Open Dutch Championship voor Dutch shepherdogs

Mr. Reuvekamp, the chairman of the NHC, asked us in 2007 if we would be prepared to organize a match for the Dutch Shepherd dogs( DSD). The Dutch club thought that the DSD is able to organise an IPO championship. From then on it was up to us to organise the championship. Our goal was a sportive dog match in which every contestant should be inspired to come back next year!

At the great terrain of HSV Hoogkerk, already famous in Holland because of its international CACIT match : The Holland Cup, men could see this weekend not only the action of the IPO III dogs but also could compete for the title of best IPO I and best IPO II dog. The judges were Mr. H.C. Boll from Germany( part A) and Mr. B. Ekhart from Holland for part B and C. The helpers were Rene Wever( short distance) and Willem de Vries( long distance). This was the last match for Willem de Vries as a helper. One week for the event there were 22 combinations from different countries, such as USA, Tsjechie, Germany, Austria, Sweden, France and Holland. With this number we succeeded in our goal to have at least 10 to 15 Dutch of which at least 6 IPO III dogs.

On Saturday the 20th we had a training and meeting day for the contestants and guests. The first group was in the canteen around 9:00 with their dogs ready to do some tracking. The other participants stayed in the canteen for a chat, coffee, cake and then onto the field for appel. About 13 hrs we started the attack/ defence training with 25 combinations. For the participants which came from abroad there was a possibility to practice the attack on the match (helpers). It was a very pleasant international happening whereby everybody did their best to communicate in different languages and to exchange experiences. All in all it was a very interesting afternoon whereby the only common ground was – work with the Dutch shepherd dog.

The drawing of the lots was planned at 16 hrs but to give all the participants enough time it was moved for later, 17 hrs. The numbers were spoken in three different languages and everybody was very curious as to his/hers start number and time table. After that the barbecue was lit and the salads and bread were set on the tables. Then came the meat and the solidarity in sport crossed over to solidarity in meals. The lights went out at 23 hrs and everybody went to bed in order to start the day fit and sound and to win the title of the Dutch champion. Czechs started on Sunday the 21 the tracking on good fields. Unfortunately, two combinations failed on this item. The best Dutch in this part( A) was Tessa, a female of 9,5 years brought by handler, Klaas Stienstra. The judge was full of praise for the intense tracking method that Tessa showed and rewarded her efforts with 98 points. Jack, the 15 years old son of Klaas brought Tessa’s daughter Ashadow and this combination got 97 points.

During the obedience part (B) there was only one excellent dog who also got the well deserved title. Tonny Ottevanger and Holland Excellent v. Le Dobry gained excellent with 96 points. All the other combinations got either the qualification good or sufficient. The spectators enjoyed the performance of Excellent, a cheerful, temperamentful and fast dog. Some of the combinations on Sunday had plain bad luck because they missed some of the exercises and that costs a lot of points.

For some the attack (part C) went totally wrong. The combinations had trained many times but unfortunately that doesn’t guarantee the best result. Tension is a strange thing and the dog is finely tuned into the emotions of his handler. The tension which the handles can exhibit is not understood by the dog who senses that his owner is different, what’s going on? What are all these people (spectators) doing here? If your dog has never found himself in such circumstances it can react different. Such situations are not easy to mimic. Still, I wish these combinations the courage to go on and not to quit, as to the words of the NHC chairman in her introduction: Let the owner of the DSH find challenge in staying one step ahead of his dog.”

Besides these unfortunate things, Excellent was here also the best. He was very convincing, good steady bite, lots of drive, correct release and for his work he got 97 points. The old lady, Tessa showed the spectators that she still stands her man, sorry woman. She was very fast in finding the assailant, barked properly but every now and then she made a small mistake. Regardless of that she received 95 points!! The Czech, Zuzana Smrckova showed what her good biting dog, Nitro, can do and this resulted in 94 points. In my opinion the best “ stele” of this day was Aaron owned by the American Les Flores. Aaron almost knocked Willen de Vries out of balance during the distance attack and Willem had to rotate twice. Unfortunately, the dog was a bit too cheeky and did not obey to the fullest which resulted in a score of 84 points. But this dog was a pleasure to watch.

After all the dogs did the C part Willem d eVries was set in the spotlight by Ben Ekhart. Ben has trained Willem in 1984 and he told a bit of history of the training for “ helpers” and what was expected of them. It wasn’t always easy but it resulted in a good training an competition ”helper”. Willem received a beautiful photo collage of 24 years of work from HSV Hoogkerk. The whole day was splendid partly because of beautifully weather, my volunteer family and the acquaintances from the dog sport which took care of the catering. The competition secretary, the group from HSV Batavia from Lelystad, the trackers from Harderwijk, the competition leaders from all over the country, the helpers, judges, the owner of the tracking fields and of course the volunteers of HSV Hoogkerk. Because of these people, our sponsors and advertisers, spectators and the contestants I can look back upon yet another great event with dog sport in Hoogkerk.

Mr. Reuwekamp awarded the cups at 17:30 hrs. The Dutch Champion 2008 was Tonny Ottevanger with Holland Excellent v. Le Dobry with 286 points (Exc.) also the best part B and best C. Second place was for Klaas Stienstra with Tessa, total 278 points (VG) also best A. The third place went to Fennita Giethoorn with Holland Clay v. Le Dobry total 276 points(VG). Best foreign contestant: Les Flores with Vrijheid’s Aaron with 255 points Youngest participant: Jack Stienstra with Ashadow, 259 points

After a word of thanks form Mr. Reuvekamp the champions were congratulated on their results and everybody took a peek in the goodie bags. After all the congratulations we took our partings and for some the long journey back home started. I hope that everybody enjoyed as much as I did. Should we organise the same next year I hope to welcome everyone back.

José Stienstra .