RENO, Nev. — It's probably appropriate the large dog Super Weave gold medal winner at the 2003 ESPN Great Outdoor Games is named Echo.

After Friday's performance at Reno's Rancho San Rafael Park, people will be repeating her name.

"I've always believed my dog is one of the nicer dogs out here and to finally put together a winning run in a large tournament like this is very rewarding," said her handler, Ken Fairchild of North Sandwich, N.H.

"It kind of helps prove to me that my beliefs in her were well founded. I certainly hope that the rest of the agility community at large sees us as a force to be reckoned with."

Echo, a 7-year-old Border collie, was strong throughout the difficult course in her gold-medal victory over Ransom, but particularly in the weaves. The course consisted of hurdles, chutes and weaves. Fairchild said Echo was well prepared for the weaves.

"One of the things I used to do in training was to use weaves as a kind of a toy — a prize say for doing good work," he said. "If I was doing some work, I'd have weave poles sitting on the side, I'd send my dog off to go do the weaves. Very early on in her training, she learned to love the weaves. From anywhere, all I've got to do is say the word and she searches them out."

Ransom, handled by Sherry Kluever of Romeoville, Ill., had trouble in the first weave and had to start over, giving Echo a large lead. Still, Fairchild said, he had no idea how far ahead his dog was.

"It's really hard to see because you're concentrating on your dog," he said. "You hardly even notice the crowd. You hardly notice anything that's going on except your dog."

Kleuver said it was the weaves that cost her and Ransom.

"I had a lot of trouble on the right side," she said. "Still, I'm thrilled to have the silver in my first time in the Games."

The bronze medal went to Rave, handled by Wendy Vogelgesgang of San Clemente, Calif.

Rave defeated Static, handled by Jennifer Pinder of Lapeer, Minn., in the consolation match.

Final Results — Large Dog Superweave

1. Echo/Kendall Fairchild, North Sandwich, N.H.
2. Ransom/Sherry Kluever, Romeoville, Ill.
3. Static/Jennifer Pinder, Lapeer, Mich.
4. Rave/Wendy Vogelgesgang, San Clemente, Calif.
5. Spring/Julie Daniels, North Sandwich, N.H.
6. Revel/Barbara DeMascio, Gilbertsville, Pa.
7. Remy/Terry Smorch, Lake Elmo, Minn.
8. Mariah/Chris Hill, Glendale, Ariz.
9. Wicked/Nancy Gyes, San Jose, Calif.
10. Quick/Kate Moreaux, Fillmore, Calif.
11. Vixen/Shannon Miller, Santa Ana, Calif.
12. Luz/Olga Chaiko, North Hollywood, Calif.
13. Spy/Jim Basic, San Jose, Calif.
14. Secret/Stacy Peardot-Goudy, La Porte, Colo.
15. Sydney/Eric Bobkowski, West Chicago, Ill.
16. Qwik/Stuart Mah Bryceville, Fla.