UKA Masters

Well on Sat I decided to go to UKA for the day, pretty much it was a good day. Rodney won the beginners agility by just over 6 seconds with just over a 100 dogs in the class (still in beginners in UKA, think I need 24 points or something to move up.) Then he also went and won both steeplechases. We had the jumping last in the day, I thought ok this will be another nice easy win, I jogged around, forgot to tell Rodney "right" and he back jumped number 17, so once again, that will teach me to not be so cocky lol.

Phoebe didnt run cos I think she was/ is in season. She came into season I think about 10 days ago, she only ever lasts a couple of days. Think she is out of season now, so hopefully fine for easter weekend coming up.

I also ran Dylon, trained his wait and contacts in the champ agility, did a lovely clear very pleased with him. Also ran him in the first Masters class. For those who dont know what the Masters is, its sort of the equivalent to Champ, but in UKA rather than at Kennel Club. I love the idea of it, regarding encouraging people to run more competitively in both runs with no final. I also like the idea of prize money for the top four, at the moment first prize for all heights is £100, again great, again encouraging competitive running, which again I love. BUT... Only thing I could fault was... that faults were added on as time instead of actual faults aka 1 pole down, or 1 missed contact = 5 faults as we know, instead it was 5 seconds added onto the time. The problem I had with this was the fact you could blast a very fast dog around miss your contacts and you could still win. Of course if the class grows and more good competitive people enter, I doubt that someone with 5 seconds added onto their time could win, but it still leaves that open. I hate the idea that a class would encourage people not to worry about their dogs too much and missing contacts is fine. Due to not many people entering on Saturday (it was only the first one after all) Greg won the maxi (large) with detox with two pretty good runs, however... he had a pole, so 5 seconds added onto the time... should someone win with 5 faults... hmm im not too sure. I dont think its such a big deal with just a pole down, however, if Detox had missed his A-frame, instead of having the pole down, he still would have won, is this right??... In my opinion no. I think that was my only thing regarding the Masters class I didnt like. I hope a few changes are made and that people support this class, so it can grow and prize money can grow (if so, ill be trying to get Rod up to Champ in UKA so I can have a go at winning the prize money.) O yeah... Andy Hudson did some of the best courses I have seen in a long time, brilliant :D.

My usual complaint of the week... no training due to the weather being crap :( BOOOO.

Anyway Easter Celebration this weekend, which I am looking forward to. Rodneys first classes in grade 7. I think its safe to say most peoples first camping show of the year. lets hope it doesnt rain.

xoxo

Chippenham

I think this is my 3rd/4th posting of the month :O I am getting pretty good at keep this updated... well if I do say so myself.

Chippenham today... was it worth me getting out of bed... prob not! I would of loved Kate's Champ courses for Rodney, not so much for Phoebe. Phoebe and I some how managed to get through all the hard bits in the jumping round, then the easy bit into the tunnel, Phoebe decided to turn left and do the tyre instead. Think I was just stood there, however really never had a problem with Phoebe wanting to do a tunnel before. So there we were, 9am and I was already E'd in the jumping round of the champ. Decided to stay to run the agility and do the 6/7 jumping (also E's tut.) Also meant I could watch the final :). Well done to Bernadette and Zen winning and to Jo and Ellie just behind with the reserve.

Next weekend I think I am going to do UKA on the Sat down at Newbury showground. Phoebe and Rodney have 5 runs (if I want) each. Then Dylon can enter the masters thing. Then on Sunday I think I need a day to just sleep. After Chippenham today, I had a 4 hour power nap... not sure I can call it a power nap, more of a sleep.

xoxo

Training

So... weather today was/ is totally rubbish. Lucy and I ventured down to Kent to train with Lee. I took a list of things I feel I really need to work on. Lee somehow seemed to cover most of the list, and gave us a few more things to be practising. We worked on being behind and correct body language when being behind. Weave entries, different angles into snakes, dragging and the chain tyre (which I do not like one bit.)

I took Sammies Dylon with me for training, he was surprising good and not too slow either :) Rodney was good as usual, but again like usual, a few things were pointed out, which I must work on handling wise. Then I also ran Phoebe... I have no idea why I do it to myself! Shes just mental, cant fault her enthusiasm though :P.

Sammie's out for the day, so Dylon's chilling with me, until she gets back. Here he is, next to the mini fire I have in my computer room. Bless him!




Tomorrow is Phoebe's first Champ lol... lets see if we can get to the final ha!

xoxo

18 March

Well its already mid March and I feel I havent done anything this year yet. Think its safe to say Phoebe has been trained 3 times and luckily due to the weather being better ive done a bit more with Plodders. Im sat on the my computer as I write this, trying to work out what shows ive entered, what shows I should go to and where the hell they all are. Its safe to say I have pretty much put a career on hold to run the dogs, which at some point, some point soon, I need to change that around. But hey, you only live once and after all I am still only 21. I have it in my head, that I am either going to win the euromillions or I am going to meet a rich man, so working wouldnt be an issue. Think I need a slap!

So Crufts... Went up on Thursday and groomed for Lucy. Lucy did a lovely clear in the team, unfortunately her team didnt make it through to the afternoon finals. Lucy Oneil and her team won though :D. Sunday, I groomed for Lee and Bold in the Champ. They did two nice rounds getting them to the final. Lucy and I would of put our life savings on them winning it, however Bold jumped through Lee at the 2nd jump and got E'd :( boo! So... Lucy and I are going to put our money on them winning it next year.

Training this week, I have worked on weave entries... prob my worst thing to train, I hate it. Its just boring compared to everything else to train. Then on Tuesday evening, Sammie and I worked on tunnel under A-frame, as I had hoped for, Rodney was fantastic.... he knows the score!

This weekend, Lucy and I are hopefully going training with Lee. Then on Sunday is Chippenham show (prob about 20 mins from my house, so lie in :D) no runs for poor Rodney though.

xoxo

Off to Crufts

Ok so ive just got back from work, have an hour to sort myself and the dogs out, before I head off to Lucys house for the evening. We are leaving to go to Crufts tomorrow morning at 5.30 am erghhhh. Well if we tell ourselves 5.30, atleast we should be gone by like 6am lol. O yeah... I am grooming for Lucy and Pie as they are part of the Thames Crufts team which has qualified. I should of entered mine in YKC senior agility, so Rodney could have some practice on carpet, however I am useless and forgot... o well!

I will of course video Lucy's run(s) and take some pictures tomorrow. I am actually really really looking forward to tomorrow, mainly cos it means a day off work woop, but I will also watch some good agility... well I hope so.

Ive had a few comments regarding my last posting, I stand by Lee being the best trainer and I said, anyone who has trained with him will agree. Hopefully he will be organising some training days this year, so keep your eyes open and get yourself booked on. I actually had no idea how many people read my blog, well now I know, I better keep it updated :)

xoxo

Rodney = Grade 7

Quite a lot has happened in the last few weeks. Took the dogs to my clubs show on the 20th of Feb, somehow Phoebe managed 2/3 clears, which was very strange, seeing how it was a limited show, she won them both :) Rodney also had 2/3 clears and won 1 and came 2nd in the other. I also ran Dylon and had 2/3 clears, he had 2x 3rds. So wasnt a bad days training.

Lucy and I went down and trained with Lee last Saturday, as usual we got lots out of it... and lotssss to work on :( which of course is always brilliant, however Lee really likes to show up my handling faults to make me work on certain things, so I always look and feel rubbish when training with him. But again... if this didnt happen I wouldnt improve, so I will not complain. No point doing agility if you are not happy to learn or get better. Someone asked me the other day who I thought was the best trainer in the country... there is no question... Lee Windeatt is. 1) He doesnt MAKE you do his way, he only suggests it and shows you how and why it is better. When showing me things, he has not once been wrong. He does not say its my way or not at all... I have heard a few agility people saying this now, it is a ridiculous attitude which I hate. 2) Hes lovely to his dogs and everyone elses, when teaching he takes everyones training techniques and dogs ability into account. 3) He is very supportive and helps anyone at shows etc. To be honest with you I could go on for ages. I am pretty certain 99% of people that have trained with him, would agree.

Anyway on to more important things like Mid-downs today. Well, as my title of this blog says... Rodney is now grade 7 :D He won Tash's (Natasha Wise) grade 6 agility by just over 2 seconds, video is below...



In the 5-7 agility, I didnt call him enough and he did an extra A-frame, so I did a quick route to leave the ring. Then in the jumping, I was an idiot (as I was told a lot today) and ran off wayyyy too early and got E'd. A few things from the courses today which I need to work on. Phoebe also ran very well (2 weeks till her first champ ahhhhh lol)

Well its Crufts this week.. I am going up on Thursday as Lucys groom, then on Sunday as Lees. I am really looking forward to it... mainly cos I am hoping to get Rodney a bling collar :D Not sure how mum is going to feel about this lol.

So basically a few random weeks off, hopefully will be able to fit a bit of UKA into one of two of my weekends. Then as of easter, the agility season really kicks off. I couldnt be more excited :D

xoxo