This weekend, Lonya and I had 2 days of UKC agility. We were entered in 4 runs each day, 2 AG1 and 2 AG2 (they do two trials each day). Lonya needed 2 AG2 legs for that title, so day one her AG1 runs were just "bonus". The way UKC agility works is that for the initial titles at level 1 and level 2, you need 3 legs in each one (from the A or B class), with a score of 170 or above (out of 200). Then, for the UACH (United Agility Champion) title, you have to get 100 total points from AG1 and AG2 in the B class, and you need a minimum of 40 points from each one. (Confused yet?). You get 10 points for a perfect 200, 6 for a 199, and down to 1 for a 196. So basically, you are no longer allowed to make a major error and get any UACH points!
Lonya doesn't do much agility at all indoors or on mats, so this was a good way for her to experience both. On Saturday, we do both AG1 runs first (they always run them back to back to minimize course changes). She ran very well, though she did slip a little bit on the mats. In each run, she had a refusal for a one point deduction (the scoring is very different in UKC too!). So, she got a 199 in each, and one first and one second place. Good warm up runs!
In our AG2 runs, she really ran well. UKC has some equipment that you don't see anywhere else, much of it in AG2 (fortunately, this club offers run thrus the Friday night before so you can practice on it!). She did most of that well. In her first run, she missed a weave pole, but did them the second time when I fixed it. Q for a 3rd ...and leg #2. In the second run, she had a refusal for a minor deduction, Q for 2nd and leg #3 and her title!
Today, we were running for points. AG2 was first today. First run, she popped the last pole, but several dogs did that. UKC uses 9 poles, so the dogs end on the "wrong" side...I actually debated doing AG2 because of this and her pole issues...but decided that one weekend wouldn't hurt her and I want her to just weave what's in front of her, no matter how many are there. She got a 195 for a first place, but no UACH points. Second run, she had another refusal for a 1 point deduction, so got a 199, 6 points and a 1st place.
AG1 was last. First run was just beautiful, she was fast, accurate and got a perfect 200 for a 1st place! 10 UACH points too. Second run, she slid off the table for 5 faults, but the rest was clean and FAST (she finished in less than half the course time, even with the table bobble). She got a 195 and second place. She had adjusted to the mats really well by this point, she was no longer slipping.
I was really happy with her all weekend. Before her last AG2 run yesterday, something spooked her and she started out the run stressed. It only took her a couple of obstacles to settle in to work though, she shook it off pretty quickly. She was a bit more clingy in the crate area, wanting to sit on my lap. But, that's fine with me. People get amused when they see her sacked out on her back in my lap....but the instant I put her down and stand up, she's ready to run (leaping leaping leaping at me).
So, if you're doing the math, in the last two weekends, Lonya was 18 for 18, with 4 new titles!! Go merlie girlie!
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