Nice fun trial Friday. As a special treat as it was an all advanced afternoon so it was just Sally and I. Home dogs spent about 4 hours alone which I have to admit I felt badly about until I realized 9 and even 10 hour days weren't unheard of just 4 months ago.
The venue was lovely - it was a dome arena on a nice hard packed dirt surface! I had a very strong feeling of deja vu when there and could picture cross country jumps on the property so asked around - seems quite possible I rode there with a Young Riders program a million years ago.
Our first class was Advanced Gambles. We had a sweet opening - up a line of two jumps (including the 4 point) to the mini - teeter to tunnel, nailed it, took a minute to get organized to repeat the mini but nailed it again ... across the dogwalk down the weaves, over the jump, over the jump, up the weaves, onto the dogwalk (whistle) Sally added the spread backwards and a chute on her way to set up for gamble but she wasted no time. I love running her in gambles as a warm up - can test her weaves and contacts and she so enjoys the free running. She missed the contact on the aframe then turned into the tunnel and nailed the jumps. Good girl Sally. My old mantra is back. "I must train more aframes".
Then Advanced Standard classes were next. We ended up with a pause box rather than a table which was fine by me. People truly FREAKED about the change though. Including people not running in the class which I thought was RIDICULOUS! The club was great - offered a refund on the spot to anybody who didn't want to run. Smart!
Sally's first run was lovely, except my lousy steering had her jumping the back side of one jump- DOH. Just the tiniest bit of steering would have solved the problem as she she was listening really well. Got her contacts with confidence. Good job!
Second standard course, Oh Sally's Been Barking was right there. High as a KITE (which lasted the whole trial) she slid off the dog walk contact (after she got it) and wasted time at the pause box but smoked the course. Second effort at Advanced Standard resulted in a Q. Good girl!
Then two jumpers. First course was fun - some tricky lines that required concentration from me - and commitment. We clicked all the way around the course. Good Girl. Last Advanced Jumpers Q.
Second jumpers I challenged myself and Sally as we didn't "need' the Q. I had one DOH moment and Sally, being Sally not Brody, backjumped to see what the heck I was doing standing staring at her! Otherwise oot perfect.
Last class snookers. Nice opening then my steering went wonky again and Sally found the wrong end of a tunnel. Our first try at Advanced Snookers so I am well pleased with the 25 or so points I think we got. As usual I didn't check the score sheets very closely at all. Fun venue and always great to catch up with friends and see favourite dogs!
Some highlights - how absolutely happy Sally was to be playing her favourite game. Not one rail for any reason. Perfect weaves. Only one missed contact.
Stuff to work on - start line may be eroding, or was I just chicken? not sure - better figure it out! Aframes! More Aframes!
Showing posts with label snookers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snookers. Show all posts
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Monday, October 08, 2012
numbers mean so little...
Sally's first AAC Q was a jumpers Q in mid July of 2010. Her last Starters Q was this weekend.
She has only had one trial that she hasn't earned a Q between the two dates... this September's trial when she was feeling crappy (Lesson learned there maybe ~ although even feeling crappy she enjoyed it!)
We only trialed Saturday. Our first run was advanced gambles - we knocked the 4 point jump in the opening (our only rail) and even so got over the 20 required points. The gamble had a straight tunnel (on a blind entrance to a spread - both set at the maximum distance - I stopped my motion too early and Sally peeled back to me instead of doing the spread. Good girl! Then must have been standard - Sally ran a nice course - although I had to put her back in the weaves as she came out one pole early. Her table was lovely! Snookers was hilarious ... as you can see for yourself! Sally nearly added a tunnel -but didn't, then a jump but didn't, then stopped DEAD in front of the double but leaped it from a standstill. A true Sally, character filled run! Steeplechase should have been in the bag - she had a great run but forgot all about aframe contacts in the excitement of running flat out. Goof!
So in two years and two months we have done 8 AAC trials. She's had some train wrecks in there and she's had many five fault rounds. She's had 1 point snookers and 34 point snookers runs. We've had fun in every single class at every single trial.
Brody's first Q was a jumpers Q at the end of March of 2007. His first day at a trial.
His ADC was early August 2007. 4 months later. He had quite a few trials where he was 1-3 OT in standard and no qs at the trial at all. His SGDC followed at the end of November of that same year. 7 long months. Back when you had to have team as part of the title. (To be fair we earned both snookers and team the same trial).
16 months for my agility superstar; 7 months for my rockstar. If ever there was a better way to prove they are different dogs these numbers just may be it. (The fact a few years have passed made a difference too - Sally would still have earned her ADC this weekend but you needed fewer starters games Qs for that title so she would have had that in April of 2011.)
Thea was brilliant this weekend - she's hardly done any agility but when I realized she was coming with me I entered her in starters gamblers and snookers. She was fast, furious and had a great time. Always a great reminder that Qs are not what the game is about!
Yen was pretty darn good at the trial. I'm so smitten it isn't funny.
She has only had one trial that she hasn't earned a Q between the two dates... this September's trial when she was feeling crappy (Lesson learned there maybe ~ although even feeling crappy she enjoyed it!)
We only trialed Saturday. Our first run was advanced gambles - we knocked the 4 point jump in the opening (our only rail) and even so got over the 20 required points. The gamble had a straight tunnel (on a blind entrance to a spread - both set at the maximum distance - I stopped my motion too early and Sally peeled back to me instead of doing the spread. Good girl! Then must have been standard - Sally ran a nice course - although I had to put her back in the weaves as she came out one pole early. Her table was lovely! Snookers was hilarious ... as you can see for yourself! Sally nearly added a tunnel -but didn't, then a jump but didn't, then stopped DEAD in front of the double but leaped it from a standstill. A true Sally, character filled run! Steeplechase should have been in the bag - she had a great run but forgot all about aframe contacts in the excitement of running flat out. Goof!
So in two years and two months we have done 8 AAC trials. She's had some train wrecks in there and she's had many five fault rounds. She's had 1 point snookers and 34 point snookers runs. We've had fun in every single class at every single trial.
Brody's first Q was a jumpers Q at the end of March of 2007. His first day at a trial.
His ADC was early August 2007. 4 months later. He had quite a few trials where he was 1-3 OT in standard and no qs at the trial at all. His SGDC followed at the end of November of that same year. 7 long months. Back when you had to have team as part of the title. (To be fair we earned both snookers and team the same trial).
16 months for my agility superstar; 7 months for my rockstar. If ever there was a better way to prove they are different dogs these numbers just may be it. (The fact a few years have passed made a difference too - Sally would still have earned her ADC this weekend but you needed fewer starters games Qs for that title so she would have had that in April of 2011.)
Thea was brilliant this weekend - she's hardly done any agility but when I realized she was coming with me I entered her in starters gamblers and snookers. She was fast, furious and had a great time. Always a great reminder that Qs are not what the game is about!
Yen was pretty darn good at the trial. I'm so smitten it isn't funny.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
house league report ...
Great dogs - great fun!
It was crazy cold out so Thea stayed home (no wonder the poor dog is a play dog!)
Snookers was up first - our tunnel version
Sally earned 52 points the first run (we worked 3 sets of 5 point weaves and obviously something else too!)
Then 45 points as we worked the 6 point teeter 3 times then carried on to the closing - so it should be 48 points I think ... oh well math isn't my strong thing!
Her standard run was fault free too... what a good girl!
Brody ran well too. He was happy and FAST .... 51 and 59 points respectively and then a fault free standard run too. Good fun day. The compilation video for today is Sally and her sister Sophie!
Still enjoying snookers, love the thinking piece!
It was crazy cold out so Thea stayed home (no wonder the poor dog is a play dog!)
Snookers was up first - our tunnel version
Sally earned 52 points the first run (we worked 3 sets of 5 point weaves and obviously something else too!)
Then 45 points as we worked the 6 point teeter 3 times then carried on to the closing - so it should be 48 points I think ... oh well math isn't my strong thing!
Her standard run was fault free too... what a good girl!
Brody ran well too. He was happy and FAST .... 51 and 59 points respectively and then a fault free standard run too. Good fun day. The compilation video for today is Sally and her sister Sophie!
Still enjoying snookers, love the thinking piece!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
a good good day ...
Thea ran 4/5 clean Q runs the only one we missed was a snookers run ... (in which I missed the number three jump - whoops!)
Fullhouse started a little lookie loo but she settled down and ran well
Her standard run was nice too- a little tiny think about the dog walk but a tiny yay got her in gear along the top plank ... at 3.1 yps it wasn't her fastest run by any stretch but she was not hesitant at all
Colours was a nice open course - we chose the wide open option .. and she flew the back line! 3.8 yps !!
Wildcard was nice too - she is a lot of fun to run :) It was our slowest run (2.8 yps) but felt quite strong anyhow.
Sally ran 3/5 clean Q runs. Her errors were honest (the judge called a missed dogwalk contact - I thought she had it - it happens!) and in a very tricky bit of a course she entered a wrong tunnel, realized her error and flipped around .. too bad the errors weren't in the same course!
Even with the bobbles she ran well and I am pleased with her too. She pulled the oxer down too, luckily in fullhouse, so it was an error easily recovered from. the fullhouse Q was earned with 26 points.
Her standard run of dog walk infamy was 5.3 yps. Colours (the off course tunnel flip) was 3.9 yps even with the extra miles. The wildcard course ran nicely and her yps was the same as Colours.
her snookers course was a thing of beauty - as was Brody's. Our judge, the awesome Pat Saito, brings little cones to trials for 51 point snookers courses. I was doubtful but determined. Both Brody and Sally succeeded in getting their cones! I was so impressed!
Brody had a good day too. Level 4 isn't easy and, as usual Brody handled the courses cleanly and with his usual high standards! Fullhouse was shorter than with Sally but clean all the way so they tied for points. Standard was a tricky course - a wrap, off course tunnels and jumps shouting all over the place. 3 yps was enough to earn the q! (Although only a second place - hardly an issue to me)
Colours was a zippy 3.5 yps. Wildcard was 2.8 yps and we did 2 sets of weaves! Unreal. I had been worried about 5 runs for Bman - no need - the last class (snookers) was Brody's best class of the day. I literally just sat on the floor at the end and admired my rockstar!
I will put together a little video compilation to bore you with soon!
Fullhouse started a little lookie loo but she settled down and ran well
Her standard run was nice too- a little tiny think about the dog walk but a tiny yay got her in gear along the top plank ... at 3.1 yps it wasn't her fastest run by any stretch but she was not hesitant at all
Colours was a nice open course - we chose the wide open option .. and she flew the back line! 3.8 yps !!
Wildcard was nice too - she is a lot of fun to run :) It was our slowest run (2.8 yps) but felt quite strong anyhow.
Sally ran 3/5 clean Q runs. Her errors were honest (the judge called a missed dogwalk contact - I thought she had it - it happens!) and in a very tricky bit of a course she entered a wrong tunnel, realized her error and flipped around .. too bad the errors weren't in the same course!
Even with the bobbles she ran well and I am pleased with her too. She pulled the oxer down too, luckily in fullhouse, so it was an error easily recovered from. the fullhouse Q was earned with 26 points.
Her standard run of dog walk infamy was 5.3 yps. Colours (the off course tunnel flip) was 3.9 yps even with the extra miles. The wildcard course ran nicely and her yps was the same as Colours.
her snookers course was a thing of beauty - as was Brody's. Our judge, the awesome Pat Saito, brings little cones to trials for 51 point snookers courses. I was doubtful but determined. Both Brody and Sally succeeded in getting their cones! I was so impressed!
Brody had a good day too. Level 4 isn't easy and, as usual Brody handled the courses cleanly and with his usual high standards! Fullhouse was shorter than with Sally but clean all the way so they tied for points. Standard was a tricky course - a wrap, off course tunnels and jumps shouting all over the place. 3 yps was enough to earn the q! (Although only a second place - hardly an issue to me)
Colours was a zippy 3.5 yps. Wildcard was 2.8 yps and we did 2 sets of weaves! Unreal. I had been worried about 5 runs for Bman - no need - the last class (snookers) was Brody's best class of the day. I literally just sat on the floor at the end and admired my rockstar!
I will put together a little video compilation to bore you with soon!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
my head hates spring...
and fall - and pretty much anytime the weather systems change quickly ...
had fun at the trial today anyhow though ...
I skipped a jump in the first standard round - DOH - so Brody ran a most excellent wrong course ... hate that ....
Sally was a lunatic in her first class (standard) so again I'm back to thinking she'll never get a standard q in her life
next class was Fullhouse - maniac Sally accumulated lots of points (38 if memory serves me right) but failed to get three single bar jumps (a requirement) so NQ ... that would be twice my lack of ability to count got us into trouble in all of 5 runs ... DOH
Brody nailed a nice little course in that class as did Thea. Thea was a MONSTER - she was covering more ground that Sally .. a veritable "pistol" to quote one observer ...
third up was snookers ...
Sally ran a lovely opening, 3 reds and 3 sevens but pulled the two point opening ... it was on an angle and I'm just not sure why that happened but I was pleased to have my dog back instead of the nut from the first two classes...24 points
Thea ran an awesome course too - three sevens for her too - and she got through 5 as well - to be honest she probably should have gotten 6 too ( there was a timer malfunction and we should have had 5 seconds after the whistle - the whistle went as she was coming down the frame (5 point) I'm sure she would have finished the frame and gotten the tire too - but she had lots of points in the bank - so why fuss? 38 points
Brody ran a happy course - 2 sevens and a three and he finished through six ...40 points - good boy
Colours was a nice way to end a great day - all three dogs ran strong and sane and all earned their Qs in plenty of time ... I would like to figure out some yps but I left the results at the trial overnight :)
Sally's sister Sophie came with us and had a most excellent day too - finishing a title even!!
had fun at the trial today anyhow though ...
I skipped a jump in the first standard round - DOH - so Brody ran a most excellent wrong course ... hate that ....
Sally was a lunatic in her first class (standard) so again I'm back to thinking she'll never get a standard q in her life
next class was Fullhouse - maniac Sally accumulated lots of points (38 if memory serves me right) but failed to get three single bar jumps (a requirement) so NQ ... that would be twice my lack of ability to count got us into trouble in all of 5 runs ... DOH
Brody nailed a nice little course in that class as did Thea. Thea was a MONSTER - she was covering more ground that Sally .. a veritable "pistol" to quote one observer ...
third up was snookers ...
Sally ran a lovely opening, 3 reds and 3 sevens but pulled the two point opening ... it was on an angle and I'm just not sure why that happened but I was pleased to have my dog back instead of the nut from the first two classes...24 points
Thea ran an awesome course too - three sevens for her too - and she got through 5 as well - to be honest she probably should have gotten 6 too ( there was a timer malfunction and we should have had 5 seconds after the whistle - the whistle went as she was coming down the frame (5 point) I'm sure she would have finished the frame and gotten the tire too - but she had lots of points in the bank - so why fuss? 38 points
Brody ran a happy course - 2 sevens and a three and he finished through six ...40 points - good boy
Colours was a nice way to end a great day - all three dogs ran strong and sane and all earned their Qs in plenty of time ... I would like to figure out some yps but I left the results at the trial overnight :)
Sally's sister Sophie came with us and had a most excellent day too - finishing a title even!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
on aac ....
As I am sure I've said before - great dogs ~ shame about the handler :) Actually I am well pleased with the start up for 2011.
Sally had a steeplechase which was a bit of a trainwreck. I was in the wrong place; she was in the wrong place; she blew the aframe and I put her right back on it. She touched and touched again and I could see the wheels turning in her brain. I actually think that was a really good choice (as you'll see in snookers report). We had NT but I wasn't too stressed about it. She was working so hard. She reads body language so well. I need to learn to be aware of exactly where I am sending her when I run in any given direction.
Sally had a small issue in her first advanced gamblers - the judge was standing on my chosen opening line. Whoops - I hadn't even looked as Brody is so steady he doesn't even see stuff like that. We got a little off track but Sally recovered quickly missing just one planned jump. She got the mini - which was the double (4 points) to tunnel to repeat the tunnel for 16 points and then the 4 point double again .. for 20 points. Spinning dogs around back into the tunnel made interesting handling for many dogs. I just did a post turn and Sally blasted into the tunnel. In the opening we also did a tunnel, a couple of jumps and the aframe (yay contact) - 27 point opening. The gamble was a jump, a tunnel then a push out to a jump beside the tire ... many many dogs couldn't get the jump and did the tire instead- I booted it and called her and she was MOST excellent. She earned 54 points so not a million extra but the job was done ... and that makes me laugh. If Brody ever earned 54 points in a gamblers class I'd be hysterical and giddy!
In her second gamblers class she was a little worried in the weaves so popped out once (they were the second obstacle). I just carried on with the plan and did the four point chute twice then a jump and a GORGEOUS set of weaves ... through a tunnel and down the eight point mini (like a superstar)I turned back the whistle went and I was in the perfect place for the gamble. I sent her out and she flew with confidence but the second obstacle was the teeter and I froze when she was half way up it - I don't think we've done a teeter from 18 feet laterally before. Dumb me as she jumped off the side to make sure I was ok - then sent out to finish the gamble no problem. KEEP MOVING should be my motto so many times.
Sally's first snookers class. Whoops! Although I was using my brain so it was good for learning again. I thought my way around the course. Sally pulled a rail in the 7 combo (the first time through) .. so I did the 6 point teeter twice .. sadly the number 2 rail also came down in the opening or we would have been just fine ... she was attentive and excellent. I think the rails came down because I wasn't driving the way I usually do. The curse of overthinking. I was pretty determined to earn the Q in the second run. "Enough of no snookers qs" said I! I carefully looked at the course. The only way I could see to be ENTIRELY sure of getting the q was to do 4 reds and 4 weaves (the 7 pointer). Even if we had a meltdown I decided working weaves in a trial made a whole lot of sense. The first two sets were a little worried and required a reset - the last two sets were HEAVENLY. She got through 2,3,4, and the 5 point aframe sticking a very nice contact! The whistle went somewhere in the 6 point combo but she earned over 40 points anyhow. Good girl!
DUMB Handler in advanced jumpers with her. 10 faults in one class (How can a dog jump a tire a handler is standing right in front of? Sally wonders too). 5 faults in the other. Good dog. Smooth happy running so it will come. She was really really good.
Brody only had 4 classes. 2 snookers and 2 jumpers. My snookers King wasn't ... we were 2 and 4 points short respectively but he ran well and happily - just long courses for little legs. He was a jumpers star though happily earning both Qs and finishing the aac part of the weekend with an extra Q than required for his Masters Jumpers Dog of Canada. I was amazed - he was 15 seconds undertime on one run and 12 for the other. He didn't trot one step. A little bittersweet as I'm fairly sure that will be his last AAC title. I think everything else requires an Atch and I'm not planning on doing gamblers classes with him anymore. He is such a pleasure to play with.
Good, GREAT, marvellous dogs. CPE afternoon tomorrow. Maybe Sally will be tired :)
Sally had a steeplechase which was a bit of a trainwreck. I was in the wrong place; she was in the wrong place; she blew the aframe and I put her right back on it. She touched and touched again and I could see the wheels turning in her brain. I actually think that was a really good choice (as you'll see in snookers report). We had NT but I wasn't too stressed about it. She was working so hard. She reads body language so well. I need to learn to be aware of exactly where I am sending her when I run in any given direction.
Sally had a small issue in her first advanced gamblers - the judge was standing on my chosen opening line. Whoops - I hadn't even looked as Brody is so steady he doesn't even see stuff like that. We got a little off track but Sally recovered quickly missing just one planned jump. She got the mini - which was the double (4 points) to tunnel to repeat the tunnel for 16 points and then the 4 point double again .. for 20 points. Spinning dogs around back into the tunnel made interesting handling for many dogs. I just did a post turn and Sally blasted into the tunnel. In the opening we also did a tunnel, a couple of jumps and the aframe (yay contact) - 27 point opening. The gamble was a jump, a tunnel then a push out to a jump beside the tire ... many many dogs couldn't get the jump and did the tire instead- I booted it and called her and she was MOST excellent. She earned 54 points so not a million extra but the job was done ... and that makes me laugh. If Brody ever earned 54 points in a gamblers class I'd be hysterical and giddy!
In her second gamblers class she was a little worried in the weaves so popped out once (they were the second obstacle). I just carried on with the plan and did the four point chute twice then a jump and a GORGEOUS set of weaves ... through a tunnel and down the eight point mini (like a superstar)I turned back the whistle went and I was in the perfect place for the gamble. I sent her out and she flew with confidence but the second obstacle was the teeter and I froze when she was half way up it - I don't think we've done a teeter from 18 feet laterally before. Dumb me as she jumped off the side to make sure I was ok - then sent out to finish the gamble no problem. KEEP MOVING should be my motto so many times.
Sally's first snookers class. Whoops! Although I was using my brain so it was good for learning again. I thought my way around the course. Sally pulled a rail in the 7 combo (the first time through) .. so I did the 6 point teeter twice .. sadly the number 2 rail also came down in the opening or we would have been just fine ... she was attentive and excellent. I think the rails came down because I wasn't driving the way I usually do. The curse of overthinking. I was pretty determined to earn the Q in the second run. "Enough of no snookers qs" said I! I carefully looked at the course. The only way I could see to be ENTIRELY sure of getting the q was to do 4 reds and 4 weaves (the 7 pointer). Even if we had a meltdown I decided working weaves in a trial made a whole lot of sense. The first two sets were a little worried and required a reset - the last two sets were HEAVENLY. She got through 2,3,4, and the 5 point aframe sticking a very nice contact! The whistle went somewhere in the 6 point combo but she earned over 40 points anyhow. Good girl!
DUMB Handler in advanced jumpers with her. 10 faults in one class (How can a dog jump a tire a handler is standing right in front of? Sally wonders too). 5 faults in the other. Good dog. Smooth happy running so it will come. She was really really good.
Brody only had 4 classes. 2 snookers and 2 jumpers. My snookers King wasn't ... we were 2 and 4 points short respectively but he ran well and happily - just long courses for little legs. He was a jumpers star though happily earning both Qs and finishing the aac part of the weekend with an extra Q than required for his Masters Jumpers Dog of Canada. I was amazed - he was 15 seconds undertime on one run and 12 for the other. He didn't trot one step. A little bittersweet as I'm fairly sure that will be his last AAC title. I think everything else requires an Atch and I'm not planning on doing gamblers classes with him anymore. He is such a pleasure to play with.
Good, GREAT, marvellous dogs. CPE afternoon tomorrow. Maybe Sally will be tired :)
Monday, February 07, 2011
Sally is bored already - you think she'd be tired for a minute eh? Not our Sally. No way. No how. Brody has a hot spot in his back - first time I've seen that so I'll have to up his fitness work again.
This is the Fullhouse course. With both dogs I started with the 5 point joker in the middle - with Brody I headed right for the outside of the line and worked my way around to the tunnel - got there faster than expected so added the tunnel and one of the joker jumps on my way to the table. Sally ended up doing every tunnel once and the opening joker twice. She flew the course.
Sally's snookers course. She was fabulous. FOOT perfect fabulous. Not a bubble, bobble or other glitch had me doubt for one second that if I steered right she'd be exactly where I needed her to be doing what I asked. Amazing girl. (Need to get my confidence back on start lines - she was good but I didn't lead out nearly as far as I used to - not sure why) 
Brody squeaked this course - he needs 32 points now and we got them - barely. He trotted the first half then really started to fly once we hit the closing. He ran really well yesterday. I was very happy as I have this sense (not for any particular reason) that his retirement isn't that far away.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
blow me over with a feather ...
Today is Brody's 10th birthday.
I was checking the aac stats pages (wondering in fact when I could add the link to Thea's page) when I noticed Brody has 4 snookers qs! How'd that happen? After our last snookers outing I was thinking it might be forever til we got another snookers q. Blow me over. I redid my math and that lovely last run we did had 1+7+1+7+1+4+2+3+4+5 = 35 points - Brody is a vet and only needed 34 points ... I thought we needed the 6 we so nearly got but we didn't. What a nice birthday treat eh? I was happy with the run anyhow. Usually surprises in my life haven't been positive lately so that was a most lovely shock!
GO BRODY!!!
Happy birthday rockstar, rock, a piece of my heart.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Snookers ...
I like snookers .. really I do.
Am I a little bit frustrated that my last three attempts have not been successful? Yes, if I am completely honest with myself, I guess I am a little.
I had two snookers classes last night. It was hot. Brody and I had driven over 400 km by the time we got to the trial. My brain should be ON for snookers and Brody should be well rested. We did fine. The first class was a bit fluffy. Brody took my motion cues very literally and went a little wide at the tunnels and we wasted some time so we only got 2/3 of the 6 sequence completed. 25 points. I nearly went home (did I mention I was hot?)
But I didn't. Which I'm glad of as Brody rocked the last course. We were last dog of the trial - cars were pulling out mosquitoes were zooming in and we did everything we wanted to. Perfect tunnels, easy flow. His nose was coming out of the last tunnel he needed for the points when the whistle blew. We did our best and it was 1/10 of a second too slow. And you know what? That's OK. Brody did the teeter 7 times with confidence last night. He did cross canter *at one point which is a sign of how uncomfortable/tired he was- I've never seen him do that before.
The venue isn't Brody's favourite though it is mine probably. I am very pleased with our last run.
It will come. I know it will. I just don't know when.
* cross cantering is when front and back legs are on different leads. It is not easy to do. And never asked for.
Am I a little bit frustrated that my last three attempts have not been successful? Yes, if I am completely honest with myself, I guess I am a little.
I had two snookers classes last night. It was hot. Brody and I had driven over 400 km by the time we got to the trial. My brain should be ON for snookers and Brody should be well rested. We did fine. The first class was a bit fluffy. Brody took my motion cues very literally and went a little wide at the tunnels and we wasted some time so we only got 2/3 of the 6 sequence completed. 25 points. I nearly went home (did I mention I was hot?)
But I didn't. Which I'm glad of as Brody rocked the last course. We were last dog of the trial - cars were pulling out mosquitoes were zooming in and we did everything we wanted to. Perfect tunnels, easy flow. His nose was coming out of the last tunnel he needed for the points when the whistle blew. We did our best and it was 1/10 of a second too slow. And you know what? That's OK. Brody did the teeter 7 times with confidence last night. He did cross canter *at one point which is a sign of how uncomfortable/tired he was- I've never seen him do that before.
The venue isn't Brody's favourite though it is mine probably. I am very pleased with our last run.
It will come. I know it will. I just don't know when.
* cross cantering is when front and back legs are on different leads. It is not easy to do. And never asked for.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
day 2 and the fun continues
3/4 today and the missed Q was a Q for Brody and I - somehow I had the wrong course entry into a tunnel (the MUCH HARDER ONE) so I asked him for that tough one - never realized it was wrong and zoomed off to run a fabulous course - while I am PEEVED at me I am thrilled to be running again .. and I didn't let it rattle me for long 9it was the second class today)
The other classes were great - snookers is one of my favourite classes - I like the thinking - Brody racked up 45 points!! Fullhouse is fun too - the challenge of this course was to get three plain jumps in - a NUMBER of people didn't manage that. brody needed 23 points and got 29 so that was quite secure. Wildcard is not my favourite game - I always try to do something in it to make me think - it is usually VERY straightforward and over too fast for me .. today I ran without my hands - no sweat ...
I am so very lucky to live with Brody ..
I am so very lucky to be able to play a game I like SO MUCH even if not often enough
I am so very lucky to have a support system that understands this strange desire
The other classes were great - snookers is one of my favourite classes - I like the thinking - Brody racked up 45 points!! Fullhouse is fun too - the challenge of this course was to get three plain jumps in - a NUMBER of people didn't manage that. brody needed 23 points and got 29 so that was quite secure. Wildcard is not my favourite game - I always try to do something in it to make me think - it is usually VERY straightforward and over too fast for me .. today I ran without my hands - no sweat ...
I am so very lucky to live with Brody ..
I am so very lucky to be able to play a game I like SO MUCH even if not often enough
I am so very lucky to have a support system that understands this strange desire
Friday, June 11, 2010
He really is a super star
the comeback tour began with a strong start today
2/2 without a foot wrong
Masters Snookers .. the closing went tire(2), tunnel (3), jump (4), dogwalk (5), tunnel, jump, tunnel (6) and weaves (7)
I usually don't pick sequences for Brody to repeat but this was CLASS ONE of the tour .. and I wanted flow - the best flow BY FAR for Brody was red, 6, red 6, red dogwalk and start the closing - he sailed around it - nearly got through 6 in the closing ...about 1/3 of the dogs qualified in the class so I was very pleased Brody was one of them :)(he won his class too) he was very pleased too - which was pretty amusing.
Masters Jumpers - a nice opening line around and into a tunnel then a line back with a LOT of off course options ... then a spin around and angled line to finish
The course was made for Brody - so I pushed myself and handled him as if he were Thea or Sally - adding crosses in places Brody might not need one and being as tight and clear as possible with my handling ... it felt really really good - there wasn't one second on course that I had any doubt about my dog - and that included when a horrible sounding squabble between dogs broke out .. it distracted me quite badly but Brody just steadied til he knew where to go then blasted away
He was 9 seconds under time - a quick little JRT beat us for first but only by 3 seconds .. I don't really mind where I place in a class - I suspect that comes from my starter days when sometimes I'd be the only dog - and getting a ribbon when you don't q seems weird to me
a very nice start to the tour that's for sure :)
2/2 without a foot wrong
Masters Snookers .. the closing went tire(2), tunnel (3), jump (4), dogwalk (5), tunnel, jump, tunnel (6) and weaves (7)
I usually don't pick sequences for Brody to repeat but this was CLASS ONE of the tour .. and I wanted flow - the best flow BY FAR for Brody was red, 6, red 6, red dogwalk and start the closing - he sailed around it - nearly got through 6 in the closing ...about 1/3 of the dogs qualified in the class so I was very pleased Brody was one of them :)(he won his class too) he was very pleased too - which was pretty amusing.
Masters Jumpers - a nice opening line around and into a tunnel then a line back with a LOT of off course options ... then a spin around and angled line to finish
The course was made for Brody - so I pushed myself and handled him as if he were Thea or Sally - adding crosses in places Brody might not need one and being as tight and clear as possible with my handling ... it felt really really good - there wasn't one second on course that I had any doubt about my dog - and that included when a horrible sounding squabble between dogs broke out .. it distracted me quite badly but Brody just steadied til he knew where to go then blasted away
He was 9 seconds under time - a quick little JRT beat us for first but only by 3 seconds .. I don't really mind where I place in a class - I suspect that comes from my starter days when sometimes I'd be the only dog - and getting a ribbon when you don't q seems weird to me
a very nice start to the tour that's for sure :)
Sunday, August 03, 2008
on revisiting goals
dug up my January goal setting post to see how I'm doing...
here are the relevant bits with my current notes in italics:
Personally I'd like to continue to do my day job with accountability and compassion. I want to initiate new programs and contribute to those coming up in the ranks behind me.
did pretty well on that front this year - be interesting to how September goes - achieving this goal has earned me more staff to try to keep happy
On the home front I'd like to be a bit more domestic - keep a tidier and cleaner house and make time for the people and animals who matter to me...
still a work in progress
On the agility front
Thea - continue playing the game with the spirit of game in my heart - enjoy what I get but not pressure her for more - in CPE I plan to stay in level one until she's busting to move up
I will not over face her or be pressured into rushing her.
so far so good
Sally - take each day with fun and opportunity to grow. See how the trials go. I'd love to take her to the regionals but if that isn't the cards that's OK. Earn all her CPE Level One titles and her aac starters titles by year end.
HAHAHAHA - I don't think so ...was I on drugs when I was thinking this?
Sally has earned one q so far - and it was nice but still
Brody - attend CPE nationals, Ontario regionals. Earn Master Jumpers title and AADC title, get into masters snookers and masters team. Enjoy the journey not obsess about the results.
check CPE NATIONALS and add win our height and division
check regionals and add qualify for nationals, place 10th and 6th in two classes
haven't earned masters jumpers title yet - 2 Qs away from MJDC
check AADC title
check in masters snookers - 1 q away from MSDC
haven't earned one Q in advanced team yet - only thing stopping our AAGDC ... ack. 5 tries 5 cleans for Brody and I ...
certainly enjoying the journey - and not obsessing about the results -
have earned our MADC, and a steeplechase Q - which weren't even goals!
coolness ;)
those random thoughts really are my goals - at least at this moment ;)
Posted by andrea at 10:20 AM 0 comments
February 2008 December 2007 Home
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here are the relevant bits with my current notes in italics:
Personally I'd like to continue to do my day job with accountability and compassion. I want to initiate new programs and contribute to those coming up in the ranks behind me.
did pretty well on that front this year - be interesting to how September goes - achieving this goal has earned me more staff to try to keep happy
On the home front I'd like to be a bit more domestic - keep a tidier and cleaner house and make time for the people and animals who matter to me...
still a work in progress
On the agility front
Thea - continue playing the game with the spirit of game in my heart - enjoy what I get but not pressure her for more - in CPE I plan to stay in level one until she's busting to move up
I will not over face her or be pressured into rushing her.
so far so good
Sally - take each day with fun and opportunity to grow. See how the trials go. I'd love to take her to the regionals but if that isn't the cards that's OK. Earn all her CPE Level One titles and her aac starters titles by year end.
HAHAHAHA - I don't think so ...was I on drugs when I was thinking this?
Sally has earned one q so far - and it was nice but still
Brody - attend CPE nationals, Ontario regionals. Earn Master Jumpers title and AADC title, get into masters snookers and masters team. Enjoy the journey not obsess about the results.
check CPE NATIONALS and add win our height and division
check regionals and add qualify for nationals, place 10th and 6th in two classes
haven't earned masters jumpers title yet - 2 Qs away from MJDC
check AADC title
check in masters snookers - 1 q away from MSDC
haven't earned one Q in advanced team yet - only thing stopping our AAGDC ... ack. 5 tries 5 cleans for Brody and I ...
certainly enjoying the journey - and not obsessing about the results -
have earned our MADC, and a steeplechase Q - which weren't even goals!
coolness ;)
those random thoughts really are my goals - at least at this moment ;)
Posted by andrea at 10:20 AM 0 comments
February 2008 December 2007 Home
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Saturday, May 10, 2008
my legs are jello
but my heart continues to be full of admiration for my amazing gang ;)
Thea was just incredible - she ran in starters snooker and starters jumpers
in the snooker course the judge had the teeter as the #4 obstacle so the ONLY way we could possibly Q was to go for 4 reds and 4 of the 7 point obstacle... (in this case the aframe) Thea smoked the course.. nailing all the reds and the aframe - sadly as we finished the last frame she was distracted by the red jump and went off course to jump it... SHOOT .. but how many chihuhuas out there can claim a 34 point opening??
WOW
in the jumpers course she was fast and accurate til the second last obstacle and then she ran past the chute .. she hasn't seen a chute since November and it's not her favourite obstacle (fussy gal that she is not liking chutes, teeters or weaves much yet)
but she was FAST and she was listening and she was BOLD so there is hope for her yet ;)
Sally was a NUT - a maniac - a barking fool.. she did the two gambles classes and while she nearly got the gamble each time she couldn't calm herself enough to earn the opening points...
Brody earned his two advanced gambles qs - how I'm not sure - I really really didn't think he'd ever get them ... the first course was interesting - the mini gamble included the teeter and usually Brody would be ok on that but he wobbled so I ran in and supported him and asked him to do it again which he did much better ... lucky I did that as the second gambles course had a long go out to a teeter ..
the first gamble was a jump a aframe a crooked tunnel and then a last jump - dogs missed the frame, the tunnel and the last jump ... so I had plenty of places to worry me - and I had never done a distance aframe (I only get to see them in trials) but Brody flew it - very nice that Tom as watcing his first ever agility class and saw it!
and I had done my usual thing and not picked up a course ahead of time - for me I obviously learn by action - running each course three+ times seems to do it best for me (which, of course, when added with the course building and racing from ring to ring results in the jello leg thing when you do 12 runs) so using the educable moment from the first ring really paid and I didn't know it would!
The second gambles class I ran with such great intention that I ended up in the right spot but wayyyyyyyy ahead of schedule ...Brody did 11 obstacles in the opening (usually he gets 7) and I nearly loitered at the gamble line (penalized with elimination I think)while I tried to think what to do ..
the gamble line was a tire to a teeter to a jump - and the gamble line swung out away from the teeter so timing your motion was a bit tricky - a number of dogs bailed on the teeter but not the rockstar Brody! no siree not him!
We didn't need the third class so I used it to train for the rest of the weekend - and Brody ran well - he didn't get the gamble but he got plenty of point!
Brody was slow off the mark in both the steeplechase (weaves were second obstacle and while he was accurate he was SLOW) and snookers I was an idiot and had the aframe as the second obstacle - so again he was NOT impressed ;).. I'm a little disappointed in the snookers actually - first one he's missed sinc ehe earned the starters snookers in the fall and had he earned it we would have had our first masters title
He flew the jumpers course tho - to earn his first masters jumpers Q - actually what he really did was waste no time - he didn't RACE but he did cute tight corners and do wraps that saved seconds all the way around - there really wasn't even a bobble to worry about. He came second in that class too - behind a very good dog!he had nearly 12 seconds to spare .. two more to go to masters jumpers title
His masters standard course also rocked- only 4 dogs in the whole class earned a Q apparently and Brody was one of them ... making him only one standard Q away from his masters title ...amazing
Our last class was team and my partner and I were 1.4 seconds overtime - and brody was pretty quick but hey- what can you do? maybe next time - or maybe we'll be like Jen Laird and take 16 tries with clean runs each time before we get the two Qs we need to move on
this is the anniversary of our first trial in the east - was nice to be able to wish so many people happy anniversary :)
Thea was just incredible - she ran in starters snooker and starters jumpers
in the snooker course the judge had the teeter as the #4 obstacle so the ONLY way we could possibly Q was to go for 4 reds and 4 of the 7 point obstacle... (in this case the aframe) Thea smoked the course.. nailing all the reds and the aframe - sadly as we finished the last frame she was distracted by the red jump and went off course to jump it... SHOOT .. but how many chihuhuas out there can claim a 34 point opening??
WOW
in the jumpers course she was fast and accurate til the second last obstacle and then she ran past the chute .. she hasn't seen a chute since November and it's not her favourite obstacle (fussy gal that she is not liking chutes, teeters or weaves much yet)
but she was FAST and she was listening and she was BOLD so there is hope for her yet ;)
Sally was a NUT - a maniac - a barking fool.. she did the two gambles classes and while she nearly got the gamble each time she couldn't calm herself enough to earn the opening points...
Brody earned his two advanced gambles qs - how I'm not sure - I really really didn't think he'd ever get them ... the first course was interesting - the mini gamble included the teeter and usually Brody would be ok on that but he wobbled so I ran in and supported him and asked him to do it again which he did much better ... lucky I did that as the second gambles course had a long go out to a teeter ..
the first gamble was a jump a aframe a crooked tunnel and then a last jump - dogs missed the frame, the tunnel and the last jump ... so I had plenty of places to worry me - and I had never done a distance aframe (I only get to see them in trials) but Brody flew it - very nice that Tom as watcing his first ever agility class and saw it!
and I had done my usual thing and not picked up a course ahead of time - for me I obviously learn by action - running each course three+ times seems to do it best for me (which, of course, when added with the course building and racing from ring to ring results in the jello leg thing when you do 12 runs) so using the educable moment from the first ring really paid and I didn't know it would!
The second gambles class I ran with such great intention that I ended up in the right spot but wayyyyyyyy ahead of schedule ...Brody did 11 obstacles in the opening (usually he gets 7) and I nearly loitered at the gamble line (penalized with elimination I think)while I tried to think what to do ..
the gamble line was a tire to a teeter to a jump - and the gamble line swung out away from the teeter so timing your motion was a bit tricky - a number of dogs bailed on the teeter but not the rockstar Brody! no siree not him!
We didn't need the third class so I used it to train for the rest of the weekend - and Brody ran well - he didn't get the gamble but he got plenty of point!
Brody was slow off the mark in both the steeplechase (weaves were second obstacle and while he was accurate he was SLOW) and snookers I was an idiot and had the aframe as the second obstacle - so again he was NOT impressed ;).. I'm a little disappointed in the snookers actually - first one he's missed sinc ehe earned the starters snookers in the fall and had he earned it we would have had our first masters title
He flew the jumpers course tho - to earn his first masters jumpers Q - actually what he really did was waste no time - he didn't RACE but he did cute tight corners and do wraps that saved seconds all the way around - there really wasn't even a bobble to worry about. He came second in that class too - behind a very good dog!he had nearly 12 seconds to spare .. two more to go to masters jumpers title
His masters standard course also rocked- only 4 dogs in the whole class earned a Q apparently and Brody was one of them ... making him only one standard Q away from his masters title ...amazing
Our last class was team and my partner and I were 1.4 seconds overtime - and brody was pretty quick but hey- what can you do? maybe next time - or maybe we'll be like Jen Laird and take 16 tries with clean runs each time before we get the two Qs we need to move on
this is the anniversary of our first trial in the east - was nice to be able to wish so many people happy anniversary :)
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Another Title Ribbon
Brody got his last advanced standard run Q!(Which makes him a Veterans Advanced Agility Dog Of Canada - and gave us a lovely ribbon to boot!)
He will now be running in the enormous masters courses in standard :)
He is already running in masters jumpers and he got his FIRST Masters snookers Q this trial too... in his FIRST try - yah to pat saito for the great plan!
she pointed out that we could open at the start line - hit the 5 pointer, hit another red, redo the 5 pointer, then another one the aframe for 6 points, another red then 4 then start the course - the flow was BEAUTIFUL... Brody had extra points in the bank..
So he is masters standard, jumpers, and snookers and we haven't even tried advanced gamblers or team yet ;)
We'll see what happens ... but he's already acheived everything I thought he could when we started :)
Sally had fun and is slowly getting better and better too :)
He will now be running in the enormous masters courses in standard :)
He is already running in masters jumpers and he got his FIRST Masters snookers Q this trial too... in his FIRST try - yah to pat saito for the great plan!
she pointed out that we could open at the start line - hit the 5 pointer, hit another red, redo the 5 pointer, then another one the aframe for 6 points, another red then 4 then start the course - the flow was BEAUTIFUL... Brody had extra points in the bank..
So he is masters standard, jumpers, and snookers and we haven't even tried advanced gamblers or team yet ;)
We'll see what happens ... but he's already acheived everything I thought he could when we started :)
Sally had fun and is slowly getting better and better too :)
Sunday, January 06, 2008
What a start to 2008!
Sally and Brody and I went to Morningstar trial in Kingston on Friday and Saturday. Thea was off and on lame so she had to stay home but I think she enjoyed being cuddled in front of the fire. Brody was in a funny mind set - but so was I so it seemed fair to me. He did pull together 2 VERY nice snookers runs in the advanced level (one of Brody's sweeps) and earned one advnaced standard leg so he only has one leg left at that too. He's run very few advanced classes - maybe 4 -5 tops so to have 2 legs done is great. His q rate is rapidly improving but even more importantly he's having a blast!His masters jumpers runs were pretty darn ok too - he fell for one trap in the first run but was fast... second run was slow and careful - and went 5 seconds over time but sped up as the course went on. Sally was attacked - badly and frighteningly by a dog who left the ring to get her. Sally only tried to get away and was totally submissive and appropriate (though she screamed very loudly) . The judge has written a report asking that the attacking dog be banned- be interesting to see if I hear anything about it. She is recovering quite nicely - thank heavens but it really was very traumatic for a whole lot of people and dogs.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Snookers
I LOVE the concept of snooker
all that thinking in one place ... and it works for velcro dogs too - I can take as long as I want in the opening and see how far I can get in the closing
From the very first time I tried it at Morningstar in May 2007 I was hooked... I think it might be fair to say snookers is a cause of my addiction to agility. Brody and I laid out a thinking course - red - 6 point teeter- red- 6 point teeter - red- 7 point weaves and then he was in the perfect place to start the closing ... number 2 tunnel; 3 tunnel; 4 aframe; 5 long spread out sequence of jumps (our downfall- we took wayyy too long here) and then back on 6 the teeter ...SCREEEEEEEEEE the whistle blew as the board was tipping- making our first snookers outing just ONE point short of what we needed- actually I was glad as more time in starters snookers class will pay off when we get higher up.
With Sally's only snookers outing she was eliminated bing bang - red jump, tunnel, second tunnel - SCRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE - she'll work so far away from me that convincing her NOT to make up a course on the way back to me will be tricky - she is a gal and a half tho
Thea did really well in her first snookers outing (CPE) she easily got the points needed for her q and had a blast doing so
AAC she's running well - she's zippy enough that I can aim to do either sequences and adores the frame too so can easily do it 4 times in a round .. that evil teeter came to early on our last course tho - worth only 4 points it meant her run stopped at 29!
I'd love a trial that was just snookers :)
all that thinking in one place ... and it works for velcro dogs too - I can take as long as I want in the opening and see how far I can get in the closing
From the very first time I tried it at Morningstar in May 2007 I was hooked... I think it might be fair to say snookers is a cause of my addiction to agility. Brody and I laid out a thinking course - red - 6 point teeter- red- 6 point teeter - red- 7 point weaves and then he was in the perfect place to start the closing ... number 2 tunnel; 3 tunnel; 4 aframe; 5 long spread out sequence of jumps (our downfall- we took wayyy too long here) and then back on 6 the teeter ...SCREEEEEEEEEE the whistle blew as the board was tipping- making our first snookers outing just ONE point short of what we needed- actually I was glad as more time in starters snookers class will pay off when we get higher up.
With Sally's only snookers outing she was eliminated bing bang - red jump, tunnel, second tunnel - SCRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEE - she'll work so far away from me that convincing her NOT to make up a course on the way back to me will be tricky - she is a gal and a half tho
Thea did really well in her first snookers outing (CPE) she easily got the points needed for her q and had a blast doing so
AAC she's running well - she's zippy enough that I can aim to do either sequences and adores the frame too so can easily do it 4 times in a round .. that evil teeter came to early on our last course tho - worth only 4 points it meant her run stopped at 29!
I'd love a trial that was just snookers :)
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