Kate Eldredge (pictured above with her Corgi Flash) will be our agility event manager this year. Although Kate does not own a Ridgeback, she has been training and competing in agility for thirteen years with her Pem Corgi, Aussie and Terv. As well as agility, Kate has titled dogs in tracking, conformation, obedience, rally and herding. This past year Kate has been working with Eileen Bailey's Ridgeback Flag, who will hopefully have his Novice Jumpers title before the Rodeo rolls around! Kate is highly recommended by Eileen and is looking forward to the Rodeo, and helping the Ridgebacks try out agility. She will work with dogs and owners at all levels.

There will be a complete Ridgeback-sized agility course set up all weekend for your practice and enjoyment. This is included in the price of your rodeo entry.  No age limit but use common sense and listen to your event manager/instructor.

For more information about AKC agility go to:
www.akc.org/events/agility/index.cfm

Our ATTS test application has been approved for Sunday July 31, 2011! There is a 40 dog limit for this test. Our chief tester will be Peg Phillips and our event manager will be Robin Adler. We have opened up the test to all breeds this year, including mixes, in the hopes of attracting more entries. There is an extra pre-entry fee of $35 for this test, with a gate entry fee of $40. Pre-entries close July 15.  Ridgeback owners can just add this fee to your regular rodeo entry fee, just fill it in on the form. Your dog must be at least 18 months old on the day of the test. All entrants must be at the orientation at 9:00am without their dogs. Please try to enter in advance so the chief tester will know how many dogs she will be testing. Photo above is of the umbrella station.

The following is straight from the ATTS website:
Because of breed-specific dog legislation and negative publicity associated with many breeds of dogs, temperament testing has assumed an important role for today's dog fancier. The ATTS Temperament Test provides breeders a means for evaluating temperament and gives pet owners insight into their dog's behavior. It can have an impact on breeding programs and in educating owners about their dog's behavioral strengths and weaknesses as well as providing a positive influence on dog legislation.

What is temperament?
W. Handel, German Police Dog Trainer, in his article, "The Psychological Basis of Temperament Testing," defines temperament as:

"the sum total of all inborn and acquired physical and mental traits and talents which determines, forms and regulates behavior in the environment"

The ATTS test focuses on and measures different aspects of temperament such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat. The test is designed for the betterment of all breeds of dogs and takes into consideration each breed's inherent tendencies.

The test simulates a casual walk through the park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.

Read all about the American Temperament Test Society at their website atts.org/tt-test-description/  and you can download the entry form from there in advance if you like and have it all filled out and ready to go. Entry forms MUST be double-sided on one sheet of paper and will be available on-site also.  Forms will also be available at the rodeo.

ATTS is always looking for new testers. If you are interested and would like to get started in becoming an apprentice tester, go to the ATTS website above and fill out and send in the Apprentice Tester application well in advance and you would be able to apprentice at the rodeo.

Pictured above are most of the CGC attainees from Ridgeback Rodeo 2010. This year Diane Balint will be our CGC evaluator. Diane is a member of the Ashtabula Kennel Club in Ohio. She will be here Friday, Saturday and Sunday only for testing, after lunch from approximately 1:00 to 4:00.  Here is her bio:

"There have been a variety of breeds in my life including Boxers, Cockers, an All American or two and a Boston Terrier. After marriage, our first serious breed was Goldens. They earned UD's and Excellent Agility titles. Tired of fighting all the hair we moved on to Brittanies. Our breeding produced some of the nicest temperment and non-hyper Brits around. They also earned UD's and Excellent Agility titles. It was during this time that I earned my CGC certification and have tested for the Ashtabula Kennel Club at their numerous events and the Buckeye Giant Schnauzer Club. 4H is another love of mine and we present Dog Clinics each summer featuring obedience, confirmation, agility, rally and CGC. I now have a Giant Schnauzer who has earned her CH, RN, CD and CGC. There is also an older foster Giant residing in our house."


We are still looking for a therapy dog tester. We would love to offer it, but we are searching for a willing evaluator. If you would like to help out or know of someone who would, please get in touch.

The CGC and/or any therapy test will be included in the cost of your rodeo entry. ALL Ridgebacks should be able to get their CGC title to prove their worth as the intelligent and wonderful companion dogs and good canine citizens that they are. It only takes a little training! There is no age limit for a CGC.  For more information about AKC's CGC program, including all of the tests for which you need to practice, and obedience rules, check out the following links:

AKC CGC Program:      www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
AKC obedience:          www.akc.org/events/obedience/

Marjorie Crouch of Tandiwe Kennels will be holding conformation handling classes throughout the weekend so bring out the new pups and brush up on your handling skills for the match on Sunday. Marjorie has taught some classes in the past, has judged many sweepstakes classes and has handled numerous dogs to their championships.

Neil McDevitt called the other day in reply to my request for him to judge our fun match and he has accepted!  Neil is an AKC judge licensed for Ridgebacks so you may want to show to him as you may see him at a future dog show as your judge.  Every year we hold a fun match for Ridgebacks of all ages, from the babies to the veterans. The match is planned for Sunday afternoon. It's all for fun and for training the youngsters and newbies for the show ring. Classes will be divided by age and we always have ribbons, prizes and trophies.

Kelly Malone is returning to the rodeo for her 5th year to head up our Herding event. Kelly has stated that our breed representation at the rodeo has at least as much and maybe more herding instinct than some AKC herding breeds! Kelly is an AHBA (American Herding Breed Association) judge and has German Shepherds. Let your Ridgeback show you his/her herding talents (or not!). This is always one of the bigger attractions at the Rodeo. It's great fun to watch and very interesting to see our dogs transform into a working dog right before our eyes. HIC certificates will be passed out for dogs that make the grade. This counts as a point towards a VC or VCX too! Kelly needs at least 10 dogs per day to make it worth her while, so sign up as soon as the rodeo entry form is available.

Due to the high cost of transporting a dog-broke herd of sheep, there is an extra fee of $35 per dog for the HIC test. This is the advance entry fee. Day of rodeo gate entry fee will be $40. Friday and Saturday only!!

If your dog passes their HIC test, or already has their HIC, and Kelly thinks you are ready, she will give you and your dog a personal herding lesson for the same price and will show you how and where to go from here and how to advance in the sport of herding with your Ridgeback.

For more information about competitive herding events, go to the AHBA website or the AKC herding links below:
www.ahba-herding.org
www.akc.org/events/herding/index.cfm

We are planning to offer the following hunting events, qualifiers and trials this year:

Thursday:
8 AM Junior Carriage Dogs (6) - Judge: Laura Koester
1 PM Junior Game Bird Qualifier (8) - Judge: Melissa Carlin & Debbie Bell
5:00 PM Junior Game Recovery Dog (5) - Judge: Anthony Davies

Friday:
8 AM Junior Game Recovery Dog (5) - Judge: Anthony Davies
8 AM Junior Carriage Dogs (6) - Judge: Laura Koester
9 AM Junior Game Bird Qualifier (8) - Judge: Melissa Carlin &/or Debbie Bell
1:30 PM Junior Hunter Small Game Qualifier (9) - Judge: Melissa Carlin

Saturday:
7:30 AM Senior Game Recovery Dog (4) - Judge: Anthony Davies
8 AM Junior Carriage Dogs (6) - Judge: Laura Koester
1:30 PM Junior Hunter Small Game Qualifier (9) - Judge: Melissa Carlin

Sunday:
8 AM Senior Game Bird Trial (8) - Judge: Melissa Carlin
8  AM Junior Carriage Dogs (6) - Judge: Laura Koester


The event trial calendar has been updated for these events on the HRA website and is availabIe here: thehra.com/WDcalendar.htm . Please read closeIy as the dates are listed newest to oldest and the 2010 dates are still listed there too. Make sure you have the correct event. I suggest everyone also go to the HRA website page entitled Trial System Regulations to learn more about these events and how they will be run: thehra.com/WagonDogFieldTrialSystem.pdf.   Entries are limited so enter soon!  A separate HRA entry form must be filled out for each event entered and this form is here: thehra.com/universal_WDTS_entry.pdf. There are additional entry fees for these events which are listed on the trial calendar and can be added to your regular rodeo entry and sent all in one package.

Here is the downloadable premium list for the JC/QC tests:
RRodeoJCPremium2011_CVHA.pdf

Gayle and Paul Kytta will be coming back to the rodeo this year as the coursing/racing event manager team. And boy are we glad! These guys know just about everything there is to know about lure coursing and straight racing. We will be offering AKC JC/QC tests this year along with the usual coursing and racing practice that will be available throughout the weekend. There will be additional entry fees for the JC/QC tests that must be sent to Gayle, the field trial secretary, so please download and read the premium, available above.

A little info about Gayle and Paul:
Paul and Gayle Kytta have been involved with Ridgebacks for seven years, but immediately jumped into participation in conformation and performance events.
However, their real enjoyment comes from watching their hounds lure course or straight race. You'll find them at a field trial or race meet almost every weekend from late March to the end of December. They are former Ridgeback Rodeo event managers that have come back for another go at it.

Gayle has served as Field Trial Chair, Field Trial Secretary, Field Clerk, Huntmaster, and Lure Operator at numerous ASFA and AKC events. She recently completed a two year term as the ASFA Region 6 Regional Director and was Field Trial Secretary at the 2009 RRCUS National Specialty, where the entry was well over 100 dogs. Paul has served as Field Trial Chair at several events and he also Huntmasters at just about every trial he attends. He just recently became a fully licensed ASFA All Breed judge.

The Kytta's first Ridgeback, "Meisie" Assegai Spellbound at Kimberod, SC, CGC, TT, HIC, is as fast and agile as they come, but just a bit too smart for her own good. She quickly figured out that the lure always comes back, so why bother to
chase it all the way around the field.

Their second Ridgeback, "Nitro" BIF DC Rare Earth Top Fuel Eliminator, SC, CD, LCM5, GRC, CGC, TT, HIC, TDI, VC, has proven to be a lure coursing maniac. Nitro has been in the Ridgeback rankings as follows:
2007 #2 ASFA, #1 LRGA, #5 RRCUS Combined
2008 #2 ASFA, #9 RRCUS Combined, #20 ASFA Lifetime
2009 #2 ASFA Ridgeback, #12 RRCUS Combined, #9 ASFA Lifetime
2010 #1 ASFA, #2 RRCUS Combined, #7 ASFA Lifetime After the 2010 coursing season, Nitro is one of only a handful of Ridgebacks to achieve and ASFA LCM5 and has nearly completed the requirements for his LCM6. At only six years of age, Nitro still has many good years of coursing ahead of him.

The Kytta's next lure coursing hopeful, "Voodoo" Highveld's Black Magic Of Imarika, is currently working on her bench Championship, but will make her lure
coursing and straight racing debut later this year.

Tally Ho !!!

For more information about lure coursing and racing check out the following links:
www.akc.org/events/lure_coursing/index.cfm

www.lgra.org

www.asfa.org/

Let June Garand show you the fun sport of Rally this year!  Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler move as a team through a course of designated stations. Each station has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill that is to be performed. June has participated in Rally for over 7 years and will be our Rally Event Manager this year.  During those years, three of her Ridgebacks have achieved AKC Rally Excellent titles. The dog she is currently showing, Chance, completed his Rally Novice title at 11 months of age with scores of 98,98,96, his Rally Advanced title at 22 months with scores of 96, 95, 86, and his Rally Excellent title at 23 months with scores of 93, 96, 98. He also completed his APDT Rally Level 1 title with scores of 207,200,207 and an Award of Excellence. June has competed in other venues including obedience where she had the RRCUS #2 obedience dog in 2006 and the #17 dog in 2009. Both of these dogs were rescues. Last year she showed Chance in conformation and was ranked the RRCUS #7 owner handler for 2010. June believes the most important thing you can take into the ring, whatever your venue, is a well trained dog and that training should be fun for both you and your dog.

June’s dogs:
BIMBS U-CH, CH Terra Cotta’s Fast Chance RE, JC, CGC, RL1. AOE1, HIC, JCD, JHB, TT
Clifford from RR ResQ CD, RE, CGC, RL1, AOE1, TT
BIT, UCDX Salem from RR ResQ, CD, RE, CGC, RL1, AOE1, HIC, TT, JHR (Over the rainbow bridge)

For more information about AKC Rally check out their link:
www.akc.org/events/rally/

Karen Phillips of Buckeye Tracking Club is returning once again this year to show us how to get started in tracking with our Ridgebacks. Karen will be here all four days this year (or at least part of each day), so if tracking is your thing, you better put in now to get the days off work! No age limit and pups are welcome and encouraged. Tracking games, track laying and short practice tracks are a few of the things Karen will show you, along with tracking demos with her dogs. She is also an AKC tracking judge and can do tracking certifications if anyone is ready for that big step! She passed Candice Gartland's dog Hero last year and that dog went on and got his Tracking Dog title early this year, which is no small feat!  We will need to know well in advance if anyone wants a certification done so a track can be laid. For more information about AKC tracking tests and getting started in tracking go to the AKC website at:

www.akc.org/events/tracking/

We are soliciting raffle items or donations for the famous Ridgeback Rodeo Raffles and auctions held every year. Kim Lucchini is coming back this year to be our raffle queen extrordinaire. The rodeo raffles have raised between $600 and $1000 every year for Ridgeback Rescue. I'm not sure which rescue organization we will be donating to this year, but it will be announced soon. You can donate a gift or basket of any kind if you're coming to the rodeo, or just click on the PayPal donation button below and and we will donate the cash in your name.

Here are a couple of links to photos submitted by Rodeo attendee Karen Mikulin. Many are of our dog Victor, but there are some great candids too:

s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff5/oobabee/Ridgeback%20Rodeo%202010/

s243.photobucket.com/albums/ff5/oobabee/rodeo2010/

The 4th annual Ridgeback Rodeo official "candid" photographers were Carol Ann and Roy Brown from Canada. Check out their photos here:  gallery.me.com/cainto#100036&view=mosaic&sel=0

I set it on "slideshow" when I watched it and just sat back and relaxed for a bit. It took a while to load on my PC so be patient.

We held our 3rd annual (and best yet) Ridgeback Rodeo the last weekend in July 2008. The photo collage at the top of this page (created by Marilyn Giesige) is from one of the evening hayrides. The Rodeo was a huge success thanks to all of the entrants, participants, friends, helpers, neighbors and family. I had no time to take photos, but thanks to some photographer/rodeo entrants, you can check out their photos through the links below and get a feel for the rodeo.

This first one belongs to Asta McCormick:
www.pbase.com/la_vista_baby/rodeo

This link is to Carol Ann Brown's photos:
picasaweb.google.com/cabinto/ridgebackrodeo08

VET(S) ON CALL
Western Reserve Animal Clinic
1199 State Rt 7
P O Box 135
Pierpont, OH 44082
440-577-1111
Thursday and Friday 8am - 10pm
Saturday 8am -  2pm

Northwest PA Pet Emergency Center
429 West 38th Street
Erie, PA 16508
814-866-5920
Thursday and Friday 8pm - 8am
Saturday and Sunday  2pm Sat - 8am Monday


CAMPING/MOTOR HOME PARKING:
No charge for primitive camping, vehicle parking or motor home parking. Plenty of room for self-contained motor homes, but a very limited number of electric hook-ups will be available, possibly only 6 or so, and will be on a first come first served basis, depending on who gets their entries in first. Cost for electric will be $15/night and will be on the entry form. No permanent water hook-ups, but plenty of free well water is available. Not much shade. Clean outhouse.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR FOLKS NOT CLEANING UP AFTER THEIR DOGS. WE WILL HAVE "POOP POLICE"!

HOTELS/MOTELS:

DAYS INN
600 Days Blvd., Conneaut, OH 44030
(Interstate 90 exit 241 at Rt. 7)
440-593-6000
There are a very limited number of rooms that allow dogs in the rooms at this hotel. $10/dog pet fee last year. Lots of grassy areas to walk dogs, outdoor pool. 17 miles from Rodeo site.

DAV-ED MOTEL
5750 State Rt. 193 at I90 exit 235, Kingsville, OH 44048
440-224-1094
Small town motel with about 16 rooms, one dog per room, $5/dog fee last year. 18 miles from Rodeo site. Outdoor pool, very reasonable rates.

GREENROOF INN
8790 Meadville Road, Girard, PA 16417
814-774-7072
(5 miles north of Albion on Rt. 18)
Read their pet policy. About 20 miles from Rodeo site. Here's their website:
www.thegreenroofinn.com

SUNSET MOTEL
13825 Ridge Road, West Springfield, PA 16443
814-922-3550
(Interstate 90 exit 3 PA-OH state line, north on Rt. 6N to Rt. 20, left 1/2 mile to motel)
Book this one early as they say they fill up most weekends in the summer. Very reasonable rates plus $5 pet fee as of last year. Very nice per my husband, Eric. About 17 miles from Rodeo site. Website is:
www.sunsetmotelpa.com

PLEASE RESPECT THE ROOMS AND GROUNDS SO WE CAN USE THESE ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE FUTURE!

Click here to get Mapquest driving directions to the Rodeo. For destination use: 20884 Beaver Center Rd. Conneautville, PA 16406:
www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp