WT Open, Fertőd (H) – Yoda 2nd place

We spent a wonderful spring day at the Fertőd Castle Park, where we with Yoda participated in the first Working Test competition this year in Hungary.

We set off early in the morning because I helped to throw dummies in the M before noon. It is always rewarding to stand next to a judge or throw dummies, because you can see the dogs from a different perspective and learn a lot from other people’s successes and mistakes. I recommend it to everyone, because you can always learn something new and improve.

In the Open class there were 29 competitors, which is a very nice number and with four judges it was quick and easy. Yoda and I worked with focus, of course, there were some minor inaccuracies, but I was very satisfied with the performance. It’s incredible to see how accurately Yoda marks and how minimally I had to handle him after his eye injury three years ago where he lost vision in one eye. I don’t know how he does it, but dogs can compensate very quickly for a problem like that and he does it brilliantly. (Well, sometimes he can go completely fuzzy) 🙂

After four tasks we had a run-off due to a tie on points, where we went with Rita’s dog Fossi for a long mark, who also performed excellently that day. Yoda was great again, he went straight to the area of dummy fall where I helped him with a little whistle, and after it we achieved second place with an excellent qualification. I think it was a great preparation for the IWT; Yoda hasn’t experienced many competition situations, so he could use a little tuning 🙂 It’s never too late 🙂

Judges:
Maria Kacsalova (H), Andy Mutimer (GB), Paul Hasney (GB), Ronnie Farrelly (IR)

Result (29 dogs started):

1. Sosztarich Krisztián – Blackpriceus Abigail – 76/80 points, excellent
2. Karai Csaba – Spiritlane Bjin – 72/80 points, excellent
3. Kökény Rita – Blackthorn Foster – 72/80 points, excellent

Congratulations to all, super Hungarian results were born. Thanks to the Retriever Working Dog Sports Club for the organization, the judges and the helpers. It was great to compete again, and meet with new and old friends again.

5 March 2024.

Karai Csaba