By LISA PERKINS
lperkins@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY — Petey, a black and white pit bull, wasn't ready to perform when he came to the Ultimate Air Dogs competition during last year's National Cherry Festival. This year is a different story.
Pete is among a group of 95 dogs registered to compete in the event held annually at the Open Space.
"We don't do intensive training with him. He just loves the water," said Amy Pagel, of Traverse City, whose late brother previously owned the rescue dog.
This year Pete flew through the air, chasing a chicken decoy, before landing in a 40-foot pool to cheers from the crowd gathered to watch competitors take practice jumps.
Registered dogs had the opportunity to try out their jumping skills Thursday afternoon before the three-day competition began. The canines compete in five divisions, based on their qualifying distance.
Many beginners have to be coaxed to retrieve their favorite toy, while the vets, or Ultimate jumpers, make the 22-foot, 6-inch mark or beyond.
Joe Maxa, of Fennville, brought dogs on both ends of the spectrum.
"The Cherry Festival is Jackson's favorite place to jump," said Maxa of his 2-year-old black Labrador retriever who was more than eager to take his turn on the dock.
"We brought him last year and he had his best jump ever, over 22 feet," said Maxa, who built a 28-foot dock on the pool where his dogs regularly practice.
Joe and his wife Vicki weren't quite as certain how their 1-year-old German shepherd, Legend, would perform.
"He loves to jump at home; we will just see how he does here," he said.
Legend may not make the Ultimate division this year, but the group of outstanding jumpers at the Cherry Festival contest grows each year.
"All the big jumping dogs come to the Cherry Festival event," said Brian Wilcox who runs the popular jumping event along with his father, former Detroit Tiger pitcher Milt Wilcox.
"We have 50-60 events per year, but this one in Traverse City is always one of the most popular ones," Wilcox said.
One of those big jumpers is a 4-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever named Jack who placed fifth in the Ultimate division finals last year.
Jack's owner, Kyle Shellenbarger of Rapid City, hopes for a better finish this year.
"This year he has been training with a weighted duck hunting vest, he should do really well," said Shellenbarger, noting that Jack has become a celebrity and has been recognized by boaters on Torch River where he practices.
Liam McDonald, 10, of Derby, Conn., said watching the dogs compete is his favorite Cherry Festival event. McDonald, who visits his grandfather in Traverse City each summer, couldn't wait to get poolside on Thursday.
"I love getting wet and seeing how far the dogs can jump," said McDonald, standing near the pool, waiting for the next splash.
The Ultimate Air Dogs contest will continue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The finals, with the top five dogs in each division, will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
