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038-066 Shortcuts_SU05 Carmel Magazine 4/22/13 2:58 PM Page 7 SHORTCUTS EVENT Photo: Southard Photography Canine Heptathlon Features Four-Legged Stars The Del Monte Kennel Club hosts its fun, annual Dog Agility Trials at Toro Park in June. Sirius, a Golden Retriever owned and trained by Carmel Valley's Suzi Bluford, joyfully clears one of the obstacles on an agility course. our-legged sprinting? Check. Barking through the tunnel? Check. High mixed breeds—navigating an obstacle course with a handler. Certain ath- legged athletes but to spectators, the Del Monte Kennel Club Agility Trials weaving through close-set poles, running through canvas tunnels and climb- F jump in a fur coat? Check. The equipment may be modified for four- look very much like doggie Olympics. The two-day competition, held at Toro Park near Salinas on June 1 and 2, has been a popular event for dogs and owners for at least ten years. The show is co-chaired by Suzi Bluford, a local trainer who competes with her Golden Retrievers and was recently nominated for a Lifetime Achievement letic breeds, such as Border Collies, excel. Tasks include jumping over bars, ing over teeter-totters and ramps. It's quick-paced and fun to watch, since winning is based on the fastest run over the course. Points are deducted for refusing to do an obstacle or for jumping out of order in the course's design. The Del Monte Kennel Club started in 1924. It hosts a popular All Breed award by the American Kennel Club (AKC). She also offers classes in show in July, once the eighth largest dog show in the U.S. (1,555 dogs "I got interested after watching Crufts in England [a national dog show]," dience class teacher Pluis Davern, was named 2011 Trainer of the Year and Carmel, and works with therapy dogs at Community Hospital. she says. Her retriever Allie qualified for the U.S. National Agility Trial four years running. "Agility is a wonderful sport to watch, and it's great for communication between dog and owner," says Bluford. 48 An agility trial generally consists of AKC-registered dogs of all sizes—plus C ARMEL MAGAZINE•SPRING/SUMMER 2013 entered in 1960). One of its longtime members and judges, Monterey obeAKC Breeder of the Year. With its world-class events and members, the club makes the Monterey Peninsula a dog mecca. For more canine events and other information, visit www.dmkc.org. —Catrina Coyle