Pooch Olympics: Photos from the Incredible Dog Challenge

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The Jack Russell Terrier race involved six dogs chasing a "rabbit" (fake furry thing) across the field. The first one through the hole at the end of the course won.

33445Performances like this one make it look like an Olympic event: Look at that form! Owner Tony Lambert throws the baton for Baxter, who won the distance challenge. Baxter is a world champion in Dogdocks events and has appeared on Letterman, FOX, and NBC Sports.
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The afternoon wasn't just for competitors. Many dogs and owners came to watch the show. Donna Painter brought her two rescues, Dunkin, 9, and Alvin, 5.

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Sutton, a Dalmatian rescue, made friends all afternoon as he hoped for a new family. Three different rescue organizations hosted booths at the event.


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Locals were invited to try out for the dog diving and freestyle frisbee events. While 6-year-old Kira did not qualify, she and Risky, 7, were invited to give an exhibition demonstration. They both performed like future champions.
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Tasha, a 2-year-old Siberian Husky, watched as her canine cousins competed.

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Moxie and owner Andrea won the freestyle flying disc competition.


The winners of Saturday's competition move on to compete in the nationals this October in St. Louis.

Baxter, a trained by Tony Lambert, competes in the distance challenge.

Baxter, a Belgian Malinois, jumps in a distance challenge and is about to sink his teeth into the prize. He was "diving" in one of two events requiring dogs to leap as far as they could from a 40-foot dock into a 19,000-gallon pool. The baton Baxter is about to chomp on was suspended from an apparatus over the pool. He is owned by Tony Lambert.

Dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds journeyed with their owners to Spa Beach at the Pier in St. Petersburg Saturday. The Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge took over the park as hundreds of people and their furry canine companions attended what was billed as an Olympic-style competition. Events included an agility course for both large and small dogs, weave pole racing, Jack Russell Terrier racing, and two separate diving events.

Arena PanoThe arena was surrounded by grandstands and tents for participants. Cloudy weather prevailed but rain only once interrupted the competition.
Legend, owned by Annette Martinez, competes in the agility course

Legend, owned by Annette Martinez, competes in the agility course. The timed event was made up of jumps, hoops, tunnels, and other obstacles

Some of the expressions on these athletic dogs' faces were priceless.

Some of the intense expressions on the competitors' faces (both dogs and trainers) were priceless.

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