Scottish teams take on ‘Bogey’s best flyballers

An International Flyball match was held on Saturday at Ballybogey Flyball Club which is based at Pets Paradise Boarding Kennels.
Ballybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14sBallybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14s
Ballybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14s

The Ballbogey Teams are trained by Noeleen Morris, who organised the competition. The visiting teams were from Aberdeen and Lomond in Scotland.

“Flyball is a fast and exciting sport for both dogs and owners, “ Noeleen said. “It is essentially a team relay race and consists of teams of four dogs competing against each other, side by side, on two separate racing lanes.

“Each racing lane has four jumps and a flyball box at the far end. The four dogs race one at a time, in relay fashion down the lane. Each dog must jump over the four jumps, trigger the box with their paws which releases a ball for them to catch. Carrying the ball, the dog returns over the jumps to the finish line. 

Ballybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14sBallybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14s
Ballybogey Open Flyball Team. From left to right: Andrew McCrory with Nutmeg, Alan Pendlebury with Finn, Andrew Wardlaw with Trooper, Foster Gawdy with Dexter and Cathy Adams with Jessie. inbm37-14s

“The team’s time begins when the first dog crosses the start line and ends when the last dog crosses the finish line. The aim is a clear round – all dogs completing the jumps – in the fastest time.

“The sport of Flyball is good exercise for dogs and is open to any type and size of dog. There are different categories of races which are inclusive of all dogs from beginners to the more experienced.

“The Ballybogey team did well managing some clear rounds in the “Open” and came 5th overall. The starters, less experienced dogs, came second and third in their competitions.”

The whole event was a great success and enjoyed by dogs and owners alike and has now becoming an annual event.

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