May Training Camp Was Truly Exhausting

At the Friday meeting, we surprised our youngest handlers with a draw for their starting numbers. We had prepared an exciting test of their growing skills in the form of a Night Horror Race. Handlers were informed about a simulated rescue mission they would face and had to quickly prepare. The race followed a pre-determined forest trail with several checkpoints, where dogs had to locate and indicate all missing persons. At the end of the trail, the final task awaited — direct indication and a ceremonial "knighting" into rescue status.

Although the trail was sometimes tense — it wasn’t lit and, for an extra eerie atmosphere, handlers weren’t allowed to use headlamps when moving between stations — everyone completed it successfully. Even after the race (at midnight), we gathered in the clubhouse for an evaluation, including what could be called (in hockey slang) the "electronic pencil analysis" of the match, full of comments and shared experiences.

Saturday was unconventional. In the morning, we extended training, focusing on barking, duration of indication, and terrain coverage. The afternoon was devoted to a major cleanup of our buildings, Rebelka and Barbarka, to prepare them for the upcoming Cup of Friendship race and the summer camp with increased overnight capacity. A tuned-in radio and TV with the ongoing hockey game added fun to the cleaning.

During the early evening members' meeting, we presented awards for the Night Horror Race and voted on new committee members. Due to high work demands, Alena Vrátná and Petr Jaroš stepped down from their positions. The entire club thanks them for their great work and dedication. Martina Vaňková was unanimously elected as the new treasurer, and Pavla Sillmen to the IT/PR position. We also welcomed Pavel Trávníček, an exceptionally active and always cheerful new member.

The meeting was followed by a big celebration. There were plenty of reasons to toast: the wonderful 3rd place of our member Petr Prokeš at the Slovak Championship, birthdays of Daniel Sedlák, Martina Vaňková, and Vendula Kopecká, and of course, the national hockey victory. A slow-roasted pig, a keg of beer, fun challenges for the birthday people, and a packed dance floor topped off a perfect evening.

Even on Sunday, we didn’t slow down. The morning was spent on obedience training and area search exercises in the nearby forest. Pleasantly exhausted and full of impressions, we returned home across the Czech Republic.