Clean Run Magazine - March 2008 - 77

In Cider By Bill Gates with seasoned teams. And furthermore, I reasoned, if it is only for fun, we can have fun much closer to home. With my mind made up to watch the competition on TV, Cider and I waded into the agility pond unconcerned about the ripples around us. I was not prepared for the undertow that would soon pull us into the deep end of the pond. The name of that undertow is Randall Wiseman. She is a gifted junior handler from Danville, Virginia. For someone just in her early teens, she is quite composed both in and out of the agility ring. Her style is cool, calm, and collected. She is sure of her decisions and confident in her handling skills. Her Border Collie teammate, Jam, reflects that confidence in his effortless jumping and smooth weave poles. I remember trying to crack that cool façade before they earned their first double-Q. “Are you nervous?” “Nervous about what?” “That was a great qualifying run in Standard. We are going to witness your first Double-Q when you qualify in Jumpers. This is huge!” “No, I’m not nervous. Jam can do it.” She was right and it was just everyone else watching who was nervous. Could Randall always be this calm? It was only a couple months before the deadline to qualify for Nationals. Randall and Jam needed points and Double-Qs. She calculated the Q-rate they needed—the bar was set high to achieve their goal. “Jam can do it.” In one of the many post-run discussions, qualifying for Nationals came up again. Randall reviewed how close they were. And either to egg me on about not going to the Nationals or to further motivate herself, she snuck in a bet. “If Jam and I qualify for Nationals, you and Cider are going.” What could I say but okay? Randall certainly did not need me for motivation, but I firmly believe there are few things more motivating to a teenager than making adults fulfill promises made. The next couple 77 © ANDRÉ JOLICOEUR Black Pants or Shorts Sometime in late summer and early fall a question ripples through the contingent of AKC competitors: “Are you going to Nationals?” The ripple eventually reached the shallower, novice handler side of the pond where Cider and I were basking in the sunshine of another agility trial. “No, and you are blocking the sun. I mean, what are Nationals?” “You need 300 points and six Double-Qs in the past 13 months to enter. It will be lots of fun, an opportunity to see other great agility teams. It will be a great experience. You should go. Cider is a great dog. People would love to see her perform. Seriously, if nothing else, we will have fun.” That sounds interesting I thought. Points should not be a problem, but I had to check on that Double-Q situation. Cider is fast, but with me still on the slow end of the learning curve, we made the Double-Q requirement with only one to spare. We could enter, but I presumed the event would be held in some exotic, far away place like Maui. Yep, Columbus, Ohio—just like Maui but colder and with fewer palm trees. Anyway, we really are not that accomplished to travel to Ohio and compete March 08 | Clean Run

Clean Run Magazine - March 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - March 2008