THE BALDER TROPHY

 

Back in the 80’s (Agility Dog) Club member Henk Plancke owned a Bouvier des Flandres, Balder Van Het Lage Land UD AD,  who was very successful – he was also the first AD dog in Australia.  In 1986 a new competition commenced – the “Lucky Dog Agility Competition” – and Balder won it four years in a row, from 1986 to 1989 inclusive. Balder then retired and to commemorate his prowess in agility the ADC decided to present a trophy in his name to the winner of the heats.  Henk, when informed of this, asked if he could design and donate the trophy, to which we agreed. The result is a very attractive A-frame shaped trophy.

In 1993 and 1994 there was no Lucky Dog Competition. Friskies had pulled out of sponsorship and the RNSWCC Agility Committee at the time did not persevere with a competition of any sort.  The new Agility Committee elected in 1994 resurrected the agility competition under the new name of “The Agility Dog of the Year” and the Balder Trophy was again awarded to the winner of the heats.

Winners to date:

1990 - Arthur Crossley’s Border Collie, Ch Amberlock Flash Jack CDX AD

1991 - Henk Plancke’s Belgian Shepherd Tervueren, Aisance Jan Breidel CDX AD

1992 - Clay Mooney’s Border Collie, Garsdale Black Prince CDX AD

1995 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADM JDX

1996 - Judith Barlow’s X-bred, Toffee CDX AD

1997 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADX JDX

1998 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADM JDX

1999 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADM JDX

2000 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADM JDX

2001 - Pat Walsh’s Keeshond X, Annika UD ADM JDX

2002 - Keith Edwards’ German Shorthaired Pointer,
            Brenilly Wild Wind ADM5 ADO JDM3 JDO2 SDX GDX SPDX

2003 - Le Hammer’s German Shorthaired Pointer,
            AG Ch Brenilly Winona Ryder ADM6 ADO5 JDM8 JDO6 SDM GDM SPDX

2004 - Allan Schmidt’s Border Collie, Henry ADM JDM ADO JDO SDX GDM SPDX ET

2005 - Robyn Taylor’s Kelpie X, AG Ch Tamewynette ADM JDM GD

2006 - David Paul's border collie cross AG Ch Taylor-T ADM JDM SPD

2007 - a 3 way tie

            Le Hammer’s German Shorthaired Pointer,
            AG Ch Brenilly Winona Ryder ADM5 ADO5 JDM8 JDO6 SDM GDM SPDX

            Ronnie Shawyer's associate border collie
            Jak AFCh ADM JDM ADO JDO SD GDX SPDX

            Lyn and Geoff Jackson's Schnauzer
            Donnerkeil Dr Feelgood CDX ADM JDM JDO ADO SD GD SPD

2008 - Greg Collins' associate coolie,
            Ag Ch Kelly ADM JDM ADO JDO10 GD SD SPD

The winner is presented with the Balder Trophy at the Festival of Agility and has it for the whole year, but also receives a replica to keep forever to commemorate a fabulous achievement in their dog’s career.

 

On the left: Brenilly Wild Wind
On the right: Brenilly Winona Ryder

Judith

Barlow and

"Toffee"

Pat Walsh with Annika UD ADM JDX

And just a few photos of the later winners

If some-one has photos of some of these dogs, please try to send them to me. I would like to complete this collection

Allan Schmidt's Border Collie

HENRY

(photos taken 2007)
 

 

Robyn Taylor's
Coolie

Tammywynette

 

Ronnie Shawyer's
Associate border Collie

Jak

The 3-way winners of 2007 toasting their success from left to right
Lyn Jackson and Donnerdeil Dr Feelgood
Le Hammer and Rabbit
Ronnie Shawyer and Jak

Greg Collins'
Coolie

Kelly