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handlers and their top-ranked dogs has been her great- est challenge in showing to date. “I have learned many grooming tips over the years from successful Aussie handlers, but it is still very hard to win against such well-known Aussies, being that I’m still a junior. Last year Teagan made it to the top 25 Aussies in the nation with me as the handler, and I am very proud of that.” As well she should be!
Lindsey lists Teagan’s stubbornness as one of his quali- ties she loves the most—outside the ring! “He is very devoted to me, and if anyone else tries to hold him while standing outside the ring, he starts barking con- stantly, especially if he sees me showing a different dog. Even my parents complain when I ask them to hold him—but I think it’s kind of funny, and I love it.
“Inside the ring, I have to say I love his movement. In the group ring, I always go right behind the German Shepherd because Teagan can really fly and keep up! Sometimes even the Shepherd goes too slow. I love run- ning around the ring with him at the end of the lead. I know he loves it too, because whenever judges make us go around one at a time, he can’t wait for his turn to go!”
Professional handler Kay Palade gets Lindsey’s nod as her greatest influence to date in her juniors’ career—Kay has given her the opportunity to show other breeds, including Standard Poodles, Boxers, or Chinese Cresteds, and also helped with handling and grooming hints for all sorts of breeds, including Aussies. “Without her I wouldn’t have as much knowledge as I do about what it takes to be a handler,” says Lindsey. She also credits Julie Wiseman of Skyecove Aussies, Lisa Cameron Bell of Touchstone Aussies, and Janice Brough of Otter Creek Kennels as having been tremendous influences through the fabulous dogs they have provided her. “Even though I have reached out to other breeds, Aussies are where I started and they are where my heart is.”
At some point Lindsey very much wants to finish a dog out of the Bred By class. (Teagan has sired a litter, but the canine head count at home was too high to permit another addition.) She is confident that breed- ing will be a part of her future. “I already know the standard inside and out, so that way I can not only be a decent breeder but also pursue my dream of becoming a judge.”
The proudest achievement of her juniors’ career is winning second place in the Junior Showmanship com- petition at Westminster: “In 2006, I qualified for and competed at the Garden with Teagan, and we made it all the way to second place out of almost 200 other juniors who competed. I was so proud of Teagan, and I am still, as you can see, bragging about it today!”
Does she think she’ll continue to train and show dogs as an adult? “I am positive that I will continue to be involved with show dogs as an adult. In college I may slow down a little, but I’ll definitely continue showing, breeding, training, and judging dogs as an adult. I also know for a fact that I will always have an Aussie liv- ing with me. If the college dorms accepted dogs, then Teagan would be riding up with me when I drive to the
32 The Australian Shepherd Journal November/December 2009
University of Central Florida in the fall.”
Tom Eldredge
Tom, a high school junior, turns 17 in November. He especially enjoys math and science, but finds time for soccer, martial arts, and serving as a Low Brass Section Leader in marching band...in addition to his Aussie activities, of course.
Those are centered around Baloo (Beauwood Bear Necessity CD HT RA CGC TDI NJP NAP NAJ NF NFP), his seven-year-old trial dog. Tom says Baloo is “just like me. He has two different colored eyes, he toes out, has minor stomach problems, and is absolutely full of energy. He’s great for agility (I just don’t have time to train him with all of my school work). He loves playing Frisbee and just getting out to run, and we tried freestyle at one point. He doesn’t like being groomed up all that much and isn’t the greatest fan of junior showman- ship.”
Tom loves the weird looks Baloo will give him. “If he’s been playing in the pool or out playing with toys, he will come back and give you the weirdest but funniest grin that you could ever imagine.” He also enjoys “the fact that he’s always there, and his outgoing personality just cheers you up even if you are upset or frustrated.”
On the downside, Tom says that finding enough time in his busy schedule to train is a major challenge. “I really need to make more time, because he’s a great dog, and he could go very far in agility and performance events.” Tom’s goals for Baloo are focused mainly on agility. “He’s a great dog, very fast, and with some train- ing we could easily get our MXJ, and I would like to get our MX, but that may require some glue to keep his feet on the contacts. For some reason, he just doesn’t seem to like them.”
Tom’s proudest moment to date came not in agility but obedience: “Getting my CD was probably my great- est achievement. Baloo doesn’t have the longest atten- tion span, and he gets a little bored with obedience, I think. He pulled it off, though, and now we are hope- fully going to work on our CDX at some point.”
When asked about his greatest influence in his juniors’ career, Tom is quick to agree with his sister. “My mom has to get this one. She’s the one who forces me to do the junior forms at events, and she is the one who gets Baloo and me there, and helps give me tips and hints on how to do better.”
Tom says he’s into dogs for the long haul. “I think I will probably just stay with agility and obedience, but I definitely plan to keep dogs and train them in the future.”