NZKC Dog World,
but for you, here is a sneak preview:
Peg has been involved with the dog obedience world for over 50 years as a member of
the South Canterbury Dog Training Club where she has held the positions of President,
Secretary, Show Secretary, Head Trainer at various times during this period.
Throughout her involvement with the club she has continued to be an instructor and
at the present time she instructs the Canine Good Citizen classes. Along with being
instrumental in starting Canine Good Citizen classes in the Club she also introduced
Rally O to the Club. At various periods over the 50 plus years Peg has produced a Club
News Letter.
Peg was on the Obedience Judges Panel for 25 years and has judged all over the country including the National Dog
Obedience Assemblies. She also gave freely of her time for many years to Steward at shows and carry out Show
Manager Duties when required.
In 1979 Peg was made a life member of South Canterbury Dog Training Club.
She was Secretary for the National Dog Training Assembly in Timaru in 1989.
During 2011 / 2012 Peg co-ordinated the training of a Disability Assist Dog after the Club was approached by a
South Canterbury man requesting help to train his Golden Retriever. The owner gained certification for his dog.
Peg first competed with a Golden Retriever and subsequently with Border Collies. She along with her husband Jim
bred Border Collies under the prefix Strathcarron, she competed to the highest level in Obedience making up
Strathcarron Jazz and Highland Lad to Obedience Champions, both dogs gained there Companion Dog Excellent titles.
Many other dogs trained by Peg have obtained obedience, Rally O and Canine Good Citizen titles.
Peg is still actively training a Sheltie for Obedience & Rally O
Rally Résumé
As mentioned in the previous sections, Rally-O has been very active over the past month, and it is wonderful to see
many new competitors entering Rally-O Events. Equally, it is also great to see many experienced Obedience
competitors shaking off preconceived prejudices and discovering the value of mixing their competing and training
between the two codes. It has been quite a journey over the past few years, but at least the pathway has now
become more defined and permanent. Of course, being a very new code (for New Zealand), there are still many
ongoing adjustments needing to be made, requiring corresponding regulation adjustments, which in turn require
your participation (apart from participating in the ring). As all of you know, Rally-O participants have just been asked
to vote on two remits which originated from the Southern Region (and there are more in the pipeline). It was
therefore absolutely wonderful (as a Region Representative) to have received such an overwhelming response from
so many, with an accompanying 100% support for both remits. These remits should become effective from July 1 st.
Enormous accolades and bouquets to all of you. Please, DO keep it up.
National Dog Obedience Assembly News Update
A meeting of the Southern Region’s NDOA Committee was held on June 11th 2014, but given that this was after the
date I should have distributed this issue of the Southern Rapport, I will save information from, this meeting for the
next issue. What I am delighted to include in this issue of the Southern Rapport however is a contribution from
Janine Johnson who is in charge of the NDOA fundraising portfolio. This will feature as a regular article in future
issues of the Southern Rapport.
Welcome to the first NDOA 2015 fundraising report. This
report will be a regular feature of the Southern Rapport so that
we can track how our NDOA funds are growing. Our target is
$6000 and the money raised will go towards a number of
show-related costs including judges’ expenses, functions,
stationery, printing, photocopying, general/cleaning supplies,
venue hire, gifts and photography. Unfortunately, the income
from entries alone does not entirely cover the expenses for an
event of this scale.
So where will the money come from? From January to March
2014, we have accumulated $613 from annual and show levies.
The more shows we have, the more levies will go into the fund.
In addition, we would like to challenge all Southern Region
clubs to consider some kind of fundraising event to help boost
the NDOA account. This could be a separate raffle at a show, a
sausage sizzle, benefit show, fun day etc. The fundraising
efforts of our clubs will be listed here each month. In due
course, the sponsorship of ribbons will also be added to this
fund with all SR clubs given the first opportunity to contribute.
It is also hoped that we will be successful with pub charities,
grants and other fundraising opportunities.
Remember, information for this year’s NDOA, hosted by the Central Region at Mansfield< Fielding can be found on
(http://www.ndoa2014.org/Page10.html).
Obedience Events Calendar
VERY VERY IMPORTANT!
 In accordance with Dog Obedience Regulations 7.2.1 ALL Obedience Shows/Events,
which includes Championship, Open and Ribbon Trial Obedience Shows/Events;
Working Trials; CD Trials; and Championship and Ribbon Trial Rally-O Events MUST
be approved by the Region Representative. Just because a club had a show/event on
the same weekend last year DOES NOT guarantee that you are able to do so this (or
subsequent) year, although Championship and Open Shows/Events and Working
Trials are likely to be the most stable. Ribbon Trials however ARE NOT, and MUST be
applied for on an annual basis (along with requests to hold Championship and Open
Shows/Events).
 Applications to host Championship and Open Shows/Events within six months of an
intended Show/Event WILL NOT be granted.
 When requesting permission to host a CD Trial, specification of what level(s) of CD
you are being provided for must be indicated. For example, CD only, or CD and Silver
etc.
 NZKC has an official Obedience Website (http://dogobedience.org.nz/) which
contains the Southern Region’s (and others) show/events calendar. This is regularly
updated by the Region Representative (or appointed person). Any anomalies noted
must be reported immediately to the Region Representative
June 2014
31May – 2 June Nelson Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
31 May – 2 June Nelson Dog Training Club
Championship Rally-O
14 June Canterbury Canine Obedience Club
Obedience Ribbon Trial
July 2014
5/6 July Selwyn Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
5/6 July Otago Canine Training Club
Championship Rally-O
12/13 July Obedience Trials Association
UD/WD/TD (Nelson)
August 2014
2 August Nelson Dog Training Club
Obedience Ribbon Trial
3 August Blenheim Dog Training Club
Obedience Ribbon Trial
9/10 August Southland Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
23/24 August South Canterbury Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
23/24 August South Canterbury Dog Training Club
Championship Rally-O
30/31 August Tairei Canine Training Club
Championship Rally-O
September 2014
6/7 September Christchurch Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
13/14 September Obedience Trials Association
Tracking Trials (TBA)
20/21 September Otago Canine Training Club
Championship Obedience
27/28 September Nelson Dog Training Club
Championship Obedience
27/28 September Nelson Dog Training Club
Championship Rally-O
27/28 September Taieri Canine Training Club
Championship Rally-O