Molly Miller, a 15-year-old member of the
Canine Connections 4-H Dog Club, recently won Senior High Point at the Florida
State Fair. This is the first time that a Sarasota 4-H youth has achieved this
exceptional award. Molly accumulated the most points of all the senior 4-Hers
by winning her agility class with a perfect score of 200, winning her obedience
class with a score of 197.5 out of 200 and earning a high score in advanced
showmanship.
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Although surprised by winning
this honor at the State Fair, Molly is no stranger to earning high point
awards. She has previously earned multiple high point awards at such 4-H events
as the Manatee County Fair and the Manatee Invitational Show in addition to
high point trophies at regulation NADAC and UKC agility trials. |
This is Molly's fourth year competing in 4-H with her bi-black Shetland
Sheepdog, Brady. She also competes with Brady in several agility venues
including AKC, NADAC, UKC and CPE. Brady has won many titles in all of these
venues. In addition, Molly has competed with Brady and her new Sheltie, Zar, in
AKC Jr. Showmanship at the Open Senior level. Brady currently needs one more
qualifying leg in AKC Rally obedience to earn his first title in this new
sport. Molly has shown several other breeds in the AKC conformation ring
including terriers, sight hounds and herding dogs.
She has received
training in showing dogs both at the local level and at nationwide seminars.
Molly admits that she is bit of a perfectionist and strives to gain knowledge
to better |
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herself and her dog's performance in the
show ring. Molly enjoys sharing her knowledge with the other members of her 4-H
club. She encourages all 4-Hers to read everything they can about training
their dog in addition to attending shows and asking questions of others with
more expertise. Molly shares that showing dogs has helped her overcome her
childhood shyness to be a more confident person.
Molly's future plans
include both dog goals and scholastic goals. With her dogs, Molly hopes to
achieve agility titles and an AKC Breed Championship on her young sheltie, Zar.
With Brady, she wants to achieve an AKC Master Agility Championship which is
the highest title one can achieve in AKC agility. Currently, Molly is a home
schooled tenth grader. In addition, she tested into college level courses at
Manatee Community College last year at age 14 and has maintained a 4.0 grade
point average since then in her college courses. Molly's current hectic
schedule includes taking three classes at week at Sarasota Obedience Training
club with her dogs, working on her school work, maintaining her 4-H books
including her secretary duties for her club and helping teach the younger
members of her 4-H club.
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