October 2024
Scent Work Trial
With apologies to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Pikes Peak Agility Club did go sniffing on the prairie in October. We were joined by many happy dogs and their handlers who wanted to enjoy some scent work fun.
A Little Scent Work Trial on the Prairie
Our scent work trial was held in a new location – on the prairie. This 40-acre location with three buildings was offered by Colton Johnson (thank you Colton!) of Under the Sun. However, it did take our volunteers, along with Colton and his assistant, some time to get it ready for teams to sniff their hearts out. Over the course of more than 150 person-hours the site was mowed, buildings cleaned, and a parking lot created for at least 35 vehicles.
Even with a few detours made to locate the exact entrance, there was a lot of excitement and camaraderie
among the handlers. The dogs appreciated all the smells!Not just the hides that were set for the trial, but all the wonderful aromas of the prairie! And the weather was perfect – warm and sunny on Saturday and cool, windy and sunny on Sunday. Gave us all a chance to practice searching in warm spots, cold spots, and very windy spots!
The trial was quite successful and the beautiful PPAC rosettes were much appreciated. Quite a lot of qualifying and new title ribbons and rosettes were awarded and many teams left the trial with at least a few. At this trial we offered Novice, Advanced, Excellent, and Master levels. We had several handlers suggest that we also offer the Handler Discrimination element and the Detective Class, where space allows, in the future.
We are very thankful for our great trial chair, Katherine Shogren; wonderful judges, Denise McClure and Andrea Wojciechowski; and fabulous secretary, Donette Belknap, who had the results posted in record time. We are especially appreciative of all the volunteers, including those who stepped up to help at the last minute . . . we cannot run a scent work trial without them!
Stay tuned for more information regarding the next PPAC scent work trial in June 2025. We are looking forward to it and hope that you will join us!
