Seminar

Libby and I went to a Dave Rorem seminar this past week-end.

It was a great learning experience and lots of fun.  I highly recommend it to anyone.

I was worried that it would all be over Libby's head as it was all All-Age set-ups we ran, but she made me so proud of her I could barely stand it.  She saw her first poison bird, her first quad (with a momma bird off the flyer station!!) and her first interrupted double.  She handled it all just fine.  Kenny told me all the parts were there and not to worry.  He was right...but don't tell him I said that.  She was the youngest dog at the seminar.

I can't wait for the DVD I'm getting on our work so I can review what I learned.  Will be interesting to have video tape of me handling on blinds from different angles.

I have a lot to learn and there is a lot of places to learn from.

Tired girls

Darbi is a tired lady after a long week training.

Not sure what Miikka's excuse is.

A quick update on Miika's leg (torn achilles).  It's SO much better!!  The brace and rest has worked miracles and one can't tell by looking at her how badly injured her leg was a few months ago.  She actually ran a water test in training this week and loved it!

Darbi is an old lady now, but nobody told her!  She was driving us bonkers having a break before Christmas and is so happy to be back to work.  No retirement in sight for her yet!  She has no soundness issues, no hearing issues and I'm so happy to have what appears to be another year with my bestest girl.

Willie T!

And here she is!!!

My new pup Willie.

She is officially known as Horsetooth's Willie T Wiffic.

From the last "Chopper" breeding ever.

And the best part??  I've only had her a week and she's already scratching at the door to go outside.  Pretty smart little cookie.

Poor Gordie.  She beats on him pretty good already.

Winter fun in the snow

Gordie's brother "Goose" (Arson x Miikka) is enjoying the snow in New Jersey!!

I can't get over how much his eyes look like his mom's.

Bonzai!!!

Elmingo Family

We've arrived in Texas for our annual Winter Trip.

It's also time for the annual Elmingo Family Portrait!!

No dogs were harmed in the taking of this picture...although a number of them were threatened.

From left to right (click on the picture for a bigger view):

Elmingo's Little Man "Zink" (Shaq x Miikka 2009)

Elmingo's Flip Your Lid "Libby" (Shaq x Miikka 2009)

FTCH AFTCH Revilo's Red Hot Rumors "Miikka"

Elmingo's Hat Trick "Gordie" (Arson x Miikka 2011)

FTCH Revilo's At Full Tilt "Darbi" (she beats me, I swear she does)

Elmingo's Cutting Edge "Razor" (Prize x Darbi 2011)

Backwater Smokin Turq "Turq" (Prime x Darbi 2008)

Elmingo's Tic A Tee Boo "Ahti" (Prize x Darbi 2011)

Elmingo's Prime Suspect "Meg" (Prime x Darbi 2008)

As you can see from the Darbi puppies on the right, she seems to throw very LARGE males and little females no matter who she's bred to.

Gordie looks like the biggest Miikka pup I've seen so far.  He's only 4 months old and has a lot of bone.

I'm very proud of all my "kids"...near and far.  I'm so lucky that a few have come back to us to train so I can spoil them still.

I'll try to get a better pic of them all in the future, but Meg is in season...so we had to stick her off in the corner.

I'm especially proud of the up and comers in this picture.  Zink was a top ten derby dog in the US last year.  Libby was top 20.  Turq was a Canadian National Finalist at 2 years old and his sister Meg is hot on his tail becoming QAA in 2011.  Momma D finally got her Canadian FTCH last year and her Prize pups look like they'll be fun in the derby this year.  So much to be proud of.

And Gordie...sweet Gordie.  With his father's recent passing we are holding him near and dear.  He shows a lot of promise and we're excited about his future.

Arson-Gone Too Soon

FC FTCH LKY'S CONTROLLED BURN

2005-2012

Finalist 2010 Canadian National

I'm very sorry to announce the passing of Arson after a short illness.

He was a special dog to everyone that knew him and will be sorely missed.

The very first time I stood beside Arson was when I won an Open with him in Canada, and it was also standing beside him that I got my first US Open placement.

I know that his owners, Brad & Diane, have broken hearts this evening.  My condolences to them.

He was a kind hearted spirit who could be trusted alone with a newborn puppy or small child, but also could be trusted to make a difficult 350 yard swim to the bird with more heart than I had ever seen before.

My husband also mourns his loss this evening.  Arson came into Kenny's life as a 6 month old pup with promise and hope.  He was a little slow to mature and didn't truly shine until he became an All-Age dog, and shine there he did.

He was in the prime of his life and taken too soon.

His son Gordie, who is lying at my feet as I type this, has very big paws to fill and a very wonderful daddy to look up to.

Arson and Kenny at 2010 US National

Me n Zed

I love my horse Zed.

He's the coolest.

He's now for sale and I'm sad about that.  We've taken him a long ways from being an off the track Thoroughbred to having a second career.

It was the plan to sell him when I bought him, but it's still hard.  I'll get another "project" when he goes.

It's also been a tough adjustment going from an ex Western rider to the world of Hunters/Jumpers.  The learning curve has been very steep for both of us.  

I have a lot to learn, and so does he....but I've had so much fun learning with him.