Wyre

Another snowy weekend, meaning a late start and missing both dogs agility runs, first thing. Zara had a lovely run in the G4-5 jumping, hindered by me confusing her at a jump which lost a second or two, but still clear. Really happy that she was placed fourth in G4, (and would have also been 4th in G5!) She had some good runs in the other classes but unlucky with faults. Ruger did some nice work but no clears, but it was good to see him so focused at a very busy show, can't wait to compete outdoors when he will be able to relax a bit more, with space around the rings. Deb and Lassie had their first KC show on the Sunday at Wyre, and Deb's handling was great even though she was nervous, Lassie was listening, and did some very good work, they will be a team to watch for the future :)

Springers

Well after having flu for 5 weeks I was determined to get to Springers! Especially as I was judging. Woke up Sunday to a good covering of snow, not good as it often means the car will not beable to get off the drive :( Called Deb and asked if the worse came to the worse could I have a lift with her and I would leave my dogs at home, as she has a 4wd. Car sorted and off drive no problem, Deb arrived but her Disco was making alot of noise, so change of plan again, Deb, Lassie and Jet would travel with me and Dani with Ali, but poor little Ruger would have to stay at home :( he was not a happy Mali. I love Springers show it is friendly. We had a lovely day there, my course was ready to go when I got there and the ring party all organised. Zara's first jumping run was all over the place as she had been in the car and just quick run on the exercise field, so we got E'd her second was good with just one pole down. Her agility runs were really good but in each one she missed the A-frame contact, if its not poles, its weaves or contacts, her time in the second run could have got her second place, main thing is we enjoyed the run, its lovely when Zara is listening and I get it right too. Dani and Jet ran a lovely fast clear in my Helter Skelter class to win, their first trophy, and a lovely jumping run, with sadly one pole down but got fourth place.

March Already!

Can't believe where this year has gone, although I have missed the last 4 weeks with flu, which has resulted in 3 whole weeks off work (not good) hopefully I will be back tomorrow. It also has made a mess of my plans to get fit with the dogs. This year started off with a Dig It show in January where Zara was unlucky with poles, although she was manic on a couple of courses too! Ruger did some nice work, got a laugh when he did a lovely set of 12 weaves, but self groomed through each pole leaving white hair everywhere. He got all his contacts, with lovely 2o2o :) and went clear in steeplechase to get 9th place. We did a days training with Lee Gibson on course walking, which was very beneficial, and has shown me I can take risks with Zara, and need to, to make up time. I also learnt that I am holding Ruger back, as I tend to distance handle him, but if i run I still can send him on but he is faster as I am moving too. Went away determined to be fitter for the next training day in March. I then did a one to one with Claire Bacon, and we worked on contacts with Zara, again if I run forward she does nice running contacts without jumping out to the side at me! Spent alot of time with Ruger on the see saw, as the one used at Lee's had the granulated surface which was coming off, and was obviously offensive to the sweet little Mali paws, he only did it twice (first time ok and the second time jumped off at the pivot) that was enough to put him off, he's so sensitive. Claire's aluminium & rubber see saw shouldn't have been a problem but he kept jumping off at the pivot, he's always loved the see saw, but it doesn't take much to put him off. He still wasn't 100% with the see saw at the end of the session, but will have to practice at home. It was a lovely trip to Gloucester and Bristol and I went away with lots of ideas to practice and was looking forward to my next show Wilmslow at the weekend. Bad start to the day, car was stuck on the drive with the snow, so I got to Wilmslow for the afternoon, meaning Ruger only had one run. He got E'd in the C1-7 jumping, as he broke his wait so I put him back, then did some nice work. Zara went clear in the same class, but not fast enough for a place and they had run out of clear round rosettes :( Her G4-5 Agility was a lovely run, she missed the down contact on the A frame by millimetres, just her long stride, but got the rest and had a good time, would have been 6th if clear, at least I know she is competitive. We then had C4-5 Jumping where I messed up by trying a dodgy front cross, resulting in Zara zooming past me, so I lost her for a couple of seconds, but then she knocked a pole too. I was so pleased with both dogs, but especially Zara, but 3 weeks to next show, so a long wait!!!! I didn't get to the February Dig It show as I was too ill, same with NW Interclub where I should have been judging so fingers crossed for the rest of March. The weather has been good lets hope it stays like this so that we can start training again.