Saturday was a great day for us!!!

Gamblers was the first run in the Starters/P1 ring and Molly was the 3^rd dog on the line. I was confidant that Molly was ready since I gave up figuring out the course to give her the time she needed – yes, I arrived right at 8:00am and the storm that I drove in from home caught up to me and it was just starting to drizzle at the trail – no delays, no cancellations – first dog on the line, “yikees!!”

Knowing I did not want to do the slippery teeter, or the slow weaves I just wondered around having Molly just jump. I was hearing the judge yell “One”,“One”,“One.” Which seemed to be the only sound I heard. Hearing the judge yell “One” three times made me laugh to myself and I knew I better get with the program and try and rack up some points before the horn sounds. So, on I went sending Molly - tunnel, A frame. Once back on track I heard the horn running towards the Gamble part, sending Molly over the jump onto the table. I didn’t see #1 cone and I figured it must have been the dog walk. But, we finished and Molly was happy no worries about the drizzle and I was glad that I did not stress her with my uncertainties of what to do. Molly placed First!!!  Those “ones” do pay off!! It was nice to have some good competition as well.

I watch a few runs before it was Pilots turn, but I did not watch the gamble part. Worried about the opening since I knew I wanted to do more then “one” with this run. He was GREAT, he was connecting and he was excited. We managed to get 26 points but when the Gamble began I did not see #1 and so proceeded towards the first jump beyond the yellow line. Much to my surprise - Pilot worked away from me!!!! I was so excited that I crossed the line as he was jumping on the table, to give him a “good boy.” And a big hug. How fun was that my back yard training worked!!! In only one week!!!!

It wasn’t until sometime later when I finally watch and understood the gamble. It was a double line gamble with equipment on both sides of the line.

Looked like fun and It all made sense now where #1 was – on the opposite side of the other yellow line. Bummed that I didn’t get to play the correct way but very happy about how both dogs ran considering mom was not prepared, but I did prepare the dogs – most important!!! And we still had fun. Pilot place 5^th but to me I consider that run a First. 

Standard

Molly was the first dog on the line. I worried about the equipment being all wet and Molly getting hurt. A few other folks complained about the chute so the judge asked someone to hold up the chute up, which was the first obstacle. I could see Molly got caught in the end of the chute (it was not held perfectly straight) she came out and seemed okay with it - but I “good girl” her the whole way around since I lost my confident after seeing her almost get caught. I was getting sloppy going back to old habits, clapping, bending – the table was coming and I was not sure she would down with it being wet – I was not trusting her to do her best.  At the A frame I front crossed but for some reason I just let her jump (that’s a first for me) and I did not say “contact.”  I just said table and over the jump she went to the table and over the table. If the judge did not fault me on the contact he will surely fault me on this no way he can ignore that – were my thoughts.  But, she was still a happy girl when we finished. This was her second run of the day and she was still going strong. Whew!!!! Molly still placed First even with 5 faults!!!!

Pilot’s Standard run was GREAT!!! His Weaves, Contacts, table down were right on and I even found myself running ahead of him to pull him along!!! He Q’ed and placed 3^rd!!!! Good-bye P1 - Pilot moves up to P2!!!!

Jumpers

The rain had stopped but dark clouds were nearing. I was surprised on how fast the day was going and that this was the last venue of the day for me.

Molly was again the first dog on the line so my walk thur had to be quick. It was a nice flowing course and I worried more about what I would do with Pilot then Molly. She was great and she gave it her all as if it was the first run of the day. I was so pleased on how well she followed my directions and understood what was needed she is so much fun to run when we connect. She placed First and Q’ed – She now has her P1 Jumpers title!!! P2 Jumpers watch out – the “Stinker Bug” is coming!!!

Pilot was fantastic, I tried to use my body language more then my words and really pushed hard to run faster. My decision to front cross him before the tunnel was probably not the best thing for speed but it forced him to change his view. We just jumped over 4 jumps in a row and we were now close to the open field area where I was afraid he would just keep running -but he was so ON and so connected that he quickly turned into the tunnel as I showed him. I ran hard and just said, “go on” and he did jump after jump after jump to the finish!!! What a great run we had, he was so excited and happy. I think the light bulb is coming on for him and what it is we are doing together.  I am not sure what he placed – maybe 5th but he did Q!!!

It was a great day for Blur who got to play with his brother for a bit. I worked on getting him “turned on” with a toy – he was fun and as always a good boy in his crate waiting his turn to walk around. I missed my little Teacup, but she was much happier at home staying warm and dry.

~ Rita