There were clearly excellent scenting conditions at the DOTCORNY tracking tests held at a new site in Honeoye, NY. Judges Ilene Morgan and Stephanie Crawford plotted challenging but doable tracks in nice fields and woods, also using some roads for the TDX work. Both the TD (Tracking Dog) and TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) levels were offered.
The day was cool and wet, which often means excellent scenting conditions. Added to recent wet weather, the vegetation was lush. Judy Brown has been chasing the TDX trail with her homebred Airedale Terrier, Carrera. It has been rough - first to even get into a TDX test (they are by random draw) and then of course, you have to pass this difficult test. She shares her account here.
"Carrera was wonderful. She did 7 turns( all uphill), crossed a hedgerow with large stones, grassy farm road and 2 sets of cross tracks to her first article(a blue eyeglass case) on Leg 4. Then it was onward and upward, passing a 2nd set of cross tracks, across a really wide road with very oozy, muddy ruts to a blue bandana and a turn into the woods. Next, the track went over a huge tree log, which she hopped up on and over. Carrera was pulling hard. Then we were on a meandering forest trail and I was scanning for the glove but not yet, over another log and more meandering in the woods. Carrera continued to track and then decided to turn right into really dense woods. We were still going up in a diagonal manner. Finally, she told me she was close to SOMETHING of interest and dropped down on the GLOVE. I was numb!" Though it felt like forever to Judy, it only took Carrera 12 minutes.
A club member then came up on the Gator to get Judy and Carrera back down to the start area. This was a steep downhill ride - Carrera's first in a vehicle like that! Apparently she enjoyed the ride after all her hard work. Carrera was covered with burdocks but Judy felt it was a small price to pay for their wonderful track.
Roxanne Spilman-Bush had a doubly wonderful day. Her young English Cocker Spaniel, EC, flew to her TD and her older MACH English Cocker, Sizzle earned her TDX! Julie Symons held onto the line to follow her Belgian Tervuren, Savvy, to a TD. Jane Walker's perky little Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Speck, picked up a TD title. Last but not least, Linda Kaufman's young liver Dalmatian, Ace, also earned his TD.
All of these dog and handler teams are active in other dog sports as well. Some of them compete in conformation, agility, obedience and rally as well as tracking.
Congratulations to all!
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