Category: News

Now that our annual agility break is over and the competition season is slowly starting again for us, it’s time for a little review.
Many people ask us if we regret missing the qualifiers (obviously, the question is directed more at Gergő and Nia). Indeed, this was the first year since our “sheltie agility life” began that we did not participate in the qualifiers, not because of COVID or a litter, but “just because.” This is a very complex question, and although I will try not to get too deep into it, I would like to share a few thoughts on the matter.
We both have jobs, and although we try to be perfectionists, agility is our hobby. A World Championship and a European Championship are not only financially burdensome, but also take up a significant part of our free time (I am obviously referring to the preparation as well). In the years when we participated in these competitions, literally nothing else happened during the year except for the qualifiers, the World Championships, and the European Championships. We put absolutely everything on the line. In addition, these competitions usually meant that the dogs spent much more time in the car than they enjoyed.These competitions are fantastic. The experience and atmosphere are incomparable, and it’s amazing to be there at such an event. We can only congratulate everyone who gets to participate in these prestigious competitions from the bottom of our hearts; we enjoyed them immensely.
However, I can safely say that we enjoyed last year just as much, and what is even more certain is that the dogs enjoyed it much more. We always try to make the most of our opportunities to give them the best, and since we can’t fit everything in, we decided to try this route. Although it is obvious that nothing can compare to the atmosphere of a World Championship, many small things add up to a lot. And last year, we accumulated a lot of “small” things in terms of experiences. And if I ask the dogs, they certainly don’t mind that they got to run in so many other places instead of two major competitions.
For us is not important to summarize the specific results, but here’s a little video review from Nia’s perspective, who made it to the finals in all the competitions she entered and finished on the podium in most of them. It also includes Nova’s perspective, who has to contend with a less skilled handler, but still managed to reach the finals in almost every competition with impressive consistency.
In a nutshell: it’s wonderful to run at a World Cup or an European Championships, but no, our year wasn’t any less good on this path either.

This time, Ria Putzker captured Luigi on camera, and the photos of the gentleman are magnificent!

We were at ISAC for the first round of the series, but we made it to the second one. This is always one of our favorite competition of the year.
Nia took two first places in the qualifying runs, and Nova took on second place.
Now they are both taking a little break for the year, with Nia getting 6 weeks and Nova getting 8 weeks of “vacation” from agility 🙂

We received photos and an agility video from Rocket’s owner. It’s amazing how time flies, Rocket is no longer a puppy, he has grown into a beautiful young boy! Sabine and Pascal: thank you for taking such good care of him!
Video here.

Nia, Nova, and Fox competed in this year’s DogFlow Open. In the qualifying runs, Fox came in 1X 3rd, while Nia took 4X 1st places.
All three made it to the finals, which Nia ultimately won.
Of Nia’s five winning runs, she also had the best time four times, from all sizes
Nia’s runs

This year, ISAC was held in Italy. After skipping last year, Nia and Nova were back on the starting line, this time both as A3 dogs. Qualifying for the finals this year was subject to fairly strict criteria (the top 3 finishers in each class, out of nearly 120 dogs in A3). Nia qualified with a 3rd place finish in jumping and ultimately won the mini category.
Nova’s runs
Nia’s runs

Luigi attended on a Seminar with Lara Heinzel. Video here.
And we got beautiful pictures about him and his dad, Meep! Thank you, Perdita Petzl for this amazing pictures! Unbelievable, he is looking already as an adult dog… Sonja and Lisa, thank you for taking such good care of him!

Nova, Nia, and Fox also competed in this year’s national championship, which was Nia’s first national championship.
Nova’s results:
Team agility 1st place
Qualification agility 2nd place, qualification runs combined 2nd place
Nia’s results:
Team agility 2nd place, Team jumping 3rd place
National Champion in team with Emese Fazekas – Yume and Olívia Péntek – Lencse
Qualifying runs 2X 1st place, qualifying runs combined 3rd place
Finals 5th place

Nia’s runs here

This weekend Nia and Nova competed.
Nia: Open Jumping and J3 1st place
Nova: Open Jumping 1st place, 2X A3 2nd place.

It’s amazing, but a year has already passed… It feels like it was just yesterday that we sat there at dawn next to Nia, waiting for the first arrival… I remember every minute…
Happy birthday to all three little ones!