Pico ended her year exactly as I’d hoped, by becoming Dock Dogs Super Elite National Champion!

Conditions in Rogers, MN were a bit rough. Pico went from temperatures in the 90’s in Nelsonville Ohio to temperatures in the 40’s one week later in Minnesota. Although Pico has never had a problem with cold water, I was a bit concerned when I saw some of the dogs think twice before jumping a second or third time.

For this reason I did very few practice jumps with Pico and hoped we had our timing down enough that we wouldnt need them. I was very relieved when Pico’s first jump in super elite prelims was a 25′er that put her in the lead. She had another 25 footer the next day, a 25′2 in final four and capped off her weekend with a 25′7″ jump!

I am so proud of this sweet little girl who has so much heart and drive and who always gives me everything, every single time.

Pico ends her year ranked #1 in the nation, #2 of all time, top female ever, and with well over 20 lifetime super elite jumps. She was once again voted “Most Improved Dog” at the Dock Dogs Awards Banquet, and to my amusement, I got “Most Improved Handler”!

Next on the dock diving agenda is - NOTHING! I could change my mind of course, but at this point my plan is to concentrate on agility to catch up with her accomplished sisters and to come back to dock diving in the spring or summer. My goal is for Pico to have a very long Dock Dogs career and I want a break to recharge the batteries and replenish the bank accounts.