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!

CPE ROCKS ...

in the interests of saving you some reading 9/9 baby - oh yah.

The afternoon started with Jumpers - Brody's level 3 class was first. There were a couple of of course options and a wicked little serpentine but Brody handled them like the pro he is. Bing Bang Boom. Not quick (3.4 yps) but not slow either.

Sally's jumpers run (level 2) was next. Another nice course with less off course options but one long flowing line that sucked a few dogs off course. She flew it. She did pull one rail and I'm quite sure it was the new turf surface. She thought she could dig in coming out a tunnel, tried to and ended up a little flat. No real issue though you could see she wasn't happy with the rail. Fastest time in the class. 5.1 yps. Wowser.

Next was Fullhouse. In this crazy game you have to get 3 1 point obstacles, 2 3 point obstacles and one joker (5 point obstacle). The course was laid out with lots of options. I got a little unfocused with Brody as he was faster then I thought he'd be so we did an extra loop which worked out fine. He won his class with 25 points. Sally won her class with 31 points. Good dogs.

Brody's standard class was next. He nearly came off the side of the teeter - BRAT! I'm sure he cursed me too though as I sent him to the aframe saying "tunnel, no teeter, no tire - what is this thing called?" and he did it fine so I guess it was a little payback! SLOW start then he picked up. Good thing he's a vet!

Wildcard was next. I usually find wildcard boring. NOT these courses no way no how. Off course options. Three jumps with 5 feet between each one. Jumps inside of tunnel curves. Crazy. Fun. Make you work courses. I LOVED them. Sally ran hers in 4.8 yps. She is a GOOD dog. (Won her class and was the fastest on our course so I guess won the whole shebang) Brody won his class too though a little more slowly - once he hit the end of the course he BOOGIED. Trotted the first half though!

Last classes were snookers. I planned a conservative route for Brody being sure not to waste space as best I could. He was not in the mood to start and trotted for the first two reds and the 6 point repeat ... then he picked up. He squeaked by with his 32 points.
Overall he ran well and I was pleased he was having as much fun as he was. He is a very very good dog. Sally's snookers class was smoking. She ran FOOT perfect and fast - she had 10 seconds to spare and earned 46 points ... what an amazing girl she's proving to be.