The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW celebrates a historic first for our breed. CH Mandene Balerion Ap Iago SPRD, owned by Club Editor and Webmaster Melinda Mills, is the first Welsh Corgi in Australia to earn the SprintDog™ SPRD title — a proud moment for Cardigans and Pembrokes alike.
The Welsh Corgi Club of NSW is delighted to share that CH Mandene Ap Iago SPRD has become the first Welsh Cardigan Corgi — and indeed the first Welsh Corgi of either breed, Cardigan or Pembroke — in Australia to achieve the SprintDog™ SPRD title, the second ranking title on the pathway toward SprintDog Champion.
This achievement marks an important milestone for Welsh Corgis within the relatively new and rapidly growing SprintDog™ discipline. While our breeds have long been valued for their intelligence, versatility and strong working heritage, SprintDog™ offers a modern platform to showcase the speed, drive and athleticism that are intrinsic to the corgi character.
SprintDog™, conducted under the rules of Dogs Australia, is a timed 100-metre dash in which dogs accumulate points based on their speed, with handicap multipliers applied according to height at the withers.
Under the SprintDog™ handicap system:
Dogs under 30 cm receive a 1.5 multiplier
Dogs over 30 cm up to 45 cm receive a 1.25 multiplier
Dogs 45 cm and over receive a 1.0 multiplier
Although many Welsh Cardigan Corgis measure just over 30 cm and compete in the 1.25 handicap class, Iago measured under 30 cm and therefore competed in the 1.5 multiplier category. While the multiplier compensates for height, success in SprintDog™ still depends entirely on consistency and speed — and Iago demonstrated both throughout his campaign, earning his points across multiple trials.
Iago’s SprintDog™ journey began at the Newcastle All Breeds Dog Training Club Inc SprintDog Trial on 24 September 2025, where he gained his first qualifying runs as a newcomer to the sport.
It was a hot day, and I was certainly both nervous and excited. As first-time competitors in this discipline, the Club officials and volunteers were incredibly supportive — offering clear instructions and creating a welcoming environment for newcomers. Attending shows and now sporting events solo, I sought out a volunteer “releaser,” quickly finding a friendly helper to assist us at the start line.
On his first run, Iago was bursting with enthusiasm, accelerating down the straight and completing the course successfully. His second run was equally confident and controlled. By the end of the day, we had achieved our first qualifying result and received our very first SprintDog™ qualifying ribbon — a small ribbon, but a very proud moment indeed. Little did we know that this first hot and slightly nerve-wracking day would mark the beginning of a journey toward a national breed milestone.
The following month, Iago competed at the Field Spaniel Club of NSW Sprint Dog Trial on 12 October 2025. Held on a beautiful summer day, it was a very well-run and welcoming event. The Club had thoughtfully set up a gazebo for check-in, complete with treats and goodies for competitors, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable day of competition, and Iago performed confidently, coming home with another qualifying result and adding valuable points to his growing total.
On 31 October 2025, at the Halloween-themed DOGS NSW Grounds Development Committee Sprint Dog Trial, Iago achieved his first official title — N.SPRD (SprintDog™ Novice) — formally beginning his ranking progression.
Held at the Dogs NSW Grounds, it was another extremely hot day. The hosting Club had thoughtfully provided pools for cooling off and shade stations while competitors waited their turn at the start line. In keeping with the Halloween date, there was also a fun and festive photo booth complete with costumes for the dogs, adding a light-hearted atmosphere to the competition.
After completing our runs successfully, we waited for the results — only to see a momentary “DQ” (disqualified) appear beside our entry due to a recording system glitch. For several long minutes, I stood with my heart in my mouth while officials worked to resolve the error. When the system was corrected and our qualifying points confirmed, the relief was enormous.
I am not an overly confident person and can be somewhat socially anxious and shy, so achieving this milestone with my little blue boy was an overwhelmingly emotional experience. Behind my smile were a million feelings — pride, disbelief, gratitude — but above all, a deep appreciation for my best mate, Iago.
With those points officially recorded, he had earned his very first SprintDog™ title — a defining step in what was quickly becoming a very special journey.
With the Novice title secured, we continued toward the next milestone. SprintDog™ was clearly gaining popularity, and entry numbers were growing rapidly. At times it was disappointing to miss out on securing a place at every trial we entered, as spots filled quickly and interest in the sport was soaring — a testament to the enjoyment and accessibility of the discipline itself.
One of the most appealing aspects of SprintDog™ is its inclusivity. Dogs of all breeds – and people from all walks of life – sizes and temperaments compete, and success is celebrated across the board. It is not just a sport for conformation champions; associate registry dogs compete alongside purebreds, and every dog is encouraged to run their own race against the clock.
Despite the increasing demand, the atmosphere at trials remained welcoming and supportive. That strong sense of community is very much part of the sport’s growing popularity.
We were fortunate to gain another entry at the Field Spaniel Club of NSW Sprint Dog Trial on 22 November 2025, where Iago continued to add valuable points to his tally.
The final stretch of the year saw us compete at two trials hosted by Fast Paws Sydney Inc on 28 and 29 November 2025.
Those consecutive trials were typical hot summer days, with the competitors scheduled to run in the cooler evening air under floodlights. This was a new experience for both of us, and I was unsure how Iago would respond to running at night.
But my little pocket rocket was entirely undaunted. The bright floodlights, distant fireworks and the unfamiliar feel of the dark did not distract him in the slightest. Once he locked eyes on the lure, there was only one focus — full-speed pursuit down the straight.
He ran cleanly and honestly, doing everything asked of him. When the scores were tallied, although I was thrilled to qualify again, we were painfully just three points short of the total required for the next title.
So close. So very close.
By the time I submitted ballot entries for the December trials, I was on a knife-edge waiting for the draws. I desperately wanted to finish 2025 on a high for Iago — we needed just one more opportunity.
The final chance of the year came at the Fast Paws Sydney Inc trial on 12 December 2025, on a day where rain threatened throughout. By this stage, we knew we were within reach, but in SprintDog™ nothing is certain until the times are recorded and the points confirmed.
And in the rain, Iago approached the start line with his usual bright focus. Nothing was going to stop his fun. When released, he drove forward cleanly and confidently, eyes fixed on the lure and legs working in steady rhythm all the way to the finish. It was another wholehearted run — exactly what he had given throughout the season.
When the results were finalised and the remaining points added to his tally, I knew he had secured the SPRD title.
There were no grand gestures that night. When our score was read, I simply called out, “New Title!” and the crowd applauded — not fully aware of what that title represented for Australian Corgis. For me, however, there was a quiet and deeply satisfying sense of achievement.
What had begun as a tentative exploration of something new on a hot September day had grown into a steady and rewarding campaign — culminating in a milestone not only for one determined little Cardigan, but for Welsh Corgis in Australia.
