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Marcavan Chyna Doll
TRI Champion
Conformation Champion
Obedience Champion
Tracking Champion

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........................ ........ ........ To view certificates click the button above Titles - All Australian ANKC Aust. TRICH. (Triple Champion) Aust. DUALCH. (Dual Champion) Aust CH.(Conformation Champion) C.D.    (Companion Dog) C.D.X. (Companion Dog Excellent) U.D.     (Utility Dog) A.O.C. (Aust Obedience Champion) T.D.     (Tracking Dog) T.D.X. (Tracking Dog Excellent) TCH.   (Tracking Champion) E.T.     (Endurance Title)

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Chyna was born on the 29th July 1996, to be known official as Marcavan Chyna Doll. That was where my first mistake lay, she should have been called Bull in a China Shop.

Chyna is a Cavalier who is full of life. She loves nothing more than to run with the wind in her ears. We always thought Chyna would settle down, as she matured, no way she is still very much a pup at heart. At home Chyna is a rebel, if there is any mischief to get into she'll be there.

I started training Chyna very early and right from the start she showed me that this was not going to be an easy task. She is very smart and learns very quickly, but she also loves to put in her variations, and is a real busy body. Chyna has to know everything that is going on and investigate every nook and cranny.

Her first Obedience Trial says a lot about her. I remember that Trail as if it was yesterday, up until the slow pace Off-Lead she had only lost 3 points. As soon as I started slow pace on that fateful day I could see her surging, it was all to slow for a girl who really just wanted to run. The judge called right about turn, I turned and could see the judges face drop, I quickly turned to look for Chyna, she was gone, 2 rings away and running like grease lightning back for her reward. A friend retrieved her from the back of the car as I left the ring with just her lead. The poor judge was astounded as she asked why she had run off like that, I told her it was just Chyna she didn't like going slow and just had to run. This was Chyna's trademark. She did go on to get her Novice (C.D.) title in the next 3 Trials but I always felt she was on a very fine line.

Open class was even more of a challenge as she was Off-Lead for every routine. I will tell only one of her classic days. Chyna was working beautifully, for the heel free, stand for exam, drop on recall and retrieve on the flat, but then there was the retrieve over the obstacle. Chyna flew out on command got to the dumbell stopped for a microsecond as she gave me her mischievous look. Then took off doing circuits of the adjacent ring oblivious to my calls, in her time she stopped, returned to the dumbell, and returned with it over the jump, giving me the look "I just had to burn of some energy". She then settled down and did the perfect broad jump and group stays. She did go on and get her CDX title relatively quickly but not without more hair raising stunts.

While we we doing Open and on into Utility Chyna was also doing tracking, this is a whole story on it's own but I will just tell you 2 stories. One when we were training for her Test 5 and Tracking dog Ecellent title.

ONE FINE AFTERNOON

I had a wonderful afternoon tracking. We loaded all the dogs in the car and headed off to a friends property. I laid Nelson and Charmaine some short tracks, and sent Eddy over the hill to lay Chyna's track. Chyna was very upset when Nelson then Charmaine had there goes. We could hear Chyna protesting the entire time we were away from the car. Talk about communication, I could understand every word Chyna was saying. 'Get back here it's my turn. Now. NOw. NOWWWWWW.'

When I eventually harnessed Chyna up she was like a bull in a China Shop. But that's Chyna at the best of times. We headed to the start and I whispered that this track was not going to be easy. You see this was a sheep paddock and well Chyna has had little to no experience with sheep. Chyna started off down the first leg maybe a bit slower than usual as there was a lot of sheep droppings and rabbits for her to check out, but after the first 50 mtrs she started to power up. Up over the hill we went, Eddy said she was right on track but no sooner had he said that, when I saw a sea of sheep right on Chyna's corner. I am not kidding there stood 600 sheep. What was Chyna going to do? Chyna kept on going the sheep split into 2 mobs. Approximately 300 sheep headed out of the way and well the other 300 headed straight along the scent track in front of Chyna. Chyna stopped and looked for a second then her nose went down, promptly worked out that the track goes this way. The 300 sheep then headed straight for Chyna's next turn marker Chyna followed the sheep or was it her track, herding the sheep in front of her. Chyna suddenly sits smartly to indicate a well trodden article that was dropped by Eddy when he laid the track. The sheep were about 100mtrs a head when I sent her on her way. Chyna travelled about 70 mtrs then started to cast wildly then finally picks out the turn and heads to the back of the mob of sheep. The sheep meanwhile took off back towards the other mob and Chyna continues her track through the final turns towards tracks end and her treasured reward.

After today I really don't care what happens at the next tracking trial because today Chyna proved beyond all doubts she can really track, and well maybe for a little while, a sheep herding Border Collie as well.

A new title came in in 2000 and that was the Tracking Champion Title I decided I would give it a go with Charmaine and Chyna. We headed across the state to Balleratt to compete in the first ever Traking Champion Trial and both Charmaine and Chyna felt it wasn't the time so we repeated the exercise a month later, so on Mother's day 2000 both Charmaine and Chyna gave me there presents, not one but 2 Tracking Champion Titles.

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Judges came to love Chyna not because of her stuning work but because of her personnality they always knew that there was always going to be the chance that she would pull some trick.

We will jump to that final trial at Morwell. The previous day at Bairnsdale she had lived up to her name as the Rebel Child so well, pulling out a number of her versions of exercises in the ring. Today was not going to be any day however. We were the first team in the ring, this had not been a good position in the past, however today she did all the exercises my way and we left the ring sitting on a very nice pass. It was however to be a very long wait to the stays. Chyna was supremely confidant she had done all that was required and settled into guarding the car. I paced back and forth, other triallers had heard the news that we were sitting on a pass and were very congratulatory, I became horse saying it is not over Till the Fat Lady Sings, and don't forget this is CHYNA were talking about. We had been here before on occasions and Chyna had decided that it was not her time to do stays.
Today was different however, a cute and cuddly Border Collie was on offer, I took the opportunity to do some blackmailing, I put to Chyna a final proposal, "Be a good girl, or else I take cute Border Collie home. Chyna protested, "Me, Me you supposed to love Only ME", I stood firm "MY WAY or else." Finally it was time we entered the ring for the Group Stays. The group Stand for Exam was very long, as it was a full 10 dogs the Judge had to Examine. Chyna stood wagging her tail and looking around without a care in the world, but that's Chyna, why should you take anything seriously. Then came the 10-minute down stay. "!#$%^&*()" move over Mum I'm taking over here, it's about time I have my say on these stays. "Alright Chyna the keyboards yours."
I had been trying to get Mum to lighten up and have fun but she always insisted on being Soooo serious in the ring, all my little ticks like throwing articles in the air and catching them and ice skating on the mat, never seemed to work. Now she was threatening me with a Border Collie take over, I decided I would do the blasted time wasting stays. Before I go on, these stays are the pits, your supposed to just lie there. I can't see the point, all this time wasted, there are so many things to be done, scents to be followed, dogs to see, judges to visit, butterflies to chase etc, etc. To keep Mum happy I drew an imaginary line around myself, about half a body's length, and decided I would stay within this circle but I would check out every blade of grass for possible scent stories. When mum returned after the mandatory 10 minutes, she just left me lying there, she stood still and just looked at the judge. Finally she lets out this yell "YES" and sweeps me of my feet then for some unknown reason everyone is giving her hugs including the judge. "WHAT ABOUT ME I YELLED, give me my Chocolate Bone and my Chewy and ******"
That's enough Chyna I'm taking over again. Chyna is now known as Marcavan
Chyna Doll OC ET. OC stands for Obedience Champion and the ET for Endurance
Test. I'm sure I should have the ET title not Chyna.
Footnote:-
Chyna since this article was written went on to gain her Tracking Champion Title and Conformation Champion Title. Well that's another hair raising story, but that's Chyna.


ENDURANCE TEST

The Endurance Test is a 20km road test, one that takes much preparation for the dogs and handlers. In 1998 Eddy and I decided we would use the tracking training as warm up for preparing to do a marathon with Chyna and Nelson. Before we commenced the heavy training we consulted with our vet and had both dogs throughly assessed. We did not have any bikes so through a friend located and bought 2 second hand road bikes. This was our first mistake which would not become evident until the day of the TEST. At first the training was relatively easy as we just did a few km every day around the streets. After about 2 weeks we uped the speed and distance 2 times a week we would do a 5 km run at about 15-18kph, and 2 longer runs of about 8-10km at a constant 10kph.

The day before the test I was feeling offcolour and had a very sore throat. Eddy asked if I thought I would be OK, I replied it was nothing I would be fine. The next day we rose very early and did the 2.5 hr drive to Melbourne where the test would be. I felt lousy, my head was throbbing and every bone in my body ached and I was running a high temp, but I was going to do this no matter what. Eddy's protests were dissregarded and so were the judge's. I would be fine I kept saying. We started off and just as we did the sky openened up with an accompaning light show. On the first lap it became appanent that with the bikes we had were going to make the day even more of a challenge. There was a long stretch of about 500 meters that was across grass and with the rain this was softening and would later become a marsh. The thin tyres of our road bikes would make this crossing a nightmare as the laps went on. 40 bikes split into 2 groups going over this section a total of 8 times. I must say hear that my judge Mr Ray Ashman was a godsend that day. He kept his eye on me and delivered iced water to me on each lap for me to sip. I think it was this and my shear determination that got me through. During the ET there are 2 stops, 1 after the first 8km, then again after the next 6km. During these the vet team check the dogs to assess each dogs fitness to continue. It was pouring rain and Chyna's temp kept falling, so during these breaks there was no break for me as I had to keep Chyna moving so her muscles would not stiffen. Chyna was soaked and so was I. On the second stop Ray Ashman came upto me and asked if I would like a fill in rider for the last 6 km I declined and said I would get around. He reminded me that I could not take up the other during the ride this was my last chance. I got back on the bike, but halfway around I started to lose it I would fall back in the line and then have to catch up. I really didn't think I was going to make it. At one corner I heard a huge cheer go up and when I looked there was a group of about 10 people, fellow trialler from the club who had come to cheer me on. It gave me strenth and I dug deep. I kept peddling and reached another corner hear they were again, they had raced across to keep me moving this continued for the the rest of that lap and into the last. The finish was insight, just the marsh to cross, 500mtrs that's all, when disaster hits. I stand up and try to peddle but the chain slips and comes off the small gear chain. Crunch, the next thing I know I'm trying to run, push the bike but my legs feel like jelly, I kick at the bike chain and miricles do happen, the chain re engages and I make it to the end. I don't know if I made it in time and just collapse. I really think I passed out and came too a few minutes later surrounded by friends and with a dripping wet Chyna giving me kisses. The judge was standing there, and I asked did I make it in time he said "ofcourse you did, better get ready for the final obedience test". I really can not remember doing this but we did get the pass. To this day all the titles Chyna obtained this one will never be forgotten. Chyna did it easily, she even went for a run of lead after the test as if she had done nothing, but me on the other hand spent the next week in bed and the next few days are just a blur. In hindsight I should not have done it, but once in my life I felt like I could do anything and really know what it is like to push the edge.

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First there was Charmaine, the Lady of the House, then Nelson, the Protector. Then Chyna arrived, the Rebel Child with wind in her ears. This is the short story version of Chyna and her rise to Obedience Champion Status.
Chyna was born on the 29th July 1996, to be known official as Marcavan Chyna Doll. That was where my first mistake lay, she should have been called Bull in a China Shop.
Now this is supposed to be her short story so I will skip all the battles we had to gain her first 5 titles there is a full book that could be written for each one. We will jump to that final trial at Morwell. The previous day at Bairnsdale she had lived up to her name as the Rebel Child so well, pulling out a number of her versions of exercises in the ring. Today was not going to be any day however. We were the first team in the ring, this had not been a good position in the past, however today she did all the exercises my way and we left the ring sitting on a very nice pass. It was however to be a very long wait to the stays. Chyna was supremely confidant she had done all that was required and settled into guarding the car. I paced back and forth, other triallers had heard the news that we were sitting on a pass and were very congratulatory, I became horse saying it is not over Till the Fat Lady Sings, and don't forget this is CHYNA were talking about. We had been here before on occasions and Chyna had decided that it was not her time to do stays.
Today was different however, a cute and cuddly Border Collie was on offer, I took the opportunity to do some blackmailing, I put to Chyna a final proposal, "Be a good girl, or else I take cute Border Collie home. Chyna protested, "Me, Me you supposed to love Only ME", I stood firm "MY WAY or else." Finally it was time we entered the ring for the Group Stays. The group Stand for Exam was very long, as it was a full 10 dogs the Judge had to Examine. Chyna stood wagging her tail and looking around without a care in the world, but that's Chyna, why should you take anything seriously. Then came the 10-minute down stay. "!#$%^&*()" move over Mum I'm taking over here, it's about time I have my say on these stays. "Alright Chyna the keyboards yours."
I had been trying to get Mum to lighten up and have fun but she always insisted on being Soooo serious in the ring, all my little ticks like throwing articles in the air and catching them and ice skating on the mat, never seemed to work. Now she was threatening me with a Border Collie take over, I decided I would do the blasted time wasting stays. Before I go on, these stays are the pits, your supposed to just lie there. I can't see the point, all this time wasted, there are so many things to be done, scents to be followed, dogs to see, judges to visit, butterflies to chase etc, etc. To keep Mum happy I drew an imaginary line around myself, about half a body's length, and decided I would stay within this circle but I would check out every blade of grass for possible scent stories. When mum returned after the mandatory 10 minutes, she just left me lying there, she stood still and just looked at the judge. Finally she lets out this yell "YES" and sweeps me of my feet then for some unknown reason everyone is giving her hugs including the judge. "WHAT ABOUT ME I YELLED, give me my Chocolate Bone and my Chewy and ******"
That's enough Chyna I'm taking over again. Chyna is now known as Marcavan
Chyna Doll OC ET. OC stands for Obedience Champion and the ET for Endurance
Test. I'm sure I should have the ET title not Chyna.
Footnote:-
Chyna since this article was written went on to gain her Tracking Champion Title and Conformation Champion Title. Well that's another hair raising story, but that's Chyna.

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