RHR
Had a great time last weekend at the RHR trial. Classes were small and I actually enjoyed the late start. I think thats because I no longer feel any obligation to stay to the end, if I want to scratch and leave, I will. I like that feeling of not being committed to it if I dont want to be.
I haven't been practicing much, just a couple of classes and one practice session since regionals (well and some jumps and weaves in my living room) and I knew we were very rusty so I wasn't expecting much. We haven't competed since regionals in July. My main goals were to get tournament qualifiers on Swift and the last advanced standard Q he needs for his AAD. We did manage to get a steeplechase Q, but that advanced standard Q evaded us again. Its always something small, like a knocked bar, so I know he is very close. Next time. I would like to get him to fully in Masters, right now he is there for Snooker and Pairs. Proably would be for jumpers as well....except that I never stick around for jumpers if its on Sunday afternoon. And your chances of qualifying increase significantly if you actually run the course. LOL.
Once Swift is fully in Masters, my plan is to move Quake to performance. I've been debating his jump height if I want to move him to 16" or keep it at 22". While he is not getting any younger (he's 7 now), he is still physically 100%. I'd like to keep him that way for a very long time, which is one of the reasons I'm moving him now. However, the jumping is not of huge concern to me at the moment, but I do like the lower a-frame for him. So right now I'm leaning towards PIII 22". Then as he gets older, I can move him to 16". I love running him and want to be able to do that for a very long time. Another reason I want to do that is because I dont like having 2 dogs in the same jump height class. You are always having to move them around to get enough seperation, and even then, it seems like the first dog always gets shafted after their run because you have to get the second dog out. I dont like doing that which was why I originally wanted to jump Swift at 26". But he made it pretty clear that was not an option he liked, so 22" it was and he is much happier there. So moving Quake to performance gives me that seperation so I can have more quality time with my dog after a run.
Anyway, back to last weekend. Swift ran well, he did have a meltdown in GP, but overall I was pretty happy with him. He is going to be easier to handle in tight sequences than Quake is. He is more willing to collect than "Mr. Extenda-dog". I think the steeplechase Q was the only one he got all weekend, but that was mostly due to my rusty handling, not his performance. He is coming along and is starting to become great fun to handle. Where Quake is very aerodynamic, Swift is more about raw power. They are full brothers, but very, very different.
Quake also ran well, again most of our mistakes were due to my rusty handling. He did drop a bar in GP, but had a nice Standard run on Saturday for a 2nd place finish. Snooker was not in the cards for us this weekend, nuff said there. Both Quake and Swift ran well in pairs. Quake and I had a really nice standard run on Sunday, however I left a jump out without realizing it. Scott blew the whistle and I gave him a confused look but kept going. While Quake was on the table, I quickly scanned the beginning of the course and then realized what I'd done. My realization must have been obvious becaue folks ringside all started laughing. The rest of the run was fine and I'm sure our time was pretty fast. Leaving out obsticles will really improve your course time. So there. LOL.
All in all, had a great time. Had to leave early on Sunday due to another commitment, but I'm very glad I entered. Next is the CAT trial in Ridgefield. I might even try to get some practicing in before that one.
I haven't been practicing much, just a couple of classes and one practice session since regionals (well and some jumps and weaves in my living room) and I knew we were very rusty so I wasn't expecting much. We haven't competed since regionals in July. My main goals were to get tournament qualifiers on Swift and the last advanced standard Q he needs for his AAD. We did manage to get a steeplechase Q, but that advanced standard Q evaded us again. Its always something small, like a knocked bar, so I know he is very close. Next time. I would like to get him to fully in Masters, right now he is there for Snooker and Pairs. Proably would be for jumpers as well....except that I never stick around for jumpers if its on Sunday afternoon. And your chances of qualifying increase significantly if you actually run the course. LOL.
Once Swift is fully in Masters, my plan is to move Quake to performance. I've been debating his jump height if I want to move him to 16" or keep it at 22". While he is not getting any younger (he's 7 now), he is still physically 100%. I'd like to keep him that way for a very long time, which is one of the reasons I'm moving him now. However, the jumping is not of huge concern to me at the moment, but I do like the lower a-frame for him. So right now I'm leaning towards PIII 22". Then as he gets older, I can move him to 16". I love running him and want to be able to do that for a very long time. Another reason I want to do that is because I dont like having 2 dogs in the same jump height class. You are always having to move them around to get enough seperation, and even then, it seems like the first dog always gets shafted after their run because you have to get the second dog out. I dont like doing that which was why I originally wanted to jump Swift at 26". But he made it pretty clear that was not an option he liked, so 22" it was and he is much happier there. So moving Quake to performance gives me that seperation so I can have more quality time with my dog after a run.
Anyway, back to last weekend. Swift ran well, he did have a meltdown in GP, but overall I was pretty happy with him. He is going to be easier to handle in tight sequences than Quake is. He is more willing to collect than "Mr. Extenda-dog". I think the steeplechase Q was the only one he got all weekend, but that was mostly due to my rusty handling, not his performance. He is coming along and is starting to become great fun to handle. Where Quake is very aerodynamic, Swift is more about raw power. They are full brothers, but very, very different.
Quake also ran well, again most of our mistakes were due to my rusty handling. He did drop a bar in GP, but had a nice Standard run on Saturday for a 2nd place finish. Snooker was not in the cards for us this weekend, nuff said there. Both Quake and Swift ran well in pairs. Quake and I had a really nice standard run on Sunday, however I left a jump out without realizing it. Scott blew the whistle and I gave him a confused look but kept going. While Quake was on the table, I quickly scanned the beginning of the course and then realized what I'd done. My realization must have been obvious becaue folks ringside all started laughing. The rest of the run was fine and I'm sure our time was pretty fast. Leaving out obsticles will really improve your course time. So there. LOL.
All in all, had a great time. Had to leave early on Sunday due to another commitment, but I'm very glad I entered. Next is the CAT trial in Ridgefield. I might even try to get some practicing in before that one.