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Dog, trainer vying for title in Eukanuba championships |
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Monday, 03 December 2007 |
 Barbara Nolan (r) and her Australian cattle dog, Ch Danbar’s Lone Ranger, proudly accept their championship win in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class at the Cascade Australian Cattledog Specialty in Washington in September. The win led to Nolan being invited to the prestigious AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, being held this weekend in Long Beach. Photo submitted By Darcy Ellis
Editor 12-1-2007
It’s not everyday a dream is given the chance to come true in front of an international audience of millions, but that is precisely the opportunity being granted Chalfant Valley resident Barbara Nolan today as she joins the upper echelons of dog trainers across the world.
Nolan and her Australian cattledog, Ch Danbar’s Lone Ranger, are competing this weekend in the invitation-only AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach. The pair will face off against not only the top dogs and handlers in the U.S., but also some of the finest dog show competitors in the world. More than $225,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded during the two-day event, tagged as the largest prize money dog show on the planet.
Nolan will be showing Ranger in two categories, Best of Breed and Best Bred-by-Exhibitor
According to Nolan, she qualified for the world-class show by completing an AKC championship in the Bred-by-Exhibitor class at the Cascade Australian Cattledog Speciality in Washington, where Ranger finished with a five-point major in September.
Being invited to the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship was a thrilling follow-up to that early-autumn victory.
“This is a huge show, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Nolan said a few days prior to departing for Long Beach. “A goal I’ve had is to get invited to Eukanuba.”
Nolan credits many factors for reaching this step in the show circuit, not the least of which is Ranger, whom she bred, raised, trained and handled.
“He is a very handsome, clear red, speckled boy born in January of 2006,” she said. “He’s a very charismatic fellow that loves to be on the go every moment he can. One of his favorite things is to stand on his head and just be cute.”
While Ranger’s stunning looks and spirited personality have given Nolan an edge in competition, his excellent health and superior training and handling are of course major factors in his success as well.
In addition to training Ranger for the show ring herself, Nolan attended Angie Tapley’s Atta Boy dog obedience courses with her young champion to fine-tune her handling skills. Cheyenne McAffee, who is now co-owner of Ranger, was also responsible for helping get Ranger “in such great condition” for competition, Nolan explained, thanking both of the women for their support and assistance.
Then there is Ranger’s pedigree, which is nothing to bark at, so to speak.
“All my dogs are champions,” said Nolan, who has been raising breeding dogs for the past eight years. “They come from champion-bred dogs.”
Ranger’s mother, Kelly, earned Nolan an invitation to the dog show of all dog shows, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, three years ago. Financial circumstances prevented Nolan from attending.
Kelly’s mother, Hannah, was Nolan’s first show dog, and the one who inspired her to continue pursuing competition. “I’ve always loved animals,” Nolan explained, but when Hannah won her first AKC show in Southern California, “I was hooked.”
The invitation from Eukanuba is an affirmation for Nolan that her instincts have been right these past eight years.
“It’s like a pat on the back from the AKC,” she said, like being told “I’ve done such a good job raising these animals.”
Nolan will have a chance to prove that this weekend when she and Ranger step into the ring.
According to Nolan, she and the other competitors in her classes will walk their dogs into the ring, “stack” or line them up while the judge looks them over and then walk them around the arena to show their canines in action. The process will be repeated once more before handlers will be asked to “present” their animals to the judges so that they can analyze the dogs’ expression.
A winner will then be announced.
Surprisingly, Nolan and Ranger’s schedule hasn’t been too rigorous in preparation for the show.
“I only train for the show ring a couple times a week, 10 minutes at a time,” she explained, because “cattle dogs get bored very quickly.” It’s important that Ranger doesn’t tire of his exercises or tune out his instructions prior to a competition.
Nolan is hopeful for another fine performance, and is just honored to be a part of the championship.
“To be invited to the Eukanuba shows this year is such an honor for me and quite a thrill,” she said. “I would like to thank all the folks in town who have seen me and my dogs in training and have taken the time for a pet or encouraging word to my dogs.”
Folks at home can see Nolan and Ranger’s performance for themselves when the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship airs on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Feb. 2. Check local listings for air times.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 January 2008 )
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