Maggie ( Stage Name; Plaisance Olive la Belle )
Owned by Mrs. Ann Fuller & Family
Last month Pete and I took our 19 month old tri (long-coated) Smooth Maggie to her first RSCTA Fun Day. It was also the first time we had been to the Ludlow venue, a lovely spot in the Shropshire hills. There was a bracing breeze but luckily no sign of rain.
We arrived to see Rough and Smooth collies of all colours (plus some non-collie guests) looking out of the backs of cars and being walked in the enormous field. Delia greeted everyone by inviting them to pick a present from a large box – we chose a fluorescent band for walking in dark winter evenings. We arrived knowing very few people but everyone was very friendly, we all had something to talk about as we had our dogs in common. Members had travelled to the event from different parts of the country, as far apart as Southampton and Preston, Essex and Yorkshire. All the dogs got along very well and Maggie was thrilled at seeing so many potential playmates. There was quite a sensation when the youngest member of the RSCTA emerged, a 4 month old sable Rough puppy, a delightful ball of orange fluff; there were some very broody owners working out if they had room for another dog at home!
Those trying for the KC Good Citizen awards had a run through the exercises and questions we would be tested on; meanwhile on another part of the field Liz Beaumont was introducing another group dogs and owners to tracking. Then came the KC test; Maggie and I were taking the Bronze award and, despite all the distractions, Maggie behaved beautifully and I was very pleased when we passed! Some of the dogs went on to the Silver test; others were in a fenced off area doing agility training with Jean. Pete and I decided it was time for a break and walked over to the farmhouse where Liz was supplying hot drinks. It was very interesting hearing about her dogs and her Search and Rescue work.
After a break for lunch and a raffle (more toys for Maggie!), the rosettes and certificates for the KC Awards were given out. A Rally Obedience course (where you walk round a series of stations each with instructions to do different obedience-type actions) had been set up and Maggie and I had a go at the RallyO competition. It was very interesting to do and Maggie did very well, but she was handicapped because I don’t seem to be very good at walking and reading at the same time! We then joined a group trying out the agility equipment under Jean’s supervision which Maggie enjoyed a lot.
Then we had Games. ‘Fasted recall’ was very popular, most of the dogs had 2 goes. We were less successful in ‘Musical Sticks’ but after we were knocked out, it was fun watching the other dogs race for a stick when a car horn sounded. The final competition was a Jumping Race which was great fun, especially when we were going in the right direction!
The day had finally come to an end, it was time to go home. Gaining the KC bronze award was very satisfying and having a go at the different activities and games was fun, Maggie won rosettes and goody-bags of treats for RallyO, Fastest Recall and Jumping; but probably the best part of the day was chatting to so many lovely people, talking about our dogs and Rough and Smooth collies in general. Many thanks to everyone who helped to arrange the activities, tests and competitions, it really was a fun day.
