I finally got a video camera this year on our state's Tax Free Day, mainly to record dog and horse stuff (of course). I got a few courses recorded at our first trial of the year last week before I started to feel guilty for hitting people up to tape.
This was the first round of USDAA Steeplechase, one of the tournament classes that is a qualifier for Nationals. We did qualify in it (and also in the Performance Versatility Pairs that weekend), so we now have two of the five Qs we need to get fully qualified for Cynosport. While I don't expect to be competitive there, I am really hoping to go; possibly my only chance if they move back to the west coast next year, and a few very good friends are going as well.
Couple of points before I get picked on for them
:
I am still trying to figure out how much I need to exercise her the day before a trial - that balance between not having her tire over the weekend, and not running a wild banshee on the first day. This was a banshee day! She was settled by this run (last of the day), but that is why I was babysitting the contact so much (she'd clearly blown it in an earlier run).
The refusal at the weaves the first time through was me being an idiot. I worry she doesn't truly understand her entries, and try too hard to set her up rather than just telling her to weave. Miss Responsive then ends up getting called off of them, because as soon as I say anything, she's trying to respond to me. Second time through the weaves I'd realized my mistake and just let her go.
We had a decent (not taped) second round the next day, and I was really happy to wind up 6th in a very competitive 30 dog class.
YouTube - Steeplechase All Dogs Gym 3/20/10
This was the first round of USDAA Steeplechase, one of the tournament classes that is a qualifier for Nationals. We did qualify in it (and also in the Performance Versatility Pairs that weekend), so we now have two of the five Qs we need to get fully qualified for Cynosport. While I don't expect to be competitive there, I am really hoping to go; possibly my only chance if they move back to the west coast next year, and a few very good friends are going as well.
Couple of points before I get picked on for them
:I am still trying to figure out how much I need to exercise her the day before a trial - that balance between not having her tire over the weekend, and not running a wild banshee on the first day. This was a banshee day! She was settled by this run (last of the day), but that is why I was babysitting the contact so much (she'd clearly blown it in an earlier run).
The refusal at the weaves the first time through was me being an idiot. I worry she doesn't truly understand her entries, and try too hard to set her up rather than just telling her to weave. Miss Responsive then ends up getting called off of them, because as soon as I say anything, she's trying to respond to me. Second time through the weaves I'd realized my mistake and just let her go.
We had a decent (not taped) second round the next day, and I was really happy to wind up 6th in a very competitive 30 dog class.
YouTube - Steeplechase All Dogs Gym 3/20/10
