‘Flying poodle’ makes an impression

GABY Frey and her remarkable poodle Scooby may not have won any medals but they had a wonderful time at the World Agility Championships in Luxembourg last month.

They flew from Margate to Frankfurt, via Johannesburg, with Scooby allowed to fly in the cabin in her little pet bag. She was impeccably behaved.

They spent two days in Frankfurt before joining up with the rest of the South African team and travelling to Luxembourg for the champs.

The SA team had pre-entered a competition which was an hour’s drive from their hotel. “It was a good way to acclimatise. The competition was stiff and the courses difficult,” said Gaby.

They managed a third position in the non-contact competition.

The following three days were spent training, with a little sightseeing thrown in, before the start of the champs.

“The atmosphere was electric and things ran like clockwork,” said Gaby.

Some 30 countries and 466 competitors were involved. Gaby and Scooby, competing in the ‘small’ category, ran four courses over the weekend, two for the team and two as individuals.

Gaby felt the courses were much tougher than in South Africa, with points of seconds counting!

“They had quite a few go around jumps, ie: three jumps in row, but the third jump you have to take from the back, not easy,” she said.

Gaby explained that many of the overseas competitors did the sport full time, and that many were in their 20s.

Gaby and Scooby ended up 28th which she felt was incredible, especially without a coach.

Not only that, Scooby is 10 years old and Gaby was the oldest handler on the SA team (although she would not reveal her age!)

On their return to SA, they took part in the KZN championships in Pietermaritzburg and Scooby again ran like a little star, winning all three gold medals, which no small dog has ever achieved in the province.

If that wasn’t enough, at the recent Hibiscus Kennel Club championships, Gaby and Scooby won seven out of the nine competitions!