Winners of the URC Inter-Area Finals - Left to right: Alan Ward, Sarah Gadd, Sharon Dingle and Tom Lowe. One of the main aims of the URC Inter-Area Finals is to have not just a group of handlers working together in a test environment but to have a winning team. All of the teams at the event were enthusiastic and eager to do well. They realised the importance of teamwork and understood that the preparation leading up to the event was vital for them to be recognised as a successful team. Each competitor knew that the tests were set up to challenge their teamwork. The URC Essex Team were delighted with their 1st place and winners of the Anglia Cup. Team member, Alan Ward enjoyed the challenge. “The tests were excellent, very imaginative and challenging. They were set up to make us work together as a team….encouraged us to think as a team which is what it’s all about.”
Test 4 judged by Robert Atkinson. For some, it was the first time the team had competed together and the ability to handle pressure successfully was tested throughout the day. Judge Robert Atkinson was delighted with the structure of the day. “The tests looked simple but its not how it seems. Test 4 is mixed terrain with water and rushes. The experienced dogs can manage it but some were finding the rushes a challenge.” At the end of the test day Robert was able to reflect on the day and offer some feedback. “Team challenges can cause problems due to the pressure. I’ve seen some competitors today blow their whistle unnecessarily. If they let the dog go a few more yards the dog would probably do it without them handling but they are so worried about letting the team down they try to correct the situation before it goes wrong.”
URC Northern are consistent with their team work as they head into the final test of the day. The Northern URC came a close 2nd place and they believed consistency as a team helped to achieve success. Team member Ros Mcllroy was pleased with her dog’s performance and laughed as she described her lead up to the event. “We arrived yesterday and stayed in a B & B by the sea which probably wasn’t suitable for our needs. We had no where to exercise the dogs and we had drum and bass music playing all night in the street. Our host was unable to provide us with breakfast due to the kids being up for most of the night. It’s a B & B we won’t forget but not for the right reasons!” The unexpected all night rave encounter only strengthened their light hearted team banter. Consistency thrived amongst them as they completed each test and enjoyed the challenges of the varied ground.
URC Team Hants & South West successfully retrieved all 3 blinds across the river. As the day progressed many of the teams found the duck drive across the river to be a challenging test. Several shots were fired, dummies thrown on a rope from either side of the river, ducks calling and further shots fired. There were many distractions for the dogs and the teams were asked to retrieve 3 blinds over the river. They could be picked in any order with any dog. There was no doubt the main challenge was the river as it was in full flood so the team had to work together to achieve success. Those who failed the test understood that the building blocks of a successful team in and out of the working test arena are the errors, setbacks and rejections. Failure is essential to obtain the feedback and learn from the mistakes. Understanding where it went wrong and working together as a team is what we all have to do to obtain success.
More stories to follow on the URC Inter-Area Finals…
More stories to follow on the URC Inter-Area Finals…
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