After coaching her Shetland sheepdog through an obstacle course at a recent competition, Lily Kurek, 11, of Unity drew a standing ovation.
The sixth-grade honor student at Baggaley Elementary School usually stands out at agility trials: Her peers are decades older.
“She's pretty calm and cool out there in the ring,” said Lily's great-aunt, Betty Ann Thalgott.
Lily learned about the competitions when she was about 8 years old from family friend and 4-H club leader Melissa Voll-Stoffer, who trained her Shetland sheepdogs for years and is an associate veterinarian at Ridgeview Veterinary Clinic in Derry Township.
Lily said she likes to run and exercise with her 2-year-old Sheltie, Peyton, and the pair has participated in about seven competitions.
“I like it when he listens to me and does something new,” she said.
She trains for showmanship competitions with the New Alexandria 4-H Club.
Her parents might get nervous, but Lily said she doesn't.
“I know he's going to do well,” she said.
Just once Peyton fell off an A-frame obstacle and sometimes gets excited before competing.
“Sometimes he bites my arm,” Lily said. “I think he likes to have fun. Then he has too much fun and ends up biting me, play-biting.”
Voll-Stoffer said Shelties can get playful and excited, but can be calm and attentive.
“They make really great agility dogs, but unlike border collies, they have an off switch,” she said.
The pair plans to make the trek in April to the American Shetland Sheepdog Association National Specialty Show in Virginia, where owners of Shelties from across the country will compete.
Christine Kurek said her daughter has learned poise and responsibility, dealing with adults at the competitions and taking care of Peyton.
For that, she and husband Nate rewarded their daughter with a puppy named Eli, which Lily is starting to train.
“It will be a while before her little guy is ready to compete,” Christine Kurek said. “This is Lily's thing, and we try to support her.”
Lily is also a member of the quiz bowl team, plays clarinet and spends time with her 14-year-old brother, Stephen.
She said her friends understand why she likes training and competing with her dogs, but no one has joined her just yet.
“They're probably jealous because I get to spend all day with puppies,” Lily said.
Stacey Federoff is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-836-6660 or sfederoff@tribweb.com.
