Possibly a new record turnout with 16 Samoyeds taking part, together with 30 of their humans, for a pleasant walk along the banks of the River Torrens from Graduates Oval to the University Footbridge, and back past the Zoo and Botanic Park.

To be held on June 3rd, in conjunction with the Dogs SA Winter International.

Watch the video

We had a good turnout of dogs. All had 2 or 3 runs at various positions in the team, and most showed good promise for the future.

This time at Somerton Park. A few more dogs - at least 15 Samoyeds spotted - maybe more - they wouldn't stand still.

So, 5 years down the track, we're off again! About a dozen Samoyeds and a few "guests" met at Semaphore South Beach for a leisurely stroll. The tide was out so the walking was easy .... bonus!

A new venue for this year's show on the grounds of Virgara Winery at Angle Vale, and another good entry. Best in Show was Vanessa Martin's Ch Zamora Royale Czarina.

Eagle Pack have once again offered to sponsor the club for 2011, and will donate product for both our show and our sled dog race, The White Flash Bash.  For anyone interested in sled dog sports, you can't go past Eagle Pack Power for your "racing fuel".  It is by far the most popular dry food with the SA racing community, including most of the Samoyed racers.

A much bigger entry for the 2nd event of the year, so it was conducted as a real drag race this time.  With a blistering run in the third heat, the Samoyeds came from behind to win the 2 dog class.

It was the first time in harness for Drew Carter's young bitch, Ami, and by the third heat, she had clearly got the hang of it.

Only a small entry for this event, so it was actually run as a time trial (one competitor at a time) instead of a drag race.  A good opportunity to clear out the cobwebs before starting race training in earnest.

Two fund raising runs this year - Lockleys Carols (picture right) and Walkerville Carols, plus Golden Grove Obedience (picture below).

No pictures from Walkerville, but we ran a 7 dog team for this event.

The 2010 Derby was Wild Dog Mushers' 15th Anniversary race, and an IFSS World Cup Qualifying Race for the major classes - the first ever World Cup event to be held in Australia.  A little rain didn't dampen the spirits - an excellent entry from interstate, especially in the larger classes.  Results here - see, I didn't come last!

Another successful show with an excellent entry, especially given the closeness of the Samoyed National in Brisbane 2 weeks later.  Congratulations to all the class winners.  Best in Show went to Denise Klaaysen's Ch Kalaska Abbey Of Alex.  Full results here.

The Club's annual all breeds open sled dog race was held for the 6th time this year.  Entries were again quite respectable and the weather near-ideal - fine and chilly!

Eagle Pack have confirmed their sponsorship of the club for 2010, and have offered product for both our show and our sled dog race, The White Flash Bash

After the first event was cancelled due to wet weather, the drag racing finally went ahead.  The overall turnout was disappointing, but we had 5 Samoyeds entered - a significant proportion of the total. It was the first time in harness for Heather Sloan's young bitch, Sapphire, but after the third run, she was getting the hang of it and showing promise. The old hands all performed creditably, but with the small entry, we didn't worry too much about times and placings.

An all-Samoyed event this week, with 5 dogs and about 10 people taking part.

(photo by Ryan Yuan)

With the season interrupted by weather cancellations, none of the dogs were really prepared for the first and final competition of the season. We had 4 Samoyeds entered - they all pulled the basic qualifier level of over 12 x their own weight, but none of them came close to their previous best pulls, so it was a bit disappointing.

Forestry SA has approved our application to hold the White Flash Bash sled dog race at The Waterholes, Mt Crawford Forest on the 5th & 6th June 2010.

Not a big turnout for the first beach walk of the year, with the Sammies outnumbered by the guests.  We would have just had the edge if someone who shall remain nameless hadn't got lost and ended up at the wrong beach.  We're going to get some mileage out of that one!  ;-)

Nevertheless, a nice walk of almost 3 km on a very pleasant evening on Semaphore beach, although I must confess that we took the easier return route along the footpath behind the sand dunes.

Although not for a club fundraiser, the sled was in action again at the Golden Grove Canine Obedience Club's Christmas break up party.  Leading the team is Adele Whiting, with Daniel Suter controlling the sled.  The team is Mack, Kirra, Chloe and Zeus - a family affair - Mack, Kirra and Zeus are littermates and Chloe is their mother.

I think that we can safely claim that the Golden Grove club has the highest concentration of obedience Samoyeds within the state. There are currently 8 in training and there have been several more - at least a dozen that I can think of - over the last few years.

A disappointing day for the Samoyeds - three were entered - all pulled greater than 12 times their body weight, but none of them got close to their personal bests. The highest placing (Ch Adski Dream Machine WWPD) was 7th in the 25kg class.