Mini Moments in Agility History!
Mini's are those dogs that jump 16" or lower.
Size is Attitude!
Dedicated to the Mini Division in Agility.
Artwork by: Nancy Krouse-Culley, New Mexico
Samson & Heather Smith's Keno
US Mini Moments:
Sue Henry and Callie (Mini Schnauzer) demonstrated agility on the David Letterman Show in 1990. This was the first national broadcast of agility. Appearing with Callie was Jinx a BC. Because the program personnel didn't think they would have time to change the jump heights for the two different dogs, The 14" tall Callie jumped at 21" with Jinx. There were 3 jump heights at that time, 12", 21" and 30".
USDAA's first Chihuahua Master Agility Dog (MAD) was earned by Spuds and Linda DesMarais. Spuds is also the first USDAA Chihuahua Jumpers Master.
Samson and Katie Greer earned the first Chihuahua Snooker Master from USDAA and also the first Chihuahua USDAA Relay Master. In 1999 Samson became the first Chihuahua to earn a Top Ten award from USDAA, the Top Ten Snooker Master award.
USDAA's first Agility Dog Champion (ADCH) was Cody (Pom) and Laura Yarborough in 1995.
The first USDAA Master Agility Dog was Cuddles, a Sheltie owned by Joann Kelly. Cuddles jumped in the 24" class and at 30" when she joined USDAA's World Team. Cuddles was a bit tall to make the mini division cut off, but this wonderful Sheltie and handler team is warmly remembered by all who competed with them.
The Lil' Rascals, a USDAA Dog Agility Masters (DAM) tournament team from Texas, made up of Elizabeth Blanchard and Duncan (Sheltie), Deborah Williams and Rufus (JRT), and Laura Yarborough with Cody (Pom) won the tournament overall in 1995 and 1996. In 1993 they won the mini division and in 1994 they placed 2nd overall. This terrific trio teamed together for a total of 7 tournaments, to win a total of 6. 3 were Regional wins, 3 were at the Nationals, and their 2nd place win was also at the USDAA Nationals.
Cody and Duncan were also the first US minis to travel with USDAA's World Champion team where they attended the 1993 event in Argentina, both jumping at 16". Elizabeth and Laura recalled that the A-frame was 7' high at this event, painted with high gloss enamel, and the slats were 3' apart. They reported that none of the dogs at this event had problems negotiating this obstacle. The frame for the tire was little bigger than the tire itself!
Cody is the only 12" dog to have won a DAM Team Championship.
Elizabeth and Duncan may well hold the record for 1st place wins at National events holding a total of 17 trophies. Duncan may also hold the record for number of appearances as a finalist in USDAA's Nationals - 6 Finals runs!
Kim Duff and Roo (Sheltie) ran in the USDAA Finals 5 times from 1987 to 1991.
Another dog of Kim's, Tigger (Sheltie), was the first dog in Texas to earn the Agility Dog (AD) title.
Terry Herman's Gilly (Min. Poodle) was the first 18" to get the ADCH. In 1999 USDAA's jump heights changed and the 18" class became 16". She also achieved the MX (at that point the highest available AKC title). In the spring of '99, one week before her 13th birthday and retirement, she finished her second NATCH-V, or O-NATCH-V in NADAC. She's now supervising the youngsters.
Gilly and Terry also ran in the USDAA's finals 4 times.
Gilly, Roo, and Shelby ran as a DAM team placing in 4 National Team Tournaments, including 3rd at Fairhill. The "3 Witches and 3 B's" team was made up of: Gilly (Miniature Poodle) & Terry Herman, Roo (Sheltie) & Kim Duff, and Shelby (Jack Russell Terrier) & Susan Garrett.
Shana (Sheltie) and Debbie Brink are 2 time USDAA National winners.
1n 1995 Delta (Sheltie) and Dixie Noble won both the USDAA and AKC Nationals in the 12" class.
"A Kit Kat Chocolate Attack", Kitty, & Tracey Lawrence was the first Chihuahua to earn the AKC Novice Agility title.
The AKC's Mini World Team won the GOLD in 1998, at the FCI World Championships in Slovenia. The Team:
Diane Bauman and Torville (Am. Cocker Spaniel)
Marietta Huber and Squiggles (Beagle)
Judy Keller and Morgan (Sheltie)
Kathie Leggett and Heather (Sheltie)
The 1st Triple Crown Winner was Becky (PWC) and Ken Boyd. They won each the USDAA, NADAC, and AKC Nationals all in 1998.
AKC's first Master Agility Champion (MACH) was earned by Wyatt (Sheltie) and Marquand Cheek in 1999. The 2nd MACH went to Maureen Waldron and Molly (Keeshond), and the 3rd MACH to Diane Bauman and Torville (Am Cocker).
The first 12" MACH title was awarded to Bebe (Papillon) and Barbara Cecil. Bebe was the 7th dog overall to receive this title.
Robyn Broock and Billie (Sheltie) were the 8th recipient of AKC's MACH title. Billie has also earned the USDAA ADCH, and NADAC NATCH, and is also the OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion). Billie is a 1996 USDAA National Champion, and was a 1997 World Team Member.
AKC's 9th MACH was earned by Hanna (Border Terrier) and Diane Holleman. Hanna is the first terrier to achieve this title.
Terry Smorch and Pixie (Keeshond) have won the 16" division at the AKC Nationals three times straight! 1997, 1998, and 1999.
April (Toy Poodle) and Debbie Moore have won the 8" division at the AKC Nationals twice in a row! 1998 and 1999. In 1998 Debbie's other Toy Poodle, Foxy Bear, placed 2nd behind April.
Jag (Sheltie) and Erin Schaefer won the USDAA Steeplechase at Fairhill in 1999, coming in two seconds faster than any other dog entered in the event!
Stasch, Erin Schaefer's American Eskimo, was the first Eskie to earn the NADAC NATCH. He is also the only ADCH NATCH MX MXJ Eskie, and finished third overall at
the 1998 NADAC Nationals and the 1998 AKC Nationals.
Mini Winners at past AKC Nationals.
Chris Lewis Brown and Parker (CWC) are the first team to win both the USDAA Grand Prix and the Steeplechase National in the same year, 1999. Parker is the first Cardigan Welsh Corgi to win a National event.
USDAA's first Veteran Agility Dog (VAD) was Tosh (Sheltie) and Mary Jo Sminkey.
Taz, Mary Jo's other Sheltie, has made it to the Finals at the National Steeplechase Championship 3 years running, winning in a run-off in 1997 and taking second place 1998.
The first Pembroke Welsh Corgi to earn USDAA's ADCH was Katie. Kay Jackson and Katie earned this prestigious title on March 8, 1997.
Heather Smith and her Am. Cocker Spaniel, Angel, were finalists at the first USDAA Grand Prix in 1987. This event held at the Houston Astrohall arena, offered the qualifying classes on Friday and Saturday with the Finals held on Sunday. Today Regional Grand Prix qualifying events are held across the country for participants who wish to attend the National Grand Prix.
Trooper (Sheltie) and Joyce Zmek were the first to win at a USDAA National Grand Prix.
Also appearing at the first Grand Prix were Stanley (Maltese) and Marilyn Jensen, where Stanley was known as the "Flying Mop". He was a huge hit with the crowd!
Meiske, a Kelpie mix, was the first mixed breed to earn the USDAA MAD. Along with Kathryn Horn, Meiske was also the first mix breed to earn the NADAC NATCH, they were the 6th team overall to earn this title. Meiske was also the first mixed breed to earn the double titles ADCH, NATCH, and was 3rd overall for this achievement.
At this writing, 12/27/99, the only NATCHs on the East Coast are all minis:
Kerry (Sheltie) and Denise Dugan. Gilly (Mini. Poodle) and Terry Herman. Stasch (Am. Eskimo) and Erin Schaefer.
Mystic and Chance, along with "Max" on 1.12.04 with Linda Chapler from Seattle, WA.
International Mini Moments
Keith Rump and Timmy (JRTX) have won the prestigious Pedigree Olympia Finals (UK) event 3 times. 1994, 1996 and 1998.
1999 Agility Club (UK) Team of the Year Awards:
Novice Mini Dog of the Year. 1. Samantha Lord & Foxthme Carrie On. 2. Lorraine Drew & Trio Of Valgrey. 3rd. Sarah Grooms & Mistress of the Moor.
Mini Dog of the Year. 1. Carol Huges & Valgreys Mini Mouse. 2. Lesley Olden & Shanandi Shananigans Of Nedlo. 3. Richard Wagner & Janspal Mister George.
IAL 1999 Year End Cumulative Results through Course #4 of 4: Toy Division. 1. Tink (Mini Schnauzer) & Billy Rosen (US). 2. Kimbo (Westi) & Stefan Erismann (SUI) 3. Sophie (Mini Poodle) & Maxine Holmes (US). 4. Samu Anu (Yorkie) & L. Michel (SUI). Mini Division. 1. Catna Caradog (Parson Jack Russell) & Inge Geeraerts (BEL). 2. Gjoja (Tibetan Terrier) & Sandra Ulmer (SUI) 3. Zorro (Sheltie) Wolfgang Luritzhofer (AUT). 4. Harley (Schipperke) & Michèle Perlberger (SUI).
Camile (Daschund) and Anna Ortiz (Mexcio City) were the first team to earn a qualifying leg under the Federación Canofila Mexicana A.C. agility program.
Fancy (Sheltie) & Keri Daun were the first team in western Canada to earn the USDAA AAD, and compete at the Masters level in USDAA.
Mattfield Solo (Toby- Border Terrier) & Karen Smith (UK) qualified for Olympia the first year that Minis were included. Toby, 1982 - 1999.
Teasle (Border Terrier) & Chris Smith won both Crufts and Olympia in 1999.
Crufts 2000 - Eukanuba Mini Agility Pairs Invitation:
1. Peter Van Dongen & Double Dutch Basil'
Colin Luckett & Pitsligo Polarizer
2. Carol Huges & Valgrays Mini Mouse
Clive Foden & Carolrose Stedey Eddie
3. Lesley Olden & Shanandi Shananigans of Nedlo
Angela Carter & Lotta Promise
4. Sarah Grooms & Mistress of the Moor
Gill Garner & Arlberg Edelmann.
Crufts 2000 - Eukanuba Mini/Maxi Pairs - Finals
1. Jane Wagner & Janspal Mister George
Richard Wagner & Magical Mitzi of Valgray.
2. Lorraine Walchester & Jesica Joe Lighley
Ray Ellerton & Lightning Razz
3. Sue Culmer & Little Black Keli Pot
Elizabeth Saggers & Whisper Sweet Willow
4. Mary-Ann Nester & Idadoun Black Buttons
Roger Brown & Ripley Green.
Crufts 2000 - Eukanuba Mini K/O Final
1. Denise Smith
2. Carol Hughes
3. Andrew Davidson
4. Jane Birch
The Top Mini in Scotland for the year 2000 was Wilma Watson with her Patterdale Terrier called Bam Bam, pet name is Poppi.
© 1999 - 2003 Katie Greer. No portion of this material may be copied or reproduced without expressed written permission.
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