Peter Richardson & Chi (Go Chi)

2009 Large Grade 3 winners

I first met Chi at a rescue kennels in Cornwall - well it was a sort of meeting, more a leaping squealing mad clash, but he was so enthusiastic and good looking I knew he was the one for me. I was helping at the Dartmoor show that day and he was so crazy I had to leave him there and go back for him.
Once I got him back home we started playing and some obedience training. Going to early training at a barn where agility was in action, was a case of having to keep going outside (and that was after it took us ages to get inside in the first place!) Talk about a crazy dog, I was exhausted. Sadly things got worse; while running with him 'snap' my achilles tendon went. Trying to look after a mad 8 month old overactive red blur of a collie whilst in plaster and on crutches is not to be recommended. I had a dog walker for a bit but all that did was give me a more enthusiastic dirty red blur of a collie - I remember Chi running round the living room completing circuits on the top of the sofa and walls without touching the ground at any point except beginning and end. Why did I get that dog? His recall also took a while to master.
Well things did get better and we progressed and Foundation training (thanks Lauren at Devondogs) and the Dartmoor club, and Leads agility club happened. Agility was our savior as he grew to love it and is now focused and quite fast. Thanks also to Ginney Folley for helping us too.
Late August 2008 was when he started competing first in a pre competition class, then Dartmoor Open show. He came 7th at his 1st show. He was so fast and ahead of me in G1 agility, and I was so surprised that it all went so well I screamed "Go on" in such a high voice he slid to a halt to look at me as he was about to take the last jump, which he then took sideways from a vertical takeoff! Such has been his agility career, I'm always holding him back, if only he could do it on his own.

From then he was always in the top 4 and by November had won out of Grade 1, then Grade 2 ( I couldn't hold him back) 2008 was great fun!

This year we decided to get experience in Grade 3 and travel a bit. Wow I didn't expect that - runner up Grade 2 dog of the year  in The Agility club tables (same points as winner, I forgot to put points in on time) and Supadarl Grade 3 winner, I think he understands those cues now! Oh that's why I got that dog!!
At home he is great to live with and loves people, if a little enthusiastic, and there is nothing better than walking on the beach or in the woods, although Chi might think agility, a ball game or running in water are better.
2009 was even more fun especially with all the people and dogs at Dartmoor, Devondogs, Cornwall, Leads and all the shows. Chi would also like to thank all the judges for letting him run around those courses, he loved it. Thanks to the judges carrying white sticks or leaving their glasses behind so we could win against all those really good dogs.
We were very lucky to find each other and we have had some great people helping us.