“Sir Prize” Wins Canine Frisbee Contest

The 23rd Annual Branford Recreation Department’s ​“Skyhoundz Canine Frisbee Disc Contest” for dogs was held recently at Young’s Pond Park. And here is the contest winner ​“Sir Prize” making a great catch.

The competition gave a new meaning to the Dog Days of summer. Here ​“Puck,” owned by Mary Champagne of Lyme, grabs his owner’s toss.

“A total of 16 dogs and their owners were active participants in the contest this year,” said Victor Amatori, Recreation Department program supervisor and coordinator of the contest for over 20 years. Amatori, program supervisor of the Recreation Department, announced the results.

“We were happy with the turnout. We had contestants come from different areas of the state; several even came from out of state,” Amatori said in an interview. Nick Grabosky and ​“Myles” from Woonsocket, Rhode Island, came in third place.

According to their website, Skyhoundz offers competitions for disc dog enthusiasts world-wide including three competition series (DiscDogathon, Skyhoundz Classic, and Xtreme Distance,) which culminates in World Championships. After the competition, Stephanie Schafer and ​“Sir Prize” pose with the first place plaque.

The Branford competition consisted of two rounds lasting 60 seconds each. Points were based on successful catches by the canines between vertical 10-yard markings, Here Kevin Acocho gets Quinn ready for a toss.

All canines have their owners toss the Frisbee between the out-of-bounds lines. After the dog catches the Frisbee, or misses it, they have to retrieve it and return it for another toss. Quinn retusn his Frisbee for another toss.

The winning canine was ​“Sir Prize” an 8‑year-old German Wirehaired Pointer from Hanover, Connecticut, owned by Stephanie Schafer. He accumulated 25.5 points, defeating ​“Eva” from East Hartford, who had 21.5 points. ​“Eva” is owned by Debra Phillips of East Hartford. Here Phillips and Eva posewith their second place award.

“Competition like this is an outlet for his high energy. He has a great disposition and loves to run,” said Schafer of Sir Prize. ​“I rescued him from a shelter. He’s a two-time pound puppy, and I can’t figure why two people gave him up unless it was his high energy. I keep him very busy with different types of competition and he loves it.” Branford was his third win this year. Here is a close up of the winner, no surprise.

The judges took their job very seriously. They included Nick Charnysh (left), Foley Riggs, Victor Amatori, Jocelyn Bruchman, and Marc Pellegrino

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