Trial Weekend

Doesn't Java look huge. LOL  To bad no sunny days. It makes pictures so much nicer.


It was  cold weekend but not horrible.   This trial site tends to be really cold in the winter and I was worried but it wasn't to bad. Granted, I had several layers of clothes on but I was ok.  Even Sunday when it was 33 degrees and raining. I was glad it didn't get cold enough to turn to ice outside. That would have been bad.

First off, Java had the worse trial weekend she has every had.  She has been whining at night for multiple nights.  Thursday night, at home,  I must have gotten up at least every 2 hours with her. I kept thinking she had to go to the bathroom but she never did.  Same thing at the  the hotel Friday night. OMG, I was exhausted on Saturday from no sleep.   Saturday night was a little better. She only woke me up at 2am and 4am and I stayed up after getting up at 4am.  She was just off at the trial too.  Didn't finish one  set of weave poles without popping out.  Didn't hit one DW contact, flew off teeters and didn't want to down on the table.   Ack!! 
Here is an example and its not even the worse run. LOL


But after we got home and she saw Guiness, she seemed better.(Guiness had been at my parent house for a couple of weeks). She hasn't whined at all at night since we got back.  Maybe she thought something happened to him and  was crying over that.  That is all I cant think of, because nothing else has changed.  We'll see what happens this weekend at this trial.  I told my "team" for the weekend, that I was apologizing now for doing poorly.  They said I had a week to fix everything(they were kidding). LOL, they are funny. 
Miley did pretty good with bobbles here and there.  Her first PII standard run, she ran right past the dogwalk. It was weird. She has never done that in the 6 years Ive been running her.  The rest was perfect.  She had a nice GP run but didn't wait on the teeter for me to  finish front crossing and took the off course jump behind me. Silly dog. That run I had to delete off my ipad because people stood right in front of my video camera.  I put my ipad on a tripod and the wide angle lens so I didn't have to ask people to tape me. I guess I didn't put it in a good spot since people stood in front of it. 

My best run but not perfect ,was Masters challenge  jumpers.  Walking it, I thought what the heck was I thinking entering this again???

We almost messed up at 17 but I was able to save it and Miley didn't  stress so it was good. She did hit the broad jump so no Q but still nice.






Its hard to see , sorry its so far away. The video below is the same video but I put it in Coaches Eye and pulled it in so you could see it better. Not sure how she held on in those weave poles.



We did manage one Q. Miley got her 3rd PII standard Q.  (she didn't go around the DW this run. LOL)   But I was worried because you had to go pass a few obstacles to get to the next jump after the weaves. Not Miley's thing, being able to stay with me pass obstacles. Usually she will do it for a second and thinks I must just not know what I want and she wings out and takes something. LOL

Trial Update

First off, Roxy is much better. The vet kept her Friday too and then pulled her IV.  She has been good all weekend.  Not eating much and sleeping alot. But when I got home she seemed back to normal to me.

The trial was 3 long days.   I was usually there by 6:30am so I could park in the shade. There were very few shade spots.  We finished around 6:30 at night. We were usually done earlier than expected so that was nice.  The trial was very well run.  People were all very friendly and supportive of everything.  The crating area was cramped but people really tried to be helpful and move around to make space.  There were some negative things.  Dogs would start barking it was would just echo thur the building.  And it could be over whelming at times. It wouldnt be a good  place for a sensitive dog.  You couldnt warm up at all in the building except at the small practice jump area.  That was ok for me. But outside there was only a 50 X 50 foot spot of grass  to warm up and walk dogs.  The rest was a huge parking lot.   I kept thinking if it rained, I couldnt run my dog because there would be no where to warm up and she hates rain.  But it only rained at night, so that was good.  

I only have a few videos and they are all of bad runs.  The few good runs I have, I dont have on tape. That figures huh? 
Our first run Friday was the easiest jumpers course ever.

On jump number three and slipped and fell over the jump and face planted.  I saw her face just sliding across the turf.  Ugh.  But she got right up and flew into the tunnel. When we came out of the ring she kept rubbing her face.  She dropped two more bars and those she took off way to early.  What the heck?   We did manage to stay on course.  So we are finally on course and the bars get us. Figures.   I was timing the next class and sitting next to this lady who was also a judge and teaches agility.  As I watched the dogs run, bars were just coming down like crazy.  I said, " wow, lots are bars are coming down".  She said that the course is very visually challenging for the dogs.  Between the white numbers , line and writing on the turf, the ring gating and the bars all being white, its hard for the dogs to figure out what is what.  I hadnt notice that when walking but sitting there at a lower level, it looked very difficult.  I tried to take a picture when they were course building to show you. Im not sure I got the effect.

 Hopefully everyone is blurry enough that you cant tell who they are.

Gamblers was next, we didnt get the gamble. I think I rushed it and didnt send her correctly but still an nice run. Great weave poles and contacts.
Our pairs run, which is usually our best runs didnt go well. The lady I was paired with really wanted a Q for her title. She was willing to miss her two Masters jumpers runs, to do this pairs run.  She shouldnt have told me that.  It put a lot of pressure on me and I guess I cracked.

I ran the white circles and I was trying to beat her out of that #7 tunnel so she wouldnt go off course.  I guess she wasnt committed to the tunnel and she came with me. Then when I treid to bring her around, she took the wrong end of the tunnel. Ugh! So we were off course and that was that.
Snooker was last and Miley was excited and relaxed.  She came into the ring barking and wanted to tug on her leash.  We made it thur our first snooker run ever but only got 35 points and you needed 37.  She dropped a bar for the #7 points in the opening.  Ugh!!  But we did make it thur and she was coming into to me and staying with me. So that was awesome. Friday night I really contemplated if I should continue doing agility.  I wasnt mad or upset.  I guess Im just frustrated that I just cant seem to get a handle on running my dog.  Maybe I just dont have what it takes to do it. I dont think thats a horrible thing to say. It is what it is.  People arent good at  everything and sometimes it just time to call it quits. 

Saturday we did win a worker raffle and won 3 tug toys.  At least we got something for coming.
First up was gamblers.  We had  a great run and got the gamble.  But my foot must have been on the tape because he blew the whistle.  But we still got the gamble and that was nice.

Pairs was next . I ran the white circles  and I pushed her right off the number #3 jump.  I have this run on video and Im right next to the wing with my arm fully extended out from my side. Which told her to go out. Ugh!

Next was Speedjumping/steeplechase.  We had and awesome run which I had someone video taping. But she must not have pushed the red button because I only have us at the finish line on video.  LOL. I did push her off the number 4 jump when I rear crossed but otherwise it was great.

Last up was jumpers and I didnt push her out to the #5 jump so she missed it. Then coming out of the tunnel #13, I thought I had her but she took the #12 jump. But I got her back on course.
So even though I stepped on the tape, and pushed her off jumps and tunnels.  She ran great with no stress when I made mistakes.  She had solid start lines all day. WhooHoo!!

Sunday started out bad.  We started with snooker. Ugh.  I decied to be aggressive so I would get enough points if something happened. After the first red and the #7 obstacle,  I called her in close to pass the weave poles and a jump. She got pass the weave poles but took the jump.  That was the end of that run. Tweet.
Next was gamblers. She was freaking crazy in this run.  When we got to the dogwalk, she took a huge leap off the dogwalk and then couldnt weave 6 poles.  I brought her around to do the dogwalk again, another huge leap. What the heck was wrong with her. I could see it in her, stress crazy. Tried the weave poles again and she couldnt do it. I brought her around and tried again. That time she got the weaves.  I decided I had to get that dogwalk under control. So I brought her around to the dogwalk and I slowed way down and in the calmest voice I could I told her to walk it.  She finally slowed at the bottom of the dogwalk and stopped.  The the buzzer sounded to do the gamble.  She couldnt get the send to the weave.  After all this sending to 12 weaves with the weave pole challenge.  She was just to high. I felt terrible when I left the ring. It really makes me feel bad when she is stressing like this. Its not fun for her or me.  I really didnt know what was going on. I talked with Meagan and she said that because they were running the 2nd day of Steeplechase in the other ring, which is for money, that the atmosphere in the building had really changed. People were really pushing their dogs, people were cheering and all these dogs were barking.  I didnt realize how noisy it was in the building.  I took Miley to the car and we rested there for and hour or more. Ahhh peace and quiet.
Here was the noise outside when I was at my car.



I decided the if our next run was crazy that we were going home.  Maybe three days was to much for her. Next up was Grand Prix.

I did a lead out with a lateral send to #2 and then RC between #3 and #4.  Next I was going to FC the opposite side of the #5 tunnel. But lucky I realize that it would probably push her over that  #16 jump. So I  stayed on this side of the # 6 jump.  I was going to do a serp from #7,8 and 9.   Which I did but I was right by the teeter when she came off , so a few lost seconds there but no off courses.  Another lucky thing was I realized I needed to FC after the shoot to keep her off the off course jump and get her into the weaves.  My dog was freaking awesome on this run.  Stopped on all her contacts and how she made that weave pole entry I will never know.  She held her DW contact so I couldnt get out to front cross after #15.   We had a smoking fast time of 36 and some seconds.  Whoowhoo. I was so excited to Q.  Then I found out I took 1st place. I realize we are in performance but it was still a great run.

Next was standard. We started out good but then the judge was in my way on the A-frame. She was trying to see Miley's contact and I was trying to pull miley over to the jump and I ran into the judge. Miley missed the jump but I was able to get her around and take it without an off course.  I havent watched the video but someone told me she missed her contact but the judge didnt call it.  Then the table. Miley jumped on and then off, circled around and got on the table. She sat but she would lie down. But her front legs were shaking.  So I decided to just release her.  She had an awesome dogwalk contact.  Right after her run and news paper photographer came and asked me about Miley.  Just my name and Miley's name and how old she was.  She made the paper.
Here is the link.
http://www.news-record.com/blog/60759/entry/122317
Last up was jumpers.  Again she was awesome. She tried to push her start line, and I had to say "hey" in a stern voice to get her to settle.

I did a lead out with a lateral or forward send to  #2 so I could run to #3 and front cross.  It work great.  We had an awesome run and I remember to push her out to #8 and pull her back in and call her for #9.  Whoohooo for me.  To bad she dropped the bar on number 12.  But otherwise it was awesome.

So this isnt a blog where you get to read we Qed 8 out of 10 runs. In fact, we Qed one out of 12 runs.  That doesnt sound very good but there was lots of good things happening.  And only one run that she had stress in, so that was very nice.  I guess Im just a slow learner. LOL

CPA trial day #2

Day 2 started early because Miley is always up early.  We were up by 5am.   I think we were at the trial site by 7am.  You probably know that Miley really wants to chase cars.  Ive been working on this problem constantly. Sometimes she does well and other times not so much.   I was getting stuff out of the car and had Miley out already on leash.  I accidentally dropped the leash.  Cars were coming into the parking lot and Miley was already getting excited and watching  them.  When I dropped the leash, I immediately called her ( probably screamed at her because I was so panicked) and she came .  WhooHoo, that was the highlight of the weekend for me.  It could have easily ended in disaster. I was soooo happy , I just couldnt believe that she came. 
On the the trial stuff.  Today started with snooker.  Ugh, I hate snooker.  Im terrible at it. I was just hoping to get some points.  Some is better than none. Which Ive done before.  I took Miley out twice and ran her under this barn type structure. Threw the ball and Frisbee.  Imagine how fast she would be if I didnt have to burn off that energy before we run.  But if I dont do it, she just is too over the top for me. Anyway we didnt get very far in snooker before the whistle blew. We did get some points but not much. We didnt help our team to much. I think we were 2nd to last place at the end of day one.  So now that  crappy snooker run didnt help at all.

Next  up was steeplechase.  I really needed a good run after those bad runs.  And we did have a good run.  We "Q"d and took 3rd.  We had a little bobble after #4 where she didnt seem to know which way to go, but didnt go off course.  That cost us time. Then I handle from a distance at the end which made her a little wide so time there too.

That felt good.  We werent perfect but we are getting closer.  I didnt sign up for Monday so I didnt run the 2nd day which was for money.

Next up was Grand Prix.

The beginning which was chute to the tunnel, you had to be right there otherwise dogs were taking the dogwalk.  And because I really wanted to make sure she got the tunnel, I couldnt get  pass the tunnel to make a front cross in front of #3. ( or maybe I didnt try hard enough. My  husband said I need to learn to run!) Then I had a bad rear cross to the a-frame and she almost missed it and it was ugly.My dog covered for my bad handling, what a dog!! Then we were done when we dropped the bar on #8.  My handling from #11 to #12 didnt go as planned.  I was behind in stead of in front to use a serpentine and sent her over #7 instead of the teeter.  But she didnt stress and came back to me.  There was an ugly  turn into the tunnel. Im not sure why that happened.  Ive watch the video a few times and cant figure it out.



Last up was team pairs.  We both had great runs and it moved us up in the standings. We were 11th but only the top 9 "Q"ed.  It was a good experience and Im glad I did it.  Slightly stressful and I really felt bad when we didnt do well because it hurts the team points.  Oh well, there be another time to do better.
 Here are some pictures I took after her steeplechase run. It was in front of a NC State stadium which was across the street.

CPA trial day 1

It's been a long day. We got there at 6:30 this morning and left after6:30 at night. They had some international courses that were being run so thats what took so long. Next time I will add more runs so Miley didn't have to wait around so long. ( I started this post Saturday but never finished it)
First we ran PII gamblers. She did well but jumped her a-frame contact, she did stress a tiny bit after the a-frame but she got it together quickly. It's hard to see on the video but the weaves are in the back. I practiced two weave entries and she got the  both. The first one was a rear cross on the flat.

We got the gamble and took 1st.

Next up was team standard.  In team standard you get faults but as long as you dont go off course your still earning points for your team.  Well first off I walk the course wrong.  I was thinking the number one was on the other side of the first jump.  I couldnt ever read #1 right.  Whats up with that?

And then I left out #12-15 in my walk-thur.  Ugh!  I dont know what was wrong with me.  The groups were large so while group A walked team jumpers , team B walked team standard and then we switched rings and walked the other.  Then you ran both.   Anyway they needed help in the ring so I signed up for assit. scribe.  Well, there was no ring crew. They asked me to be ring crew.  And its not like thats a problem but my body is usually screaming with pain when Im at a trial so I was trying to pick a sit down job.  But no problem, I said I would do it.  It was a lot of work.  Running to fix the chute and pick up the bars and be fast too.  The ring captain was very nice and after a while she came out and told me to go do her job as  leash runner and she would do my job.  She told me she wasnt running a dog and she knew I was running in the ring after these dogs ran and wanted me to have energy left.  That was very nice of her.  So while I was being ring crew I realized I had walked the course wrong in both places.  LOL good thing I wasnt first.  I wasnt the only one.  Someone told me a couple of people ran the first jump wrong.
We did stay on course. WhooHoo.  We did have some errors but we still got points. We really have to work on the tunnel under the a-frame and rear crossing that.  Also she took a spill out of the chute.



Next was Team Jumpers.

Man, I really felt like I could run this course.  We were doing well until #12, I sent her and then pulled off to make a front course and she pulled off the jump. I resent her so we were still ok, then she took #14 and went off course over  the backside of #6. She came right back to me and we finished nicely but we got and "E" for our team. Ugh!  (no video)

 Last was Team Gamblers.

In team gamblers you get the most points in the closing gamble.  So all the opening obstacles arent worth that many points.   There were three gambles.  I decided to go for the one with the most points, the white circles. Miley is pretty good about distance and I thought we could do it.   I did tell my partner that if Miley jumped the a-frame contact again I was going to have to mark it and make her do the a-frame again.  And she was ok with it.   We started with the tire to the weaves.  Well when we ran thur the weaves, one of the nails was sticking up 6 inches.  Holly crap!   Now I really needed to change my plan because  I wasnt running her back thur the weaves again which was my plan right before starting the gamble.  Then she jumped on a-frame contact so I said to her "Hey" and made her do it again. She got it the second time.  Of course my whole plan was shot.  Im not even sure what I did.  The buzzer went off.  She took the Circle #1-3 but when she came out of the tunnel she went behind it.  What the heck?? I have no idea why she did this. Then she took an off course jump and we were whistled out.   So we didnt get to many points for our team.   (no video). 

We went back to the hotel and crashed.  Miley went right to sleep and slept all night.  Yea.  I really need to get a white noise machine to block out all the hotel noise.  I thought we might get kicked out Friday night we she kept barking. 

Ill finish out the weekend later today.  It does get better.  No stress circling all weekend!!!!