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Canine Freestyle Magic of the Match



 

Canine Freestyle
Carolyn Scott and Rookie

In the sport of freestyle I have faced challenges, both personal and physical, enjoyed victories and dealt with the agony of defeat. All has been worth it.  I have had the pleasure of sharing this sport with wonderful people that love the sport as much as I do. I also, have had the pleasure of sharing the limelight with Rookie whose enjoyment of this sport never ceases to amaze me.

Here are some of my performances:

    • August, 1996 - Rookie and I performed our first freestyle demo at the Astro Hall Series of Dog Shows in Houston, Texas.
    • November, 1996 - our first freestyle competition in Eugene OR. This event was held under the Musical Canine Sports International (MCSI) rules and guidelines. This competition was the first freestyle competition ever held in the U.S.; it was in conjunction with the Classic. Rookie and I won first place in the Off Leash Division performing to the music "Twilight Zone".
    • November, 1996 - Rookie and I were invited to be a member of the Pupperoni team, organized by Patie Ventre, to promote the sport of freestyle.
    • December, 1996 - Performed demos in Boston with the Pupperoni team.
    • July, 1997 - Sandra Davis joined Houston freestylers, including me, to give demos at the Astro Hall Series of Dog Shows.
    • November, 1997 - Rookie and I competed in Chicago at the second and final freestyle competition held by MCSI. We won first place in the Off Leash Division, Highest Scoring Freestyle Team at the competition and Highest Scoring Freestyle Team of the year, making us the only winners in the U.S. of the Musical Freestyle Excellent Individual (MFXI) title. At this same competition, Rookie and I performed a brace routine with Debby Quigley & Du to "Simply Irresistible", we won first place in this division. That same day we performed for the Classic with demos of our individual performances and the brace.
    • March, 1998 - Demos with Sandra Davis & Pepper, Susan Colledge & Misha and Rookie & myself at the Texas Kennel Club in Dallas, Tx.
    • July, 1998 - At this time freestyle competitions had only been held once a year. I contacted Patie Ventre who told me there would be no other events.  She and I discussed what could be done; it was decided we would put together an event in Houston, Tx. There were only a handful of freestylers in the area at the time.  I started classes and gave workshops with the help of some very  good friends. Almost 100% of these students entered the Footloose Fantasy Freestyle event later that year.
    • August, 1998 - Rookie and I performed with the Houston freestylers at the Astro Hall Series of Dog Shows in Houston, Tx, to build interest in the sport and the Footloose event.
    • November, 1998 - Gave a freestyle workshop at the APDT Conference in Pennsylvania. Rookie and I enjoyed giving demos that weekend to the music of "Fable" and "Rock This Country".
    • November, 1998 - Chairperson for the Footloose Fantasy Freestyle Event in Houston, Tx. Sandra Davis & Pepper, Linda Farr & Keeper and Rookie and I competed in the advanced division with two performances each. Rookie and I won third place to "Rock This Country". Sandra Davis & Pepper and Rookie & I performed demos for the CLassic that was held the next day.
      Note - The Footloose Event was the spring board for the World Canine Freestyle Organization.
    • March, 1999 - Demos in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
    • April, 1999 - Rookie and I competed at the Uptempo Event in Pittsburgh, PA. We won first place in the Advanced Division, High Scoring Team, and were winners of the Patie Ventre Challenge Trophy ( High Technical and High Artistic).
    • October, 1999 - Patie Ventre appointed me to the Advisory Board of WCFO. I was a board member along with Ray Underwood, Suzi Blufford, Julie Norman and Anna Schloff. I retained my position on the Advisory Board for WCFO, from October, 1999, until January, 2001, at which time I resigned.
    • September, 1999 - Rookie and I were grand fathered into the Advanced Division of WCFO along with Ray Underwood, Julie Norman, Sandra Davis, Linda Farr and Mary Jo Sminkey.
    • October,2000 - APDT Conference- Demos for WCFO in Houston, Texas.
    • October, 2000 - Chairperson for the WCFO Top Hat & Tails Event in Houston, Texas. Rookie and I won first place in the Advanced Division, High Scoring Team and the Patie Ventre Challenge Trophy.
    • 2001 - Founding member of the Houston Footloose freestyle group.
    • August, 2001 - Demos with Houston freestylers at the Astro Hall Series of Dog Shows in Houston, Tx and have continued to participate whenever I can.
    • December, 2001 - Demos at the Festival of Lights with Houston Freestyle group in Houston, Tx.
    • April, 2002 - Entered the Sassy Senior and Innovation Divisions of the Dancing With Dorothy and Toto, WCFO Event in Topeka, Kansas.
    • May, 2002 - Started the Alternative Canine Freestyle List which is now known as the MDSA discussion list.
    • June, 2002 - CFF & WCFO member.
    • I have had the pleasure of presenting freestyle seminars and promoting  this "fun" sport across the U.S., Canada, Japan and in March of 2005 I will travel to Australia.

In 2002 I became one of the founders of the Musical Dog Sport Association.  At that time being the newest addition to the sport of freestyle. You can join this very friendly and supportive list at the MDSA web site. MDSA has beginner - advanced freestylers from across the U.S. and other countries and like myself they all enjoy sharing this sport with others.  Many compete in this fun sport but have also it to be great entertainment and very rewarding when performed for family, friends, church, schools, assisted living and nursing homes. Visit the Musical Dog Sport Association at  http://www.musicaldogsport.org/ 

I would like to acknowledge the following:

    • Randy Scott - for all his love and support
    • Rochelle Lesser and David Mintzer - Much appreciation to you both for all the hard work you put forth digitizing the now well known video clip of Rookie and I performing to "You're The One That I Want " from the movie Grease.  This video clip has given me the joy of promoting the fun sport of canine freestyle worldwide.  Thank you many times over for believing in Rookie and I.  Like-wise I am very proud that we will play a role in your latest project the Gotta Dance documentary.

      Gotta Dance Documentary DVD – Total profits will go to the cancer treatment and cancer research in the area of oncology. Click here for more information.


A life lived in fear is a life half lived. . . .  Feel the fear and do it anyway!! . . . .  Better to be a lion for a day then a lamb all your life. . . .  I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile I keep dancing. . . . .  Dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live every day as if it were your last. . . . . When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught how to fly.