Port Allen Trial September

Maxie, 6 runs, 4 Qs, 2 QQs, 3 3rd places, 1 2nd place, 32 MACH Points, 6 videos
Lucky Lucy, 6 runs, 1 Q, 9 MACH Points, 6 videos

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L to R:  Pepper, Maxie, Willow
with Maxies 2 QQs and placement ribbons.

John and I both headed off to Port Allen for our dog clubs 2nd 3 day trial this year. Our first experience of pulling off 2 agility trials in 1 year.  I brought the motor home so John, assistant to the chief course builder all weekend, wouldnt have to leave the house at 5 a.m. each morning.  He spent Thursday and Friday nights with me, then went home Saturday night after the RVers "BringYour Own Beef" pot luck barbeque to bring our car back across the river.   He caught a ride back to the arena on Sunday morning with Nedra because he drove the U-Haul full of equipment back to BR Sunday night. We didnt want to have to go back across the river and get our car like last year, which took our last ounce of strength after the gruelling weekend.

John worked his ass off.  Two rings, always a course to build, for 3 days.  Few breaks, then pack up the truck and bring everything back to the field.  All I did was manage our RV, our crate space, and ran our dogs, trying to save my hip for my runs.  I didnt video other people, just my own dogs and a few of our novice competitors.  My hip didnt hurt a bit all weekend - must have been adrenalin keeping me from feeling it because it was sore before the trial, and is sore now.

Maxie ran clean the first 2 days but didnt run as fast as usual, walked the weaves, and on the 3rd day he went off course on both runs, attracted by some scent at the back side of the arena.  The first of those NQs, XS, he ran clean except on the second to last jump he ran completely out of the ring and around the column, but the judge only raised her hand for a refusal of that jump and the score sheet showed Maxies time and 1 fault.  Why we werent Eliminated I cant figure.  Heres that run.



On the XJ run, he ran around a jump which was his only fault, but didnt leave the ring.  But the score sheet showed we got eliminated and no time.  I cant figure that out.  Plus which, the video shows that the clock kept running for at least 4 seconds after we crossed the finish line. Heres that run. 



I pat myself on the back that all weekend I didnt lose track, kept on going, never got lost on course. Ive changed one tactic.  If my Excellent dogs miss an obstacle, I dont go back to correct it.  Im NQd anyway, but I keep the flow going to encourage speed.  Will this come back to bite me if my dogs start thinking they can skip something?  Well see. Does it worsen my score?

Lucky Qd once with 9 MACH points on her first XS run, but otherwise she was not much interested in participating.  It was hot.  Her tongue was dragging. Even when clean, she was always over course time. On one run, a spectator was eating a plate of fried fish at the edge of the ring. She smelled it and ran towards him. DONT EAT FOOD RINGSIDE is now added to my Tips list. 

 

Im still processing both dogs composite videos, but my microphone is acting up, as is my video editing program.  Im trying different things, still not satisfied with the programs Ive tried.

On Friday and Saturday both, I had visitors. Audrey came Friday and Saturday. Nathan and Allison came Saturday morning.  Laura and Portia hung around all Saturday afternoon and evening. 9 year old Portria unabashedly interviewed several dog owners about their breeds, and one of our own club members spent lots of time showing off her Corgis. I was also impressed with a lady who showed us her Shelties.  Ive always been attracted to the dainty ones that look like miniature collies. If Portia gets one of those, Ill be thrilled.  My cousin Lois also offered her a Papillon puppy, 5 months old, but Portia now has Shelties on the brain.

Portia with my Paps

The most encouraging thing that happened all weekend was the interest shown in my new "Tips For The Novice Competitor" paper, which is a work in progress. Competitors shared their pet peeves and gave me lots of encouragement to publish the list. One experienced competitor said "No matter how long weve been at it, were all still novice.  It would do everyone good to review the rules and especially the etiquette."  I agree.  Theres a lot to take in.

GOALS MET/GOALS SET:

Im running a little faster, with a slightly longer stride. Courses are easier to memorize.  My nerves arent frayed.  My heart isnt in my throat as I enter the ring.  I dont agonize over mistakes.

Maxies first 2 QQs in one weekend was a real surprise.  This leaves only one more QQ to meet my year-end goal of 10.  Were at 493 MACH points now, and my goal is 550.  With 2 more trials this year, we have a good chance of making these goals.

Lucky actually did run her weaves once. She never stopped on the top of the A-frame. She didnt miss any contacts.  Thats a little progress, at least.

My goal for Lucky is still the same - to figure what it takes to get her moving in the ring like she does in practice.  For starters, Ive entered her in our next trial at 24" and well practice at 24" from now on.  She seems to like jumping higher. Maybe this will boost her enthusiasm, and she will get a few more seconds to complete each run. The cooler October weather may help too. She needs 3 more Qs in XS to get her MX title.  We could well accomplish it this year, but with her speed issues, her MXJ cant come until 2013.

Pepper, my livewire 8 lb. Pap, at 11 months old, wasnt the least bit unnerved by the trialing atmosphere.  Crates beautifully. Not shy of dogs or visitors. Tried to mark everything, though. I measured him several times at 11.25", so looks like he may be jumping 12". I hope cousin Lois is right that Paps shrink a bit at about a year old. Id prefer him to jump 8". When I hooked his leash to our cart going too and from the RV, just expecting him to tag along, I discovered hes a great cart puller.  Heres a little video we took of him pulling, with Maxie and Willow riding in the caboose.  Notice that 46 lb Lucky, in harness, is often on a loose leash, while Pepper is pulling the 50+ lb cart all by himself.  Ive got to get him a harness before he strangles himself!  He is unstoppable.

Got a whole month to practice before Kiln, and Pepper just got booted out of Intro up to Beginners.  Got to see what classes are available.

Upwards and onward!

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