On July 8th 2016, Miles earned his Agility Champion Title.
A month has passed since this happened! I can’t think of another time where I have waited so long to share such good news. I guess I have been in shock for an entire month. Now that it is for sure real, I can share and celebrate.
There are a few teams that I’ve been watching since I started competing in agility who I really look up to. Until that last pre-Champion Title run, I hadn’t realized that some of the people that I admire the most have been following me and Miles’ agility trajectory. When I walked off of the course, several competitors who I admire came up to me to congratulate us. I told them I’d wait until the results were posted before celebrating. They are more experienced than me, and they knew better. Miles had just gotten his ATCHC.
When we started agility classes, Miles loved the action and the game, but he wasn’t interested in food, toys, or me; which made channeling his excitement and skill seem like a completely impossible endeavor. Even though I know how hard we’ve worked to come this far, I still feel in disbelief.
Never do the same thing the same way twice
— Miles
Miles is never one to make agility a predictable sport for our team. No matter what, one thing has become clear: we are a team. I couldn’t imagine starting agility with anyone else. It is pure icing on the cake that Miles has earned this achievement in the process.
These photos show a breadcrumb trail of what went into Miles’ Agility Champion Title. Red and white ribbons are for Qs in four classes: Standard (following a set course of all obstacles), Jumpers (following a fast set course of just jumps and tunnels), Snooker (a game requiring intense handler focus and avoiding traps), and Gamblers (a game of speed and the dog’s ability to work with precision from great distances from handler). The solid red ribbons are for 1st in class runs. Colorful ribbons are for titles. And, lastly, one ribbon to rule them all!
Official Stats:
- Time from ADC to ATCHC: 2.65 years
- 2nd Welsh Terrier in 28 year history of AAC agility to achieve ATCHC
- Youngest Welsh Terrier to ever achieve ATCHC
Great job
Thank you Mary Ann!
Congratulations Miles! You earned it!
Thank you on Miles’ behalf Gail! He sure did!
Congratulations! That is impressive. He has to be one of the best trained Welsh Terriers ever! Our Welsh is the smartest dog we have ever had, but I think she is training us! I am happy for both of you. Go Miles.
Thank you Mike! I completely agree with you — Miles is the perfect Welsh Terrier training ambassador — because I can tell my students “see, Miles is this well trained, and he _______.” ? Keep in touch about your Welsh!
There are no appropriate words to explain how proud I am of both of you! Your patience, determination, and hard work have paid off, and you are such an inspiration for every Welshie owner, terrier owner, and dog owner!! WAY TO GO!!!!
Also, that is an impressive ribbon – it’s as big as Miles!!
Thank you Danielle, for your ongoing friendship and cheerleading! 😙
Way to go Miles! Our little Welshie, Bentley, admires you very much!
Aww thank you Sandy! Please keep in touch, I look forward to hearing more about little Bentley!
You are both superstars! I am so proud of you both!!
Thank you Mary Anne! You’ve been really encouraging of us and I appreciate your cheering on so much!! ❤️
Congratulations Emma and Miles! Truly impressive accomplishment for your team. My Welshies are bursting with pride for you, as am I. Emma, you have done an awe inspiring job of helping Miles reach this elite level of training.
Elise, thank you so much! Your note means the world to me, because I know for certain that you truly understand. Miles would be so honored if he knew… He’d surely tell your guys to go for the gold, and to of course be as wild about it as possible on the way… ? I’d love to hear more about your Welshies!!! Please stay in touch.
Congratulations Emma and Miles! Miles is a very lucky welsh to have you as a mom! I love reading your blog. Your photos and text are are so inspiring! Way to go! What an accomplishment! ?
Thank you sooo much Kim! I am really glad our ups and downs bring some joy to you. ? That means everything to me. And yes — Miles hasn’t always been a relaxing teammate… But he’s totally lucky and addictive! lol! Hugs sent your way!
Congratulations! This is such a Big Deal! Cheers to both of you!
Reggie bows to the master. Congratulations to you both! Miles brings us smiles….
Kelli, Miles bows right back! Viva La Welsh Terrier!?
Congratulations! Way to go! Great teamwork!
Awww thank you Anthea! <3
So proud of you and Miles!! what an amazing journey for an amazing team! I love watching you both work together and always with a smile.
You are our inspiration 🙂
Tanya I feel the same about you and Codi and Kayden! We run some pretty wild dogs, it is so nice to “compete against you” — aka have you there often before and after every run, ready to joke with me, blow off steam, and see the hard work and good in every aspect!!
Congratulations, Miles and Emma! I aspire to your level of communication, teamwork, and pure love for one another!! Cheers, Denise (Dallas, TX)
Thank you thank you Denise! 🙂