Clean Run Magazine - November 2006 - 72

DACOF Dog Agility Competition of Florida By Brenna Fender Photos by Bonnie
McDonald History Since the early 1970s, Floridian pin for the following
year's of the year simply because competition. that was the only weekend
obedience enthusiasts have T h r o u g h an active email besides Christmas
free of In the years since, DACOF has discussion list, Halman was gathered
to compete in an dog-related events in Florida. flourished. In 2002, the
event elected the first annual team competition called Members of
different clubs expanded to two days with president of Dog Obedience Clubs
of Florida. across the state stepped forward one run per dog per day. Later
DACOF. She and volunteered their services. The event is both competitive
events allowed buddy teams held the first An early September meeting and
fun, and training clubs enjoy so that more people could organizational
found 24 groups represented participate and so that and meeting in August
2000. Much a team atmosphere while vying and voted in to become charter
Florida-specific not-for-profit work had occurred before the for top
honors and bragging members of DACOF. A full status laws could be
followed. meeting took place, thanks rights. In the summer of 2000, a
slate of officers was elected, With a peak number of 52 to the Internet.
The first few, including a new president. few competitors started talking
teams for the 2003 competition, heavily involved people were Halman, who
doesn't compete clubs, schools, and training tasked with making sense of
about how much fun it would be in agility, remained intensely groups
clearly seem to enjoy the excited ramblings on the to have a similar event
for agility. involved in the project and the competition even though DACOF
list, which was full of Two of those people, Yvonne continues to do so
today, as DACOF is not affiliated with an folks interested in shaping
every Halman and Mary Ann Sanford, does Sanford. agility organization and
cannot aspect of the competition, from started an email list for like-
award qualifying scores toward At the first DACOF on June rules to
trophies. With such a titles. Well-known and well- 30, 2001, 37 teams
enjoyed the wide range of types of agility, minded enthusiasts, and the
idea respected judges from excitement of competition choosing the
specifics for this for the Dog Agility Competition of various venues,
several in what was truly a competition was difficult. Florida DACOF was
born. of whom are also AKC celebration of agility and its The organizers
settled on agility representatives, community. Competitors using AKC-style
Standard and have been flown in ran between the rings in Jumpers with
Weaves classes, every year to ensure that the the crowded venue to watch
and determined that clubs, event has great courses and each of the
nine-member teams schools, and other training quality judging. run. Each
group was allowed up groups would need to submit to two teams, so large
groups dues and rosters to be able Site Selection of club members gathered
in to compete at the event. The assigned, decorated crate spaces DAC O F h
a s f l u c t u a t e d competition was scheduled to enjoy the trial.
Vendors and a between site choices due to to occur on the banquet complete
with a table various circumstances. Goals 26th weekend decorating
competition added for choosing a site include to the festivities. Trophies
were sufficient ring space, adequate handed out to top- seating for
spectators, ample placing teams and crating space for competitors, indiv i
d u a l s , and and extra space for vendors. commemorative pins Other
desire d amenities were distributed to include a central location for
competitors. The Dog all competitors within the Training Club of St. state
and appropriate agility Petersburg walked away footing. with the first
prize and the rights to design the | 72 Clean Run November 06
Clean Run Magazine - November 2006

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - November 2006
