It was lovely weather, lots of runs and dogs ran well, so all in all a good weekend. Was nice and relaxing due to not needing any wins, no qualifiers so for once could just chill out. Most of my runs with Rodney I tried being extra calm, making sure I had a nice wait, not over working weave entries and trying things I wouldnt usually try in a class I wanted to do well in. He ran a lot better, minus a few handling mistakes.
First run of the weekend, about 270 dogs in the 1-7 jumping, he came 3rd. Here is the run below...
We also had another place or two through out the day. Here below is Rodneys agility run from Sunday. He ran very well until the end where I called him and he missed weaves, I then took him back did it how I should of done it first time and he did it lovely. That will teach me for over working once again.
Phoebe also ran well, think she had 4 clear rounds... so weird. Of course in usual style, didnt get any of them videoed. Here below is Phoebe doing a nice training run until I let her run past a jump...
Also ran Dylon (Rodneys dad) for a run on Sunday, once again about 270 dogs in the 1-7 jumping and he came 2nd. What a clever lad...
This weekend I am off to Woodside, bit of a drive, however really looking forward to it. Rodney and Phoebe's 2nd champs, hopefully I will handle calmer and in general just better. Not sure if Lucy is coming or not, so will have to find myself another videoer :O.
This week I must train, a bit more speed out of turns and running past obstacles when I say "here" and drop my arm. O and doing tunnel rather than the contact when tunnel is under contact, I still get nervous and over handle tut.
xoxo
Monday 26 April 2010
Monday 19 April 2010
Agility for Great Britain
I finally feel like the agility show season has begun and I feel I am behind. I mean in training and handling wise. Over the past couple of weekends, I have been getting Rodney E'd in the simplest of places. This cant go on any longer. Of course we are still going to make mistakes, but hopefully over my next month of training, trying to concentrate of certain aspects week by week we should hopefully get ourselves together enough to get around most courses.
This weekend, Rodney felt very slow, however was somehow still making the times. I am hoping it was just because he is still a bit unfit and it was the first hot weekend of the year and he hadnt quite adjusted yet. Also maybe due to the weekend before at Scunthorpe cos my handling was so shocking, I wasnt as confident this weekend.
First run of Saturday, EO wildcard, I had decided to go in just for a clear, however coming off the A-frame, I panicked, called and he missed. What a muppet, what on earth is wrong with me. Never mind. Decided to make my next run a clear. Graded 5-7 agility, Rodney got marked on the up of his dog walk, duno if he got it or not, cos cant say thats something I ever look for. Was a nice run, but a ploddy run. Ian Jackson and Bobbi won, Rodney was 0.9 ahead somehow. Here is the run below...
We also had comb 5-7 Agility, didnt think the run was that bad, until I watched it back on video this evening. Very slow and very bad handling jumps 1 to 2. Then I should of done what Lee said and reversed before DW making it faster clearer and better off of DW too. Rodney came 3rd, Dawn and Brexer won it. Think I forget how important good course walking is, really makes the difference to a good run or not. Here is the run below...
Phoebe actually somehow got 2 clears and a 5 (a pole), which is weird, she was running soooooo slow though. Think she got an 8th in one class. Duno what is happening to my dogs, they are too slow. On the Sunday Phoebe also got a clear, think she was 4th. Rodney got an 8th in a jumping, then I got him E'd in other classes, cant way I was paying too much attention due to not wanting to miss Lucys runs in the EO try-outs.
I think Lucy ran the best I have ever seen her run in the try-outs, lets just hope she continues to run like that for the rest of the year. She just needs to get her last win this weekend. We are off to WSBD's this weekend, no qualifiers, no pressure= nice relaxing weekend I hope.
O before I go.... here is one of the funniest moments of my weekend... catching Gibson walking around with this hat on hahhaa...
xoxo
This weekend, Rodney felt very slow, however was somehow still making the times. I am hoping it was just because he is still a bit unfit and it was the first hot weekend of the year and he hadnt quite adjusted yet. Also maybe due to the weekend before at Scunthorpe cos my handling was so shocking, I wasnt as confident this weekend.
First run of Saturday, EO wildcard, I had decided to go in just for a clear, however coming off the A-frame, I panicked, called and he missed. What a muppet, what on earth is wrong with me. Never mind. Decided to make my next run a clear. Graded 5-7 agility, Rodney got marked on the up of his dog walk, duno if he got it or not, cos cant say thats something I ever look for. Was a nice run, but a ploddy run. Ian Jackson and Bobbi won, Rodney was 0.9 ahead somehow. Here is the run below...
We also had comb 5-7 Agility, didnt think the run was that bad, until I watched it back on video this evening. Very slow and very bad handling jumps 1 to 2. Then I should of done what Lee said and reversed before DW making it faster clearer and better off of DW too. Rodney came 3rd, Dawn and Brexer won it. Think I forget how important good course walking is, really makes the difference to a good run or not. Here is the run below...
Phoebe actually somehow got 2 clears and a 5 (a pole), which is weird, she was running soooooo slow though. Think she got an 8th in one class. Duno what is happening to my dogs, they are too slow. On the Sunday Phoebe also got a clear, think she was 4th. Rodney got an 8th in a jumping, then I got him E'd in other classes, cant way I was paying too much attention due to not wanting to miss Lucys runs in the EO try-outs.
I think Lucy ran the best I have ever seen her run in the try-outs, lets just hope she continues to run like that for the rest of the year. She just needs to get her last win this weekend. We are off to WSBD's this weekend, no qualifiers, no pressure= nice relaxing weekend I hope.
O before I go.... here is one of the funniest moments of my weekend... catching Gibson walking around with this hat on hahhaa...
xoxo
Sunday 11 April 2010
Scunthorpe
The first beautiful day of the year, wasnt prepared in the slightest, so no sun screen and due to my side fringe and wearing Peter's sunglasses all day I have a very interesting selection on red patches on my face :S, hopefully make-up will cover it for work tomorrow.
My aim for Scunthorpe with Rodney was literally just to get into the Champ final. This went crashing down when I got E'd in the jumping round lol. My handling was shocking, I just panicked every where and basically was just useless. I then went and did the graded 6/7 jumping. Where again I was terrible, prob something to do with how bad I was in the Champ but also I think it was one of those courses, where I really wasnt sure what to do handling wise and ended up doing half a job, Rodney I think still came 6th in the Grade 7 part. Well done Ian Jackson and Bobbi for winning. I think my main problem is, I keep pushing for speed, then as soon as I do this (as Lee keeps telling me) my handling goes to pot and my rounds get worse and slower. So... how to solve this problem, simply, stop handling like an idiot and trust my training. After these two rounds, I could not be bothered to do the Champ agility, I knew I would go in not care and didnt want to risk messing up my contacts by confusing Rodney. I did however care about the Cruft Singles class, I was very wide at the end, due to not signalling Rodney early enough over one of the last turns. I came out very pleased with how Rodney worked and he is for sure speeding up nicely, however thought that end bit would of cost me and didnt think we'd even get into the top 10. Luckily the end must not have been as bad as I thought, cos we finished 3rd (Lucy and Ben winning, Elaine and Dave 2nd) so I believe that is 8 Cruft points. Just need another place or two like that this year so Rods can qualify for the Crufts next March.
On to Dylon, well.. I have been training a wait all winter and can now sort of tell if he is going to wait or not. Champ jumping round, I got it wrong, put him on the start line, looked at where I was going and he was off, through the tyre, over the long jump and off to no 3, before I had chance to engage my legs, we were of course E'd, and then in usual Dylon style, he completed the rest of the course with ease. We also did the Cruft Singles, he did prob the best run he has done for me. Actually listened for once. However as we came out of the weaves, I should of sent him over a jump, however I ran off too early and he came with me, wasted lots of time there, however he still managed a 12th, clever boy.
Things to work on this week... hands up high, calm handling and continue with weave entry practise. Hopefully I can then be nice and calm for at the agility for GB show next weekend. I think Lee may slap me if I handle like I did again this weekend... I am a little scared.
xoxo
My aim for Scunthorpe with Rodney was literally just to get into the Champ final. This went crashing down when I got E'd in the jumping round lol. My handling was shocking, I just panicked every where and basically was just useless. I then went and did the graded 6/7 jumping. Where again I was terrible, prob something to do with how bad I was in the Champ but also I think it was one of those courses, where I really wasnt sure what to do handling wise and ended up doing half a job, Rodney I think still came 6th in the Grade 7 part. Well done Ian Jackson and Bobbi for winning. I think my main problem is, I keep pushing for speed, then as soon as I do this (as Lee keeps telling me) my handling goes to pot and my rounds get worse and slower. So... how to solve this problem, simply, stop handling like an idiot and trust my training. After these two rounds, I could not be bothered to do the Champ agility, I knew I would go in not care and didnt want to risk messing up my contacts by confusing Rodney. I did however care about the Cruft Singles class, I was very wide at the end, due to not signalling Rodney early enough over one of the last turns. I came out very pleased with how Rodney worked and he is for sure speeding up nicely, however thought that end bit would of cost me and didnt think we'd even get into the top 10. Luckily the end must not have been as bad as I thought, cos we finished 3rd (Lucy and Ben winning, Elaine and Dave 2nd) so I believe that is 8 Cruft points. Just need another place or two like that this year so Rods can qualify for the Crufts next March.
On to Dylon, well.. I have been training a wait all winter and can now sort of tell if he is going to wait or not. Champ jumping round, I got it wrong, put him on the start line, looked at where I was going and he was off, through the tyre, over the long jump and off to no 3, before I had chance to engage my legs, we were of course E'd, and then in usual Dylon style, he completed the rest of the course with ease. We also did the Cruft Singles, he did prob the best run he has done for me. Actually listened for once. However as we came out of the weaves, I should of sent him over a jump, however I ran off too early and he came with me, wasted lots of time there, however he still managed a 12th, clever boy.
Things to work on this week... hands up high, calm handling and continue with weave entry practise. Hopefully I can then be nice and calm for at the agility for GB show next weekend. I think Lee may slap me if I handle like I did again this weekend... I am a little scared.
xoxo
Monday 5 April 2010
Whoops
Forgot to update my blog from Easter Celebration weekend... here goes...
Well, as everyone knows the ground was c**p at the weekend, luckily at Easter Celebration where I went, all rings had been moved inside or on sand, so the agility could continue. We were also camped on hard standing which was also very helpful.
It was Rodneys first runs at grade 7, my aim for the weekend, was of course to attempt to get in the top 5 in the Chum and to get another top 5 placing in any of the other classes. Rodney did sooo much better than I thought he would do. First day, Saturday, we started off with the Chum run, I can honestly say I have never seen so many fast runs. Aka Greg and Detox did a nice, very fast run, a bit wide, but at the end of the day last year proved Greg and Detox can go wide and they still win by 2 seconds... this was not the case, they ended up 5th or 6th, luckly still good enough to qualify. The standard scared me big time, I went into the ring with the attitude to just do as good as I could and it didnt matter on where I came this one time, I just needed to push so I could compare times and see where and how I can improve. I ended up getting E'd 3 jumps from home, my fault as usual. Rodneys run was pretty good, however I wouldnt of put him in the top 10 however... being a geek like I am, I videoed both Rodney and Detoxs runs. As they both hit the contact of the dog walk (3 jumps from home) Rodney was almost a second quicker... believe it or not. Fantastic :D Will this ever happen again once we get outside and the faster dogs can open up? Hmm... well we will see, lets hope so. Here is the run below...
We of course did not just have the one run. We then had 6/7 jumping, which I handled like a retard in so that run was an E. We had grade 7 jumping, where Lee and Bold did a nice run and won. Rodney was 5th, 0.9 behind Bold. Videos of both Bold and Rodneys runs are on my YouTube page (laurachudleigh) We also had a power and speed class. I didnt make the turn I wanted to in the jumping section, so ended up doing it all from behind. Elaine Auty and Dave won it I believe, Rodney was 0.6 behind Dave. And only 0.3 behind Dobby which is pretty good going. Phoebe also somehow managed a clear, so I thought id better post it, just encase it doesnt happen again...
Sunday...
Rodney and I had 3 runs. First up we had grade 7 agility, I was soooo hung over thanks to mini Stokoe and Ian coming over, I could hardly walk the course. Rodney however was not hung over and did a nice run and came 2nd just behind Dawn. We then had a grade 7 jumping, where again Rodney did a lovely run, came 3rd. Debbie Fox won, Will Rolfe 2nd, which I am pretty happy about Rodney being anywhere near their times. We also then had a celebration connection qualifier thing, wasnt too sure what I was doing, luckly Lucy gave me her course and somehow we ended up 3rd. So Rodneys 2nd day in grade 7 and he has 3 top 3 places... not too shabby. Here below is Rodneys 3rd in grade 7 jumping...
I think its safe to say after every show I am a bit more pleased with Rodney, he grows that bit more. If we can both keep improving, maybe one day he could even stand a chance in champ. This weekend we are off to Scunthorpe (Rodney, Dylon and I, Phoebe has to stay home due to no runs for her and we are staying in a travelodge, dont think ill be able to sneak all 3 in.) My aim is to get to the final. I will update on how we do next week... fingers crossed.
xoxo
Well, as everyone knows the ground was c**p at the weekend, luckily at Easter Celebration where I went, all rings had been moved inside or on sand, so the agility could continue. We were also camped on hard standing which was also very helpful.
It was Rodneys first runs at grade 7, my aim for the weekend, was of course to attempt to get in the top 5 in the Chum and to get another top 5 placing in any of the other classes. Rodney did sooo much better than I thought he would do. First day, Saturday, we started off with the Chum run, I can honestly say I have never seen so many fast runs. Aka Greg and Detox did a nice, very fast run, a bit wide, but at the end of the day last year proved Greg and Detox can go wide and they still win by 2 seconds... this was not the case, they ended up 5th or 6th, luckly still good enough to qualify. The standard scared me big time, I went into the ring with the attitude to just do as good as I could and it didnt matter on where I came this one time, I just needed to push so I could compare times and see where and how I can improve. I ended up getting E'd 3 jumps from home, my fault as usual. Rodneys run was pretty good, however I wouldnt of put him in the top 10 however... being a geek like I am, I videoed both Rodney and Detoxs runs. As they both hit the contact of the dog walk (3 jumps from home) Rodney was almost a second quicker... believe it or not. Fantastic :D Will this ever happen again once we get outside and the faster dogs can open up? Hmm... well we will see, lets hope so. Here is the run below...
We of course did not just have the one run. We then had 6/7 jumping, which I handled like a retard in so that run was an E. We had grade 7 jumping, where Lee and Bold did a nice run and won. Rodney was 5th, 0.9 behind Bold. Videos of both Bold and Rodneys runs are on my YouTube page (laurachudleigh) We also had a power and speed class. I didnt make the turn I wanted to in the jumping section, so ended up doing it all from behind. Elaine Auty and Dave won it I believe, Rodney was 0.6 behind Dave. And only 0.3 behind Dobby which is pretty good going. Phoebe also somehow managed a clear, so I thought id better post it, just encase it doesnt happen again...
Sunday...
Rodney and I had 3 runs. First up we had grade 7 agility, I was soooo hung over thanks to mini Stokoe and Ian coming over, I could hardly walk the course. Rodney however was not hung over and did a nice run and came 2nd just behind Dawn. We then had a grade 7 jumping, where again Rodney did a lovely run, came 3rd. Debbie Fox won, Will Rolfe 2nd, which I am pretty happy about Rodney being anywhere near their times. We also then had a celebration connection qualifier thing, wasnt too sure what I was doing, luckly Lucy gave me her course and somehow we ended up 3rd. So Rodneys 2nd day in grade 7 and he has 3 top 3 places... not too shabby. Here below is Rodneys 3rd in grade 7 jumping...
I think its safe to say after every show I am a bit more pleased with Rodney, he grows that bit more. If we can both keep improving, maybe one day he could even stand a chance in champ. This weekend we are off to Scunthorpe (Rodney, Dylon and I, Phoebe has to stay home due to no runs for her and we are staying in a travelodge, dont think ill be able to sneak all 3 in.) My aim is to get to the final. I will update on how we do next week... fingers crossed.
xoxo
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