Paws flyball show was the very best

For at the prestigious event held last month, Power Paws founder member and current controller Susan Tillman, accompanied by her Welsh sheepdog, Cai, formed part of Dreamteam South East which won the final and with it a national trophy.

Power Paws was formed in 2008 and practises on Thursday evenings at Pebsham Riding School.

Teams of four dogs race against one another over identical courses, which include hurdles and a box which releases a tennis ball for the dog to carry back to its handler on the return run.

Each dog must return its ball before the next sets off, and there are penalties if the ball is dropped or the next dog is released too early. The first team to have all its dogs cross the finish line error-free is the winner.

Susan said: “It’s very exciting, both to watch and take part in, and having come second last year everyone in our team was desperate to win the trophy this year. Power Paws linked up with Dream Team, Hampshire, to bring together an elite squad which saw us win the final.”

Dog owners in and around Bexhill keen to discover more about flyball can contact Power Paws’ membership secretary Kila Hardwick on 01424 429914, e-mail powerpawsflyball@hotmail.co.uk or log on to www.powerpawsflyball.webs.com for more information.