Rio & Tiffany's World Agility Championship Adventures
Rio & Tiffany's World Agility Adventures
Videos
I did post a "Take Me To Rio" video on Facebook/YouTube, but here are the individual runs. I like these ones because you can hear the Canadian Fan Club cheering 
Biathlon Runs
Triathlon Runs
Individual Standard & Individual Jumpers
Biathlon Runs
Triathlon Runs
Individual Standard & Individual Jumpers
Back To Reality
We flew out of Fort Worth late on Monday night to avoid the heat. Apparently they will not allow dogs to fly if the outside temperature is 80F or hotter. Rio was eager to get into her crate and get at her stuffed Kongs (and she should be—I weighed them—they were 1/2 a pound each!!!).
Rio on the bus on the way to the airport. I think she's not really concerned with all this travelling!
Rio decided that she needed to be weighed and climbed up on to the check-in counter scale all by herself!? It showed that she gained 2-3lbs in Texas though. Must have been the leftover Cooper's steak!The gang travelled back to Toronto without any major excitement other than a few scary minutes when American Airlines told us that our combined weight of dogs was too much (maybe it was Rio's Kongs that tipped the scale!?).
Ceasar the Shuttle Driver brought us back to the Comfort Inn well after midnight where they had a hard time finding us a room (they kept trying to give us rooms that were either not made up or had someone in them!). Tuesday morning had some minor adventures too when I managed to lock the bathroom door shut with no one in it and when I went to get in Dave's truck, I found Jeff, the Comfort Inn maintenance guy inflating my tires (apparently the manager thought my car tires looked flat and took it upon himself to inflate them!).
Shona and I made it back to Ottawa Tuesday afternoon where everyone seemed pretty happy to see us. My house was tidy, my child happy and Pipe and Chill were still in good shape
Our CDM Creations leashes. LOVE THEM!I have a huge list of Thank Yous
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Thank you to Coach & Team Manager Tracy. You have been a fabulous leader for three IFCS World Championships. Thank you so much for everything. Enjoy your retirement!
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Thank you Shona! You are such a fun travelling companion and my favourite Paparazzi! Great job managing Team Canada too!
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Thank you to Assitant Manager Gay. You kept us all grounded and organized.
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Thank you to my support staff at home: Dave, Penny & Dick. I knew Kyra and the dogs were in good hands with you!
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Thank you to Dr. Leslie for keeping Rio in the best shape possible for her runs!
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Thank you to the awesome Canadian supporters and my Canadian Team Mates. I loved hearing you in the stands everytime I went to the line!
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Thank you to Kim for always being there to bounce ideas off of prior to running the courses.
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Thank you to all of my supporters at home. Thanks for all your encouragement and support to make Rio and I be at our best!
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A big thank you to my sponsor, Omega Alpha. Rio never ran a run without a shot of Agility Pro!
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Thank you to Back on Track and CDM creations for your sponsorship of Team Canada.
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And finally, thanks to everyone who has read my long winded blog postings!
Team Canada Supporters: The Best in the World!
I loved hearing the cheering and seeing the flags everytime I stepped to the startline!
PS — I'm about to add a few photos that got missed in the last blog posting. If you want to see them, you'll have to scroll back to the previous post....
Don't Mess With Texas!
Rio's ready to fly home.
This is actually Shona's waffle.... It only got a little drool on it!
A little recap on Rio and I and the competition....
Friday morning, we began with Snooker. There's nothing like attempting to get your jitters out on a Snooker course! There were only three reds on course and then a decently easy closing. I had planned on a fast, three x seven point course for the opening. We executed it REALLY well, but then I don't think I gave the transition from opening to closing enough thought..... I was totally out of position to drive Rio to the number two tunnel and I ended up colliding with her. TWEET. Goodbye.
There were only three reds on course and then a decently easy closing. I had planned on a fast, three x seven point course for the opening. We executed it REALLY well, but then I don't think I gave the transition from opening to closing enough thought..... I was totally out of position to drive Rio to the number two tunnel and I ended up colliding with her. TWEET. Goodbye.Second run was the Individual Standard. Rio ran a perfect run to earn herself an Individual bronze medal!
Third run of the day was the Jumpers round for the Team Triathlon. Canada 1 was made up of Kim/Recess (22"), Kayl/Slyce (22") and Jaime/Batman (12"). Canada 2 was made up of Rio & I, Susan/Feature (26") and Annie/MEC (16"). All Canadian dogs ran clean except Rio who had a bar (she never heard me calling her out of a tunnel and was lined up really badly for a rear cross).
Dinner was at a place named Cooper's in the Stockyards where you picked out your meat and they heaped it directly onto a tray.... There were no plates to be found. All of us had waaaaaay too much meat, but the beer was good, the company great and the food was fast!
Saturday started with Gamblers (actually it started with McDonalds—Breakfast of Champions!). Once again, we had a great opening planned, but it kinda went to pot when Rio took the mini gamble tunnel twice, negating both chances of getting the mini 
She easily got the closing. I didn't realize, but the judge didn't give Rio points for one of her obstacles. Tracy launched an official dispute, they went to the cameras (they had FOUR cameras on the ring for exactly that reason!) and Ri got her points.
She easily got the closing. I didn't realize, but the judge didn't give Rio points for one of her obstacles. Tracy launched an official dispute, they went to the cameras (they had FOUR cameras on the ring for exactly that reason!) and Ri got her points.Love my red dawg!
Next run was a Standard run for the Team Triathlon. Rio ran a beautiful run once again (have I mentioned recently that she always makes me look good?). Susan got a controversial teeter call though.... I'm sure we'll see some video footage of that soon
Last run was a Biathlon Jumpers. Once again, Rio had a lovely run (I think we ended up in third for the run—Haven't really had a chance to check results....)
We ended up at the Cracker Barrel for dinner. I think I may have had my fill of Cracker Barrel.
Me, Kim, Gay & Lynda
Sunday morning brought Individual Jumpers. Knowing I was out of the running for All Round after having mediocre Gamblers & Snooker, I decided to try and push Rio hard. Unfortunately, that didn't work so well for us! We almost had an off course after obstacle number 3 and then later had a bar when we tried even harder to make up time. Oh well. No repeat of our Silver Individual Jumpers from 2 years ago
We almost had an off course after obstacle number 3 and then later had a bar when we tried even harder to make up time. Oh well. No repeat of our Silver Individual Jumpers from 2 years ago Next up was the Three Dog Team Relay. Canada 2 was sitting nicely in third behind the US teams, who had pretty much run flawlessly.... We had a great relay, with zero faults for all three dogs. The best part was that the judge said we could to the baton handoff anywhere we wanted on course. So much more fun than AAC Team Relay.
Look how many Americans it took to beat us!
Thanks so much to Annie & Mec and Susan & Feature for helping get us on the podium!
The final event was the Biathlon Standard. Rio had another great run, but sadly it wasn't enough to make the biathlon podium.
Team Canada on Sunday night.
Dinner was at Billy Bob's in the Stockyards. Just to let you know, Billy Bob's is really dead on a Sunday night. It was okay though—we fit right in—we were pretty "dead" too!
Sadly, no live bull riding on Sunday nights.
I made another new friend
This morning, our overly keen Taxi driver, Pie, took us to Dallas to see the Grassy Knoll were JFK was assassinated (I don't have the pictures yet, but will add them later). We also visited the Holocaust museum nearby. Lunch was at, yup, you got it—Cracker Barrel!
Me risking my life on a busy street to point out the 'X' in the road where JFK was first shot. Above you can see the window where they believe the shot came from.
Half the team (the ones not going to WAO in Belgium) are now all hanging out in the lobby waiting for our bus to arrive to take us to the airport. We have to fly out in the evening because its too hot for the dogs to leave earlier. I'm blogging and finishing off Marti's extra beers All is good!
Blogging with a beverage!
Our bus has arrived to take us to the airport which means that this isn't going to get published in time. Sorry once again!
Quick Blog
It's been a super long day at the venue and I haven't eaten yet (not even lunch!), so I'm afraid you all are only getting a quick update
Today was a USDAA Tournament event. Nothing to do with IFCS and even run by different people. I wasn't planning on running in it and *saving* Rio for the main event, but we had a slightly rocky practice on Wednesday and I decided I needed a practice run to make ME feel better We ran the Grand Prix and it DID make me feel better. Got out my doubts and now we can run fast and hard and we will try to earn us that GOLD that will help us complete our IFCS set I didn't run the Steeplechase course but spent the afternoon cheering on Canada on some spectacular performances
We ran the Grand Prix and it DID make me feel better. Got out my doubts and now we can run fast and hard and we will try to earn us that GOLD that will help us complete our IFCS set I didn't run the Steeplechase course but spent the afternoon cheering on Canada on some spectacular performances Opening ceremonies started at 6:30pm tonight.... Tracy awarded the flag bearing duties to Kayl and I since we are both running 10 year old & IFCS experienced dogs. Of course we made our own fun and RAN into the arena when they announced Canada (I guess I should apologize to our teammates who got caught off guard—or is that caught flat footed? LOL).
Currently I'm drinking a beer on an empty stomach and ravenously awaiting Chinese food delivery! (Yes, life of the agility competitor is sooooo glamorous! At least Rio has been fed !)
!)Tomorrow is a REALLY early start, but I'm super excited. I'm getting impatient for the event to be underway!!!!
I will be signing off for the next couple of days so that I can concentrate on the red dawg. Please check the links that I have posted for up-to-date info.
Thanks so much for all your good wishes. Your notes have meant a lot to me! (Nath & Jane, your words always encourage and make me smile).
Please send your best vibes to Rio and I this weekend—We are totally ready to rock, but good vibes really help!
Chat with you all on Sunday night!
Texas Shaped Waffles
I'm still a little impressed.... The waffle maker in the hotel makes waffles in the shape of Texas. How cool is that? Rio has ordered one for Monday morning to celebrate her retirement from World competitions. I promise to get a picture then I may even have to pick up the spray whipped cream from the Liq-O-Rama.... Yup. Alcoholic whipped cream!
I may even have to pick up the spray whipped cream from the Liq-O-Rama.... Yup. Alcoholic whipped cream!Today Missy Ri got a good massage to make sure everything was ready to go and we headed out to the Will Rogers centre. Its a very "cosy" venue with lots of seating, but not lots of room. It will definitely be a fun place to run!
We had our warm up on the field. Rio, as usual, knew it wasn't the real event and I think she was missing her slightly loud buddy Encore. She got the job done but was lacking in enthusiasm since she knew it wasn't the "real" event.....
We decorated our cosy crating area, but I don't know where my brain was.... NO PICTURES!?! Scheesh!
We had a good group dinner at a nearby hotel. Normally the night before the event, we read emails from home... Tonight at dinner, I got an email from Kyra, who I'm SURE should have been asleep:
Dear Mom
I hope you can use these poems to help make you happier. (If anyone is wondering, I'm honestly quite happy... I swear I haven't been whining to my 8 year old daughter!)
Lots of love,
Kyra
xoxoxoxox
1.) Once there was a dog,
Who sat on a log,
And in that log there was a frog.
Poor frog,
He was sat on by a dog...
And he only wanted to live in a log!
Okay, so the poem wasn't quite inspiring, but it did get some laughs
Sadly, this is my only photo from today. Here's Recess, Rio and Tic Tac in their awesome Back on Track team coats! (Tac & Recess are litter mates)
Tomorrow is a USDAA trial at the venue. I'm still a little on the fence if I'll run Rio or not since it's just a USDAA tournament event and not at all related to the IFCS Worlds.... There is one round of Grand Prix and two rounds of Steeplechase.
Margaritas. Bulls. Canadians. Oh MY!
Today was one of our only non-agility days, so half of the team decided to take advantage of it and we headed down to the Fort Worth Stockyards.
We all ended up souvenir shopping together and then had a very yummy dinner on the patio of a Tex Mex restaurant.
I don't think anyone ended up buying boots (probably because there wasn't enough selection?)
Running on very little sleep, most of us had no real clue about the history of the area, so please don't ask me who this guy was. All I know is that I shouldn't have been on the inside of the fence, but Shona *made* me do it!
Anyone want a kid? Not sure why, but Friday's the day to get 'em.
I made a new friend (and yes, this is before the margaritas)
Kayl and Jamie tried their hand at remote controlled bull riding. I have a feeling they may feel a little battered and sore tomorrow, but MAN did we all get a good work out laughing
I personally have NO idea.
Beverages come in Texas Sized glasses. Love it!
A few of the yummy dishes.
Tomorrow afternoon we head to the venue. I plan on sleeping in (probably not going to happen, but I'm going to try!), trying out breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and getting myself and Rio all ready for our only practice time before the big event
Goodnight everyone!
Day One In Texas
Of course I couldn't sleep last night so the 3am wake up wasn't so bad
Went outside with Rio this morning to find it POURING and monster puddles everywhere But, on the up-side, I managed to find a safer parking space for Dave's vehicle!
But, on the up-side, I managed to find a safer parking space for Dave's vehicle! We caught the airport shuttle driven by Ceasar ("Just like the salad") who took his job VERY seriously. Thankfully the ride only took 4 minutes!
Check in seemed a bit scattered, but only a couple of bags didn't make it with their owners (what do you expect, it WAS 4am!).
Rio and I had a super easy time getting through Toronto airport. Who new that people would be so smiley at 4:30am?
In the end, 10 dogs were loaded into cargo, 3 dogs in the cabin, the missing bags were reunited with their owners and we boarded our totally un-crowded flight. Shona and I were told by three different stewardesses that we shouldn't sit at the back of the plane because the back of the plane swayed too much—Never heard that one before, but moved up to a whole section of empty seats in front, none the less.
I met up with Kim for breakfast after her second time through security.....
Advice: Don't forget your bag at check in and then turn off your phone.... (It's just funny because Kim never does stuff like that!)
Isn't our bus driver cute? She got us from the airport to the hotel easily
We are now at the hotel. It's clean! Rio is not even licking the carpet and finding things she shouldn't (okay, maybe she's just a little worn out?) Its a far cry from the lovely country hotel in the UK last year with respect to walking trails. Kim and I attempted to go for a walk with the girls, but couldn't find sidewalks or any road that wasn't a concrete highway I don't think that Texans (at least in this town) walk anywhere! I do have a big horned cow out my window though! That's pretty cool! (and a racoon in the garbage can, but that's not so cool)
I don't think that Texans (at least in this town) walk anywhere! I do have a big horned cow out my window though! That's pretty cool! (and a racoon in the garbage can, but that's not so cool)Lunch was at the Cracker Barrel (because its the only restaurant other than McD's that we can walk to) where Tracy attempted to educate the Canadians about good Southern cooking'.
Most of the gang is headed out shortly to check out the Stockyards of Fort Worth and hopefully get ourselves some Tex Mex for dinner. I think I also need to cash in on my "Managers Challenge" beverage tonight!
Two Paws Way Up
Rio wanted me to let you all know, that she gives you all two paws way up for your comments on the blog and on Facebook!
It's Almost Time to Fly!
'Twas a very busy yet successful day today!
This morning started with a very yummy breakfast at the Staybridge Hotel. Sadly, only slightly spicy sausage on the breakfast buffet, so no bonus treats for Rio today (Yesterday they had bacon! Rio approved.)
It was then onto our second team practice at Royackers. This morning we ran one of the AKC tryout courses from the weekend and did some fine tuning on back sides of jumps and contacts. We then moved onto a team relay rules and some 'super-fast' baton exchange practice where some of the handlers *may* have gotten a little competitive! (Canada will be fielding two teams in the Three Dog Team Relay event).
Look at me! I'm so confident I can run the course with my eyes closed!
We wrapped up team practice by noon so that Adrian & Fizz and Susan & Feature could hit the road in their motor homes. The rest of the team will all be flying out first thing in the morning.
Rio had a boring afternoon, but Shona and I hit the stores for a few last minute items and then had a super-yummy dinner with Shona's mom.
Lynda, me & Kim: No trip to Guelph is complete without a stop at Ren's!
Rick—Shona bought NOTHING!
Dave—Well, I didn't buy any dog beds, collars, leashes or toys.....
We are now checked into the Airport Comfort Inn where I think we got the very last "spot" in the parking lot. Okay, its not really a "spot", but it isn't blocking traffic, so hopefully we won't be towed this week (I've got Dave's truck, so I'm REALLY hoping Dave doesn't read this far down in the blog..... Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned him by name twice?).
We will be catching the airport shuttle along with Favor & Recess at 4am (UGH! The things I do so that my dog won't have to fly into Texas in the heat!). Luckily, we have a direct and decently short flight to Fort Worth. Shouldn't be any problem for Miss World Traveller Rio (I hope!!!).
Shona and I are sharing a room and between the two of us re-packing and deciding what we should bring, it looks as though a hurricane went through.... Rio isn't on the bed tonight—She's taken refuge from the storm under the desk
Sooooo...... I've just spent the last 20 minutes trying to spruce up this post with some team practice photos, but alas, I think our internet connection is not going to allow it tonight!
****Little update: I managed to get photos and have now re-published this..... I'm feeling like a very incompetent blogger!****
Goodnight everyone!
How Could I Forget?!
I can't believe I forgot..... My brain must have been over-taxed by the courses today! Rio and I were winner's of Tracy's "Manager Challenge"! Rio ran the Standard course clean and fast and earned me multiple beverages compliments of the Manger! I LOVE agility!
