Last weekend, Lonya and I had 3 days of AKC agility, at the new rings at SonLight Ranch (AKA BonJon, not sure we'll get used to the name change!). The new grass rings are WONDERFUL. Very flat, great grass (even though Bonnie said the grass would get better as it got more established). And all the contacts had new rubber. Great site, and since it's so close to home, I hope it gets a lot of use!
I went into the weekend hoping Lonya would get 1 JWW leg, if that's the only Q we got, I'd be happy! We're still having weave struggles a bit, so I was a bit worried.
Friday, she had a nice start to JWW, then came out of the poles at 11. I did have her redo them, when she did. She had some nice sends, and knocked a bar when she was racing to catch up to me (which I know she has a history of doing). And I knocked a bar when I hit an upright on a cross. Standard, she really didn't want to do her weaves on the first try, but she did. She got all her contacts (has been very good at that recently!) and we got our first AX leg! So I ended the day happy...but hoping she'd have another set of poles in her for the weekend. I did stay after the trial for run thrus, and I think that helped!
Saturday, JWW was first again. It was a nice course, and the weaves were near the start. She got them first try, though slowly! She ran the rest of the course really well, even with me being nervous and overhandling! We crossed the final jump clean and you'd have thought we MACH'd, instead of just getting our first points! I was SO happy, as were my friends who knew we were running for the Invitational. She got 9 points, which is enough for us to get invited this year! Standard was nice, she missed pole #3, I think she carried too much speed into them. She did get them on the second try.
Sunday, STD was first. LOVELY run, which I wish we had gotten on video. Her poles were faster, and she really worked well. She swung wide out of the chute and was set up really wide for the last line of jumps. She had to really try to make those jumps, and she did. Q #2 for her AX, 25 seconds under course time! JWW, she missed the weave entry (it was tough), but did them all once I fixed it. Really nice course otherwise though.
So, she ended the weekend 3 for 6, qualifying for the Invitational and getting as much progress make on her AX as she could (since it was only one judge all weekend).
We're off for a bit, but will do one CPE in July, maybe one UKC. And hopefully some AKC in Aug!
Here's the video of the 2 Q's I have, JWW first, then Standard.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Palmetto trial
Lonya and I had 3 days of AKC agility this weekend. It was a weekend of weave frustrations and lots of improvements. I need to remember to focus on the improvements and not let myself be frustrated by the weave issue! Hard to do...
The weave issue was that she is pulling out of the poles at pole 10-11. This cost us 5 Qs out of 6 runs this weekend! In some of those runs, she did make another error after the poles, when I'd try a harder cross or just get flustered. I "think" I may be crowding her...though I couldn't reproduce it at home. I'm going to try to take her weaves on the road this next couple of weeks to see what she does.
The improvements. First, the multiple runs where there was only 1 error! She is RIGHT there to Qing regularly in Excellent. She is 2.5 years old and ready to Q in Excellent!
She was MUCH more relaxed walking around the trial site. It was crowded (biggest trial we've been to). I watched her closely when were walking around and her tail was up. Dropping her tail is a first sign of stress for her, tucking it is definite stress. She went up to people and let them pet her. People she's met before mostly, but still, this is big for her. She was able to wait near the ring, not right next to it, but near. She even walked into the ring on her own a time or two. And when I carried her in, I asked her to jump up, I don't remember her asking to be picked up. I always ask for the leap into my arms at the end of a run, but I could put her down to get her leash on and she didn't ask to be picked back up. Very happy with all that!
Standard was TONS better. I was more firm, but after the first day, I didn't notice I was overly so. She only ran by one obstacle in Standard, the teeter on Sunday. I could see her make the effort to turn back in to take something I asked when she thought she was going somewhere else. And she called off several tunnels.
We trial again in 2 weeks, then again the week after that (if we "need" to). I really would like to make the Invitational, but if we don't make it this year, we'll be there next year! I still am impressed that such a young dog is doing so well, so quickly. I think it's only because we ARE so close, that I really really want to go this year...Lonya deserves it.
The weave issue was that she is pulling out of the poles at pole 10-11. This cost us 5 Qs out of 6 runs this weekend! In some of those runs, she did make another error after the poles, when I'd try a harder cross or just get flustered. I "think" I may be crowding her...though I couldn't reproduce it at home. I'm going to try to take her weaves on the road this next couple of weeks to see what she does.
The improvements. First, the multiple runs where there was only 1 error! She is RIGHT there to Qing regularly in Excellent. She is 2.5 years old and ready to Q in Excellent!
She was MUCH more relaxed walking around the trial site. It was crowded (biggest trial we've been to). I watched her closely when were walking around and her tail was up. Dropping her tail is a first sign of stress for her, tucking it is definite stress. She went up to people and let them pet her. People she's met before mostly, but still, this is big for her. She was able to wait near the ring, not right next to it, but near. She even walked into the ring on her own a time or two. And when I carried her in, I asked her to jump up, I don't remember her asking to be picked up. I always ask for the leap into my arms at the end of a run, but I could put her down to get her leash on and she didn't ask to be picked back up. Very happy with all that!
Standard was TONS better. I was more firm, but after the first day, I didn't notice I was overly so. She only ran by one obstacle in Standard, the teeter on Sunday. I could see her make the effort to turn back in to take something I asked when she thought she was going somewhere else. And she called off several tunnels.
We trial again in 2 weeks, then again the week after that (if we "need" to). I really would like to make the Invitational, but if we don't make it this year, we'll be there next year! I still am impressed that such a young dog is doing so well, so quickly. I think it's only because we ARE so close, that I really really want to go this year...Lonya deserves it.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Updates
Once again, I've been slacking off on the blog!
A few weeks ago, Lonya got her AXJ at a trial in Palmetto. This was her first time there, and I was pleased overall with how she did. It was crowded, but she really didn't stress very much at all. Her JWW run for her Q was nice, but unfortunately, I didn't get it on video! Her other JWW runs were okay, she had weave issues all weekend and I caused an error or two! Standard is still a struggle. Her last run of the weekend, I got a little firmer with her and she settled in to work...I think I may be so worried about her stressing that she's getting away with only having to do what she wants... We trial 3 days next weekend, so we'll see what happens if I'm more firm with her.
Then, Lonya came into heat, so I had to pull her from a trial, which meant I could enter Sparrow in a CPE trial and run her for her C-ATCH. I was a bit worried about the heat, but didn't want to put it off. We ran in 3 runs each night. Night one, we ran in WildCard, Snooker and Jackpot. She Q'd in all 3, which gave her the last Jackpot Q she needed for her C-ATCH. It was non-traditional, and was set up well for Sparrow. I'm a big fan of jump combos for 5 points! You had to do the obstacles labelled 2, 4, 6, and 8 in order, but could do other things in between.
The second night, our first run of the trial was Jumpers...the last thing we needed for her C-ATCH. It was warm, and I was nervous. But, she ran well, even if it was a bit slow. We were under time though and she Qd for her C-ATCH! I was so happy that she got it, she's been running so well in the last few months. I handled it pretty well too, I only cried a little bit. I really wanted Sparrow's C-ATCH to be about her, and not about the missed opportunity with Kal...and I think I succeeded at that. My friends who were there were very supportive and happy for us also. And the ribbon she got was huge!! We also ran in Colors for a Q and Jackpot for an NQ (she got the distance, but was 1 point shy of minimum in the opening!)
The video of her C-ATCH runs is here.
We didn't do much of a victory lap, since it was hot, but she was very happy at the end!
Today, I went to a handling seminar with Lonya. She worked pretty well, even though it was hot and she's still a bit hormonal. She was a bit slower than normal, but I still learned a lot! We have a few things to work on...tunnel/contact descriminations, working the back side of the jump among others.
We have a trial next weekend, where I really hope to get a JWW Q....and our ticket to the Invitational!
A few weeks ago, Lonya got her AXJ at a trial in Palmetto. This was her first time there, and I was pleased overall with how she did. It was crowded, but she really didn't stress very much at all. Her JWW run for her Q was nice, but unfortunately, I didn't get it on video! Her other JWW runs were okay, she had weave issues all weekend and I caused an error or two! Standard is still a struggle. Her last run of the weekend, I got a little firmer with her and she settled in to work...I think I may be so worried about her stressing that she's getting away with only having to do what she wants... We trial 3 days next weekend, so we'll see what happens if I'm more firm with her.
Then, Lonya came into heat, so I had to pull her from a trial, which meant I could enter Sparrow in a CPE trial and run her for her C-ATCH. I was a bit worried about the heat, but didn't want to put it off. We ran in 3 runs each night. Night one, we ran in WildCard, Snooker and Jackpot. She Q'd in all 3, which gave her the last Jackpot Q she needed for her C-ATCH. It was non-traditional, and was set up well for Sparrow. I'm a big fan of jump combos for 5 points! You had to do the obstacles labelled 2, 4, 6, and 8 in order, but could do other things in between.
The second night, our first run of the trial was Jumpers...the last thing we needed for her C-ATCH. It was warm, and I was nervous. But, she ran well, even if it was a bit slow. We were under time though and she Qd for her C-ATCH! I was so happy that she got it, she's been running so well in the last few months. I handled it pretty well too, I only cried a little bit. I really wanted Sparrow's C-ATCH to be about her, and not about the missed opportunity with Kal...and I think I succeeded at that. My friends who were there were very supportive and happy for us also. And the ribbon she got was huge!! We also ran in Colors for a Q and Jackpot for an NQ (she got the distance, but was 1 point shy of minimum in the opening!)
The video of her C-ATCH runs is here.
We didn't do much of a victory lap, since it was hot, but she was very happy at the end!
Today, I went to a handling seminar with Lonya. She worked pretty well, even though it was hot and she's still a bit hormonal. She was a bit slower than normal, but I still learned a lot! We have a few things to work on...tunnel/contact descriminations, working the back side of the jump among others.
We have a trial next weekend, where I really hope to get a JWW Q....and our ticket to the Invitational!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Pasco Paws CPE, Day 3
Today was our last day out of Pasco Paws. It was cooler out today, which was nice! I didn't even have to pull out the fan. Sparrow was 3 for 4 today, for a weekend total of 11 for 12! I think this is the best weekend she's ever had at a trial!
Our first run today was Colors. One course included the Aframe, the other didn't. Usually, I wouldn't have her do a contact in Colors, due to the time it takes her to do them. But, today, I really thought the course with the Aframe was the better one. It had a better weave entry (both courses used weaves) and it was one obstacle shorter. She ran it pretty well, it was pretty short and sweet. She Q'd for second place.
Next up was Standard. It was serpentine heavy, again! She really seemed to be getting over doing serps! She popped out of the weaves at the 10th pole, so we redid them. We probably would have been over time due to this, but I didn't really check it...since she NQd on the next to last obstacle. It was a tunnel/Aframe discrimination and she took the tunnel instead of the Aframe. I guess she was due to NQ at some point!
Next up was Jumpers. This was, to me, the run where I most wanted her to Q. Again, serpentines and 180s. Sparrow was really done with them at this point, and really slowed as she was being turned back and forth. Bless her for continuing on. She did finish the run well, and while she was a couple of seconds over time, she still was able to Q for 3rd place.
Last up was Snooker. This was a difficult course for me to decide what to do. I knew Sparrow was tired, so I wanted to try to find a course that was relatively smooth, but had her covering as little real estate as possible. I tried many different paths in the walk through, decided on one, only to discard it after watching some other people! I ended up running a path I hadn't walked, and while I was a little late with some of my handling, Sparrow did well and was actually got through the 7 in the closing! She Q'd for a second.
We went into the weekend needed 11 legs for her C-ATCH. We ended the weekend making as much progress as was possible for us, knocking out 9 of those legs! (And earning 2 legs toward her C-ATCH2). Sparrow only needs 1 Jumpers Q and 1 Jackpot Q now. Not sure when our next CPE trial will be, May (if Lonya comes into heat and I have to pull her from the AKC trial) or July.
Video being uploaded now...I'll post it later!
Our first run today was Colors. One course included the Aframe, the other didn't. Usually, I wouldn't have her do a contact in Colors, due to the time it takes her to do them. But, today, I really thought the course with the Aframe was the better one. It had a better weave entry (both courses used weaves) and it was one obstacle shorter. She ran it pretty well, it was pretty short and sweet. She Q'd for second place.
Next up was Standard. It was serpentine heavy, again! She really seemed to be getting over doing serps! She popped out of the weaves at the 10th pole, so we redid them. We probably would have been over time due to this, but I didn't really check it...since she NQd on the next to last obstacle. It was a tunnel/Aframe discrimination and she took the tunnel instead of the Aframe. I guess she was due to NQ at some point!
Next up was Jumpers. This was, to me, the run where I most wanted her to Q. Again, serpentines and 180s. Sparrow was really done with them at this point, and really slowed as she was being turned back and forth. Bless her for continuing on. She did finish the run well, and while she was a couple of seconds over time, she still was able to Q for 3rd place.
Last up was Snooker. This was a difficult course for me to decide what to do. I knew Sparrow was tired, so I wanted to try to find a course that was relatively smooth, but had her covering as little real estate as possible. I tried many different paths in the walk through, decided on one, only to discard it after watching some other people! I ended up running a path I hadn't walked, and while I was a little late with some of my handling, Sparrow did well and was actually got through the 7 in the closing! She Q'd for a second.
We went into the weekend needed 11 legs for her C-ATCH. We ended the weekend making as much progress as was possible for us, knocking out 9 of those legs! (And earning 2 legs toward her C-ATCH2). Sparrow only needs 1 Jumpers Q and 1 Jackpot Q now. Not sure when our next CPE trial will be, May (if Lonya comes into heat and I have to pull her from the AKC trial) or July.
Video being uploaded now...I'll post it later!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Pasco Paws CPE, Day 2
Sparrow had another great day at Pasco Paws, even though it was warm out again. We did have a breeze though, so that helped a lot! Sparrow was 4 for 4 again, another perfect day!
Our first run was Jackpot, non traditional this time. There were several rules, but basically, there were 3 gambles you could do (for 15, 20 or 25 points). If you failed at the first gamble you tried (unless you did the hardest one), you couldn't attempt another one. If you did the first gamble you tried, you could try another, or just run for points. The 15 point gamble was a serpentine of 3 jumps, which should have been easy! Sparrow missed the second jump though, where she was supposed to jump back towards me. So, without crossing the line, I had to get her to go around to the BACK side of the jump and take it towards me. After a little coaxing (and some play bowing by Sparrow), she actually did eventually go around to the back and take the jump towards me, and we finished that gamble. But, that took a lot of time, and she once again jumped her dogwalk contact...so we were way short on points when the buzzer rang telling us we had 18 seconds to get to the table. So, I decided to try the 20 point gamble, which was a tunnel, jump, a-frame and jump. She did it without any trouble, but then saw her leash and ran to in instead of going to the table! After a second or two of me calling her, she finally got on the table. Course time was 48 seconds, she did it in about 47.5! The judge actually came over to check to see if she made time, and commented "wow, she actually got it!" She got 4th.
After Jackpot, Sparrow was very jazzed up so we played for a few minutes. She was play bowing, growling, bucking and just having an all around good time. A little of it was caught on video, so I'll include it when I edit the videos (probably tomorrow)
Next was Standard. It was a nicer course for us than yesterday's was. She ran pretty well, though she thought it was a little warm! She was really slow over the dog walk, but hit the contact. She also thought we were done right before the weaves, so it took a second or two to get her in them. But, she was the only 20" level 5 dog to run clean, so she took 1st place there.
Next was Colors. This judge REALLY likes serpentines! One of the color options had a serpentine, and that was the option I choose. I didn't like the other option, as it had both spread jumps in a path that I thought risked them being knocked. It was a pretty steady run, pokey but she got it done! She did like the 3 jump straight ending. She Q'd for 4th.
Last run today was FullHouse. Sparrow was a little tired it seemed, but she still worked well. I was the only one I saw who ran my path, which isn't unusual! With Sparrow, I need to minimize the real estate we cover while trying to get the most points we can. (The downfall of running a slower dog! But, she rarely knocks bars, which is nice!) We ran the course I planned, with one extra jump. I was happy with how well she ran and she Q'd, but no placement. This will be a Q used for her C-ATCH2!
One more day tomorrow, it's supposed to be a little cooler. And, no "speed" classes tomorrow...
Our first run was Jackpot, non traditional this time. There were several rules, but basically, there were 3 gambles you could do (for 15, 20 or 25 points). If you failed at the first gamble you tried (unless you did the hardest one), you couldn't attempt another one. If you did the first gamble you tried, you could try another, or just run for points. The 15 point gamble was a serpentine of 3 jumps, which should have been easy! Sparrow missed the second jump though, where she was supposed to jump back towards me. So, without crossing the line, I had to get her to go around to the BACK side of the jump and take it towards me. After a little coaxing (and some play bowing by Sparrow), she actually did eventually go around to the back and take the jump towards me, and we finished that gamble. But, that took a lot of time, and she once again jumped her dogwalk contact...so we were way short on points when the buzzer rang telling us we had 18 seconds to get to the table. So, I decided to try the 20 point gamble, which was a tunnel, jump, a-frame and jump. She did it without any trouble, but then saw her leash and ran to in instead of going to the table! After a second or two of me calling her, she finally got on the table. Course time was 48 seconds, she did it in about 47.5! The judge actually came over to check to see if she made time, and commented "wow, she actually got it!" She got 4th.
After Jackpot, Sparrow was very jazzed up so we played for a few minutes. She was play bowing, growling, bucking and just having an all around good time. A little of it was caught on video, so I'll include it when I edit the videos (probably tomorrow)
Next was Standard. It was a nicer course for us than yesterday's was. She ran pretty well, though she thought it was a little warm! She was really slow over the dog walk, but hit the contact. She also thought we were done right before the weaves, so it took a second or two to get her in them. But, she was the only 20" level 5 dog to run clean, so she took 1st place there.
Next was Colors. This judge REALLY likes serpentines! One of the color options had a serpentine, and that was the option I choose. I didn't like the other option, as it had both spread jumps in a path that I thought risked them being knocked. It was a pretty steady run, pokey but she got it done! She did like the 3 jump straight ending. She Q'd for 4th.
Last run today was FullHouse. Sparrow was a little tired it seemed, but she still worked well. I was the only one I saw who ran my path, which isn't unusual! With Sparrow, I need to minimize the real estate we cover while trying to get the most points we can. (The downfall of running a slower dog! But, she rarely knocks bars, which is nice!) We ran the course I planned, with one extra jump. I was happy with how well she ran and she Q'd, but no placement. This will be a Q used for her C-ATCH2!
One more day tomorrow, it's supposed to be a little cooler. And, no "speed" classes tomorrow...
Friday, April 15, 2011
Pasco Paws CPE, Day 1
Sparrow and I have CPE this weekend. Lonya's staying home, I have to manage my entry costs and right now my focus with Lonya is AKC and the Invitational.
We did 4 runs today (and will do so each day). First was Jackpot. It was a traditional Jackpot, with a pretty decent path in the opening for Sparrow to get enough points...unfortunately, Sparrow had other plans! She was feeling pretty happy, and decided to take the dogwalk instead of a tunnel, so I had to adjust my plan. She didn't help by leaping over the down contact on it! We struggled a bit, but managed to get just enough points in the opening (well, 1 over the minimum needed). She got the send bonus without any really trouble, she actually has pretty decent distance work. She Q'd for 4th place.
Standard was next. The course was VERY tricky, with twisty parts and a tough weave entry. Sparrow was slow (it had gotten hotter), but she ran it without any errors. We were just under time, and she was the only 20" level 5 dog to qualify, so she got 1st place.
Jumpers was next. It was a nice course (would have loved to run it with Kal, I think he would have liked it), but not Sparrow's type of course. There were 2 serpentines, which aren't her favorite. She knocked the triple, which made her a bit worried as she doesn't like to knock bars. It took me a little bit to get her back running happy, but she did come back. She did both serpentines well, and didn't make any other errors. She Q'd with a 3rd place.
Full House was last, and I wasn't sure how we'd do. The course layout was pretty good for us, but it was hot, esp for Spar! Sparrow ran with decent speed considering the temperature, and we ran the entire course I planned with time to spare! She Q'd with a 4th place.
I really tried to do a lot to make sure I could keep Sparrow cool enough between runs, since she really doesn't like the heat. The temp today was in the mid 80s, not untolerable but warm for her. I think it worked... She had 2 cool mats in her crate, her cool coat, and a fan. I had 2 more fans in the van that I didn't need to use. I got to the site early so I could get a good spot to crate that would stay shaded all day. And, last night, I shaved her belly and chest. I think it worked, since she wouldn't pant for more than a few minutes after I put her away.
We did 4 runs today (and will do so each day). First was Jackpot. It was a traditional Jackpot, with a pretty decent path in the opening for Sparrow to get enough points...unfortunately, Sparrow had other plans! She was feeling pretty happy, and decided to take the dogwalk instead of a tunnel, so I had to adjust my plan. She didn't help by leaping over the down contact on it! We struggled a bit, but managed to get just enough points in the opening (well, 1 over the minimum needed). She got the send bonus without any really trouble, she actually has pretty decent distance work. She Q'd for 4th place.
Standard was next. The course was VERY tricky, with twisty parts and a tough weave entry. Sparrow was slow (it had gotten hotter), but she ran it without any errors. We were just under time, and she was the only 20" level 5 dog to qualify, so she got 1st place.
Jumpers was next. It was a nice course (would have loved to run it with Kal, I think he would have liked it), but not Sparrow's type of course. There were 2 serpentines, which aren't her favorite. She knocked the triple, which made her a bit worried as she doesn't like to knock bars. It took me a little bit to get her back running happy, but she did come back. She did both serpentines well, and didn't make any other errors. She Q'd with a 3rd place.
Full House was last, and I wasn't sure how we'd do. The course layout was pretty good for us, but it was hot, esp for Spar! Sparrow ran with decent speed considering the temperature, and we ran the entire course I planned with time to spare! She Q'd with a 4th place.
I really tried to do a lot to make sure I could keep Sparrow cool enough between runs, since she really doesn't like the heat. The temp today was in the mid 80s, not untolerable but warm for her. I think it worked... She had 2 cool mats in her crate, her cool coat, and a fan. I had 2 more fans in the van that I didn't need to use. I got to the site early so I could get a good spot to crate that would stay shaded all day. And, last night, I shaved her belly and chest. I think it worked, since she wouldn't pant for more than a few minutes after I put her away.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Palm Bay Agility Club trial
Okay, got caught up on "old" trials, so here's the report from this weekend. We were in Vero Beach for 2 days, two warm days! Glad to say that Lonya will work well in the heat. No videos, I don't know a lot of people well in Vero and those that I do have dogs in Lonya's class.
Standard yesterday was okay. It was a really nice course, very doable. She missed a weave pole and ran around a jump. But, she did all her contacts and the table. I made sure to tell her to do them, not mean...but firm. No issues (either day). JWW was a very tricky course. I watched the big dogs run (before us) and dog after dog crashed and burned on it. She missed a cross and ran around a jump, and missed a pole again. But, she did have to really work to take some jumps that I didn't position her correctly for, which is nice to see. Some of them it definitely would have been easier for her to just run around.
Standard today was okay (seems to be our norm for now!). Again, she did her contacts and she got her weaves. Some squirrelyness in between. JWW was fantastic! She didn't Q, but it was one of those runs where the Q didn't really matter. She was on and really ran well. She dropped a bar when I rear crossed and said her name to make sure she turned. My fault! So, I tried a trickier approach to the weaves, which she did great! And she had a couple of really nice rear crosses later in the course (we worked on them in class this week). Her time was 9 seconds under course time, even with one really wide turn.
Lonya loves Jumpers right now. She definitely seems to love her "job". She's handling the stress better, though I do still carry her in to the ring most times, and always carry her out. It's part of our ritual now, and I like it (and she seems to also!)
I do think that some of her weave issues are caused by my poles at home. I have 22" spacing and most everywhere has 24" spacing in their trials. She is in the high 90% range on hitting her entries, but will skip a pole at about 7-8, which I think is when the difference in spacing catches up with her. A friend has a welder friend who makes 24" bases (and channels to boot!) at a great price, so that's where some of my tax refund is going. Not sure if my theory is right, but I may as well train how we trial!
Standard yesterday was okay. It was a really nice course, very doable. She missed a weave pole and ran around a jump. But, she did all her contacts and the table. I made sure to tell her to do them, not mean...but firm. No issues (either day). JWW was a very tricky course. I watched the big dogs run (before us) and dog after dog crashed and burned on it. She missed a cross and ran around a jump, and missed a pole again. But, she did have to really work to take some jumps that I didn't position her correctly for, which is nice to see. Some of them it definitely would have been easier for her to just run around.
Standard today was okay (seems to be our norm for now!). Again, she did her contacts and she got her weaves. Some squirrelyness in between. JWW was fantastic! She didn't Q, but it was one of those runs where the Q didn't really matter. She was on and really ran well. She dropped a bar when I rear crossed and said her name to make sure she turned. My fault! So, I tried a trickier approach to the weaves, which she did great! And she had a couple of really nice rear crosses later in the course (we worked on them in class this week). Her time was 9 seconds under course time, even with one really wide turn.
Lonya loves Jumpers right now. She definitely seems to love her "job". She's handling the stress better, though I do still carry her in to the ring most times, and always carry her out. It's part of our ritual now, and I like it (and she seems to also!)
I do think that some of her weave issues are caused by my poles at home. I have 22" spacing and most everywhere has 24" spacing in their trials. She is in the high 90% range on hitting her entries, but will skip a pole at about 7-8, which I think is when the difference in spacing catches up with her. A friend has a welder friend who makes 24" bases (and channels to boot!) at a great price, so that's where some of my tax refund is going. Not sure if my theory is right, but I may as well train how we trial!
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