Orchard Agility Unaffiliated Show

Only a few weeks late but never mind! We decided to have a quite weekend so we went to the Orchard Agility unaffiliated show as it is only 30 mins away. We really went to this show to give Zazu some more experience in a relaxed environment. We ran Zazu at grade 3, Shadow at grade 6, Doople at grade 5 and Winnie in anysize.

Spoiler: Zazu looking proud with his Saturday rosettes

Zazu wasn't too keen on parts of the agility ring as there were a lot of thistles on the ground. He was hoping around at times, which was funny to watch if ineffective. He had two agility rounds and a jumping round His contact on all of his rounds were really good. We still need a little more drive but he was running all the way down. The weaves were all a little slow but again we need more practice. He got distracted in the jumping round and ran off in the other direction but he was still enjoying him self. He was eliminated in the jumping, got a 2nd in the 1-3 agility and a 1st in the 1-5 agility. We were really pleased as this was his first win. It also means he qualified fr the Embroidery Shop medium 1-5 final in August. Shadow won this event in 2012, so he has a lot to live up to.

On the Sunday, his contacts were still good in the agility round and I decided to hold him a little longer on them. He decided to sit at the top of the A-frame once though, I guess the view was good! He was starting to tire a little, more mentally than physically. We still managed a clear round in the steeplechase and a 3rd place in the agility.

Shadow started the weekend in the steeplechase, and it took her a while to wake up. She just sort of wandered around the first ten jump, then realised what we were doing and sped up! She ran much better in the jumping class and finished 2nd, a few seconds off the winner. The agility was going well until the contact equipment when she just flew off everything.

Sunday started much better as she won the steeplechase this time. The class ended with a full poodle podium! She also did really well in the jumping class where she finished 2nd. The agility run is probably best forgotten, she missed all her contacts again and also wandered off half way through to find Susi. Still it was a fun weekend with her.

Doople has started losing a lot of her drive at shows, particularly when it's warm. It's still there sometimes, particularly when Susi runs her, but I had the privilege for most of the weekend. She started really well in the jumping class and finished 3rd with Shadow only a few seconds faster. We got faults on the dog walk in the first agility class and eliminated in the second. She wasn't running as well for these as they were later in the day.

She was lagging a bit in the jumping on Sunday, we missed a jump and got eliminated. +Susi Cooper ran her in the first agility run and she went much better. She's more used to running with Susi. They went round really well and finished in 3rd place.

Winnie was entered in the anysize jumping at small height (350mm), one on each day. On Saturday she ran quite well and looked like she enjoyed it. She always enjoys herself when she comes out round the rings at least. Sunday was a bit different as it took a bit of effort to get her out of the caravan! She started slowly but picked when she got to the tunnels.

The weekend was mainly about training Zazu and we accomplished quite a lot. Zazu got his first win and qualified for a final in August. It was a good, relaxing weekend, even with all the thistles!

Relaxing after a hard day

Pachesham Grade 1-5 - February

We were at Pachesham for the final time this winter for the grade 1-5 show. We took Doople at grade 5 and Zazu at grade 3. We were very fortunate with the weather considering the flooding in other parts of the country. No rain, clear sky and a lot of wind!

Wax on, wax off

Zazu was up first in the jumping. I had to cross behind the tunnel and he came out looking the wrong way, which is something we need to train. He ran well still, even though I was slow on the turns. He was happy in the run and we ended up in 5th place. Next up was the agility. He drove into the tunnels nicely and I could layer a jump with him still going. He stopped to look at the judge on the A-frame but came down well. The only downside was the weave entry which was at an angle. He went round the first pole well but went in the second weave. This again is something to practice. Next was the steeplechase. I started a long way to the side of the first jump, sent him into the tunnel and picked him up for a blind cross between the next two jumps. He was running quite nicely all the way round, still enjoying it. We ended up in 8th place. Finally we had the second agility. round. He started by running at +Susi Cooper but carried on. He had a really good A-frame, driving down to the end. A good drive again, especially for his fourth run. We ended up in 4th place.

Doople only had two runs. Her first run was the jumping. She was really running well until Susi got in her way on a turn. This stopped her and she had the next pole down.  A good run though and finished in 6th place. Her final run was the first agility round. She slowed up a little during the run, perhaps because of the lighting. She managed the tricky weave entry, stopped to look at Susi, then carried on, and finished in 3rd place.

It was another fun day. We have a few things to train with Zazu but we were really pleased with how he's coming along. Not many more winter shows left now and then we're back outside camping again.

Pachesham Goldrush Show

Continuing our winter training we were back at Pachesham again this weekend. he weather ended up being a bit miserable, not great when the show was outdoors! We took Zazu and Shadow this time. It is the first agility Shadow has done in a month so it could be fun!

Zazu doing tricks instead of getting ready

Zazu was up first in the jumping round. There were some tight pull throughs where I was on top of him. I got in his way a bit and he slowed down but carried on. He was running well though, albeit with wide turns, mainly due to my being slow. We ended up in 7th place. Next up was agility 1. He decided to stop on the top of the A-frame, but came down and stopped nicely. It was a little bit messy as he was unsure what I was asking, but he still managed everything, including 12 weaves. we were pleased enough with him, and he finished in 4th place. His next round was the steeplechase. By this point Zazu had pretty much given up. He wasn't really paying attention or running. He was clear, but we decided not to run him in the final agility run.

Shadow also started with the jumping round. She was running well and enjoying it. She listened well and I got into better positions with her than I did with Zazu. We ended up 2nd which was a great start. Next up was agility 1. There was no dog walk, which is one less contact for Shadow to ping! Her A-frame contact was good. She was a little slow on some turn, managed 12 weaves well and had a good see-saw. We finished that round in 4th. Next was the steeplechase run. This was a fast course and Shadow was lagging a bit. I think she's a little unfit as she was looking tired. She still ran and finished in 4th again. Finally was agility 2. I decided to try something different to see if it would work, but Shadow didn't run away quite well enough. Second time she did and I managed to get into a good place for a nice tight turn round into the see-saw. She was very good though.

It was a fun day, Shadow was lagging a bit and Zazu just generally seemed fatigued. We're going to give Zazu a week or two off from agility completely so that he can enjoy it again.

RVA Indoor Show - January

This weekend we were at the RVA pay-on-the-day show. We only took Zazu at grade 3 and Doople at grade 5. Shadow is still sore from injuring herself last week so we left her at home. It was a cold but clear day. The venue had improved yet again, so it felt much warmer indoors.

Doople was up first with +Susi Cooper in the grade 4-7 jumping. Doople was running quite nicely. Susi got in her way a couple of times though, not giving her space before the weaves and stepping in too much on the slalom. It wasn't awful though. Next up after a long wait was the grade 1-7 steeplechase. This was just a bit of fun as Doople isn't very fast in a straight line. They completed it well and both enjoyed it. Finally was the grade 4-7 agility. This was quite a tricky course but they both managed it well. Susi was practising Ketschker turns and it wasn't bad, Doople didn't fully understand though so more practice required. Doople did miss her dog-walk contact though!

Zazu ran in the grade 1-3 jumping first. As normal for his first run he was really excited. We had a good start up to the tunnel and a Ketschker turn into the weaves. He charged in barking at me but missed the final weave. A shame but happy that he was moving. I pulled him off a couple of jumps by turning too soon but he was listening and running well. Next was grade 1-3 agility. He had lost some of his forward drive but still stopped on his contacts. He started creeping down which is not great, but he still stopped. His second A-frame was much better. Finally we had grade 1-7 steeplechase. We managed it well and he was moving a bit at least.

It was a good day with lots to practice. Zazu is starting to enjoy it more and more each time. Hopefully by the summer he will be running much better.

Pachesham Grade 1-5 Show

We were back at Pachesham again this weekend for the Winter League grade 1-5 show. We ran Doople and Zazu. The day started off nice and frosty but got better later on. It ended up being a very efficient show as we managed to get through everything in a few hours. I think the cold hurries people up!

Always ready on a frosty morning

We started with Zazu in the jumping. He was really going for it all the way. We had a few wide turns as he caught me out with his speed. We were really pleased with how he worked away form me. I messed up a turn so he missed a jump, but we were still pleased. The agility was next. He was very distracted here as Susi went to film from the other side of the ring. He still managed his A-frame contacts so all was not lost.

We had another agility round after. He came out the tunnel entrance, possibly because I turned too soon. I took the opportunity to try a fancy new turn to see if we could get it tighter. It's jump 7 in the video, just before the second tunnel. I have been very skeptical about these turns in the past as most times I've seen them used have either been in the wrong place or poorly executed. We had training with Den Keeler the day before and he was explain the proper places to use these turns, and to be honest they do work when used correctly. Zazu at vaguely understood me and he was tight.

His final run was in the steeplechase. I ran this very far away from him and I didn't have to move very far from the centre of the ring. He worked away well. We had a few wide turns as I was focussing more on getting him to drive forward. We ended up the round in 8th place.

Doople only had two runs here as she tends to get tired and give up towards the end of the day. Her first was the jumping. I ran her in this and she seemed to be very distracted and not really paying attention. She still ran but not at her best. +Susi Cooper ran her in the agility round and she did run better. Turning well and pushing forward a bit. They ended up with 3rd place.

It was a fun day and we learnt a lot with Zazu. He is really coming along and is quite happy to work at a distance. We still need to build his drive but that will come with time and confidence

Pachesham Beginners - January

We started the year off as we left the last, with an agility show! We were at Pachesham this weekend for their Beginners show. We only took Zazu to this to give him some experience on his own. He can be a bit timid when he's away from his pack.

Greg ready, Zazu waiting

The weather had started to play havoc by flooding the indoor school. This meant running the show only using the outdoor school! This could have ended in tears with the weather. Fortunately, the weather held all day and only started raining as we got the van to go home. It couldn't have been timed better.

On to the show. Zazu had four classes, the most he has done at a show before. Being a beginners show, the courses were fairly straight forward. In the agility rounds, we wanted to put our contact training to the test. We were aiming for a 2-on-2-off position, basically his back two feet on the equipment and front two feet on the floor. It took a couple of attempts but he did get there. He was wide on some, OK most, of his turns as he was getting distracted by everything that was going on. This is why we are going to these shows so that he can get over it.

The jumping rounds were better. I started by trying to layer a jump into a pull through. This worked well and Zazu was running forwards nicely. He got distracted coming out of the tunnel towards people again but continued on. When he was driving he was jumping quite flat, which is hat we are aiming for. In the steeplechase round he was running well again. A little distracted around the crowds of people but he didn't deviate. On the straight bits he opened up again. This was a good round an we ended up 3rd, his first placing! It was very close with the times, the first 6 dogs were within 0.8 seconds of each other.

We were both really pleased with Zazu. He wasn't worried about being on his own and was listening most of the time. We still need to work on more drive, especially when turning, and also with distractions. Both of which will come with time and experience.

RVA Indoor Show - December

We had our final show of 2013 at the RVA December pay-on-the-day show. It had been the first agility we had done for a couple of weeks so we were looking forward to it.  Doople was running at grade 5, Shadow at grade 6 and Zazu in anysize (medium). We wanted to run Zazu over the lower height A-frame and dog walk as this is the first time he has done these at a show since we started clicker training his contacts.

Greg & Zazu right before their Steeplechase run

On that note we'll start with Zazu. We were keen to see if he would recognise the contacts at a show. He ran the dog walk but didn't stop at the end. I looked at the contact and he jumped straight back on, so he is recognising it, just not whilst running. The A-frame was the same. While I know it isn't a good idea to keep putting them back on the contact, I wanted him to see that it is the same at training. In the jumping he was working away from me nicely and we layered a couple of jumps well. He still hasn't quite got the drive that we'd like, as he's a few seconds off the pace, but that will come with confidence in the ring. The steeplechase was similar, he was working well, just needs a bit more drive.

Shadow was ready and raring to go as usual. The first class was graded(ish) 4-7 jumping. I say graded-ish as the class is split into 4-5 and 6-7. We were a little wide on a few turns but I got into the rhythm and we got better. I tried to layer a jump into the tunnel but think I got too close on the previous turn so was running away slightly. Shadow slowed as a result but still went into the tunnel. She flew through the weaves too which I'm pleased with. We finished just outside the placings by 0.1s! It was interesting watching some of the mistakes over the long jump with dogs going straight in the tunnel, especially large dogs. Most people were too close for the turn so the dog started turning towards them after the pull-through, lining them up with the tunnel rather than the jump, which was offset. It looked simple but a lot made mistakes there. The other common mistake was not standing still on the turn or turning their back on the dog, so the dog would take the wrong jump. I was struggling to see the benefit of doing a blind turn on a pull through there, everyone that tried it failed because they weren't watching their dog. That isn't to say that blind turns and the new 'in-thing' from Europe, Ketschker turn, are bad but most people use them in the wrong place. And this turn is the wrong place.
Anyway, enough of me rambling on. Shadow's other run was in graded-ish 4-7 agility. We made the mistake of going first. We were having a good round but the numbered cone was still in front of the weaves! We got another go and this time we were tighter. It was a good round, the contacts were good in both rounds. We were leading for most of the class but finished in 4th.

Doople was running in the same classes as Shadow but in the other classification. In the graded-ish 4-7 jumping +Susi Cooper and Doople were going well, good tight turns and running well. Susi tried to layer the jump into the tunnel but got a bit too far ahead so Doople jumped instead. It was a good tight jump, just not what we wanted! I ran Doople in the graded-ish 4-7 agility. She was still running forward well, we weren't sure what she would be like at the end of the day. She was running out and listening well. We messed up the weaves as I got too far ahead for the entry. We ended up in 6th place though.

It was a fun show and we got a lot from it. We know we need to work on Zazu's drive. He has the basics of working away and listening, we just need to do it faster now!

Pachesham Grade 1-5 Show - November

We were down near Leatherhead this weekend at the Pachesham Grade 1-5 show. This is the first time we have been to this show. It was very well run and a nice relaxed atmosphere. It was a very small show with only four classes. They do a few different types of show throughout the winter, this one was only for grades 1-5. In good (read not too bad) weather they have two rings going, one inside and one outside, meaning we were home by 14:30! We took Zazu at grade 3 and Doople at grade 5.

Zazu wondering why mum has gone over there

First up was Zazu. He was the main reason we came to this show as we were looking for some more practice. He still gets a little distracted in the ring so we want to keep working him. He started off in the jumping class. We were pleased that there were only 6 weaves as we haven't quite cracked 12 without straps. He was a very good boy. He listened on the turns even though I was very slow. He drove into the tunnels which gave me some breathing space. He got distracted coming back down the line and missed a jump but he was still running well. His only other round was the steeplechase. He was really raring to go in this. I managed to send him into the tunnel and layer a jump into the slalom which I was really pleased with. The turn was wide as I wasn't sure if he would go out, so I made sure that we did the jump first. We were very pleased with him as it was more complicated than the things we have trained. He works away nicely which makes running him so much easier.

Doople seemed very happy at this show. Perhaps it was because we only had two dogs or that we were more relaxed not worrying about so many runs. Either way she enjoyed herself. We started with the jumping class. She was running well and driving at the tunnels. The weaves were a bit slow but she picked them up well. We ended up with a 4th place. Next was the first agility class. This had a couple of tricky bits, Doople picked up the weaves well and wasn't too slow. A good turn off the A-frame round the back of a jump and we ended up 5th. This was followed by the steeplechase. Doople seemed really up for this and got some wheel spin off the line. Unfortunately I got a turn in the slalom wrong and didn't push her far enough so she came inside. We ended up 6th. Finally Doople had her second agility round. Doople was tiring slightly but still running. That is until the weaves where she walked through as slow as she could. Never mind, still a good day.

We both really enjoyed the day and will be going back for some of their other shows. Hopefully Zazu will be running a bit better by then to get a place or two.

Doople before her last agility run

RVA Indoor Show - November

This weekend we went to the RVA indoor pay-on-the-day show. It's a nice friendly show that we have been going to for a few years. The venue is improved each year as it is being built. This year we had windows in the spectators area! This made it much (a relative term) warmer than it has been. We were running Shadow at grade 6, Doople at grade 5 and Zazu at grade 3.

Shadow started the day off with graded 4-7 jumping. It was a bit tricky but flowed nicely. We got off to a bad start as she broke her wait. Although we didn't go wrong it put me on the back foot for the first few jumps. We got back on track and she had lovely weaves, which is something we've been working on  a lot recently. We finished 7th in grade 6-7, it was a good fun run. Her last run was graded 4-7 agility. She waited properly this time and was charging round, picking up her weaves and also getting all contacts. We were eliminated when Shadow didn't pull through a gap but carried on going. I should have steadied her up before the jump so she didn't jump so long.

Doople was running in the same classes as Shadow. +Susi Cooper ran her in the graded 4-7 jumping. It was a good smooth round with Doople going quite well. Susi got into the wrong position at one point but managed to keep it going. They eventually finished 2nd in grade 4-5. A good result. I ran her in the graded 4-7 agility. It was hard work as Doople was slowing a bit. She still ran on but needed driving all the way. She knocked a pole when I tried to turn her tightly. It shows how she can find it hard work sometimes. She'll probably run less in the future to try and keep it fun.

Zazu was running a couple of proper classes to see what he was like. We avoided agility as we still want to work on his contacts at home. His first class was graded 1-3 jumping. This was a fast flowing course and one that he ran very well. He made it easy for me as I could just stroll into position with charging off the way I point. We didn't manage the 12 weaves but we haven't got that far at home yet, so no surprise. He also ran in the graded 1-7 steeplechase. He was a little tired by this point but still ran well. He got a little distracted on the way round but still focused when I called him and we finished with a clear round. We were both pleased with him today. He still needs to mature mentally to be able to focus for longer, but that will come.

We had a fun day and kept it relaxed by only running in a few classes. We still have more work to do with Zazu but he is coming along nicely.

Poodle DTC Agility Show

This weekend we were at the Poodle DTC Agility Show held at Ockley, Surrey.  It was a limited show for poodles only.  We have been once before and it's great fun seeing poodles of all sizes running around like lunatics!  We were running all four dogs with Winnie running at medium height.

Zazu waiting (not so) patiently for his turn

Zazu started the day off this time running at his full height, medium, with me.  He has been getting much more confident at training and that showed in the ring.  The first class was the 1-7 agility.  He worked away very nicely and was listening for the most part.  He was very interested in sniffing the weaves which is most unlike him.  All got all of his contacts as well.  We were pleased with run, if not disappointed with the weaves. Next was pairs, he was running with Winnie.  We were impressed at how well he focused considering +Susi Cooper and Winnie were both in the ring.  He picked up the dog walk next to the A-frame nicely.  He again was more interested in sniffing the weaves so we carried on.  Next was 1-7 jumping.  We decided to avoid the weaves completely this time.  He was running well until about halfway when he decided to run full pelt across the ring and out!  He came back and finished though.  He was getting a bit tired for his last run, 1-7 helterskelter.  This is the most he has had to do before so we were pleased he was still going.  He was running a bit slower but still listening.  We missed a jump when he got a bit distracted but it was still a better round than before.  We have a lot to do with Zazu, mainly ring experience to get him used to the environment and keep enjoying himself.

Winnie was running at medium height to help build her confidence more.  She started really well and was enjoying herself a lot.  She flew round the 1-7 agility course, turning nicely and driving forwards.  It's the first time we've seen that drive in her at a show.  Susi ran her in the pairs.  She missed the weaves but they were very tight entries.  She still focused well with me and Zazu in the ring.  Next was 1-7 jumping.  She was a little slower this time and took longer to get going.  The tunnels do a good job of winding her up and she was flying out.  This was Winnie's last run as we didn't want to push it and her not enjoy her runs.

Shadow started the agility well.  I was using the time for a bit of training and was trying to get her to weave with me being further away than usual.  she came into me the first time because I was too slow in telling her to weave.  She then drove off and round, the second time picked the weaves up much better although I was still too slow in telling her to weave.  The pairs left some room for improvement as she was not really listening much, she missed the weaves and ran in the completely wrong end of the tunnel.  Sorry Susi and Doople!  The 1-7 jumping was a better round, but she looked like she was running a bit steady and not stretching fully like she can do.  The times showed and we finished fourth.  The final run, 1-7 helterskelter, was much better and she was really pushing forwards the whole way round.  We were much closer this time and managed second place.

Susi tried a similar tactic with the weaves as me, seeing if she'd pick them up better.  Doople also missed them for the same reasons, too slow at telling her.  It was good practice though and it's more about us getting it right.  Doople was let down in the pairs by her mad silver partner, but she ran nicely and was driving round the short course.  I ran Doople in the 1-7 jumping to see if she would drive better.  We started well and she barking for the first part.  Her speed tailed off a bit towards end so she needs to get a bit fitter.  She ran nicely in the 1-7 helterskelter for Susi, turning well where needed and following the lines.

We both enjoyed our day.  It's great watching all the mad poodles, especially the standards as they are all just mad but enjoying themselves all the while!  We look forward to next year hopefully having better functioning dogs.

Shadow earned her dinner for the week 

Barking Mad Indoor Show

Back to Keysoe this week for our club show, Barking Mad Indoor show.  We had a busy Friday night again   helping with the set up, but it's worth it come Saturday.  I was running Shadow (small G6) and Storm (large G3), while +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3).

First up for the day we had Storm running in grade 1-7 jumping.  This was a relatively tough course, especially for the lower grades, and showed with the relatively low number of clear rounds across all the grades.  We both ran a really nice, clean round and it was so satisfying running a complicated course successfully.  The fruits of our labour was a second place!  Across all the grade we were fourth fastest which is brilliant.  After this we had two agility rounds.  We have decided to start training contacts in the ring, so making sure we stop at every contact, rerunning the obstacle as necessary, and praising lots when she's in position.  So that meant that we weren't going to get any clear rounds in agility.  Hopefully after a few shows of this she should start to act the same at a show as she does in training.  After a few contact obstacles she was beginning to stop at the bottom.  The last jumping round, grade 3-5 jumping, was interesting to see how Storm was listening and reacting to my body movement.  The downside was my timing was wrong!  I turned too soon a few times and pulled her off the jumps, but I'm pleased that she reacted the way that she did.  We  had a good day overall and ended with a 2nd place.

Next up we have Shadow.  We started with a relatively simple grade 6-7 jumping.  She ran nicely and we went clear, but as it was quite straight we just didn't have the legs on the faster dogs.  The next grade 6-7 agility was trickier.  Unfortunately, we missed the A-frame contact and also the weave entry.  I needed to give her a nicer run into the weaves.  We did manage the complicated jumping section that most others failed at so all was not lost.  The grade 5-7 agility round was tough.  And keeping true with a theme at the shows for this year, we were eliminated after the first jump! There were some good bits (tunnel under dog walk) and some bad bits (tunnel under A-frame).  The last round we had was grade 1-7 jumping.  This was a different course to the large grade 1-7 jumping, but was equally as challenging, not helped by the fact that we didn't manage to walk it!  I gave it a go any way and we ended up with a first place, not bad!  It was a good end to the day with Shadow.

Last but not least was Doople.  Doople also ran very nicely today.  First for her was the grade 3-5 agility where she ran forward well, we'll gloss over the debatable dog walk contact!  Doople did get a fourth place overall, any placing with Doople is always a good run.  In the grade 3-4 agility that followed she did catch Susi out by running faster than expected.  Unfortunately, Doople promptly forgot how to weave.  She ran straight past them a couple of times with out noticing.  The grade 3-5 jumping had a similar problem.  Both sets of weaves were right hand weaves.  By that I mean that the dog is on the right hand side of the handler.  The dog always needs to enter the weaves with the first pole at their left shoulder.  This is something that we need to work on, but Doople is always far more confident with these at training.  The last class was the grade 1-7 jumping, the same class that we managed not walk for Shadow.  I ended up running this as Susi thought that I ran Shadow in it well before, so I did.  We worked well together, especially considering I haven't run Doople for a long time.  The only problem we had was again the weaves.  This time it was more my fault as I haven't practised with Doople.  She ran everything else really well though.  Doople ended the fay with a fourth place.

We always like going to the Barking Mad shows.  The show is well run and the courses are always a challenge, which is what we're after.  All dogs ran very well all day so we were both very happy by the end, albeit tired!  The day ended with us loading a truck with three rings worth of equipment, what fun!

RVA Indoor Show

The snow has suddenly melted and left us with floods and puddles everywhere.  Throw in some rain and it's ideal weather to go to an agility show!  We were back at the RVA unaffiliated indoor show at Houghton Hall EC, Huntingdon.  I was running Shadow (small G6), Storm (large G3) and Winnie (medium anysize), whilst +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3) and for the first time Zazu (micro anysize).

Winnie was our first individual run of the day in anysize agility.  She had a good time running over jumps, contacts and tunnels.  Towards the end she got a little distracted which is down to lack of mental stamina.  When she gets tired she looks for excuses not to run usually by shaking or wandering.  Once back on track she finished nicely.  The jumping afterwards was again a little distracted but she managed to focus all the way round for a clear round, but no placings for Winnie this time out.

Storm had all of her runs fairly close together in the middle of the day.  We started with grade 1-3 jumping.  This was a tricky course for 1-3, but it gave us some good challenges to over come, including a six jump kinked slalom.  We almost managed the whole thing but I turned and stepped too soon and Storm followed.  It was a shame because the rest of the round was really nice.  I was especially pleased with the weaves as the entry was very offset from the jump (the video doesn't do the difficulty justice).  In the grade 1-3 agility Strom leapt the contacts.  It is becoming a habit that we need to try to break.  The grade 1-7 steeplechase was Storm's last run and it was good to end on a blast.  Storm was running very well but coming out of the tunnel towards the end was too tempted by the jump in front of her to follow me.  I should have been closer to the exit of the tunnel and stationary to turn her better.

We decided to run Zazu in the anysize jumping over micro heights.  This was Zazu's first ever run at a competition so we weren't sure what to expect.  He ran very well.  At training he still bunny hops jumps (see the last post on his training class) but at the show he ran forward a bit better.  He picked up the tunnels well and generally paid a lot of attention.  At this stage it was about as good as we could have hoped for.

Shadow had a good days running but only ended up with a clear in the team event, more on that later.  Shadow ran in the pairs with Doople and wasn't great.  The grade 6-7 jumping was a good course where Shadow ran really well.  Unfortunately I wasn't as sharp.  I didn't turn my shoulders or feet back during a pull through slalom so Shadow ran it as a normal slalom.  This is highlighted in the video.  The grade 6-7 agility was good, a little distracted going into the weaves but I could have straightened her more after the turn.  We had trouble going into the wrong end of the tunnel, although as I had the sun in my eyes I couldn't see what we were actually doing.  I know, excuses excuses!

In contrast to the others, Doople had a very good and successful day.  Doople ran clear in both the pairs and teams.  In the grade 1-3 jumping Doople ran very well.  She was really going for it.  The same goes for the grade 1-3 agility too.  The fruits of +Susi Cooper and Doople's labour was a 3rd in the agility and 2nd in the jumping, which is brilliant.

We also ran in pairs and team events.  Doople and Shadow ran in the pairs.  Doople went first and ran the jumping course with Shadow second round the agility course.  Doople ran a nice clear round but Shadow got a little distracted with Susi and Doople running back towards her.  I went to run at the start and Shdaw ran the opposite direction straight towards Susi.  I got her back and we ran, but we now know that Shadow runs best before Susi and Doople.

In the team event we had me and Shadow, Susi and Doople, Wendy and Mist and another (I've forgotten her name unfortunately!).  Although we were quite steady we all went clear, which is an achievement in it self with four dogs running.  As it turned out, we won!

That leaves Doople with a 3rd, 2nd and 1st at the show!  We can't ask for much more than that.  Shadow had a first in the team and the rest of the runs were left wanting.

Barking Mad Show January

Our first show of 2013 and it's time once again for our club show held at The College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe, Bedfordshire.  I was running Shadow (small G6) and Storm (large G3) while +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3).

As it's our club show we are often very busy helping out as well as running dogs.  The show is excellently run by Den and Niki Keeler.  It starts on Friday night when we turn up to set everything up.  The rings need to be marked out, agility equipment set up, rosettes and trophies organised among many other things.  We just help with the simple tasks!

On to the agility.  Now if I said "we enjoyed ourselves" it may be a give away that we didn't do so well, so I wont say it.  Storm started the day off with grade 1-7 agility.  It wasn't the best of starts to the day as she missed the first jump.  After that she was OK apart from missing the A-frame contact.  If you read my post about our  training day on New Years Day this wont be a surprise.  But to give Storm credit, we followed it with an 8th place in grade 3-5 agility which was quite a tricky course for us.  So I was was pleased with that.  The two jumping courses we had afterwards highlighted a few areas where both myself and Storm need to improve.  Storm needs to work in close proximity better and also learn not just to jump what ever is in front of her.  This comes from having run at grade 1 for a while where the course are normally straight forward.  Also we both need to practice slaloms.  So, 3 E's and 1 clear, we've had better days.

Shadow was in one of those moods where she was very vocal with me.  We started the day off slightly better than with Storm by getting eliminated on jump #2 by jumping jump #3 backwards instead.  The latter part of Shadows run was much better, apart from staring at the camera lady half way round.  The next agility round started nicely but we had a difference in opinion after the A-frame which again got us eliminated.  Shadow wanted to do the jump ahead and I wanted to go into the weaves the opposite direction.  The grade 5-7 jumping round was nice but it was a relatively simple course.  The last grade 1-7 agility was OK apart from the flying contacts.  So in a similar vain to Storm, 3 E's and 1 clear.

Doople seemed a little bit off today and didn't seem to be running with the same confidence she normally has.  Needless to say she had the same number of clear rounds as I did with both Storm and Shadow put together! In the first agility round Doople missed and then back jumped but could have run forward better.  She was also hesitant on the see-saw.  The next jumping round again a bit hesitant but this time with the weaves.  The next jumping round was a clear round where Doople ran nicely and seem a lot more enthusiastic.  The final agility round was also clear but Doople was hesitant on the dog walk and said hello to the judge half way through, although still finished the weaves.  Doople weaves were quite good today as she picked them all up and only made a mistake in one round.

We also had a chance to run Winnie and Zazu in the training ring.  We ran Winnie of medium jumps and she enjoyed herself, even if she did seem a little distracted.  With Zazu we did some more training on the dog walk and A-frame to get him used to different environments.  He needed help getting on the dog walk first time but after that was picking it up nicely and was also stopping well.  We still need to work on the release as he doesn't drive away.  This wasn't helped by the improvised touch point we used: an empty treat bag.  He would run down, eat the treat then carry the treat bag over the next jump.  A neat trick but not quite what we were after!

After a muddy day we went back with a single rosette, Storm with 8th in the grade 3-5 agility.  We aren't at a show next weekend but will hopefully be training instead.

RVA December

The RVA show is an unaffiliated indoor show help at Houghton Hall EC, Huntingdon.  It is quite a small show but is often fairly busy.  The down side to a small show when running four dogs of different heights and grades it gets very busy!  Constantly having to walk a course or run a dog.  I was running Shadow (small G6), Storm (large G3) and Winnie (anysize), while +Susi Cooper was running Doople (small G3).

The first run of the day was pairs with Doople and Shadow.  Now bare in mind that we haven't trained for a few weeks as our club has shut down over Christmas.  Doople ran her best run of the day in the pairs but unfortunately Shadow didn't.  Shadow was a little bit excited and barked at me most of the way round the course flying contacts on the way.  Ah well, scratch that one.

Doople decided after the pairs that she'd had enough of weaves so didn't get any clear rounds after that.  She was running forwards nicely and giving it her all.  Although she did also manage to miss a dog walk contact.  A rarity for Doople as she is normally steady on the dog walk.  Note to +Susi Cooper: work the dog walk contacts in the ring!  Here is a video of Doople in the grade 1-3 jumping.  She didn't get a placing as she missed the weaves.

After the pairs Shadow decided to listen a bit more.  We got three clear rounds after that all in the placings (granted the number of dogs in the placings is quite generous).  We came 4th in the 4-7 jumping, 5th in the 4-7 agility and 8th in the steeplechase.  Shadow isn't the fastest dog in a straight line but as she is nice and tight she  makes up for it on the turns.  So I am pleased with these results overall.  Her is Shadow finishing fourth in the grade 4-7 jumping.

Winnie was running over medium jumps in the anysize classes.  She ran well and actually listened for a full course!  This is only the second show she has been to in 6 months due to her injury so I'm really pleased with how she was.  Here is a video of her finishing 6th in the anysize jumping.

And last but not least, Storm.  To be honest, I wasn't expecting a many nice rounds with Storm.  I have not been running her for long and have not trained with her since November due to her being in season then the club shutting down for Christmas.  We ran anyway and in Strom's first class, 1-3 jumping we came first!  How about that!  I was really pleased with her round when we finished as I managed to tell her what to do the whole way round and she listened!  The agility round that followed could have been better, as in Storm could have hit at least one contact, would have been nice.  The steeplechase that followed was also a good round and we finished 12th not too far from the winners.  Here is Storm with her grade 1-3 jumping win.

All in all a good show.  The venue is lovely as it has the equestrian centre has recently been refurbished.  We enjoyed the show and will be back there at the end of January.

Now we start preparing for the Barking Mad show next week.  This is our club's show so we always find ourselves being extra busy.  No pressure!