USDAA in Chula Vista
January 15 & 16, 2005
Mia's Report
What a great weekend of showing! Despite all the rains, the footing was very good, the courses were my favorite in recent memory (that’s saying a lot, since I’ve been loving USDAA courses) and there were lots of fun agility people to play with. The Masters and the Grand Prix ring had some great courses. Very challenging, but they had good flow and fun challenges with lots of options.
Despite all the time off from the rains, all my dogs were very good this weekend. Finn and Max both finished qualifying for the 2005 Grand Prix. Finn placed 3rd in 26” and Max took 6th in 22”. They also both Super Qed with 2nd in Snooker on Saturday. I pulled Max out of the weave poles at pole 11 in Standard (hard to do, but I did it), but otherwise it was a great run. I actually have a very clear memory of my thoughts during the weaves... “whew!” (because we nearly had an off-course right before the weaves), then “I didn’t mean to rear cross there...what’s the course, what’s the course, what’s the course....oh I know!” that’s when I bailed Max and that’s why he bailed the last pole. Finn knocked the second bar in Standard (I was SCREAMING over the bar, so I might have had a little to do with it), but still took 3rd on a course that no 26” dog Qed on. On Sunday, I screwed up both dogs in Gamblers, but Finn still took 4th despite not qualifying. I blew Finn’s Standard by over-handling a jump and causing a refusal. He would have won the class, if I’d just driven him over the jump....sigh. I learned from my mistake with Max...well, kind of, he had a slightly wide turn at the same jump. Still, I didn’t mess him up and he Qed with a 3rd. Both dogs Qed in Pairs, Max and Wog with Candy Gaiser even finished 2nd! Finn had a great Jumpers run (Q, 2nd) and Mike (my not-often-seen-at-shows hubby) was able to watch Max’s Jumpers run. There was a moment on the course, where Max thought he should run over to Mike to make sure he was watching, but it was otherwise a great run (Q, 3rd).
Star was also a very good dog this weekend. She qualified in all her classes. She finished her Starters Gamblers title and earned her first leg in Starters Pairs, Advanced Snooker and Advanced Jumpers. Her Advanced Jumpers run made me extra happy. At the warm-up jump, Star refused a few times and was sniffing, looking less-than-happy. To say I was worried going into the run is an understatement. She wasn’t fast for her first two jumps, but then she turned into Super Star (said in a super-hero voice) and ran like a big dog. What fun! Good girlie!
Quite a few GVDC'ers made the drive! Peggi B. and Indy had a very good weekend. As usual, Peggi was a great source of positive energy and Indy looked like a very happy girl. More from Peggi:
It was a great weekend! So glad we got out of Santa Barbara and were all able to play!
I am grateful to Trudy and Nicky for helping Indy and I get another Masters Pairs leg! Also we earned our second Grand Prix Performance leg so if Nationals are in Arizona we are a go!!! Very cool! We even squeaked out a third place!
I was happy with our runs many with just one mistake(mine)! Also saw many other things that Indy and I have to work on! But happy to be in all masters! We are ready to take it on!
Also saw the most beautiful run in jumpers with Miss Star! She was awesome!
Peggi
Dave was there on Saturday showing Molly. They were 3 out of 5 for the day. They had a drop-dead gorgeous Grand Prix (5th in 26”) and won Adv. Snooker! They also picked up a Q in Starters Pairs.
I don’t know Diane and Gidget’s results, but I’ll tell you my favorite memory of the weekend... In the Masters Jumpers course, there was an icky angle from a double to the closing line. You either had to really attack the front cross or redirect and flip the dog into the closing line. I chose the later with both Max and Finn, because I couldn’t imagine keeping their flow through the front-cross. Diane went for it and did an AMAZING front cross. Gidget turned on a dime and completely accelerated through the cross. It was so impressive! They’re such a fun team to watch!
Nora and Lilly also made the drive (the drive from hell...ask her about it). They had a gorgeous Standard going on Saturday, but Lilly jumped around the tire instead of through the tire, then put her feet on the dogwalk, NQing the run. Nora had been having a bit of a dry spell and watching that run, I wanted to shake my fists at the agility gods.
Saturday ended with Star and Lilly teaming up in Starters Pairs. The last time we teamed up....well, let's just say, it wasn’t our best. ;-) Star took the first half and after missing her weave entry on the first try was a very happy and fast girl. Nora and Lilly did a good job on their half and we picked up a Q. Nora also Qed in Snooker and Standard on Sunday with placements! Woohoo!
All in all another successful and fun show! I’m looking forward to WVDS in February!
Tell your dogs they’re good. mia
