Flying disc competition goes to the dogs

Canine event, art festival draw crowd

Cheyenne keeps a busy schedule.

The 3-year-old border-collie mix is a therapy dog, attends agility classes and on Sunday, snagged the most points in a flying disc-catching competition at South Park.

Cheryl Lowrance, Lawrence, feeds treats to her dogs Spritz and Madison at Art in the Park. Booths featured artists' work for sale Sunday at South Park.

Her owner, Laura Horseman, Lenexa, said they won because of luck and training.

“We’ve been practicing because when I got her, I couldn’t throw a Frisbee to save my life,” she said.

Blustery conditions presented challenges Sunday. Cheyenne and Horseman scored 10 points in a competition where most winners top 20.

The wind “was tough for everybody,” Horseman said.

Horseman, who works for a veterinary pharmaceutical company, said she and Cheyenne volunteer with Pets for Life, a group that takes animals into hospitals, mental health facilities, and battered women and children’s shelters.

As winners, Horseman and Cheyenne now have the opportunity to go to regional competitions in Dallas for the 2002 Skyhoundz Hyperflite Championships. Second-place winners Eric Hockersmith, Lawrence, and Talley, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, also advanced to the regionals.

The canine disc competition takes place in conjunction with Lawrence’s annual Art in the Park, a festival showcasing the work of area artists. The event packed South Park with artists, food vendors and people out enjoying the nice weather.

Traci Fullerton, Lawrence, competes in the flying-disc competition with her dog, Beth. Twenty dogs and their owners competed Sunday in the competition in conjunction with Art in the Park at South Park.

Jean Downey, a potter from Lake Lotawana, Mo., praised the friendly volunteers from Art in the Park and people shopping.

“I’m just real impressed with the crowd,” she said. “Of course, a beautiful day really helps a lot.”

Davida Sears, a weaver from Lawrence, said the weather was much improved from last year’s rainy Art in the Park.

“I think people want to come out and see pretty things that are handmade on a nice day,” she said.