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Pete Grandillo Jr.
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BRAGS FOR KCTC MEMBERSHIP:
December 2009
By Barbara Newman:
Although Cleveland was not friendly to the Steelers on Thursday, Lori and Ben Ritchey, Sue Wray and I, along with 4 dogs, set out for Cleveland at 5:00 a.m. Friday morning. It was a rainy trip but the travel was uneventful.
We arrived at the Cleveland IX Center and learned Ring 4 was our home for the next 3 days and was at the furthest point from our entry, literally about a half mile away. We schlepped wet dogs, chairs, crates, dog and people drinks and treats, etc. to Ring 4.
I was first in the ring every day with a 9:00 a.m. walkthrough. For those who want a “cliff notes” version of the weekend and the results: Paula Shimko arrived Saturday with Shane for her first show ever. They qualified for 2 legs of Rally Novice taking second place on Sunday. Ben and Casey got Reserve Winners Dog in the conformation ring both days. Lori and Frances attained a new Rally Novice title qualifying all 3 days. A Rally Novice title plus one leg of Rally Advanced were attained by Sue and Heidi and , last but not least, my Sterling is now RE-Rally Excellent! Honorary club member, Cookie, came back from Cleveland with a new Confirmation Champion! Toni, our ever supportive President, was there to root us on all weekend. We still hate the Browns but Cleveland treated us well.
Keystone Canine Club has sure moved forward in our development as a fully rounded club. I am proud to be associated with all who during 2009 attained titles and qualifications in all venues of dog sports from teacup, to earth dog, conformation, obedience, rally, agility, field work and just the outright uncensored love of our 4 legged partners.
|
Paula Shimko |
Lori Ritchey, Sue Wray & Barbara Newman |
Ben Ritchey |
November 2009
From Ed Hanke:
Appearing
in the latest issue of Hunting Retriever UKC Oct/Nov 2009, the official
publication of the Hunting Retriever Club, Inc., an international
organization "conceived by hunters for hunters shows our own Ed Hanke and
his hunting retriever Boykin Spaniel "Sarah" as they contest in Started
Hunter Retriever. (Picture on right.)
From Dee Farrell: On 10/31-11/1 Pebbles and I had a fun weekend in Washingtonville, Ohio, at the Four Seasons CPE Agility Trial. Pebbles earned three Qs in Level 1 Games with a 1st, 2nd, and 4th place finish!
From Denise Letterman: Caesar, Troy, and Hector participated in the October 31 and November 1 CPE agility trials in Washingtonville, Ohio. This was Caesar's first agility trial so I only entered him in 4 events to see how he would do. He Q'ed in all 4 runs with three 2nd place and one 4th place wins. Troy participated in all 8 events and earned three 1st place, three 2nd place, one 3rd place, and one 6th place wins. He earned his fourth straight perfect weekend ribbon. Troy also completed his CL3-F title. Hector participated in all 8 events and earned five 1st place and two 2nd place wins. Unfortunately the gamble in jackpot prevented Hector from earning his fourth straight perfect weekend ribbon. So, if you are counting, that was 19 Q's in 20 runs. I am so proud of my boys.
From Rose Nicotra: My dog Kit Kat just received her Novice Agility and Novice Jumpers titles in the mail. Hooray for her.
October 2009
Lisa Paciorek is proud to announce that... Ellie, whose official name is “Her Majesty Queen Alice”, earned her last leg needed for her RN at the Golden triangle show Oct 11, 2009.
From Dee Farrell: AT
LAST!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy to announce that on September 20, 2009, my
Pebbles finally earned her AKC Novice Standard Agility title! It happened
at the National Shiba Club of America AKC Agility Trial in Edinboro, PA.
This has been quite a journey for the two of us, but we have reached our
goal. I am grateful to all of our Keystone instructors and friends for
their encouragement and support through the years, and I appreciate so much
all the kind words of congratulations we have received.
From Barb Newman: Sterling attained the title of CD in Obedience at the Delmont trial. She placed 2nd on Saturday and 4th for her title on Sunday. Additionally, Sterling and Toby performed in Rally Pairs and scored a 293 out of 200. We did extremely well but I would also like to acknowledge the Keystones’ reputation as a leader in all venues advanced substantially that weekend. I believe we had a minimum of 8 members participate and I believe all attained at least one qualifying score. My hats off to all and Sterling offers “A BIG SHELTY BARK!”
From Joanne Kerfonta: Corey Edward Kerfonta (AKA to most of us ) as "Corey" passed his CGC/TDI test on 9-26-09 @ Golden Triangle Training Club.
From Pam Lewis: Pam Lewis and Icey finished in 1st place in their JWW class at the Samoyed National Specialty Agility Trial. And Icey and Crystal finished in 3rd place in the Novice Rally Pairs competition.
Peter & Yvette Grandillo Jr. are very proud
to announce that... Suntera Cammi Grandillo earned her MACH 4
title at the Beaver County Kennel Club agility trial on September 12th,
2009. 16" Cammi only needed 14 points going into the weekend, and instead
of making us nervous for all the runs, she simply went out and earned 21
points on her first run. Since Cammi got her MACH 4 on her first run, the
rest of the show was so less stressful (mainly for the handler and the
family). Then again, maybe Cammi learned that as long as one of the white
bars are sitting next to her crate, she gets more treats and that she was
only trying to maximize treat time by earning the MACH early for more
treats. Cammi went on to double Q both days, including a 4th place finish
in Exc B Jww.
And... Peter & Yvette Grandillo Jr. are also very proud to announce that Suntera Dawson Grandillo also did very well at the Beaver County Kennel Club agility trial. 20" Dawson earned a double Q, including a 2nd place finish and a 4th place finish in Exc B std.
And... Peter & Yvette Grandillo Jr. are also very proud to announce that Suntera Dawson Grandillo also did very well at the Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club Agility trial. 20" Dawson earned a 3rd and 4th place finish in 20" Exc B Standard.
Peter & Peggy Grandillo Sr. are very proud to announce that... 12" Suntera Molly Ann Grandillo earned her Novice Jumpers title at the Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club agility trial on September 6th, 2009. In that run, Molly came in 1st place with a perfect score well under course time. Again, Molly trotted past her cousins with a gleeful grin while growling, "I'm catching up to yunz."
From Kristen Johnson: Rosy and I were thrilled to receive our AKC open jumpers title at the Neville Island agility trial on September 13, 2009. Special thanks to our agility instructors, Pete and Shelley, and to all our agility friends for their support. We couldn't have done it without you!!
From Clare Schmalz: Russell (Westie) has gotten his Rally Novice Title at the Westmoreland trials this September.
From Brad & Stephanie Barber: Our 20-month-old rough sable, Lily Rose, (Tartanside Cadence) took Winners' Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed at the Beaver show on Sunday, 10/4/09.
September 2009
Congratulation to Lucy McCloskey and Toby
On September 25th, 2009, Toby earned his Ralley AE Title
Congratulations to Shelly Wolf and MACH RUBY!!!
Ruby and Shelley earned their agility MACH title on
Sunday, September 13 at the Neville Island trial.
Shelley has earned a reputation as an outstanding instructor, and her MACH was richly deserved.
From Lori Ritchey: We have a new family member, a Jack Russell Terrier named “Gernie”. No need to tell me “I’m nuts”…I know that already but he is soooo cute!
From Dee Farrell: Pebbles and I spent most of our August weekends traveling to and from Washingtonville, Ohio, for various agility trials. At her first CPE trial on August 8, Pebbles earned her first Q in Standard Level 1 with a second-place finish! We have no progress to report from the AKC trial on August 15-16. However, at the Four Seasons K9 Athlete Center TDAA trial on August 22-23, Pebbles earned three Qs, two titles, and eight ribbons! On August 22 she earned her TG1 (Teacup Games I) title, and on August 23 she earned her TBAD (Teacup Beginner Agile Dog) title. We returned home tired but happy!
From Denise Letterman: At the Golden Triangle/Westmoreland Labor Day agility trials held in Cheswick, Vista Dei Hector of Troy RA, MX, MXJ, CL2-S, CL3-H, CL3-F, CL3-R, CGC, "Hector", qualified in 7 of 8 agility runs over 4 days. He earned 3 QQ's and 81 MACH points giving him a total of 12 QQ's and 287 MACH points. I am so proud of my little boy. 'Mom' now has 3 days to recover before our next agility trial.
From Stephanie Barber: My Lily Rose, a sable rough collie of 18 months, took a reserve winners bitch at St. Clairsville. She also took Best Puppy in Sweeps at the Collie Club of Western Pennsylvania Puppy match.
From Tom and Phyllis Bandi: Tom Bandi and Tiffany had a great weekend at the Washingtonville, OH Teacup Agility Trials. Tiffany got her TDAA Intermediate Standard Title, as well as her TDAA Intermediate Games Title. For a ten-year-old dog, Tiffany proved she could still run when she wants to. This may be as far as she can go, but we are so proud of her and her agility runs over the weekend.
From Linda Dragoo: Jazz earned her NAJ with 3 first place runs. Yippee!!
From Mark and Marsha Bookman: Our Havanese, Lucy, got her AKC Novice Standard Agility Title in Washingtonville a couple of weeks back and then her AKC Open JWW Agility Title at Cheswick over Labor Day. We’re very proud of her.
From Emil and Barb Pohodich: At the Teacup Agility trial in Washingtonville Ohio Aug 22-23, Lexi received her standard beginner title and her games 1 title. Sadie received her standard beginner title and her games 2 title. We had a good time with our friends from Keystone and are proud of our dogs’ accomplishments.
August 2009
Denise Letterman tells us that... During the August 8th and 9th CPE agility trials held in Washingtonville, OH, Vista Dei Hector of Troy RA, AX, MXJ, CL2-S, CL3-H, CL3-F, CL3-R, CGC, "Hector", earned eight 1st place wins out of eight events in the 8" jump category. In doing so, he earned his CL3-H title and received a Perfect Weekend Ribbon. At the same agility trials, Homespun Steel City Dream, RA, AX, AXJ, CL2-S, CL3-H, CL2-F, CL3-R, CGC, "Troy", earned five 1st place wins and three 2nd place wins out of eight events in the 12" jump category. Troy also earned his CL3-H title and received a Perfect Weekend Ribbon.
Lori Miller is proud to announce that... Sadie earned her Junior Earthdog Title on Sunday, August 16th. The test, hosted by the Western PA Earthdog Club, was held at Woodside in Champion, PA. This was Sadie's first test, and she earned both legs of the Junior Title during this weekend. She had beautiful performances both days! It took her a mere 13 seconds to quarry, 1 second to work, and she finished with an easy 60+ seconds of working that rat!
"Rats *FEAR* me!"
Pete Sr. & Peggy Grandillo are proud to announce that… Suntera Molly Ann Grandillo earned her Novice Agility title at the Greater Pittsburgh Golden Retriever Club agility trial on July 19th, 2009. It was a huge day for the Grandillo family since this is the first title earned by Molly. In that very same run that earned her the title, Molly took first place with a perfect score well under course time. As soon as Molly finished her run, she proudly strutted by Cammi and Dawson (her fur cousins) proclaiming “there is a new sheriff in town – make room! - grrrrrr”
Pete Jr. & Yvette Grandillo are proud to announce that… MACh 3 Cammi performed very well at the Greater Pittsburgh Golden Retriever Club agility trial this past mid-July. Cammi was entered in three days, and she double Q’d each day. In addition, Cammi earned a 4th in 16” Excellent Standard B, and 2nd and 3rd in Excellent B Jumpers while amassing 110 MACh points. MACh 3 Dawson double Q’d two days earning a 1st and 2nd in 20” Excellent B Standard while amassing 78 MACh point in four runs. After all their hard work, little fur brother Bryce, kept stealing the toys Cammi and Dawson earned.
From Emil and Barb Pohodich: Sadie and Lexi received their Therapy dog title TDIEVA for 350 visits.
From Denise Letterman: At the Greater Pittsburgh Golden Retriever AKC agility trials held July 17, 18, and 19 in Cheswick, Vista Dei Hector of Troy, RA, AX, MXJ, CL3-R, CL3-F, CL2-H, CL2-S, CGC "Hector" earned his MXJ title. He took two 4th place wins in Standard over the weekend and 2 QQ's giving him a total of 7 towards his MACH. He also accumulated 41 additional MACH points for a total of 167. He now has 9 of 10 Q's toward his MX title and if I can keep my knee healthy hopefully we can earn that title in August.
From Lori Ritchey: Two of Frances’ puppies, Rufio, and Gia, won big in the confirmation ring at the Canfield Ohio show August 1st and 2nd. Rufio won 1st place, and Winners Dog both days for a 3 point major Saturday and 2 additional championship points on Sunday. Gia won 1st place, Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex both days for a 3 point major on Saturday and 2 additional championship points on Sunday. Ben Ritchey handled Gia in the ring both days. Frances is very proud of her puppies and I, of course, am very proud of my “puppy”, Ben!
From Lisa Paciorek: Lisa Paciorek’s Ellie whose official name is “Her Majesty Queen Alice” recently earned her last leg needed for her CD title. She had a score of 186 at Columbiana County Kennel Club on Friday July 31 in which she earned 4th place in novice B class.
From Clara Marie Schmalz: My West Highland White Terrier, Russell, passed his CGC and his TDI test on Saturday, August 1st at the Beaver County Kennel Club show.
July 2009
From Rod
Sabatini: Great News!
"Harley Darlin" now has her Obedience, Novice A, CD title. She took
2nd Place at the Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club on Sunday
June 7. After a year of competitions, a few failures and a few lost
dollars, we did it. She performed nicely as usual, with a little lag
off leash, earning her usual 187.5 score. Best of all, I didn't screw
up this time! You would think that after all this time I would know
better. Our last outing in Saxonburg just goes to show that even
handlers make errors. I was the one who earned the NQ! Who knew you
shouldn't call your dog twice during a recall? Now it's onto training
for Open Class, and a lot more hard, concentrated work. And plenty of
off leash work. Those lost points (9) would have been her third blue
ribbon. (Picture on right.)
From Terri Chaser: Mackenzie recently earned her AX (Excellent A Standard) and AXJ (Excellent A JWW) titles. Now we start our MACH journey. Continued thanks to our dedicated, talented agility instructors who help us achieve so much.
From Ed Hanke: The first week in June marked the beginning of our foray into the realm of Hunter Retriever competition. For someone who has long ago given up walking in the woods and trying to flush local game. There just isn't the numbers of birds like there was forty years ago. I still like to see a good dog work a scent trail or retrieve over and through obstacles so this kind of competition fit right in. The first weekend in June found Ms Sarah and I excitedly awaiting the cry of "dog to the line" which is the notification by the judge that the competition was about to begin. We settled onto the seat with the "gunner" on our left. After a few spastic blasts on the duck call I was answered by the same from a blind at the crest of the hill and the quick release from the winger, a giant sling shot that propels the already dead farm raised ducks out onto the field where the dog marks and is then sent after the bird for the retrieve to hand. One bird to the right and a second one from the left behind me, after the requisite toots on the duck call of course.
The afternoon consisted of two water retrieves from a small farm pond. This time the birds were "thrown" from the same location on the shore and the dogs took positions at different angles to the casts. Four birds, four retrieves and Ms Sarah had her first leg toward Started Hunter Retriever. That evening at the dinner we received a big rosette for her accomplishment. Only three more and she will be SHR to go along with all the other titles she has been collecting. In April she passed Temperament Testing and is one of two Boykins to do so thus far. In the month of May we were able to garner the title of Therapy Dog International Active Outstanding Volunteer for our work at the local retirement homes and the Veterans Hospitals and all this before three years of age. Have to get me one of those bumper stickers that says "my dog is smarter than your honor student".
From Sterling Newman: Well, Barbara, thought she was ready for competition so she registered us to compete in Waynesburg - two days of Rally and one in Obedience. On Friday, despite thunder, we did place second in Advanced Rally A. This set us up for a title on Sunday. It was early Sunday morning but she did get a title in Rally Advanced. We then waited around for Obedience. I played with my leash in the ring to fend off boredom. In spite of leash play, well, we succeeded with a second place. She has success, her first leg in Obedience Novice A. Now I know it is tough to teach an old "human" new tricks, but if she could only get the agility stuff down. I do pronounce her trainable.
From Stephanie Barber: My 14-1/2 month old collie puppy bitch Lily Rose got her CGC and TDI title at Keystone on May 16, 2009.
From Pam Lewis: Pam and Crystal received their Therapy Dogs International (TDI) certification.
June 2009
Peter
& Yvette Grandillo are VERY proud to announce that...Cammi
and Dawson got to compete at the A.S.S.A. Nationals in Perry,
Georgia on April 19th, 2009. Cammi double Q'd in both runs in Excellent
B. Dawson also double Q'd in both runs in Excellent B taking 1st in Jww
and 1st in Standard. We were very proud of the fur kids. Naturally,
the kids got some ice cream from Dairy Queen and steak from Applebee's.
Bryce, the pup, was very supportive of his brother and sister the entire
trip. Bryce kept their seats warm in their crate, taste tested all
their food (more than once), nipped Cammi and Dawson's paws to ensure
their reflexes were good for the ring and provided all the warm-up play
he could possibly do to get them ready for the ring. What more could
you expect from a little brother! (Dawson's picture on right.)
Peter & Yvette Grandillo are also pleased to announce that... Cammi and Dawson both qualified and got to compete at the A.K.C National Agility Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 27th through March 29th. While I would be delighted to say that Cammi and Dawson were finalists, that did not happen. At the Nationals, you need three clean runs to even have an outside chance of qualifying for the finals. Cammi and Dawson gave a valiant effort, but only qualified on two of the three runs. More importantly, just qualifying for Nationals in general was an honor. This is Cammi's fourth time qualifying and Dawson's third time qualifying for Nationals. Just being there was an experience that will never be forgotten. The intense competition, the speed in which the dogs run, the amount of people in attendance, the pomp and circumstance surrounding the trial is like no other trial. Regardless of the intensity and drama of the event, Cammi and Dawson always seem to remind me that playing with a tennis ball and curling-up on the couch is just as important to them as anything else. It's the little things...
Pete & Yvette Grandillo JR are very proud to announce that… Cammi and Dawson competed in the Golden Triangle Obedience Training Club agility trial over Memorial Day weekend. Cammi earned five Qs out of 6, and Dawson earned three double-Qs, including one 2nd place finish in Standard and one 4th place finish in Jumpers both in Excellent B. Cammi, Dawson, and Bryce were a little perplexed with the crate arrangement at the trial. Their three crates were lined-up as usual, but there were two more crates, one for Molly and one for Maggie. What were Maggie and Molly doing at the trial, they thought? Cammi, Dawson, and Bryce know Molly and Maggie when they visit Grandma’s house, but they never knew Molly and Maggie to have a crate at an agility trial. Molly said, move over Cammi & Dawson, here I come.
May 2009
From Barbara Newman: Sterling placed 4th and got her second leg in Novice Rally.
From Dee Farrell: Pebbles and I enjoyed our first two TDAA trials! Pebbles earned two Qs and a 3rd place in Games I at KCTC's trial on March 20-21 and one Q and a 2nd place in Standard Beginner at the Four Seasons K9 Athlete Center in Washingtonville, Ohio, on April 11.
From
Lori Ritchey: The Spinone Club of America held their National
Specialty show this year at Rend Lake Resort in Illinois the weekend of
April 25th and 26th 2009. We had a wonderful time and the place is
absolutely beautiful if you ever get a chance to go there. Casey put on
a entertaining show in the Rally Advanced ring putting his head through
the ring gates and making funny “Spinone noises” at the crowd,
eventually getting bored and slowly and casually leaving the ring
without looking back at the judge or I. Needless to say we NQ’d. Ben,
on the other hand, had better luck with Casey taking a 1st place in Open
Dog and then going on to win Reserve Winners Dog for a nice Rosette. He
also won Best Junior Handler with Frances and was presented with another
Rosette and a special trophy at the awards dinner.
MARCH 2008
PITTSBURGH CONVENTION CENTER TRIALS 2009
At the AKC Dog Show held in Pittsburgh on March 28 and March 29, Keystone Canine Training Club members were everywhere.
RALLY
We had six members entered on Saturday and all qualified and /or placed. We are especially proud of our novice rally group. They really proved that KCTC can do it all.
| Pam Lewis and Crystal |
First Place |
| Denise Graham and Zoe | Third Place |
| Lori Ritchie and Casey | Fourth Place |
| Carole Hodes and Mazik | Qualified |
Sunday seems to be a repeat of Saturday except that there were more members attending the trial.
| Toni Yurkovic and Fox | Fourth Place Excellent A |
| Denise Letterman and Hector | First Place Advanced A |
| Lucy McCloskey and Toby | First leg in the team effort to earn an RAE Title |
And then the novice group
| Pam Lewis and Crystal |
First Place and a Novice A Title |
| Denise Graham and Zoe | Second Place |
| Lori Ritchie and Casey | Qualified |
| Carole Hodes and Mazik | Qualified |
OBEDIENCE
Rod Sabatini and Harley earned their second leg in Novice Obedience and First Place Blue Ribbon.
CONFIRMATION
On Saturday, Ben Ritchie won 1st Place in Open Dog and took the Winners Dog placement for a 3 point major (with Casey)
On Sunday, Ben Ritchie won 1st Place in 12-18 Month Puppy Bitch, Winners Bitch, and Best of Opposite Sex with one of the Ritchie pups named Gia.
Everyone had a great time cheering each other on. What a show for Keystone.
Congratulations to all who entered!
