Oklahoma man going to world disc dog contest
Lee Fairchild of Goldsby has once again qualified for world disc dog competition.
I pasted a story down below that I wrote last year about Fairchild and his pal, Mark Seyfried. Aside from the YouTube video of their outstanding run to world competition, you can check out a NewsOK video from last year of Fairchild and Seyfriend doing tricks with a few of their pups. Pretty amazing.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Saturday, May 17, 2008
WASHINGTON, OK — Not every dog can use its owner as a springboard.
Lee Fairchild’s dog can. Gracie, a 28-pound Australian shepherd, uses her owner as a catapult, a way to leap even higher into the air to catch a flying disc.
Gracie and dozens of other dogs from Oklahoma and nearby states will compete today at the Spring Fling, a disc dog competition hosted by OKPAWS K9 Sports Club. Dogs will sprint, leap, catch, retrieve and show off to win the top prizes.
“These dogs don’t get paid, so they thrive on that applause,” Fairchild said. “Of course, we thrive on it, too.”
Eight years ago, Fairchild saw the sport on television. As a dog trainer, he thought it would be fun. Fairchild recruited friend Mark Seyfried.
A rough start
“We went to our first competition,” Fairchild said, “and it was terrible.”
The dogs were spooked. The competition was full of barking dogs, cheering fans and distractions. Fairchild’s dog didn’t catch any discs; Seyfried’s dog didn’t even retrieve them.
The duo has been putting on a disc dog competition since, but this is the first year they’ve partnered with OKPAWS K9 Sports Club.
The events are toss-and-catch and freestyle. Most dogs weigh between 30 and 55 pounds, said Fairchild, who is a case manager and hostage negotiator at Lexington Assessment and Reception Center. Common breeds that compete are border collies, heelers, Australian shepherds, Labradors and other retrievers.
Anyone can enter, Fairchild said, and categories include novice and advanced. Amateurs from throughout the state are expected to attend, he said. The entry fee is $10 per event.
“You can be a total amateur and come out here,” Fairchild said. “That’s how you get into the sport.”
A Purina Incredible Dog Challenge champion owner will judge the competition and give a demonstration.
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[...] Listen to Pet Show! Our guest today is Lee Fairchild of OK Paws K-9 Sports Club and Friends for Folks. Lee talked to us about the Spring Fling, the disc dog competition beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Washington High School. The contest is open to everyone from complete novices to advanced pros. (As a side note, Lee is quite the accomplished disc dog athlete. He’s head for the world championship. Read about it and watch videos here.) [...]