Road Trials

A Dalmatian’s natural affinity for horses and long history of a carriage dog is celebrated through road trials - a unique sport dedicated to demonstrating control and endurance while on a horse or carriage. In the USA the trials are only open to Dalmatians, in Canada they allow other breeds to compete as well.

History of Road Trials in Canada (from Alison Merritt - Club Historian)

In 1995 Loretta Zink and Lesley Schreuder organized a Dalmatian Road Trial clinic to be held in early 1996 in Nanaimo BC, with a Mock Trial being held in the same location in June of 1996.  Judge was Linda Meyers and her secretary Lorrie Hewitt.  This event allowed the organizers to evaluate the rules under consideration and work out a proposed set of Canadian Trail & Road Trial rules.

Best Dalmatian in Specialty Trail & Road Trial and tied for Best Conditioned Dog was Elizabeth Zedel’s CH. Beachcomber’s Liquorice CDX RD TD

Trail Companion Titles were earned by the following dogs:

1)     CH. Beachcomber’s Liquorice CDX RD TD (F) (Zedel)

2)     Can.Am.CH. Stone Hill’s Ima Handsome Dude Can.Am.CD (M) (Podejko)

3)     Can.Am.CH. Hardrock Wdwynd Tragically Hip Can.Am.CD RD (M) (Jensen & LeVangie)

4)     Can.Am.CH. Skykdels N Bentley’s Hardrocker Can.Am.CDX (F) (LeVangie)

Qualified – “Kelly” (McCrone)

At that time, President Penny Paul formed a Road Trial Committee to establish Road Trials in Canada, with the expectation for it to report back to the Club by the end of 1996.  Committee members were Loretta Zink (co-chair), Lesley Schreuder (co-chair & BC Director), Susan Saul (Quebec Director), Charlie Cyopik (Ontario), Lara Sorensen (Alberta), Lorri Hewitt (BC), Lesley Levesque (BC) and Christine Williams (BC).

The Nov/Dec 1996 issue of TCD reported on the Mock Road Trial in June and recommendations to the DCC were finalized and submitted.

The DCC archives contain a copy of 1997 Trail & Road Trial regulations marked “approved with amendments”.  It appears that these are the current rules. 

In 1998 Lara Sorensen tried to arrange a Road Trial to be held in association with the National Specialty in Alberta, but it had to be cancelled. 

Organized by Danielle LeVangie and Angela Morosnik, the “First Annual DCC Road Trial” was held in conjunction with the National Specialty on July 3, 2003 in Rockwood, Ontario.  It was judged by Karin Apfel and Dr. Gerard Roberts, with 9 dogs entered. 

Since that time, no further Road Trials have been held in Canada, with owners travelling to the US to pursue Road Dog titles.  The Dalmatian Club of America has been holding Road Dog Trials since 1989. 

Road Dog Titles earned by Canadian Dals in the USA

Road Dog Excellent (RDX)

CH. Brandweer’s Sunnyglen RD (F) 1996 Lesley Schreuder

CH. Driftwood’s Canadian Rambler Can.Am.CDX (M) 1996 Sue Fockner

CH. Whitepepper Spotted Bandit CDX SHDCH Am.CD RD (M) 1999 Lara Sorensen & Brent Bard

Road Dog (RD)

CH. Beachcomber’s Final Answer CD (M) 2006 Elizabeth Zedel

CH. Beachcomber’s Liquorice UD (F) 2001 Elizabeth Zedel

CH. Brandweer’s Sunnyglen (F) 1994 Lesley Schreuder

Can.Am.CH. Countryroad Bobbibrooke Banker UD Am.CDX (M) 1993 Leslie Bush-Harris & Linda Cyopik

CH. Countryroad Cabriolet 1993 Margaret Kerr

CH. Countryroad Racy Roadpartner (F) 1996 Betty & John Pirs

Can.Am.CH. Hardrock Wdwynd Tragically Hip Can.Am.CD (M) 2002 Mary Lynn Jensen & Danielle LeVangie

Can.Am.CH. Skykdels N Bentley’s Hardrocker Can.Am.CDX (F) 2001 Danielle LeVangie

Can.Am.CH. Whitepepper Spotted Bandit CDX (M) 1996 Brent Bard & Lara Sorensen