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| Group photo |
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| Susi and Doople in deep preparation mode |
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| Zazu flying over agility jumps |
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| Greg and Shadow in the final of the egg and spoon race |
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| Winnie trying to find the sausage |
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| Winner of the fancy dress competition |
Poodle Fun Day 2013 Photo Album
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Poodle Fun Day 2013
Last weekend was a slightly different weekend with the dogs. Instead of agility we went to the Poodle Fun Day 2013. This was just a fun day conceived by Sue Hunt, Lynne Land, Celia Bell and Patricia Wheeler (and I'm sure many others had a major input) to raise money for the Poodle Rescue UK.
The day was designed just to be a bit of fun. There we people from all over the place, mainly with poodles of all shapes and sizes. There were probably over 50 poodles there, it was a bit mad! We started the day with coffee and bacon and a bit of mingling. There was an activities ring that had agility, egg and spoon race and temptation alley.
The agility was just a simple course (by agility standards) that people could have a go at. There were people who had never done agility before just having a go running over jumps. There was a competition for those who must compete, like me! All our dogs had a go and all enjoyed. Me and Doople won the class. They were all a little excited as they'd been in a cage next to the ring for a while watching what was going on.
There was an egg and spoon race which pitted two people and dogs against each other in a knockout competition. One of the races was me with Shadow versus +Susi Cooper with Zazu, family rivalry! Naturally I won. Me and Shadow finished second beaten only in the final.
This was followed by Temptation Alley, which involves running with your dog past four plates with some sausage on, round a post, and back again with the dog eating the sausages on the way back. It was good fun to watch. I especially liked Sue Hunt's black labrador who would run past a plate, then go back and eat the sausage, run past the next plate and go back to eat the sausage, etc. Shadow caught the scent about half way up so I had to encourage her to the end, and then encourage her to eat as she was still following her nose. Susi and Doople were really good, charging to the end and scoffing on the way back to win.
There were also some fun showing classes, like best puppy, best dog, best bitch. There were also some other games, like musical 'sits' where the dog has to sit when the music stops. Last one to sit is out. And don't forget the fancy dress competition! It was a great day out that we all thoroughly enjoyed. The dogs all had a good time and everyone went home home exhausted, not to mention raising a lot of money for charity.
Here is a link to the photo album contain Around 1000 photos of the day:
Poodle Fun Day 2013 Photo Album
Poodle Fun Day 2013 Photo Album
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Barking Mad Summer Show
We were at our previous club's, Barking Mad, summer show this weekend. We said we would help out so we ended up being very busy all weekend. The show went very smoothly and swiftly so it was definitely worth it. We had Zazu running in his first proper classes at grade 3, Doople at grade 4 for the last time (at grade 4), Shadow at grade 6 and Winnie doing anysize.
Shadow was up first in grade 6-7 jumping. Shadow got off to a flying start, she was really motoring. I pulled her between two jumps nicely and round the jump. She flew into the weaves but missed the last pole. The pull through slalom was a bit much for her as she was still excited. I should have run the other way, pushing her away through the gaps. Next up was graded 6-7 agility. We started with a large box which we negotiated well. The weave entry was tricky but we managed, albeit slowly picking up pace as she went. A lovely running contact at the end which she was doing well all weekend. We ended up 1st! This was our third win at grade 6 so we only need one more to go up to grade 7. Next was graded 1-7 agility. This was a little simpler than before but a similar course. Shadow started a bit slow but was flying out of the first tunnel and up the dog walk, another lovely running contact. She was listening well and I was really pleased with the round. We finished 2nd, 0.019s behind first place! Ouch! Finally we had combined grade 5-7 jumping. Shadow was getting a little tired but was still running well. Until the weaves. She got a smell of something at the start and lost concentration the whole way through, basically walking. She missed the last couple of weaves but ran OK afterwards.
Sunday was a very busy day as we were helping on a ring for most of the day. We started off running in the Jewlnick Agility Pairs with +Susi Cooper and Doople. Both dogs ran really well over the agility course and we ended up 5th, which is great considering that all heights are classified together. Sorry to Ruth and Alan as they finished 6th, but placings only went to 5th! Shadow's first individual run was graded 1-7 jumping. She started a little slowly but picked up. She was running away from me really well and I could get into different positions than a lot of people, which I think gained me a lot of time. We then lost it all with a wide turn but nevermind! We finished out of the placings but only 0.7s behind the winner. Next was graded 6-7 jumping. Shadow started quite slowly but it was because Susi was standing at the side of the ring filming. Shadow was looking at her as we ran past, then we came back past again with Shadow still looking. She was still running away nicely so we had some good bits. Next was combined grade 5-7 agility. She was a bit slow through the weaves and almost went in the wrong side of the tunnel, but carried on. I messed up after the A-frame and got on the wrong side of her but still worked her from behind and it wasn't that slow in the end. Another good runing contact and a clear round, but no placing. Shadow finished up with graded 6-7 agility. This was a very fast course so we weren't too hopeful, but still ran it well. We had a dog-walk jump to finish, which is something that we miss every time! I worked the contact extra hard to make sure we got , which she did. I worked it a little too well though and she stopped at the bottom looking at me rather than running! We did finish 2nd though so it rounded off a really strong weekend for us.
Doople's first run of the weekend was graded 3-5 jumping. She backed jumped the third jump and then was running quite steadily. There were some long straight lines but she could have run faster. It was a warm day and as we already know, Doople doesn't like the heat. Next up I ran her in the combined grade 1-4 jumping. She was again quite steady and not driving like she does at training. She missed the weaves like she often does in the heat. She thinks that the weaves involve too much thinking so can't really be bothered. Finally she had graded 3-5 agility. She ran better here but again messed up the weaves.
Her first run on Sunday was in the pairs agility with Shadow where they ended up in 5th place. Next up was the graded 3-5 agility. She ran this one very nicely, still a little slow but with nice tight turns. She ended with a clear round. I ran ran her next in the graded 3-5 jumping. She ran at a good pace, not quickly but steady. She had good tight turns and managed the weaves again. We ended up with a clear round. Doople finished the weekend with combined grade 1-4 agility. This was a very long fast course, not really Doople's cup of tea. she did manage it all the way round until the dog walk jump to finish Susi didn't work the contact and Doople jumped it! Ah well, still a steady round.
Winnie was running at anysize this weekend to help build her confidence. She was running over small jumps. Saturday's run started slowly but she still did everything. After a couple of tunnels she picked up the pace and finished down the final straight nicely. On Sunday again she started her run a bit steadily picking up in the middle. She wasn't keen when I asked her to turn but when quickly down the final stretch again. We'll be keeping her at anysize for a while until she's really going for it all the way around. As long as she's enjoying it then we're happy.
Zazu was running in his first proper height (medium) classes this weekend. He was only in one jumping class each day just to see how he gets on. On Saturday, he started down the open stretch nicely and into the two tunnels. We did a couple more jumps then he saw the tunnels again and was off! After a couple of attempts I got him back over the jumps and we finished well. He's starting to flatten out when jumping, especially when running straight and chasing me. On Sunday, the course was a little trickier with 12 weaves. He got a little distracted by the scorers tent but didn't run off. He picked the weaves up second time, managed half and the second half. He ran out well after the tunnel but didn't quite make it back in for the jump, but still really pleased with how he ran.
We have a few weeks off now with a wedding and other things. One more show at Letchworth and then off the Hungary for the International Mixedbreed Championship Agility.
Shadow was up first in grade 6-7 jumping. Shadow got off to a flying start, she was really motoring. I pulled her between two jumps nicely and round the jump. She flew into the weaves but missed the last pole. The pull through slalom was a bit much for her as she was still excited. I should have run the other way, pushing her away through the gaps. Next up was graded 6-7 agility. We started with a large box which we negotiated well. The weave entry was tricky but we managed, albeit slowly picking up pace as she went. A lovely running contact at the end which she was doing well all weekend. We ended up 1st! This was our third win at grade 6 so we only need one more to go up to grade 7. Next was graded 1-7 agility. This was a little simpler than before but a similar course. Shadow started a bit slow but was flying out of the first tunnel and up the dog walk, another lovely running contact. She was listening well and I was really pleased with the round. We finished 2nd, 0.019s behind first place! Ouch! Finally we had combined grade 5-7 jumping. Shadow was getting a little tired but was still running well. Until the weaves. She got a smell of something at the start and lost concentration the whole way through, basically walking. She missed the last couple of weaves but ran OK afterwards.
Sunday was a very busy day as we were helping on a ring for most of the day. We started off running in the Jewlnick Agility Pairs with +Susi Cooper and Doople. Both dogs ran really well over the agility course and we ended up 5th, which is great considering that all heights are classified together. Sorry to Ruth and Alan as they finished 6th, but placings only went to 5th! Shadow's first individual run was graded 1-7 jumping. She started a little slowly but picked up. She was running away from me really well and I could get into different positions than a lot of people, which I think gained me a lot of time. We then lost it all with a wide turn but nevermind! We finished out of the placings but only 0.7s behind the winner. Next was graded 6-7 jumping. Shadow started quite slowly but it was because Susi was standing at the side of the ring filming. Shadow was looking at her as we ran past, then we came back past again with Shadow still looking. She was still running away nicely so we had some good bits. Next was combined grade 5-7 agility. She was a bit slow through the weaves and almost went in the wrong side of the tunnel, but carried on. I messed up after the A-frame and got on the wrong side of her but still worked her from behind and it wasn't that slow in the end. Another good runing contact and a clear round, but no placing. Shadow finished up with graded 6-7 agility. This was a very fast course so we weren't too hopeful, but still ran it well. We had a dog-walk jump to finish, which is something that we miss every time! I worked the contact extra hard to make sure we got , which she did. I worked it a little too well though and she stopped at the bottom looking at me rather than running! We did finish 2nd though so it rounded off a really strong weekend for us.
Doople's first run of the weekend was graded 3-5 jumping. She backed jumped the third jump and then was running quite steadily. There were some long straight lines but she could have run faster. It was a warm day and as we already know, Doople doesn't like the heat. Next up I ran her in the combined grade 1-4 jumping. She was again quite steady and not driving like she does at training. She missed the weaves like she often does in the heat. She thinks that the weaves involve too much thinking so can't really be bothered. Finally she had graded 3-5 agility. She ran better here but again messed up the weaves.
Her first run on Sunday was in the pairs agility with Shadow where they ended up in 5th place. Next up was the graded 3-5 agility. She ran this one very nicely, still a little slow but with nice tight turns. She ended with a clear round. I ran ran her next in the graded 3-5 jumping. She ran at a good pace, not quickly but steady. She had good tight turns and managed the weaves again. We ended up with a clear round. Doople finished the weekend with combined grade 1-4 agility. This was a very long fast course, not really Doople's cup of tea. she did manage it all the way round until the dog walk jump to finish Susi didn't work the contact and Doople jumped it! Ah well, still a steady round.
Winnie was running at anysize this weekend to help build her confidence. She was running over small jumps. Saturday's run started slowly but she still did everything. After a couple of tunnels she picked up the pace and finished down the final straight nicely. On Sunday again she started her run a bit steadily picking up in the middle. She wasn't keen when I asked her to turn but when quickly down the final stretch again. We'll be keeping her at anysize for a while until she's really going for it all the way around. As long as she's enjoying it then we're happy.
Zazu was running in his first proper height (medium) classes this weekend. He was only in one jumping class each day just to see how he gets on. On Saturday, he started down the open stretch nicely and into the two tunnels. We did a couple more jumps then he saw the tunnels again and was off! After a couple of attempts I got him back over the jumps and we finished well. He's starting to flatten out when jumping, especially when running straight and chasing me. On Sunday, the course was a little trickier with 12 weaves. He got a little distracted by the scorers tent but didn't run off. He picked the weaves up second time, managed half and the second half. He ran out well after the tunnel but didn't quite make it back in for the jump, but still really pleased with how he ran.
We have a few weeks off now with a wedding and other things. One more show at Letchworth and then off the Hungary for the International Mixedbreed Championship Agility.
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Dog Vegas - Chase the Ace Team Final
On to the second part of our mad weekend, 250 miles from our Saturday show we were in Scunthorpe for the Dog Vegas show. The reason for the long distance is that both +Susi Cooper with Doople and myself with Shadow qualified for the Chase the Ace team finals, albeit with different teams. Doople was running at grade 4 and Shadow at grade 6.
The weather was even more unpredictable than on Saturday, perhaps due to being (much) further north. It was fairly warm but with the odd thunderstorm! We travelled up on the Sunday evening as I didn't fancy the prospect of leaving at 4:00 AM. It was a nice little B&B just outside Scunthorpe complete with pigs, ferrets and meerkats!
The show was much quieter than the previous show with only 4 rings, one of which was dedicated to the finals. There were a lot of finals being held for various competitions from teams, to grade 3-5 agility, to Anything-but-Collie (ABC) jumping. The finals were held in very good spirits with people sitting around the rings watching. This is a good experience for the more novice handlers as it can be quite daunting for both dog and handler with all the people watching. They were good finals to watch with very good courses set by Alan Bray.
On Monday, Shadow was first up with graded 5-7 jumping. Shadow started very well indeed but didn't run out enough on a long run and so came in missing the jump. I tried again a she went out when I told her to. She was very excited afterwards though. Next up was the graded 5-7 agility. This had a very interesting start that caught a lot of people out. It was tyre then dog walk with a tunnel wrapped around the entrance. I tried to walk to the other side of the tunnel and call Shadow up the dog walk so that she wouldn't look at the tunnel. It failed. I tried again but stayed closer her and she went up fine. Apart from the weaves the rest of the round was lovely. I was steering her from behind down a long run with tight turns so still very pleased. Her last individual run was the graded 5-7 jumping. She seemed a little steadier but still ran well. She wasn't driving off the turns as well as she does so we lost some time. We finished clear but unplaced.
Doople started with graded 1-4 agility. It was quite a nice course, but perhaps a bit much for the grade 1-2 handlers. Doople was a little steady but listened and ran clear, eventually winning the class! That means Doople is now up to grade 5 which is brilliant, we weren't really expecting it. Next up was graded 1-4 jumping. This was a fairly straightforward course but still had some traps. Doople was her steady self but still listening and running. They had a nice clear round finishing in 2nd place. Finally was another graded 1-4 jumping. This had some straight lines, circles and slaloms. A nice fast flowing course, but not really Doople's course, to much running! She still ran well and got round clear.
Finally, at the end a long day was the teams final. This is a relay race over a simple steeplechase course but run in two parts. Dogs 1 and 3 run the first course, dogs 2 and 4 run the second course, which is the first course in reverse. The results for all heights are combined together. It's simpler than I make it sound! First up for the small teams was me and Shadow running with some of the Poodle Training Club, Julliet, Mo and Heather. We all had lovely rounds and they were all really going for it. Unfortunately there was a dropped baton at the change so we incurred some fault which was a real shame. We were still the fastest of the small teams in the end, 110s, but the faults meant that we finished 7th overall. Susi was running with friends from Northamptonshire where we used to train, Wendy Donna and Sharon. They all ran very well too and put in a good solid clear round, 113s. This meant that they finished up 3rd overall, which is great. The winners were a team of collies in 94s, 2nd place was a team of medium height dogs in 96s.
It was a good fun day out, catching up with people that we haven't seen in quite a while. IT was a good result for Susi in the teams and especially for winning up to grade 5.
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| Meerkat outside the B&B we were staying in |
The show was much quieter than the previous show with only 4 rings, one of which was dedicated to the finals. There were a lot of finals being held for various competitions from teams, to grade 3-5 agility, to Anything-but-Collie (ABC) jumping. The finals were held in very good spirits with people sitting around the rings watching. This is a good experience for the more novice handlers as it can be quite daunting for both dog and handler with all the people watching. They were good finals to watch with very good courses set by Alan Bray.
On Monday, Shadow was first up with graded 5-7 jumping. Shadow started very well indeed but didn't run out enough on a long run and so came in missing the jump. I tried again a she went out when I told her to. She was very excited afterwards though. Next up was the graded 5-7 agility. This had a very interesting start that caught a lot of people out. It was tyre then dog walk with a tunnel wrapped around the entrance. I tried to walk to the other side of the tunnel and call Shadow up the dog walk so that she wouldn't look at the tunnel. It failed. I tried again but stayed closer her and she went up fine. Apart from the weaves the rest of the round was lovely. I was steering her from behind down a long run with tight turns so still very pleased. Her last individual run was the graded 5-7 jumping. She seemed a little steadier but still ran well. She wasn't driving off the turns as well as she does so we lost some time. We finished clear but unplaced.
Finally, at the end a long day was the teams final. This is a relay race over a simple steeplechase course but run in two parts. Dogs 1 and 3 run the first course, dogs 2 and 4 run the second course, which is the first course in reverse. The results for all heights are combined together. It's simpler than I make it sound! First up for the small teams was me and Shadow running with some of the Poodle Training Club, Julliet, Mo and Heather. We all had lovely rounds and they were all really going for it. Unfortunately there was a dropped baton at the change so we incurred some fault which was a real shame. We were still the fastest of the small teams in the end, 110s, but the faults meant that we finished 7th overall. Susi was running with friends from Northamptonshire where we used to train, Wendy Donna and Sharon. They all ran very well too and put in a good solid clear round, 113s. This meant that they finished up 3rd overall, which is great. The winners were a team of collies in 94s, 2nd place was a team of medium height dogs in 96s.
Greg with the Poodle Team
Susi with the Northants Team
It was a good fun day out, catching up with people that we haven't seen in quite a while. IT was a good result for Susi in the teams and especially for winning up to grade 5.
Wednesday, 31 July 2013
Agility Club Chamionship Show
This was the start of a busy weekend for us. We were at the Agility Club show near Crawley, West Sussex. We were mainly there to run in the Crufts team, so we only took Doople running at grade 4 and Shadow at grade 6. This was a Championship show so it was very busy and we were expecting some good courses and competition.
It was an interesting day with the weather, starting off really hot as it has been recently. Fortunately we had half of our runs early on. Then later on, the winds picked up causing a sand storm in the car park, followed by rain for 20 mins. It all dried out and warmed up after that bizarre!
First up was Shadow in graded 4-7 jumping. We put in a good round. Still steady in the weaves but running the rest of it nicely. She was working forward well which gave me time to get ahead of her. We weren't placed but only 3 seconds off the pace. Her next and last individual run was the combined grade 6-7 agility Crufts qualifier. This was a tricky course with lots of interesting bits: running between jumps, me not running into the dog walk! She picked up the tricky weave entry which was pleasing. We did have one massively wide turn, I was driving her forward for too long and didn't steady for the turn. We had a good run but again no placing.
Doople and +Susi Cooper started in the same jumping class as Shadow, graded 4-7 jumping. They ran well with Doople charging down the first stretch. She was wide into the weaves as she was distracted by ... something. She ran well afterwards with some good cross behinds. Clear but no placing. NExt for her was grade 3-5 agility. Unfortunately for Doople, this was in the middle of the downpour! Doople is keen on rain so we were pleased with how she ended up running. She was still pushing forwards with some good turns. She missed the weave entry which can be a bit of a bain with Doople at shows.
We also ran in the Crufts team qualifier with the Poodle Training Club. We ran with Sue and Heather Reaves. We were only there for fun really and fun it was. We got eliminated, a few times, but never mind. The dogs all ran well so we were all happy. Shadow missed the last weave but that was because I was starting to push her the other way. Susi and Doople managed a clear round.
It was a fun and busy day but always good to see the top dogs and handlers. Now from Sussex to Scunthorpe for the Dog Vegas Chase the Ace team finals on Monday, nothing like a bit of travelling!
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| View of the scores of people around at the show |
First up was Shadow in graded 4-7 jumping. We put in a good round. Still steady in the weaves but running the rest of it nicely. She was working forward well which gave me time to get ahead of her. We weren't placed but only 3 seconds off the pace. Her next and last individual run was the combined grade 6-7 agility Crufts qualifier. This was a tricky course with lots of interesting bits: running between jumps, me not running into the dog walk! She picked up the tricky weave entry which was pleasing. We did have one massively wide turn, I was driving her forward for too long and didn't steady for the turn. We had a good run but again no placing.
Doople and +Susi Cooper started in the same jumping class as Shadow, graded 4-7 jumping. They ran well with Doople charging down the first stretch. She was wide into the weaves as she was distracted by ... something. She ran well afterwards with some good cross behinds. Clear but no placing. NExt for her was grade 3-5 agility. Unfortunately for Doople, this was in the middle of the downpour! Doople is keen on rain so we were pleased with how she ended up running. She was still pushing forwards with some good turns. She missed the weave entry which can be a bit of a bain with Doople at shows.
We also ran in the Crufts team qualifier with the Poodle Training Club. We ran with Sue and Heather Reaves. We were only there for fun really and fun it was. We got eliminated, a few times, but never mind. The dogs all ran well so we were all happy. Shadow missed the last weave but that was because I was starting to push her the other way. Susi and Doople managed a clear round.
It was a fun and busy day but always good to see the top dogs and handlers. Now from Sussex to Scunthorpe for the Dog Vegas Chase the Ace team finals on Monday, nothing like a bit of travelling!
Thursday, 18 July 2013
Rugby DTC Show
Another scorching weekend at a dog, there are definitely worse ways to spend it! This weekend we were at the Rugby DTC championship show. We were looking forward to spending another sunny weekend outside with the dogs and so it was. We had Shadow running at grade 6, Doople at grade 4, Winnie at grade 3 and Zazu at anysize.
We were prepared for the nice weather this weekend as it was very similar to last weekend at Wellingborough. We did end up using a lot of water in the heat, about 100 litres in total! It was a busy show with 10 rings, but that is to be expected at a championship show with Crufts and Olympia qualifiers as well.
The high grade classes that Shadow was running in are always more interesting at championship shows as there are so many dogs entered, and this show was no different. All of Shadows runs on both days were at the end so she had a relaxing time for the most part. Her first run was combined grade 5-7 jumping. It was an interesting course with a tricky weave entry. I moved too much on the weave entry so Shadow went round too far and in the second pole. A few jumps later Shadow decided to stop mid stride and smell something more interesting on the floor, something I've never seen her do in the ring before! It was a little strange. Next up combined grade 6-7 agility, a Crufts qualifier. We got a few jumps in and I didn't send round a jump so she came in and over the wrong direction. We were a little wide after that but I had relaxed a bit. Finally we had graded 5-7 jumping. Shadow was starting to tire but was still running nicely. We started with a twisty bit which was a little slow but she picked up speed on the open parts. We picked up the weaves nicely from the opposite direction and ended up 5th, only 3s off the winner of grade 6.
On Sunday, all of Shadows runs were at the same time. We had a 10 minute break between but would have liked longer. First up we had graded 5-7 jumping. This was tricky but also quite a fast course. We had a couple of wide turns but not too bad. I took Shadow a longer way around some turns but I think it straightened her up better than a lot of others for the next section. We were clear but unplaced. Next was the combined 1-7 agility Olympia qualifier. This was a bit of a disaster which was mainly my fault. I managed to knock the fourth jump other with my arm, oops! This put both of us off for the rest of the round with Shadow running around not really listening, and rightly so I think! Finally we had combined grade 5-7 jumping. We were both getting quite tired by this point. Shadow was a little slower on her turns but was accelerating on the straights a listening well. We ended up clear but again unplaced. It was a good weekend with a few clear rounds over some tricky courses. I just need to keep my flailing arms out of the way!
We weren't sure how well Doople was going to run with the heat but we had some idea from last weekend. She had one run early on, first with +Susi Cooper in graded 1-4 jumping. She started off well but Susi was a bit messy going into the weaves and Doople turned the wrong way after a jump. They had a nice finish with pull-throughs round a box. Not too bad and still a clear round. Next up I ran her in the combined grade 4-5 agility. She was a little slow again with the heat getting to her. She listened all the way around and we did get another clear. We decided not to run Doople her last class as she was out for count the rest of the afternoon!
Sunday had an early start with me running Doople in graded 1-4 jumping. I was a fairly straightforward course and Doople was running fairly well. I only got slightly lost and nearly went the wrong way, but managed to pull it back for a clear round. Next up was graded 1-4 jumping. This course was a little trickier but Susi managed it well. They managed a back of jump and a good cross behind and ended up 7th. Finally at the end of a long day Doople had combined grade 1-7 agility, the Olympia qualifier. Susi and Doople had a much better round than me and Shadow, although that wasn't hard! Doople was a bit slower by this point but still running and enjoying it. she managed the tricky weave entry, albeit at a walk. They ended up clear. Doople ran quite well again this weekend considering the heat. We knew Doople runs much better in the cooler weather but she is much better than this time last year.
Winnie is another one affected by the heat, but she also has less desire to run at shows than Doople, so it becomes quite tricky. We gave her two runs on Saturday but decided she'd be best with just one on the Sunday. She started with grade 1-3 jumping. She was running forward fairly well, not getting distracted and not missing any jumps. Dare I say she looked like she was enjoying it? We also ended up with a clear round. Next up she had grade 3 agility. By this point in the day she was mentally very tired. We did half of the course and then decided it was best to stop and she wasn't really running. She did a few jumps and the dog walk but at this stage we are just trying to build her confidence. Any time we go into the ring and she at things correctly we are taking a step forwards. On Sunday we had grade 1-3 agility. This was very slow, although she did run of the A-frame and kept momentum for a few jumps.
Zazu was running at anysize over small jumps, his last anysize before he is entered in a proper class! Susi ran him of Saturday in a fairly straightforward course. He ran ahead well and Susi turned him round jumps out of the tunnel from behind. They ended with a clear round. We need to keep working on his turns and learn to turn him a bit earlier. He is really responsive when you tell him where we're going. I ran him on Sunday and the course was much trickier but still fun. He had a lot of drive that kept pulling him towards the flat tunnel. We managed to go round the back of a jump out of the flat tunnel, which is something that a lot of grade 5-7 dogs were struggling with in later classes. We'll just ignore the fact that we weren't supposed to do that! He was really excited to be there and enjoyed his time running around.
It was an enjoyable show and makes us want to go to more championship shows next year, even if we're not running in the championship classes. It's good to see where we need to improve and what we're up against.
We were prepared for the nice weather this weekend as it was very similar to last weekend at Wellingborough. We did end up using a lot of water in the heat, about 100 litres in total! It was a busy show with 10 rings, but that is to be expected at a championship show with Crufts and Olympia qualifiers as well.
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| Zazu leaping in anysize jumping |
On Sunday, all of Shadows runs were at the same time. We had a 10 minute break between but would have liked longer. First up we had graded 5-7 jumping. This was tricky but also quite a fast course. We had a couple of wide turns but not too bad. I took Shadow a longer way around some turns but I think it straightened her up better than a lot of others for the next section. We were clear but unplaced. Next was the combined 1-7 agility Olympia qualifier. This was a bit of a disaster which was mainly my fault. I managed to knock the fourth jump other with my arm, oops! This put both of us off for the rest of the round with Shadow running around not really listening, and rightly so I think! Finally we had combined grade 5-7 jumping. We were both getting quite tired by this point. Shadow was a little slower on her turns but was accelerating on the straights a listening well. We ended up clear but again unplaced. It was a good weekend with a few clear rounds over some tricky courses. I just need to keep my flailing arms out of the way!
We weren't sure how well Doople was going to run with the heat but we had some idea from last weekend. She had one run early on, first with +Susi Cooper in graded 1-4 jumping. She started off well but Susi was a bit messy going into the weaves and Doople turned the wrong way after a jump. They had a nice finish with pull-throughs round a box. Not too bad and still a clear round. Next up I ran her in the combined grade 4-5 agility. She was a little slow again with the heat getting to her. She listened all the way around and we did get another clear. We decided not to run Doople her last class as she was out for count the rest of the afternoon!
Sunday had an early start with me running Doople in graded 1-4 jumping. I was a fairly straightforward course and Doople was running fairly well. I only got slightly lost and nearly went the wrong way, but managed to pull it back for a clear round. Next up was graded 1-4 jumping. This course was a little trickier but Susi managed it well. They managed a back of jump and a good cross behind and ended up 7th. Finally at the end of a long day Doople had combined grade 1-7 agility, the Olympia qualifier. Susi and Doople had a much better round than me and Shadow, although that wasn't hard! Doople was a bit slower by this point but still running and enjoying it. she managed the tricky weave entry, albeit at a walk. They ended up clear. Doople ran quite well again this weekend considering the heat. We knew Doople runs much better in the cooler weather but she is much better than this time last year.
Winnie is another one affected by the heat, but she also has less desire to run at shows than Doople, so it becomes quite tricky. We gave her two runs on Saturday but decided she'd be best with just one on the Sunday. She started with grade 1-3 jumping. She was running forward fairly well, not getting distracted and not missing any jumps. Dare I say she looked like she was enjoying it? We also ended up with a clear round. Next up she had grade 3 agility. By this point in the day she was mentally very tired. We did half of the course and then decided it was best to stop and she wasn't really running. She did a few jumps and the dog walk but at this stage we are just trying to build her confidence. Any time we go into the ring and she at things correctly we are taking a step forwards. On Sunday we had grade 1-3 agility. This was very slow, although she did run of the A-frame and kept momentum for a few jumps.
Zazu was running at anysize over small jumps, his last anysize before he is entered in a proper class! Susi ran him of Saturday in a fairly straightforward course. He ran ahead well and Susi turned him round jumps out of the tunnel from behind. They ended with a clear round. We need to keep working on his turns and learn to turn him a bit earlier. He is really responsive when you tell him where we're going. I ran him on Sunday and the course was much trickier but still fun. He had a lot of drive that kept pulling him towards the flat tunnel. We managed to go round the back of a jump out of the flat tunnel, which is something that a lot of grade 5-7 dogs were struggling with in later classes. We'll just ignore the fact that we weren't supposed to do that! He was really excited to be there and enjoyed his time running around.
It was an enjoyable show and makes us want to go to more championship shows next year, even if we're not running in the championship classes. It's good to see where we need to improve and what we're up against.
Friday, 12 July 2013
Wellingborough DTC Show
It's been a few weeks since we were last at a show so we were really up for a good weekend away. We were back in our old neighbourhood of Wellingborough, so at least we knew the way to go. We had Shadow running at grade 6, Doople at grade 4, Winnie at grade 3 and Zazu running in his first show at anysize.
The weather for the weekend was fantastic, not a cloud in the sky. It perhaps a little too warm for the dogs but they all coped well. We had some coats made of towels so we could keep the dogs cool. At one point Shadow was actually cold in 25 degree heat! Silly dog. It was a nice relaxing weekend and we got to spend a lot of time sitting around the caravan or watching the show.
On that note, lets talk about the show. We'll start with Shadow. This weekend I was hoping for a few clear rounds as the last few shows having provided very many, 2 in fact from the last 16 runs! All of our runs on Saturday were in the afternoon. We started with combined grade 1-7 helter-skelter. This was a good flowing course and Shadow was flying considering the heat. We have been practising weaves a lot over the last few weeks and it showed as she shot into them. We were placed 14th out of ~150 dogs, which I'm really pleased with. Next up we had combined grade 4-7 jumping. This was a fairly straightforward course with 9 weaves. Shadow ran well, really confident in the weaves again. We were a little wide towards the end as I tried to run round the outside of a jump to pick her. We managed but it was a bit messy. Still we ended up with a 15th place. Finally we had combined grade 6-7 agility. This was a bit trickier being 6-7, but nothing we couldn't manage ... or so I thought. We started well and layered a couple of jumps nicely. We were eliminated on a pull through when Shadow didn't come through the gap, and also at the end when she came out the tunnel the wrong end.
Onto Sunday. We started first thing with pairs steeplechase running with +Susi Cooper and Doople. This was the coolest part of the day so they both ran really well. Doople had her best run of the weekend and we ended up in 4th place. Next up was combined grade 5-7 agility. This was quite a long course with a tricky weave entry which Shadow picked up brilliantly. We also managed to get all of our contacts over the weekend. We finished the round in 6th place only 0.8s inside the course time. It was a very tight time which is unfair in such hot conditions. Most clear dogs were only 3s inside the course time. Our final run was combined grade 4-7 jumping. We had to wait quite awhile for this and still nearly missed it as they started it 30mins before they originally stated. Shadow was a little steady but still going well. Two more sets of weaves performed well and more jump layering. We ended up in the placings again with 10th. It was a great weekend with 5 placings from 6 runs.
Doople struggled with the heat for a lot of the weekend. We knew she would do as last year in the summer she would just trot around. We were debating not running her over the summer this year but she was performing so well at the start of the year that we thought we'd give it a go. Considering the heat Doople ran very well. She wasn't quite her usual self but still ran everywhere. She started with combined grade 1-7 helter-skelter and was running forward very well. Unfortunately she missed the weaves. She wasn't really concentrating on them, probably due to the heat. Next up was the combined grade 3-5 agility. Doople started quite well but again missed the weave entry. She was distracted by the number which only normally happens when she's tired. We train with cones and other things lying around and she's fin with that. She finished with combined grade 4-7 jumping. Again she was distracted by the number in the weaves. After that she ran quite well, not too fast but running nonetheless.
Fortunately, Sunday started early for us with the grade 1-7 pairs running with Shadow. Doople was running more like herself and finished with 4th place. Next up was combined grade 3-4 agility. Doople was running OK, despite Susi trying to get lost before the A-frame! Doople missed her weaves again though. Finally she had combined grade 4-7 jumping. She was a bit slower but still running. I left her on a jump so she missed and followed me. She did manage to do two sets of weaves however, but generally very slow. Doople ran better than she did this time last year but she is really affected by the heat.
Winnie was running at full height this weekend, although we are reducing her to anysize next month to help with her confidence. We weren't too hopeful this weekend, especially with the heat. We were actually very pleased with how she did run. She would sometimes lose concentration and wasn't running particularly quickly, but she wasn't missing jumps and she was trying to go over them. In some of the longer straight runs she would pick up a bit of speed. We even managed a clear round! Which is the first for a long long time. Overall we were really pleased with how Winnie ran and hopefully she can start to gain her confidence back again.
For the first time at a show we have Zazu running. He was running in anysize, although on the Saturday we ran him over medium height jumps. And he managed a clear round! His turns were a little wide but he was running forwards and ran lovely diagonal zig-zag and didn't miss a jump. On Sunday we got our timing wrong so ran him over small jumps, not that it makes a difference as he flies over everything. Susi was a little complacent on a gentle turn as we expected him to follow but he went straight on. Not a problem, we just have to work him a bit more in the ring. He was still turning a bit wide but we can't expect too much from his first show. We now know what to work on.
It was an enjoyable weekend with lovely weather. The dogs had a good time and we managed quite a few placings with Shadow. Still pleased with the others as they performed better than we expected. Next week onto Rugby DTC show.
The weather for the weekend was fantastic, not a cloud in the sky. It perhaps a little too warm for the dogs but they all coped well. We had some coats made of towels so we could keep the dogs cool. At one point Shadow was actually cold in 25 degree heat! Silly dog. It was a nice relaxing weekend and we got to spend a lot of time sitting around the caravan or watching the show.
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| Winnie preparing for a long day |
Onto Sunday. We started first thing with pairs steeplechase running with +Susi Cooper and Doople. This was the coolest part of the day so they both ran really well. Doople had her best run of the weekend and we ended up in 4th place. Next up was combined grade 5-7 agility. This was quite a long course with a tricky weave entry which Shadow picked up brilliantly. We also managed to get all of our contacts over the weekend. We finished the round in 6th place only 0.8s inside the course time. It was a very tight time which is unfair in such hot conditions. Most clear dogs were only 3s inside the course time. Our final run was combined grade 4-7 jumping. We had to wait quite awhile for this and still nearly missed it as they started it 30mins before they originally stated. Shadow was a little steady but still going well. Two more sets of weaves performed well and more jump layering. We ended up in the placings again with 10th. It was a great weekend with 5 placings from 6 runs.
Doople struggled with the heat for a lot of the weekend. We knew she would do as last year in the summer she would just trot around. We were debating not running her over the summer this year but she was performing so well at the start of the year that we thought we'd give it a go. Considering the heat Doople ran very well. She wasn't quite her usual self but still ran everywhere. She started with combined grade 1-7 helter-skelter and was running forward very well. Unfortunately she missed the weaves. She wasn't really concentrating on them, probably due to the heat. Next up was the combined grade 3-5 agility. Doople started quite well but again missed the weave entry. She was distracted by the number which only normally happens when she's tired. We train with cones and other things lying around and she's fin with that. She finished with combined grade 4-7 jumping. Again she was distracted by the number in the weaves. After that she ran quite well, not too fast but running nonetheless.
Fortunately, Sunday started early for us with the grade 1-7 pairs running with Shadow. Doople was running more like herself and finished with 4th place. Next up was combined grade 3-4 agility. Doople was running OK, despite Susi trying to get lost before the A-frame! Doople missed her weaves again though. Finally she had combined grade 4-7 jumping. She was a bit slower but still running. I left her on a jump so she missed and followed me. She did manage to do two sets of weaves however, but generally very slow. Doople ran better than she did this time last year but she is really affected by the heat.
Winnie was running at full height this weekend, although we are reducing her to anysize next month to help with her confidence. We weren't too hopeful this weekend, especially with the heat. We were actually very pleased with how she did run. She would sometimes lose concentration and wasn't running particularly quickly, but she wasn't missing jumps and she was trying to go over them. In some of the longer straight runs she would pick up a bit of speed. We even managed a clear round! Which is the first for a long long time. Overall we were really pleased with how Winnie ran and hopefully she can start to gain her confidence back again.
For the first time at a show we have Zazu running. He was running in anysize, although on the Saturday we ran him over medium height jumps. And he managed a clear round! His turns were a little wide but he was running forwards and ran lovely diagonal zig-zag and didn't miss a jump. On Sunday we got our timing wrong so ran him over small jumps, not that it makes a difference as he flies over everything. Susi was a little complacent on a gentle turn as we expected him to follow but he went straight on. Not a problem, we just have to work him a bit more in the ring. He was still turning a bit wide but we can't expect too much from his first show. We now know what to work on.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Abbots Langley Carnival
We had a weekend off from competing this weekend to give a display at the Abbots Langley Carnival with our training club, Watford ATC. We had about an hour display to give in the afternoon showing off dog agility to the public. It gained a lot of interest with lots of people cheering us on.
It was generally a very relaxing day. We spent most of it sat around in the gazebo or wandering around the carnival. Quite a lot of members of the club were there and it was good to build more club spirit. We hadn't spoken to a lot of people at the club prior to this event so it was definitely good for us.
On to the agility. We had an agility round to start with to show off the equipment. Patrick decided to make it more fun for the audience by putting two tunnels next to each other under the A-frame! It did make it more entertaining as quite a few of us went wrong, but then no one really cared as long as we all had fun. We ran all four of ours, including Zazu. All four of them ran nicely. Winnie was running like she does in training and was enjoying it. Zazu was also very good as this was the first time we have run him in front of such a crowd. He did a few jumps, a wall, tunnels and the dog walk.
After this we had a team really race. Just a few jumps and a tunnel, but two teams running against each other. We ran Zazu with the small dogs and again he ran very well. He only missed one jump when he was running at an angle, but after each run he got better.
There were quite a few of the beginner dogs and handlers at the display, and they were all very good. It was the first time a lot of them had done anything like this before. Everyone was enjoying themselves and so were the dogs. There were no disasters. We are going to another display in a couple of weeks at the Shenley Fete. Hopefully that won't be quite as frantic!
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| Everyone in deep preparation for the event |
On to the agility. We had an agility round to start with to show off the equipment. Patrick decided to make it more fun for the audience by putting two tunnels next to each other under the A-frame! It did make it more entertaining as quite a few of us went wrong, but then no one really cared as long as we all had fun. We ran all four of ours, including Zazu. All four of them ran nicely. Winnie was running like she does in training and was enjoying it. Zazu was also very good as this was the first time we have run him in front of such a crowd. He did a few jumps, a wall, tunnels and the dog walk.
After this we had a team really race. Just a few jumps and a tunnel, but two teams running against each other. We ran Zazu with the small dogs and again he ran very well. He only missed one jump when he was running at an angle, but after each run he got better.
There were quite a few of the beginner dogs and handlers at the display, and they were all very good. It was the first time a lot of them had done anything like this before. Everyone was enjoying themselves and so were the dogs. There were no disasters. We are going to another display in a couple of weeks at the Shenley Fete. Hopefully that won't be quite as frantic!
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