October/November-neglected blog month

Many people have commented on my neglected blog lately. I have no excuse.
As the weather turns colder I will get motivated to make some posts.
I have moved two of my dogs to Owen Sound so that they can run this year.
They are enjoying there time up North with Mark. I am enjoying their training sessions on Facebook.
My Sasha who turned 10 this year has a new kennel mate and they are such good friends. Lily has come to us from Bob and Kathy and we love her. I was luck enough to race Lily acouple of seasons at Kortright so I was happy to get her.She is so funny and makes us laugh everyday. They are not training to race this year as they are retired and they are learning to walk without dragging are arms out (work in progress-may never ever happen). I hope to get the two of them to take Natalie to and from school this year by sled when the snow finally arrives. This will please them both and Natalie of course.We tried it last year with the pups but they just wanted to run on the road and there just too many cars in Burlington to pull this off. Sasha and Lily have been walking to the school so they should know the route(return it should be two miles so a little fun for them).

The Kortright race is planned for February 4/5 2012. It is the same weekend as Marmora but most of the Siberian Sprint racers don't usually go to Marmora anyways. I am disappointed I had to have it on the same date but the it was sceduled as the same date as Cannington this year. Many of the siberian racers go to Cannington so them the breaks! I will give more Kortright information into December and January.

SASHA 10 years old.

WOW, time flies when your having fun!!!
My Sasha turned ten today. Great times we've had.
Racing Haliburton, Wasaga Beach, Shadow Lake and of course The Kortright Centre.
She has run with many different dogs over the years. Even running on her own when she got loose and ended up in Bolton. Training and Racing with Kelly one winter.
The old days running lead with Tyler at Heart Lake Rd. in Brampton on the Trans Canada Trail. This year running with Renata's Ronan in Waterdown and at the Kortright Centre. Oh yeah running loose again with Geronimo on the first loop at Kortright. I managed to catch Cochise but the other two took off and ran around the first loop. Good thing there was a very clear trail and they ran right back at me. Between Matthew, Natalie and I we were able to grab them and put then back into the van. Matthew and Natalie in tears were sure they were gone but I was postitive they would come back to us (my inner voice was saying "there gone").
Happy Birthday Sasha ya old girl.

SHCC Newsletter for March 2011 -incorrect!!

The SHCC's Newsletter posted the times for the SHCC Southern/Central Ontario 3-4 dog Championships in-correctly. The Correct times have been submitted to sleddogcentral.com and two posts below this post.
These times on my blog are correct as per the timer Daryl Schuler.
If you have any questions regarding the times posted on the Newsletter please contact me at dogsleddn@hotmail.com.

Looks like the racing season in Southern-Central Ontario has come to an end with all this rain we have been getting.I have been watching the Iditarod and following the updates on iditarod.com
Looks like a tough race just got tougher for my friend Lance Mackey as he only has 10dogs left with half the race left. Martin Buser has the lead and is looking strong and he is hard to beat with the lead and the course record.

I hope to get to the ckc dog show this weekend at the International Centre.
The best day looks like Saturday for siberian's with the booster on but it looks like Sunday for me with kids events already planned. I haven't been in a while and it makes me think of my Tyler and the travelling around I did to get his Champion (CH) show title. It was a little more fun for me personally to get his Sled dog championship (SD). Ch Senoki's Pale Rider(Tyler)SD. Anyways I'll be there Sunday and the sibes go into the ring around 1:30 with 11 dogs

Yukon Quest finishes and Iditarod ready to start 2011.

Congrads to Mike Ellis as the top siberian team at the Yukon Quest.
Congrads to Hank DeBruin from Winterdance,Haliburton,Ontario for finishing in Thirteen place and winning the red lantern.
I guess I should mention this years Champion and rookie racer Dallas Seavey. Wow!!!!
25 teams enter and 13 teams finish what a tough trail.

The Iditarod to start March 5th. A big race for our friend Lance as he has a chance for 5 wins in a row. Everyone will be gunning for him but it's hard to vote against him with his great conditioned dog team and four back to back to back to back wins.
I wish everyone a save race and I look forward to following it on www.iditarod.com.

Go Lance Go!!!I know I posted this picture of Lance and I before but...I do it because I can...

They say there is a Race in Cannington this weekend but I find it hard to believe.
If they build it they will come goes the saying. I am watching the website and Facebook for any updates. Looks like 4 miles of snow is still available to race on at this time. A few more days to go....

2011 Kortright/SHCC S/C Ontario 3-4 Dog championship

Well, great weather and a great race at The Kortright Centre.
The trail managed to hang in there and everyone had a ball.
There was over 1300 spectators that enjoyed the race over the two days.
Rides provided by windrift kennels all weekend(more on them on my link).
The Kortright Centre provided an excellent lunch both days for mushers and handlers in the Deer room. A nice time to talk with each other and spend some time with old friends.
Nutro Products provided another excellent startline that was loud and clear on the Sunday night news on CTV if you had a chance to see it. They profiled many of our racers and a real nice interview with Walter Grohman explaining actually how much siberian racers love their dogs...it's true Mary!!
Everyone has emailed me,called me and facebooked me with great reviews. I spoke with Lynn via email Saturday evening and I was happy to report that Barry had just bruised his ribs and will have to take it easy for a little while.
I was so disappointed that I was so ill for my event but I had to go home as soon as I could. Thanks to Peter F. for Marshalling-a great job once again. Daryl S. for timing. Terry Baird and everyone else helped racers get to the line.
It was also great to see Jim Cunningham at the race who has been to many races across the country and emailed me what a great race I have here!!!
Thanks to Linda and her crew for totally taking over and handing out prizes Sunday.
A personal thank you to Bob and Kathy Kilbreath for keeping me racing through all my work. Especially Kathy on Sunday for making us look so good!!!!!8th to 3rd "thank god for a sick drivers"...
Congrads to Laurel Turanski-3 and 4 dog S/C Ontario Champion
4 dog results------------------------3 dog results

1)Laurel Turanski 26:48 ---------------1)Laurel Turanski- 25:51
2)Michelle Redstone 28:21--------------2)Colleen Heibein-29:26
3)Marlyn Graf 28:29 -------------------3)Kathy Kilbreath-Joel Jamieson- 33:59
4)Walter Grohman 33:07 ----------------4)Dave Barron-35:06
5)Janet Cooper 43:07 -----------------5)Janet Cooper-35:20
6)Ralph Schade 45:02 ------------------6)Mark Clements-36:15
Scratch-Renata Sauder(one day only)----7)Renata Sauder-37:36
Scratch-Steve Shilleto(one day only)---8)Ralph Schade -42:49
scratch-Cindy(one day only)------------9)Pat Pitcher-43:28
--------------------------------------10)Mark Barbeau-47:35
--------------------------------------11)Abby Fallis-48:17
--------------------------------------12)Vickey Hailey-65:54
-----------------------------------------scratch Barry Cull-(one day)
-----------------------------------------scratch Igor Dragoslavic-(one day)
-----------------------------------------scratch Steve Shilleto-(one day)
-----------------------------------------scratch Cindy-(one day)
(Sorry I tried very hard to make it straight but it just didn't happen)

**Colleen I will get your prize money two you!!! Your t-shirt,SHCC crest, Kortright Pin, Kortright keeper trophy/maple syrup and second prize photo of signed Jamaican dogsled team photo.
Hope to see you all next year or at the next race this year!!!

8:30 am drivers can arrive

There is a drivers enterance 1 kilometer north of the main gates on the same side.
Drivers can enter this driveway and driver straight to the startline.
Spectators use the main gate at 10am.

SHCC S/C Ontario 3-4 dog championship

Well, everything is in good shape.
Straw bails Friday and there is a race track at Kortright.
I will need some help with the start line when I get there on Saturday morning as it's in my garage right now. It take 10 minutes to get up so I'm not too worried about it.So let's race then!!!!
People can arrive at the park for 8:30am.
Drive in and get settled-drop dogs and then registre.
3 dog race is $15 a team 4 dog race is $20 a team.
The Marshall will give the trail the once over and then we will have a drivers meeting and bib draw at 10 am. The 3 dog race will run first both days and will start for 11:00 the 4 dog race will start at 1 ish pm. I have to spread things out for the Kortright centre as in the past. They are providing sandwiches and muffins downstairs for the drivers and handlers. If you want to order from the cafeteria you'll have to line up and fight to get back on time for the 4 dog race.
I'm trying to answer as many questions as possible in this blog as I might not get to another. After the two classes if people still have older dogs to run they can run at the end. The Timers and Marshall usually are trying to sort times out after the race so be patient and we will post them as soon as we have them done.
The purse breakdown depends on the # of teams in the 3 and 4 dog classes. If there is 20 four dog teams and 5- 3 dog teams I don't split the money down the middle.
Kind of choppy blog post but that's the best I can do. I will answer any other questions at the race at 10am.

Yeah Nutro Products!!!

Justin Howard from Nutro Products dropped by with the start line for the race, some prizes and the booth space(sponsorship) cheque.
Kortright has confirmed the purse money so all we need is a real good dumping of snow. I groomed the trail on Friday, it snowed on Saturday, I groomed again Sunday and they we had a few runs at it with the dogs. It was in pretty good shape and the straw bails aren't planned to be in place until Friday,Jan.28/11. Monday we got a sh-t load of rain. I haven't seen the trail since then. There is some snow expected this week so let's keep our eyes on it and our fingers crossed.
I had a picture contest for a free entry to the race. Of course all the entries are friends of mine so I had a non dog person chose the best shot.
The winner is Renata and she has a free entry to this years race. Thanks for the pictures.
I'll let you know how things look as soon as I can get back to the Kortright Centre.

TOO BAD CANADIAN JR.s

Well, I changed my Facebook profile the other day to my favorite Dogsleddn picture of me. It didn't help the Canadian Jr. Team but Silver is never anything to feel bad about. Anyways I used the same picture on my Blog as well-go Canada go.
The SHCC Kortright 3-4 dog Championship 2011 is quickly approaching. It would be nice if Mother Nature would send some snow my way to work with. I hear a little is on it's way this week but I could use more than a little.
I will let you know how things are coming along. Sorry that is all I can tell you but it all depends on the weather.

I was asked about Beginners/Novices(B/N) racing at Kortright. "What are somethings they need to know".
Well, everyone is welcome. I will have the 1 mile starting loop that people with their own dogs can come out and run and the end of the two classes-usually 2 pm.
If B/N's want to enter the race the must have their own dogs, have a sled, a dog bag, a braking system and a snow hook. The Marshall will check to make sure you have all the requirements. If you are not sure you have everything you need ask me and I can help you when you arrive.
During the driver's meeting or when registering a B/N should let me know that this is their first race or that they are a B/N. They will receive a bib at the end so that they are not in the draw-but still in the race. The second day bibs are given out according to their time of the first day eg. 1st place- day one- get #1 bib and go out first, Second get #2...This helps to make for a smoother run for everyone.
It is also important for B/N's to know that in the parking lot racers arrive and get the best spots possible to the start line. I will try and give directions on the first morning so that everyone gets a good spot. I may have to move people around so that bigger trucks with trailers all fit in. I have had 19 trucks to fit in a small parking lot in the past. The second day racers will park in the same spot as they did the first day. In some cases, racers don't return the second day and after the bib draw you may move up into their spot if it is better for you.
Another important thing to know for beginners is the passing process out on the trail. The teams are let out of the start shute one by one every two minutes. This spreads the dogs out so everyone has a good start and spectators can see more of the race. The race is judged by time so you are racing the clock not the other teams out on the trail.
If a team has caught up to you they have gained two minutes on you so they have a very good team. It is in your best interest to let that team pass you as soon as possible in the nearest/savest place. By getting this team infront of yours, this will help your team as you can now chase the faster team. I would recommend letting the team pass and giving them enough time... seconds to get going infront of you. Your team will be motivated to keep up with them but you know that their team is quicker than yours and I would not recommend trying to pass them again. This will help your teams time in the end.
At the end of your race please return your bib. It takes some time at the end of the race each day you calculate the times. The times will be posted when everything is completed. The second day after the times have been calculated and added to the first day there will be an awards presentation at the end of the day.
This takes some time so be patient as everyone,dogs and myself want to head home after the weekend of racing. If you are collecting miles on your dogs to get their SD-Sled Dog titles from the CKC there will be time for the Marshal or timers to sign your sheets. You can get these forms mailed to you from the CKC or the SHCC. I will try and bring some as well if I remember.
If you are planning on coming to the Kortright race and you have any other question email me at dogsleddn@hotmail.com. I will post your questions and answers on my blog.
Keep following my blog for trail updates as we get closer to the event.