Accomplishments

Blazer – Border Collie Born 09/09/2009

Blazer earned two Grand Champion Titles (MACH 1 & 2). This year, Blazer (9 years old) proudly retired from the AKC agility trial competitions. While many people had given up on this dog, I never did. He has been an amazing sport partner to me, a teacher and a best friend. Without a disciplined setting and an outlet for his high energy needs and intellectual development (Border Collies are very smart dogs), Blazer would probably have been constantly re-homed or ended up at a kill shelter. But with consistency, proper training and love, Blazer went on becoming a champion!

During his agility trial career as a 20-inch dog (including 24″ and 26″), the following are his accomplishments:
(Note: Often competing against more than 100 dogs per class)

  • 56 – 1st place blue ribbons
  • 40 – 2nd places red ribbons
  • 28 – 3rd place white ribbons
  • 17 – 4th place yellow ribbons
  • Qualified in over 100 Q in both Master JWW & STD runs. (Master Gold).
  • Performed outstandingly well in Premiere JWW & STD runs.

Blazer (MACH 2 SPURBAR Blazer MXS MJS NAP NJP MXF)

  • Agility Master Fast Excellent 04/21/2013
  • Master Bronze Agility 2014
  • Master Bronze Jumper 2014
  • Master Silver Agility 2016
  • Master Silver Jumper 2017
  • Master Gold Jumper 2018
  • Master Gold Agility 2018

Blazer was an under socialized 6 months-old black and white Border Collie puppy when he arrived into our family.  Born on a farm in Michigan and mostly raised in a horse stall, when he came to us, as loving as he was to us, he was a big social mess.  He was reactive to dogs, people, cars, motion, excitement etc. But with consistent obedience training, he became an amazing athlete and excelled in Agility.  To help him overcome his issues, first trained at home, then outside of his home, then in the condo complex playground area, and finally downtown Princeton. That took about 6 months.  Exposed to various distractions and with a strong obedience training background, I could finally take him to basic obedience classes where he could focus on me in a setting of many other dogs around him.  After one year of consistent obedience training, we finally moved on to agility, where again Blazer had to learn to behave and focus in a very exciting sport arena setting with hundreds of dogs around him all day long.  Many failures led to successes, and both him and I (owner/trainer) ran our way in agility to the AKC Agility Nationals, Westminster AKC agility competition and even to the AKC World Team Tryouts in 2015, along with his sister Spice (Sheltie) and her 13 years old trainer (My daughter).  He earned 2 Grand Champion Titles (MACH 1 & 2).   This year, Blazer (9 years old) proudly retired from the AKC agility trial competitions.  While many people had given up on this dog, I never did.  He has been an amazing sport partner to me, a teacher and a best friend.  Without a disciplined setting and an outlet for his high energy needs and intellectual development (Border Collies are very smart dogs), Blazer would probably have been constantly re-homed or ended up at a kill shelter.  But with consistency, proper training and love, Blazer went on becoming a champion! Together, agility was fun, challenging and rewarding!

MACH 1 /20 Double Qs in STD & JWW Master Courses
Grand Champion Agility Title 2016

MACH 2 /20 Double Qs in STD & JWW Master Courses
Grand Champion Agility Title 2018

With Daughter
Spice – Foxcroft Pineland Everything Nice (MX MXB MXJ MJB) 07/17/2016

Ran by daughter, Spice (Sheltie/16-Inch) was sadly retired as she just turned 6 years old (fall 2017), due to a sudden health condition. The two were an amazing team! They both ran at the 2016 World Team Tryouts, were asked to attend the 2018 Youth European AKC Trials, and had qualified for the nationals and the Open European tryouts. Ayaka and Spice earned MACH 1 (05/2017) and overall earned:

  • 33 – 1st place blue ribbons
  • 21 – 2nd places red ribbons
  • 12 – 3rd place white ribbons
  • 09 – 4th place yellow ribbons
  • Master Bronze in in both Master JWW & STD runs
  • Performed outstandingly well in Premiere JWW & STD runs

  • MACH 1 05/07/2017
  • Master Excellent Jumper 02/21/2016
  • Master Agility Excellent
  • Master Bronze Jumper 07/17/2016
  • Master Bronze Agility 04/01/2017
  • Regrettably Retired Due to Health/Eye Sight Issues (02/2018)

MACH 1 /20 Double Qs in STD & JWW Master Courses
Grand Champion Agility Title 2017

AKC Agility World Team Try-Outs 2015