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Maureen Reynolds My interest in agility started in 1982 when my husband got a German Shepherd Dog, Duke, and joined Otley Dog Training Society. In those days, dogs started competing at agility when they were 12 months old, so, complete with three young children, we started spending our weekends and holidays at agility shows. Bess, a border collie puppy, arrived in January 1986. Duncan started training her, but in June 1987 decided she was too erratic for him and handed her over to me. I was hooked! Bess steadily climbed the ranks, becoming advanced and qualifying for Olympia in 1992. Bess always knew what to do and got me out of lots of tight corners. We also acquired Moss, another border collie, who came to us at one year old. His best results were third places; he was a lovely dog and gave us all a great deal of pleasure. Unfortunately I lost both of these dogs within three months of each other in 2002. We got Breeze, a boxer, in 1996, and I trained and ran her in agility shows. She used to get a few clear rounds (and one or two rosettes) but her heart was not really in it. She is now happily retired from agility, although still enjoys going for walks, eating and sleeping. I joined HATS about 5 years ago. We are a very friendly club; in fact I think most of the members that I train on a Wednesday night come for a chat, because they never seem to know what course I want them to do when it is their turn! I really enjoy training other people, and the feeling of satisfaction when they start to compete and excitedly get their first round without an elimination! I now run two dogs, Gyp, a border collie who is six years old and Holly, of somewhat dubious parentage, who is four years old. Gyp is in grade 5 and Holly in grade 4. I am still hooked on agility, and spend most of my spare time either training or attending shows. I enjoy organising our twice yearly fun days, judging and competing. Above all, it gives our dogs a lot of exercise and fun, and helps to keep the handlers fit and active!
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