Bob Sharpe



Hannah and I began our Agility careers on the same day in 2001 Hannah with a very handsome black and white Border Collie, Josh, and I with a Blue Merle, Border Collie Skip. We had differing fortunes, Skip unmotivated but steady, won into Novice at his second show, Josh the complete opposite remained in Elementary during the 1 st year despite having amazing potential, as we were repeatedly told.

Despite the vastly different hurdles both of us faced, we had two things very much in common. Firstly we wanted to improve, secondly we did not know how to. There was another complication, I had acquired Flynn, a very headstrong highly motivated Red Merle Border Collie and fearing I would have similar problems Hannah had with Josh, sought inspiration and it came when Hannah produced a video “Great Dog Shame about the Handler” by Greg Derrett. I decided then that the only way forward was to follow the video doctrine. I took the video, not sure if Hannah ever got it back, rang Greg and commenced the 300+ round trip for training. The rest, as they say history.

I now run 3 dogs, Meg, a brown and white rescued Border Collie at G7, Flynn at G6 and Flynn's younger brother Moss, a brown tri Border Collie, now in his 1 st season as G3. Skip still competes with my wife Pauline.

These methods have brought success, and 2008 already brings a place at Crufts for Meg, an Olympia Semi Final for Maddy, and a Tuffstuff Final place for Moss. 2007 saw Hannah and I win the Laser Pairs K.O. Final, and another Olympia semi for Maddy, whilst Meg finished 3 rd in the Royal Canin Final with Flynn also placed,following from o Meg winning the Dog Agility Rescue League Final in 2006, and appearances and places in Pedigree Team, CSJ, Adams Derby, First Contact and Tuffstuff Finals.