First things first! So Nottingham show are a bit useless. They don't really know the Kennel Club rules and don't really seem to care about them either. Which firstly surprises me due to them being under inspection for the condition of the ground, especially for Champ. Main reason I was annoyed was because I couldn't run Rodney in Champ due to maybe slightly on my part not chasing the grade had been changed correctly, but anyway. They allowed myself and Stu Harmes to run in grade 7 but not the Champ. Rule break number one, because Champ does not have their own rules (apart from running in order of course) therefore we either run in all grade 7 classes (including Champ) or none at all. Also Peter Dall sent in entries, they were not received, he had a proof of posting, yet the show again said he could run in all classes but Champ, rule break number 2. This is because with a proof of posting they are obligated to allow you to run in all your classes you have entered. The main reason the show were not allowing us to be put into the Champ was because they had not left 'ghost' runs (blank slots) and the draw for the running orders had been done. Yes a mistake on their part, and really not my problem. This could of course been rectified by adding in for insistence a 17a, 25b or 66 something... you can see where I am going. Again no rule stating this can not happen. I am considering putting in a complaint, we have to run by the rules, rightly so. So I like to think so must shows.
Ok ok, enough complaining. Ok, so I wasn't in the Champ, I guess it wasn't the end of the world. I could almost cope with not being in after watching the final. Where Lee Windeatt did another brilliant run to win with Bold (Ag Ch Deeann What A Cracker.) I think with a good run, I could of got reserve to him, doubt I would of beaten his run. Once again proving over and over again why Lee is one of the best. I am sure that will not be his only ticket for the year.
Rodney didn't have Champ, if anyone didn't get that. However Phoebe did. She went clear in the jumping and came 5th, then in the agility had a pole. So she got through to the final running number 16/20. Alan Bray was judging, I really liked the course, not too many places I could go wrong. But what I mainly liked about it was all the collies had been E'd or weren't there. So YES, thats right, if Phoebe and I were ever going to stand a chance in the Champ final... Hello. I had walked it a million times, and had never concentrated for so long and for so much on a run with Phoebe before. So what do I do? Set her up, whilst winding her up, hoping shes going to run faster, then release way too early out of position and get E'd at number 3... thats right. I wanted someone to just shoot me. I literally think a clear would of been enough. Kill me! I will NEVER have a chance like that again. We live and we learn. Just funny, how last week in my blog, I wrote a whole bit about how I keep messing runs up with Rodney due to releasing too soon and how I was going to solve it. Then once again did the same. What a total muppet!
I just trained the rest of my runs with Phoebe for the weekend. So on to Ploddy Roddy. So no Champ like I may have mentioned, however I had 3 other classes on the Sat. 6/7 agility, just trained my see-saw (stop) he stopped 4off so I did it again and he stopped perfectly. In the jumping he had the fastest time (woop woop) but had the last pole. Hadn't actually walked the course, however luckily one of my good friends, Paul Oldfield was there to tell me where to go and how to run it. I did what Paul said and it actually worked. I say this cos Paul usually comes up with some crazy things, which look bad on paper and no-one else could pull off apart from Paul, and we all know Paul doesn't always either :P. He says he comes up with these things so he doesn't have to turn too hard on his knees, due to his age, hes trying to prevent injury. Makes sense I guess. Well lets be honest he runs fast and looks good for 81 does he. Yes hes still single ladies. O yes, Rodney also had the Cruft Singles, I handled bad and got E'd :( I still only have 8 points. Need another 6 or so really.
Onto Sunday. Rodney had 2 jumpings, one which he ran well, my timing was just a bit late. Then the other, he had to wait around to long and switched off, so he walked around. So half way around I took a fast short route to leave the ring. We also had the CHUM (Olympia Qualifier) the last chance for day 1 of 2 of the semis. Due to no Champ, I really wanted this one class. So good hard ish course. Had decided I could do well on it. I had a blip at no3, apart from that was pretty much a perfect run until.... yes there is always a until or a but or something isnt there. So until.... dog walk, jump to finish. It was windy and took Rodney straight off the side... TWICE! Yes annoying, but luckily Rodney is 100% ok. With his run I am sure it would of put him in the top 5. O well... try again next weekend for day 2.
I almost forgot... how could I forget. We also had the team. Was probably the stupidest change over any judge could of come up with, apart from that the course was good. Rodney being a clever dog did a lovely clear. Just shame about our team mates :P who managed about 15 faults each. I didnt check, however dont think we won.
Wow that was a long post. No work tomorrow.. I plan to have a lay in. Then hopefully with nice weather, take the dogs for a nice walk and have lunch by the river somewhere :).
Things to work on... Continue with my wait training, was a lot better this weekend. However they need to be fantastic not just ok. To do this, I need to stop running in training with a toy in my hand, and have it to the side or behind Rodney. Cos thats where my wait falls apart. As soon as I dont have the toy, Rod starts looking around and can not concentrate on what I am doing, going or asking him to do. Again, hopefully easily resolved. 2) more weave entries, I need to get confident at any weave entry. It is not good enough being in a grade 7 class and not sure if my dog will get the weaves. Will hopefully go training with the Cook's on Weds to train both of these things :).
Hinckley next weekend, looking forward to it all ready.
xoxo
Sunday 30 May 2010
Saturday 22 May 2010
Training
So, this is my second weekend off from shows. To be honest it has been a nice break (mainly cos I havent been doing too well, basically my clear round ratio has gone down too much) however I am very much looking forward to starting it all up again next weekend with Nottingham and then Hinckley the weekend after.
I havent done too much training, however when I have I have been concentrating on a few certain things which needed to be sorted.
1) Waits! Think I said on my last post, I seem to be throwing hundreds of classes away by releasing too early and not getting into position because I havent trained a wait good enough. Well I havent proofed in the ring well enough and have allowed bad behaviour. So of course, much to my dislike I have been training lots of waits in and away from agility. I say to my dislike because wait training bores me, its not fun and I cant really be bothered with it. I can pretty much say everything Rodney or myself are bad at is because training it bores me. eg weaves. Also what makes it worse is the fact Lee Windeatt has told me or I should say, has kept telling me to sort my wait out ever since Rodney came out, and I was like yeah yeah yeah, it will be fine bla bla bla. I hate the fact he is right, what seems like all of the time :(.
2) See-saws. As most people I speak to know. Rodney came out with a running see-saw, was good for the first few shows. Then he got more confident and started pushing it. Due to in my opinion training it wrong (using a hoop) I found it very hard to correct. So I think at the end of Jan I decided to start training both a stop and a run. Rodney got it straight away, however due to wanting 4 wins to go grade 7, I decided to run all in the ring. I have a feeling I can not keep getting away with this so have decided to be more consistent to hopefully prevent myself from confusing Rodney. I am just doing a stop now. This is annoying yes, cos means I am going to have to throw hundreds of classes which I do not want to do, to train in the ring. Which half the point of having running contacts is so you dont have to throw runs for training. O well.
3)Pulling into me "here". I didnt really realise until once again Lee pointed out to me. That where ever there is a part where I can not get in front and I have to do any form of pulling, I panic and do it wrong. So basically just practising more pulling (and rewarding into me) and doing more work form behind, making sure I am using the correct body language should resolve this.
4) Weave Entries. I know Rodney can pretty much do any weave entry now. However I still panic and go ahhhhh duno if he can do it. So have been trying to do more if and when I get chance, literally just for when I go in the ring, I go o yeah I can do this, we've done it loads before, this shouldnt be a problem. This is just a confidence issue on my part.
5)Running off on turns. I have got very very bad at this. I can not stand still to save my life. I think I run off all the time, because I am trying to speed Rods up. I MUST stop doing this, cos it is just getting me E'd and wasting me time.
Lee is very honest with me, which is hard to find. If I do something good, he will come tell and praise me. Equally if I do something bad, he will also tell me. I think he has told me my handling has been crap at atleast 3 shows this year so far :S You wouldnt believe how much that makes me want to do better and work harder. We did a bit of training together on Thursday, which once again highlighted a lot of things I need to work on. Not Rodney, just me.
I can not believe agility is this hard. I still remember being at Olympia watching the show jumping just over 6 years ago now and laughing at the agility, saying what a stupid thing people would waste their time doing. Now I can not get enough of it. I keep trying to ask myself why I like agility so much. I guess getting to do it with my dogs, if I wasnt doing agility guess I would be attempting some other form of dog sport. Obedience or something... wow that would be funny wouldnt it. "Heel Phoebe Heel."
So tomorrow I have lots of silly things like house work to do. Then Hopefully training with Lucy in the evening. I should also prob work on my tan ;) You know how it is.
xoxo
I havent done too much training, however when I have I have been concentrating on a few certain things which needed to be sorted.
1) Waits! Think I said on my last post, I seem to be throwing hundreds of classes away by releasing too early and not getting into position because I havent trained a wait good enough. Well I havent proofed in the ring well enough and have allowed bad behaviour. So of course, much to my dislike I have been training lots of waits in and away from agility. I say to my dislike because wait training bores me, its not fun and I cant really be bothered with it. I can pretty much say everything Rodney or myself are bad at is because training it bores me. eg weaves. Also what makes it worse is the fact Lee Windeatt has told me or I should say, has kept telling me to sort my wait out ever since Rodney came out, and I was like yeah yeah yeah, it will be fine bla bla bla. I hate the fact he is right, what seems like all of the time :(.
2) See-saws. As most people I speak to know. Rodney came out with a running see-saw, was good for the first few shows. Then he got more confident and started pushing it. Due to in my opinion training it wrong (using a hoop) I found it very hard to correct. So I think at the end of Jan I decided to start training both a stop and a run. Rodney got it straight away, however due to wanting 4 wins to go grade 7, I decided to run all in the ring. I have a feeling I can not keep getting away with this so have decided to be more consistent to hopefully prevent myself from confusing Rodney. I am just doing a stop now. This is annoying yes, cos means I am going to have to throw hundreds of classes which I do not want to do, to train in the ring. Which half the point of having running contacts is so you dont have to throw runs for training. O well.
3)Pulling into me "here". I didnt really realise until once again Lee pointed out to me. That where ever there is a part where I can not get in front and I have to do any form of pulling, I panic and do it wrong. So basically just practising more pulling (and rewarding into me) and doing more work form behind, making sure I am using the correct body language should resolve this.
4) Weave Entries. I know Rodney can pretty much do any weave entry now. However I still panic and go ahhhhh duno if he can do it. So have been trying to do more if and when I get chance, literally just for when I go in the ring, I go o yeah I can do this, we've done it loads before, this shouldnt be a problem. This is just a confidence issue on my part.
5)Running off on turns. I have got very very bad at this. I can not stand still to save my life. I think I run off all the time, because I am trying to speed Rods up. I MUST stop doing this, cos it is just getting me E'd and wasting me time.
Lee is very honest with me, which is hard to find. If I do something good, he will come tell and praise me. Equally if I do something bad, he will also tell me. I think he has told me my handling has been crap at atleast 3 shows this year so far :S You wouldnt believe how much that makes me want to do better and work harder. We did a bit of training together on Thursday, which once again highlighted a lot of things I need to work on. Not Rodney, just me.
I can not believe agility is this hard. I still remember being at Olympia watching the show jumping just over 6 years ago now and laughing at the agility, saying what a stupid thing people would waste their time doing. Now I can not get enough of it. I keep trying to ask myself why I like agility so much. I guess getting to do it with my dogs, if I wasnt doing agility guess I would be attempting some other form of dog sport. Obedience or something... wow that would be funny wouldnt it. "Heel Phoebe Heel."
So tomorrow I have lots of silly things like house work to do. Then Hopefully training with Lucy in the evening. I should also prob work on my tan ;) You know how it is.
xoxo
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Tun Bridge Wells
Ok so Tun Bridge Wells was on this weekend just gone. I was really looking forward to it due to Rodney doing so well the weekend before and with it having both a Chum (Olympia Qualifier) and a Cruft Singles. Aim was to get in top 5 for Olympia and top 4/5 for Crufts. Getting both E's in these classes didnt allow this lol. As I am sure I have said before... I was useless. I had a few other things on my mind this weekend, however that is no excuse. My main reason for getting so many E's is because I am releasing too early from Rods wait and not getting into position cos his wait is rubbish due to me for training and reinforcing it well enough. Easy to resolve I guess. Train more waits in training and dont except anything but perfect in the ring... easy.
Over the whole weekend, Rodney had one clear... power and speed. Then he had a pole in the team, we came fourth. Lee and Scott missed their weaves. I think with our times we would of won if we had 5 instead of 10 faults... doh. Try again next time, which is Nottingham. O yeah Phoebe also ran pretty well. Missed weaves in Crufts due to me handling like a plonker as usual (I am actually going to start training her if I can get enough motivation.) Then she had a fourth in one of the 6/7 jumpings.
This weekend also highlighted how unfit I am and how I want to have a better body *cough Joanne Tristrams body*. So again how to resolve this... jogging. I am going every other day in to attempt to get fitter. Also will soon have to start eating healthier as well I think :(.
If I am learning anything at the moment its that you've really got to work for what you want and sometimes, just sometimes its worth just jumping in and grabbing it. Thats of course only if you really want it!
No shows this weekend. Weekend off :)
xoxo
Over the whole weekend, Rodney had one clear... power and speed. Then he had a pole in the team, we came fourth. Lee and Scott missed their weaves. I think with our times we would of won if we had 5 instead of 10 faults... doh. Try again next time, which is Nottingham. O yeah Phoebe also ran pretty well. Missed weaves in Crufts due to me handling like a plonker as usual (I am actually going to start training her if I can get enough motivation.) Then she had a fourth in one of the 6/7 jumpings.
This weekend also highlighted how unfit I am and how I want to have a better body *cough Joanne Tristrams body*. So again how to resolve this... jogging. I am going every other day in to attempt to get fitter. Also will soon have to start eating healthier as well I think :(.
If I am learning anything at the moment its that you've really got to work for what you want and sometimes, just sometimes its worth just jumping in and grabbing it. Thats of course only if you really want it!
No shows this weekend. Weekend off :)
xoxo
Tuesday 4 May 2010
Reserve CC
I think ill start this blog like I start all the others...
So...
I started this weekend by driving alllll the way to Scotland for Woodside. It was both Rodney and Phoebe's second champs each. Wasnt worth it in the slightest, I was useless. I have started doing this stupid thing where I get very nervous. I have always been one of these people who never gets nervous about anything and always just gets on with it. I used to show jump and the only time I would ever get nervous would be when I sat on a horse which I knew was likely to throw me off, so nerves for good reason. Since running Rodney I have got nervous in the odd class, however Champ is like a whole new ball game and I just havent been able to hold it together. I threw both Scunthorpe and Woodside jumping runs away by basically being so nervous I just didnt know what I was doing. This really needs to stop.
After Champ at Woodside, I was fine. Had a few places with both dogs. Best I think we did was Rodney had a 2nd in grade 7 jumping. (keeping my rule of having to get atleast one top 3 place at every show.)
After not really achieving anything at Woodside, I ventured home, arriving just after mid-night. This would of been ok, if I didnt have to get up at 7am to go to Vyne show. Luckily Vyne is held at Newbury showground, about 20/30 mins from my house.
I arrived at Vyne in time (thank god) to walk the Champ jumping, I looked around everywhere to discover the Champ ring was starting on Agility. It was a nice course, however I just didnt get to where I wanted to in the slightest. I wasnt happy with the run and half way around I did almost give up and left the ring, just didnt think it would be good enough. I have no idea how... but... with 42 clears Rodney ended up 5th. Shocked is not the word. I guess I wasnt the only one who couldnt get to where they wanted to. Lee and Bold did a nice run making them 3rd, Greg and Detox won it. I also ran Dylon in there, after training his contacts all weekend, tyre then see-saw... you'd think he'd stop... nope!
We then had the jumping round. I really liked the course, was so simple. This was the most nervous I have ever been before going into the ring. I knew all I had to do was trot around clear and Rodney would be through to the final with ease. Luckily Lee was there just before I went into the ring, which gave me a lot more confidence. I have no idea why, however I am always a lot more confident knowing he is there. Here is the run below...
O yes. I forgot.... Phoebe. Yes Phoebe had champ for the day too. You are prob thinking the same as me... O god.! She somehow ran very well. Here is her jumping run below. 5r due to me falling over.. whoops..
There was quite a few clears for mediums, so I knew I needed to go clear in the agility run. Phoebe again ran well... I couldnt believe it, then just at the end, I didnt dumbie and she ran past the dog walk. Due to lots of E's in this round, Phoebe somehow got to the final, along with Rodney. My first time in the Champ final and they both get there. woop!
Large was up first. I was nervous, but no where near as nervous as I was in the jumping round for some reason. I was running number 17, so had plenty of chance to watch most of the class. After watching Greg and Detox get faults then Dawn and Promise. I all of a sudden thought omg, I actually could win this. I did have a mini break down by myself for a moment, then got myself back together in time to watch a couple before I went in. Lee told me I could do it just before I got on the start line. I believed him and did the best I could. Ploddy Roddy ran very well and got the reserve ticket :D. Sarah Young and Lucy (Dave Munnings Dobbys sister) won it. Rodney was not even 0.2 behind. Pretty good going. Lee and Bold came 3rd, not even 0.1 behind Rodney. Which is even more impressive, seeing how most people dont know that Lee literally hasnt done any training with his dogs. Most people say they havent, but what they mean is they only went training twice this week. Lee's see contacts in the ring. I dont know anyone that could get there dogs around and get to every champ final without doing training like Lee does. I hope Lee gets to do more training over the summer, so he can keep showing everyone how good he is.
Naturally I watch the video back and can find a million things I could of improved on. Dont get me wrong, I am very happy with Rodney. Lets be honest. So...Hes 25 months old, been in the ring for 9 and a 1/2 months. He came out in grade 3 at Rugby in July. Kc fest he went grade 5. Norfolk grade 6. Big gap until Mid-downs in March where he went grade 7. His 3rd champ, first final (first time I havent got E'd in the jumping) Less than 2 months in grade 7 and he gets the reserve ticket. Not bad going at all. I just hope he can keep speeding up and my handling keeps improving so we can continue to do well and hopefully win some classes worth while. My aim has just gone up for this year. Aims now are... to get enough points to qualify for the Cruft Singles, we currently have 8 points, so need another place or two there. Qualify for the Olympia semis and would love to get a ticket... aiming high as usual.
Here is Rodneys Champ Final run...
This weekend coming we are off to Tun Bridge Wells. Looking forward to it already :).
xoxo
So...
I started this weekend by driving alllll the way to Scotland for Woodside. It was both Rodney and Phoebe's second champs each. Wasnt worth it in the slightest, I was useless. I have started doing this stupid thing where I get very nervous. I have always been one of these people who never gets nervous about anything and always just gets on with it. I used to show jump and the only time I would ever get nervous would be when I sat on a horse which I knew was likely to throw me off, so nerves for good reason. Since running Rodney I have got nervous in the odd class, however Champ is like a whole new ball game and I just havent been able to hold it together. I threw both Scunthorpe and Woodside jumping runs away by basically being so nervous I just didnt know what I was doing. This really needs to stop.
After Champ at Woodside, I was fine. Had a few places with both dogs. Best I think we did was Rodney had a 2nd in grade 7 jumping. (keeping my rule of having to get atleast one top 3 place at every show.)
After not really achieving anything at Woodside, I ventured home, arriving just after mid-night. This would of been ok, if I didnt have to get up at 7am to go to Vyne show. Luckily Vyne is held at Newbury showground, about 20/30 mins from my house.
I arrived at Vyne in time (thank god) to walk the Champ jumping, I looked around everywhere to discover the Champ ring was starting on Agility. It was a nice course, however I just didnt get to where I wanted to in the slightest. I wasnt happy with the run and half way around I did almost give up and left the ring, just didnt think it would be good enough. I have no idea how... but... with 42 clears Rodney ended up 5th. Shocked is not the word. I guess I wasnt the only one who couldnt get to where they wanted to. Lee and Bold did a nice run making them 3rd, Greg and Detox won it. I also ran Dylon in there, after training his contacts all weekend, tyre then see-saw... you'd think he'd stop... nope!
We then had the jumping round. I really liked the course, was so simple. This was the most nervous I have ever been before going into the ring. I knew all I had to do was trot around clear and Rodney would be through to the final with ease. Luckily Lee was there just before I went into the ring, which gave me a lot more confidence. I have no idea why, however I am always a lot more confident knowing he is there. Here is the run below...
O yes. I forgot.... Phoebe. Yes Phoebe had champ for the day too. You are prob thinking the same as me... O god.! She somehow ran very well. Here is her jumping run below. 5r due to me falling over.. whoops..
There was quite a few clears for mediums, so I knew I needed to go clear in the agility run. Phoebe again ran well... I couldnt believe it, then just at the end, I didnt dumbie and she ran past the dog walk. Due to lots of E's in this round, Phoebe somehow got to the final, along with Rodney. My first time in the Champ final and they both get there. woop!
Large was up first. I was nervous, but no where near as nervous as I was in the jumping round for some reason. I was running number 17, so had plenty of chance to watch most of the class. After watching Greg and Detox get faults then Dawn and Promise. I all of a sudden thought omg, I actually could win this. I did have a mini break down by myself for a moment, then got myself back together in time to watch a couple before I went in. Lee told me I could do it just before I got on the start line. I believed him and did the best I could. Ploddy Roddy ran very well and got the reserve ticket :D. Sarah Young and Lucy (Dave Munnings Dobbys sister) won it. Rodney was not even 0.2 behind. Pretty good going. Lee and Bold came 3rd, not even 0.1 behind Rodney. Which is even more impressive, seeing how most people dont know that Lee literally hasnt done any training with his dogs. Most people say they havent, but what they mean is they only went training twice this week. Lee's see contacts in the ring. I dont know anyone that could get there dogs around and get to every champ final without doing training like Lee does. I hope Lee gets to do more training over the summer, so he can keep showing everyone how good he is.
Naturally I watch the video back and can find a million things I could of improved on. Dont get me wrong, I am very happy with Rodney. Lets be honest. So...Hes 25 months old, been in the ring for 9 and a 1/2 months. He came out in grade 3 at Rugby in July. Kc fest he went grade 5. Norfolk grade 6. Big gap until Mid-downs in March where he went grade 7. His 3rd champ, first final (first time I havent got E'd in the jumping) Less than 2 months in grade 7 and he gets the reserve ticket. Not bad going at all. I just hope he can keep speeding up and my handling keeps improving so we can continue to do well and hopefully win some classes worth while. My aim has just gone up for this year. Aims now are... to get enough points to qualify for the Cruft Singles, we currently have 8 points, so need another place or two there. Qualify for the Olympia semis and would love to get a ticket... aiming high as usual.
Here is Rodneys Champ Final run...
This weekend coming we are off to Tun Bridge Wells. Looking forward to it already :).
xoxo
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