The Story of Sequel The first and only quadruple champion Collie

CH, HC, AGCH, MACH2, PACH6, RACH Millknock Tri the Next Chapter VCD2 TQX GV ROM-P

I was not planning on getting a puppy in 2013. Marianne Sullivan had bred Millknock Montage (Annie) and I remember saying if you ever breed her again, let me know. And then I realized, I was going to be down to one dog in the next couple of years. I contacted Marianne again and said, “I’m interested in this litter.” Though I always preferred boys, I needed to get a bitch this time around because of my boys not getting along. This was such a nice litter. Did I see something in Sequel that made me think this dog is going to be a super star? No, not really. I narrowed down my preference based on how focused she was, and I loved her movement.

I don’t like to say we started “training” at 8 weeks because that sounds so formal and structured. We began “informal” training in a variety of sports. In Obedience, we retrieved the dumbbell using prey drive, we taught go-outs as a trick and heeling with just a cookie. In Agility, we taught wraps around cones, acceleration, crate games etc. We had her move ducks around and change direction.

My first clue that she was something special was her ability to do a full one-hour lesson at 8 weeks of age, in any sport without losing any interest or drive. My next clue was her ability to learn. We would complete a lesson and the next morning, she had already mastered what we learned the day before, without any additional training. Many times, it appears that a dog has learned something quickly but as time goes on, we see holes in the understanding of what was being taught. Not so with Sequel. She fully mastered things overnight and was ready to move on to the next step.

The one thing I promised myself, when we started trialing, was that I would hold my criteria no matter what. I feel being consistent and not changing the rules just to qualify I think is a huge piece of why she was so successful. I am at agility trials every weekend because that is my business so obviously, I want a dog that loves agility. She was focused on day one and extremely driven. I have never had to be a cheerleader in the ring. My job is to give her the information that she needs. I am not always very successful at that, but she has always made up for my weaknesses.

the Agility Championship . . .

An Agility Championship requires a combination of speed and accuracy. Most dogs are better at one or the other. Sequel excelled at speed, but my lack of timing affects her accuracy! As a result, our Agility Championship took a few years! In 2023, she earned her Agility Grand Championship along with her daughter AGCH MACH11 Millknock Turn the Page to Wonderful. The only mother and daughter Collie to earn this title.

The Conformation Championship . . .

I took Sequel in the breed ring in the beginning and put a few points on her. We took a few road trips and Dona Williams showed Sequel to her Breed Championship. She is a lot of dog, demands to be noticed and has beautiful movement. She is very food motivated and one of my favorite photos is of Sequel leaping in the air for a piece of bait in Dona’s hand.

The herding Championship . . .

Sequel is only my third dog to herd and my first one to get advanced levels. A Herding Championship requires 15 points including a Major win and 2 First placements. In one weekend, she earned a score of 95 for a 4 point major, 1st place and Reserve High in Trial beating 18 dogs, a 94.5 for another 4 point major, 1st place and High in Trial beating 17 dogs and a 91 for a 3 point major and another Reserve High in Trial beating 17 dogs. It was an amazing weekend and I have often said, she doesn’t need me in the ring. I just need to sit back and let her do her thing. The following weekend was the Collie Club of America Eastern Regional and we picked up the remaining 4 points to finish our Championship.

She is my first dog to have a Tracking title and was entered and ready for her Tracking Dog Excellent when she was bred to GCH Ch Larkspur Shake Down the Stars II ROMP. She was due in June, so we cancelled and I pulled her Tracking entry. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I wasn’t able to get back to that level of tracking but she LOVES tracking. Another sport for me to hold on tight and just follow her lead.

Her Puppies. . .

I did not get Sequel with the intention of breeding her but she was so very special, I felt she had something to contribute to our breed. She gave me 8 puppies - 4 boys and 4 girls. I raised them using the Avidog method which focuses on building confidence. Each puppy had a “motivational” name – Amazing, Awesome, Exciting, Fantastic, Incredible, Marvelous, Wonderful and Spectacular. Each time I picked up a puppy, and said you are Amazing or you are Awesome for example. Sequel was the most amazing mother and instilled her confidence in to her litter. It worked! Her litter produced: 4 Agility Champions, 1 Herding Champion, 1 Breed Champion in addition to titles earned in Obedience, Rally and Scentwork.

The Rally Championship . . .

This past year, I decided to pursue her Rally Championship. This title is about perseverance. She earned her CDX in Obedience but Rally is different. As the handler, I felt responsible time and time again for messing up resulting in fewer points earned. She earned her RACH in April 2024 making her one of 19 dogs in AKC history to have earned Championships in 4 different sports and the only Collie to have achieved this accomplishment. She is a once in a lifetime dog and it has been an honor and a privilege to be part of her life.

Story by Noreen Bennett

Editors note: Sequel, Ch, HC, AGCH, MACh2, PACh6, RACH Millknock Tri the Next Chapter VCD2 TQX GV ROM-P is currently (November 2024) the only Collie to make history as a Quadruple Championship. Over her lifetime of 11 years so far she has earned championships in Conformation, Herding, Agility and Rally. She also attained the coveted Agility Grand Championship and is a ROM-P producer from her only litter whelped in 2017.

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