.:| Thank you

2010 AB/NWT Regionals – a special thank-you

On behalf of the 2010 AB/NWT Regionals Committee, I would like to say a few words in closing. Things wrapped up rather quickly on Sunday in order to get everyone back on the road in good time so I did not say everything I needed to. For anyone that knows what goes into these events, it’s the efforts and kindness of so many that makes it all happen.

I must start the thank-yous with a very key person that I missed on Sunday. I acknowledged her at the banquet, but of course she was not there to hear it and the round of applause as she was still working on the results from Day One. That person is Sandy Busse – our scorekeeper and trial secretary. You had a daunting and amazing task and during a very busy time for you personally. I really appreciated all of your work that you have done (and are still doing). I can’t express my gratitude enough. Sandy, your efforts were always 110% committed. I also want to thank your husband Doug and other family members that you had helping you. It was a ton of work and you always do the best job with the utmost care and attention.

In other thanks, the County of Strathcona took a chance on us as with a big event from a largely unknown sport for them. The feedback from them was very positive so thank-you you to all competitors for keeping the area clean and tidy. It was a beautiful setting and we really enjoyed being able to bring the sport of agility to an active urban area with lots of spectators.

We had numerous sponsors and vendors which really helped us have the event in this location while keeping the entry fees comparable to previous years. Their generosity is greatly appreciated and I hope you all have a chance to support them with your business. Our service providers including our on site vets (Drs. Kim Robinson and Joel Torkelson from Granada Veterinary Clinic Ltd) and chiropractor (Dr. Jennifer Webster) were fantastic. Sadly you did end up seeing a few competitors, but I know they appreciated your thoroughness and care. To our photographer, Van Tsiclas, we were glad you were able to come on short notice. We are all looking forward to seeing your beautiful shots and appreciated the professional and non-intrusive manner you had at ringside. Thank-you to Robynn Oshanyk, our event planner, for all of your help. Your presence this weekend enabled many little details to be taken care and issues handled while our committee members ran their own dogs. We all appreciated your efforts.

To our judges – Barry Beckner, France Jackson, and Patti Wilson, you did an amazing job. Your sense of humour, professionalism and commitment to the safety of our dogs and integrity of the competition was outstanding. Susi Gatringer and Jen Scheidt coordinated the judges before and during the event. I know they appreciated your kindness and attention to their needs. This really allowed them to focus on their very important job.

We had an amazing volunteer crew this weekend, as over 85 people gave up their weekend to help us run this event. To all of the competitors and sponsors who contributed to the volunteer prizes, we had enough items donated to give every volunteer a token of our appreciation – I was truly moved by your generosity. A special thanks to Sandi Maday and Karen Fallowfield for doing such a great job scheduling the volunteer crew. To the volunteers, your sunny dispositions and energy was as bright as your yellow shirts and you really made the event flow, stay on time and made it pleasant for all of our competitors. Our ring crews worked tirelessly in the hot sun all weekend – thank-you again. I also want to sincerely thank Erick Shiltz our scribe runner. You looked like you had a great time and had an amazing amount of energy all weekend (I am sure the chocolate taco help Sunday afternoon too ?). Mark Eckley, you gave up a father’s day weekend with your family and looking after your own dog to ensure every ring was built and operating all weekend long; I can’t thank you enough for that. Matt Bonner as our timer coordinator and trouble shooter, thank-you so much as you were also running Maybe all weekend. Christina Sanders designed and maintained a lovely website for us and made it easy to get all the info to all competitors. Thank-you again to all of you for your help.

We are also very grateful to the numerous donors to the raffle and special competitor awards. You helped keep the event fun and sentimental. I hope we can continue this as a new tradition borrowed from SK/MB.

As I mentioned in the opening and at the banquet, this event was a joint effort from local clubs and committee members from Dogs at Large (myself, Sue Charlton, Jennifer McCaffrey, Sandi Maday), OC Agility (Gerri Quinn-Kucy), PACE (Katrina Cameron), See Spot Run (Anneli Hilton), Sherwood Barks (Jen Scheidt), and Spectrum Speed Dogsport (Seanna O’Neill). More than just bringing equipment, each one of these members contributed to the organization, planning, and details of this event from the beautiful clothing and logos, a fast paced steeplechase event, ensuring we had ribbons and trophies, organizing the banquet and raffle, volunteers, and other details as needed. Both Gerri Quinn-Kucy and Seanna O'Neill brought their experience with previous regionals to the table which was always valued. Anneli, as co-chair, you enabled my planning processes for this event by taking care of many logistics during the day while I had to juggle this against a demanding job. I think we all made a great team and can’t thank-you enough. These events are always busy, and I can honestly say despite how tired I am right now I had so much fun this weekend. To my husband Jay and my son Evan and (his grandparents who watched him all weekend), I could not have been a part of this without your support.

Sorry this is going a little long, but in closing I want to thank all the competitors for coming and playing all weekend with your dogs. We had six very challenging courses, and that means our team AB/NWT is as high calibre as you can get. Congratulations to all competitors irrespective of the results. I was very proud of team AB/NWT this weekend with your sportsmanship and respect for each other and your dogs.

Sincerely,
Cheryl Baraniecki
Co-chair, 2010 AB/NWT Regionals

2010 AB/NWT Regionals Committee