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"Team Keona" places in NADAC dog trials

Any dog can compete in a North American Dog Agility Council trial, but it takes a special team of canine and handler to come home with a winning ribbon.

15-year-old Karen Ulmer and her four-year-old Shetland sheepdog, Keona, are proving to be just such a pair. Last weekend, they earned their third High in Trial award at the North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC) dog trial in Red Lodge, MT.

"High in Trial" awards represent the total points earned during the three days of the event, at which each dog may run up to a total of 20 times. They come in different categories, depending on the hosting club, such as open class or non-herding dog.

The first category in which "Team Keona" earned a High in Trial was "intro class" in May, 2021, followed by "junior handler" in June, 2021 and again in Red Lodge.

The duo has been competing since Keona was a year old, when they joined the Crook County 4H Dog Program. They learned foundation skills and developed an interest in the dog sports.

Combined with the fact that Karen's aunt competed in NADAC championships and it's no surprise Karen was interested in joining herself.

She continued to learn and train in the 4H program with coach Laurie Schwabauer, learning all about owning and caring for a dog and practicing skills including obedience, showmanship, conformation and agility. She practiced her skills further at the dog show during fair week.

"In NADAC, any breed, age or skill level of dogs can compete. There are different classes for a team's skill level," explains mom Kristi.

"The sport has many different events, regular agility courses, jumpers, chances, tunnelers, grounders, touching go, weavers, gamblers."

The events are designed to test the skills of the dog and human as a team. To advance, the dog is given two chances to run a course and must do so within the time limit and without making any mistakes.

Each successful qualifying run gives the team points towards titles and placements.

Karen and Keona also recently earned their 1000-point medal, representing 100 clean qualifying runs during NADAC events.

"'Team Keona' will continue to compete and work towards their goals," says Kristi. This year, those goals include earning qualifying scores at the fair to earn a spot at the Wyoming State Fair dog show.