Tag Archives: competition

Throwback Thursday: Earthdog

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Way back in the day when I was just a year old mom and dad took me to my very first Earthdog competition. Immediately I took to tracking and “hunting” the rats, as seen in this throwback video:

However, my young self hadn’t quite grasped the concept of hunting underground (I know can you believe it!), so I would bypass the tunnels and head straight for the rats!

I mean can you really blame me…..I was looking for the shortcut!

ammo and trooper digging hole

Fast forward to today, and I’m pretty sure finding a rat in a tunnel would be a piece of cake!

ammo the dachshund digging

Holes are my specialty now!

Was your dog a natural born hunter like I was? Or did it develop over time, like my hole excavating skills? Ammo the Dachshund

I went on a Barn Hunt

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Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

On Mother’s Day I got to go on a very special adventure with my mom (dad came too). We packed up the car and headed south to New Jersey for a Barn Hunt Practice!

Barn Hunts were created to honor the traditional role of “ratcatchers” in ridding barns and properties of vermin. Barn Hunts are open to any dog, of (almost) any size, type or breed. In a Barn Hunt competition you can earn titles and placements at various levels and degrees of difficulty.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

At this Barn Hunt I met up with my Philadelphian gal pal Liebe, and we were both pretty excited to hunt for some rats! (Especially Liebe who is a city dog – and doesn’t get as many chances as me to hunt for vermin)

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

At a Barn Hunt you are required to go through straw bale tunnels and climb over several bales to earn a qualifying mark – all while in pursuit of a rat.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

In the lower levels you are then met with various tubes, some of which contain rat bedding and one that contains an actual rat. Your goal as rat hunter extraordinare is to locate the rat and alert your mom or dad that you have found the correct tube containing it. Once found your mom/dad is responsible for telling the judge you have found the rat – in which case the time will stop (as long as you have completed the necessary requirements of completing tunnels and climbing straw bales too).

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

As the day progressed I got better and better at finding my rats. I even began digging at the tubes and making lots of noise once I found the tubes that contained a rat.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

Mom said in the higher level classes I would even have to find multiple rats in one run – making sure to find them fast enough to not run over the time limit, many of which that are hidden under straw and in crevices. Sounds like a blast!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

Liebe (who is just over a year old) even had fun locating the rats and as she gets older I’m sure she’s going to be one ferocious rat hunter just like me!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

I had so much fun looking for my rats, that sitting on the sidelines while the other dogs had a turn was so hard!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

I can’t wait to return again and actually compete in this fun new sport – it’s totally my kind of competition!

You can learn more about the rules of Barn Hunt and find competitions and practices local to you HERE. Ammo the Dachshund

Events at the Farm

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Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Most of you who read my blog on a regular basis (hey guys) already know that I’ve been a farm dog since I was just a wee pup. Growing up on a farm means that you learn pretty quickly that everyone must pitch in and help to keep the farm running. So when we host horse events on the farm I’m the first one to lend a helping paw.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

At our farm we host slightly different competitions than most people might be used to seeing. You’ll see no pretty ponies prancing around the arena while their owners buff and shine their boots to perfection – nope, we get a little more extreme with our events at my farm. Our mounted games competitions are filled with thrills and spills, as riders race at top speed through a series of obstacles with their teammates. It’s as exciting for the riders as it is for us spectators.

I spent most of my day on the start line, helping dad to watch the finishes and call placings – one of the most important jobs of the day.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Riders of all ages came out for our event, and their team gear was as fantastic as always (you know I love a good fashion statement).

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

My best friend Trooper was in charge of watching for rule violations on line A.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

But he quickly got relieved of all duties when he couldn’t keep his eyes open!

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Even my ponies helped out during the event, as they greeted all our guests with a beaming smile.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Later in the day I took my post on the obstacle course as I watched the riders compete for the jackpot cash prize!

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

I even had to do a bit of coaching as some of the ponies thought our pool noodle obstacle was something from another planet.

Events on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

By the end of the day I was utterly exhausted – but that’s how life goes on the farm, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Ammo the Dachshund

Jackpot

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ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

On Sunday we had an event at the farm, which meant I had lots and lots of work to do.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

Not only did I have to help set up the obstacle course the day before, but I also had to make sure everything was safe for the ponies.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

After all the obstacles got my approval I took to my post to judge the competition.

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

We had some stiff competition this time around and they were all eager and hoping to win the jackpot cash prize!

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

ammo the dachshund versatility obstacle course

But after much deliberation on my part, there could be only one winner! And to thank me for all my hard work, I happily take payment via squeaky toys purchased with jackpot cash prizes! 

 

P.S. Too see more photos from our event at Iron Horse Farm visit our Facebook page!

The Inspector

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ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

My pony friends recently got in a shipment of new equipment to use during their mounted games competitions on the farm!

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

These brand-new items for the Windsor Castle Race looked pretty spiffy to me, but there is really no way to tell until Inspector Ammo makes his rounds.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

The traffic cones looked alright I guess, and would have gotten an A++ instead of an A if they smelled like dead animals instead of new plastic though.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

The polo balls were a bit tough to inspect because they were very difficult for me to pick up.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

Rolling them was a bit more effective – but just not as fun.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

I was distraught as to whether I should give them a passing grade for pony usage – especially since they didn’t come equipped with squeakers inside.

ammo the dachshund inspecting at the farm

But then I decided, what the heck, squeaker or not how can you not have fun with a ball! So go ahead ponies, have fun with your new toys – they passed inspection! Yipee!

A Camping we will go

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ammo the dachshund camping

Screaming at the top of my lungs this past weekend to cheer on my pal Boomerang wasn’t the only highlight of my trip to Maryland. Oh yes, I got to go camping with my family!

ammo the dachshund camping

After helping pack the horse trailer  – Boomerang, mom, dad and me headed south for the weekend.

ammo the dachshund camping

I love camping because it means I get to spend lots of time outdoors doing manly outdoor things….like collecting sticks.

ammo the dachshund camping

Helping dad build the campfire is also quite fun – although it is a shame that all those perfect chewing sticks will soon be going up in flames.

ammo the dachshund camping

But, it was quite chilly on Saturday night, so I was happy to sacrifice a few of my sticks for the sake of warmth.

ammo the dachshund camping

This time I got to test out my new camping tent – as the last one I accidentally burst a hole through when I couldn’t find the door….oops.

ammo the dachshund camping

The good news is my new tent passed my rigorous test and I was extra warm and toasty all night inside mom’s sleeping bag.

ammo the dachshund camping

When I wasn’t cheering on Boomerang or doing camping things I chowed down on french fries and fruit smoothies in the spectator stands.

ammo the dachshund camping

I also got to help mom score some of the other divisions. Although to be honest I did use it as an excuse to take a nap.

ammo the dachshund camping

At the end of the weekend Boomerang thanked me for coming along to cheer him on.

ammo the dachshund camping

He even showed his appreciation by taking me on a pony ride – isn’t he the sweetest?

You can check out my super awesome pony friend Boomerang in action this weekend by watching the video below.

Equipment Crew

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Over the weekend we held a horse competition at the farm. Riders come from all over to compete in the high-speed relay racing of mounted games and to win fame & fortune….ok well maybe in reality it was just ribbons & prizes, but that’s besides the point.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

Everyone on the farm is expected to help out at the horse show to keep things running smoothly.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

This time I was head of the equipment crew with my dad.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

I got to run up and down the side lines making sure we had all of the equipment ready for the next race.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

Balloons – check, Flags – check, Buckets – check, Bending Poles – check.

ammo the dachshund mounted games

It’s a very important job, and someone has to make sure everything is done right. Sometimes even dad needs to be reminded how things are supposed to go.

“A little to the left Dad”

You can check out all our fun photos from the horse show on the Iron Horse Farm Facebook Page.