THE National IPO Championships took place in East London over the weekend , showcasing the top German Shepherd dogs in IPO Sport from all over South Africa.
The dogs were required to compete in obedience, protection and tracking components over four days. The event culminated in the selection of the team to represent South Africa at the World Championships taking place in Holland in October.
Britt Stanton and Zsa-Zsa von der Schiffsclasche won the event, with Iain Wardle and Kondor von der Brandachschneise in second and Lesley MacDonald and Akira von der Wolfsmacht third. Britt Stanton with Zsa-Zsa, and Vera Drummond with Dante vom Chantian are the two handlers that qualified to represent South Africa at the World Championships in Holland.
This year’s German Shepherd Dog of South Africa’s IPO Nationals was hosted by East London’s very own GSDFSA (German Shepherd Dog Federation of South Africa Border) IPO Sport Club based out in Lilyfontein. The club’s own chairman (Wardle and dog Kondor von der Brandaschschneise Cat.# 3003), came second this year, winning the Best Dog & Handler Team Award, as well as the Best Tracking Award.
Iain also received a Platinum Sport Medal Award from the GSD Federation, a first for anyone in East London.
