A slew of top dogs recently gathered in Sun Valley. The collection of cross-country skiers and their dogs took part in the 20th Annual Paw and Pole race.
Nearly 80 racers clad in colorful costumes turned out for a canine friendly competition Sunday, March 6 at the Sun Valley Gun Club. Participants and their dogs completed 0.5 kilometers to 5k races, showcased silly tricks and dressed in costumes to benefit The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley.
This year, the annual animal extravaganza encouraged participants to find costumes to celebrate "Ketchum's Colorful History."
"There was a wide spectrum of costumes," Nadia Novik, a veterinarian technician at The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, commented.
The theme encouraged whimsical attire like the winning costumes of a Basque sheepherder and sheep, worn by Angie Hansen and her dog Stout. The array of costumes celebrated area traditions like the University of Ketchum.
More than fun, the event serves to introduce the public to the shelter and its mission. The shelter operates with a "no kill" policy to insure animals find loving homes. The policy allows animals to stay at the shelter for any length of time.
Exposure from the event enabled three lucky shelter dogs to find homes at the race.
According to Andrea Nelson, a co-chair of the event, the objective is to generate exposure for the shelter, rather than raising money. The event also serves to involve the community with the shelter.
"The weather was beautiful. The dogs were perfectly behaved," Novik said. "I think it was fun for everyone."
Open 5-kilometer: 1—Scott Montgomery and Black Jack 7:13. 2—Mike Wolter and Kirby 8:45. 3—Greg Wilt and Boulder 9:03. 4—Rob Landis and Sunny 10:36; Scott Grill and Amos 10:36. 6—Rob Hamlin and Pepper 10:54. 7—Aaron Domini and Bali 11:07. 8—Nadia Novik with Lindy and Gene Gray 11:39. 9—Bob Erickson and Cassi 12:40. 10—Juerg Stauffacher and Belle 13:04. 11—Laurie Breedveld with Katie and Jimmy 13:16. 12—Ken Edwards and Stormy 15:01. 13—Harry Wyeth and Inish 15:22. 14—Eszter Kiraly and Monkey 16:23. 15—Bronwen Raff and Kara 17:48. 16—Scotty Phelan and Elle 18:23. 17—Max/Jeff Jones and Sugar Ray 18:30. 18—Karen Wyeth and Shelter Dog 49:40.
Open 2 kilometer: 1—Mike Gowe and Boca 2:54. 2—Kaitlyn Landis and Sunny 3:07. 3—Ketchum Wilt and Boulder 3:15. 4—Julia Bowman and Kona 3:37. Patti Kousen and Shelter Dog 3:37. 6—Karl Beznoska and Raiko 3:40. 7—Carol Holman and Remy 3:51. 8—Alice Sherbow and Dafni 4:03. 9—Courtney Hamilton and Buddy 4:07. 10—Jan Toohey and Jake 4:15. 11—Katie Feldman and Gordon 4:20. 12—Stefanie Webster and Dually 4:29. 13—Charlie Holt and Mabeline 4:32. 14—Nadia Novik and Stella 4:47. 15—Lori Takahashi and Lola 5:50. 16—John Michel and Wendall 6:03. 17—Doran Key with Sophie and Louis 6:12. 18—Cindy Phelan and Sparky 6:25. 19—Dain Hamilton with Libby and Morris 6:26. 20—Haley Montgomery and Black Jack 6:50. 21—Rod Tatsuno with Tala/Indie/Lobo 7:35. 22—Whitney Engelmann and Pale Rider (Ruby) 7:37. 23—Logan Johnston and Stanley 8:43. 24—Angie Hansen and Stout 8:45. 25—Georgie Montgomery and Black jack 6:12. 26—Laurie Breedveld with Katie and Jimmy 13:16. 27—Amy Landis and Sunny 13:52.
Kids' 0.5-kilometer: 1—Kaitlyn Landis and Sunny 1:43. 2—Calder Zarkos and Marley 2:10. 3—Kelsey Syms and Jewell 2:13. 4—Andrew Pfeiffer and Changa 2:19. 5—Jessica Hamilton and Shelter Dog 2:20. 6—Stephen Pfeiffer and Changa 2:25; Ketchum Wilt and Boulder 2:25. 8—Tatum Morell and Roxy 3:28. 9—Claire Bowman and Shelter Dog 3:30. 10—Ike Buxton and Gooseberry 3:46. 11—Jamie Graninger and Tricky 5:02.
Snowshoe 0.5-kilometer: 1—Gadrie Edmunds and Jipsy 3:56. 2—Dave Keir and Kamiah 4:09. 3—Marc Scott and Annie 4:10. 4—Bill Jang with Riley and Mia 4:31. 5—Bob Flack and Nyvaar 4:32. 6—Cindy Hamlin and Poppy 4:39. 7—Wendy Jang with Riley and Mia 4:43. 8—Rosemary Aquilante and Bandit 5:12. 9—Devra, Brock and Audra Mary with Huckleberry Finn 5:14. 10—Rebecca Crouch and Cairo 5:19. 11—Susan Passovoy and Rugby 5:31. 12—Keith Battista and Brady Blagden with Avgle 5:47. 13—Howard Loveving 6:01. 14—Tracie Smith and Fig 7:38. 15—Jill Roland and Sake 8:08.
Special awards:
Best Costume—Angie Hansen and Stout as a Basque sheepherder and sheep. Best Dressed Dog—Brenda Spackman and Charlotte, the Ketchum Floozie. Best Family Theme: The Mary family and Huck Finn as the Blackjack Ketchum Gang.
Funniest Dog—Eva, the Harley Davidson dog, Michael and Estler Oshomen. Emcee's Choice—The Edmunds family and Jipsy as a Union Pacific conductor.
Silly Pet Tricks: 1—Brenda Spackman and Charlotte (who barked out a duet song with her owner). 2—Rod Tatsuno and Lobo. 3—Nadia Novik and Stella. 4—Doran Key with Sophie and Louise. 5—Robyn Moulton and Michael Hobbs with Banjo.
Kids' Costumes: 1—The University of Ketchum (Julia, Karen and Kara Bronwen). 2—Ernest Hemingway (Jamie Graninger). 3—Sunny (Kaitlin Landis).
Charlie Holt has come full cycle in the paw and pole. After winning the event for six consecutive years a few years ago with his large dog Oz, Holt and Mabel did not win this year but captured the photographer?s best look alike award. Photo by Willy Cook
