Ann Putegnat

http://www.usmondioring.org/

Good luck to our USA team of three Mondioring 3 dogs competing next week in Asti, Italy. Tim Bartlett with Feist du Loups du Soleil; Lisa Geller with Mangouste du Loups du Soleil; and Sharon Novak with O'Bre-ons Ysha Rose will represent the American Working Dog Federation in the International Championships of Mondioring in Italy this year.

The individuals are shown on the front page of the website, with a link to an article about the team members. There is a link to the international event's website as well. I am sure there will be updates there as we go along. The total scores do not get posted until Sunday night, or later. A Mondioring championship is normally divided into two days. Each competitor competes both days, doing half of the exercises each day (a mixture of jumps, obedience and protection) They do not know the order of the competitors. Dogs one and two are drawn the night before, and each subsequent dog is pulled by the next competitors. So....you only know two dogs ahead if it is your turn. No chance to leave and practice (which is forbidden!!!)

This year, a new twist was thrown at our handlers at the last minute. We were notified just yesterday that the jumps will take place on Friday. There are 37 competitors at level three. That is an impossible number! It takes a minimum of 45 minutes to judge one dog in a normal trial. Half of that if you split the program. Even with that, it is way too long for the judges and spectators!!

Join the USMRA members in cheering on the team this weekend! We will probably be offline, but I know we will 'hear' your cheers anyway!!

Ann Putegnat
Team Captain