Silvia Washington – 2016 Sponsored Athlete
Silvia has been working with dogs since she was a child. Her early dog experiences started with helping her Uncle who bred German Shepard’s for the German Police. She continued working with dogs in Germany as a trainer and competitor in Schutzhund sports achieving several titles.
Since her arrival in the US, Silvia’s efforts have grown allowing her to apply her skills and energy to accomplish new challenges in the North Western US competing in dry land sledding, mushing, Frisbee and dock diving with her Australian Kelpies. If you don’t know what a Kelpie is or why a southern type livestock dog would be that far north, you are not alone! We at Rogue were intrigued as well. When we learned more about Silvia, why Kelpies and why she pushes to change the general awareness of acceptable dog breeds to compete in Northern sports, we instantly found a kindred Rogue spirit!
From Silvia herself, “I want to promote the Kelpie breed and show that herding dogs are capable of much more than herding. My goal with my crew is to run longer sled races and get the young dogs back into dock jumping. My current plans are to enter the first ever 4 dog purebred Kelpie team with the new pups, Jillaroo and Koyla, are old enough to compete. This will be the only Kelpie team in the US that races dryland racing, sled dog racing and dock diving!”
Meet Team Mesh Mash!
Liberty
2012 World Champion Dock Dog Novice
2012 Washington State Disc Champion
2013 Pacific North West Disc Champion
2013 Priest Lake Idaho 3rd place sled team
2014 Iron Paw Champion (team sled)
Roo
2013 Priest Lake Idaho 3rd place sled team
2014 Iron Paw Champion (team sled)
2014 and 2015 2nd place holders – Northwest Sled Dog Race Series
2014 and 2015 2nd place holders of dryland sled series
Veda
2013 Priest Lake Idaho 3rd place sled team
2014 Iron Paw champion (team sled)
2014 and 2015 2nd place holders – Northwest Sled Dog Race Series
2014 and 2015 2nd place holders of dryland sled series
Cotton
2012 junior titles in Dock Dogs
2013 junior titles in Dock Dogs
3rd in Toss and Fetch
Ellin
2015 NWSDA Dryland Championship 3rd place repeat finishes in the Fall and Spring races