Agility Fever

This past weekend saw Pepper and I tearing it up on the agility field out at Aberdeen for the Saskatchewan Agility Association's March Madness trial. Pepper placed well on both days, earning either first, second or third place. Sunday morning saw use really work as a team for the Gamblers round and we walked away with our very first Q!!!! I was so proud of Pepper!

For those of you who don't know the game of Gamblers it is quite simple. Obstacles are worth a certain point. In the opening sequence (usually around 40 seconds), you have to complete obstacles correctly to gain the points. This event had two mini gambles in it and we aced one of them! We ended up with 58 points, many more than what was needed. After the first 40 seconds, a whistle will go off and you have to run to the main gamble. We nailed this gamble!! Since we earned more than 20 points and completed the main gamble, we got a Q!! Pepper was a star throughout the whole run as well. I managed to find a rhythm that worked and that kept her from barking at me.

The rest of the runs on Sunday were soooo close for us to get another Q but they were slightly out of reach. We were over by .57 seconds on the Standard course. Yes the run was absolutely clean! She had an awesome independent A-frame touch! Her weave pole entry was awesome! I collected her before sending her through which seems to be making the difference these days!!! On one of the Jumpers runs we got 5 faults. We were under time but just by that one little screw up cost us a Q.

Taz got to spend the weekend at home with dad chillaxing! He ended up going to the in laws and played with their mini-poodle Smokey. I came home on Saturday to a tired Taz. On Sunday I came home to a clean Taz as dad and he went for a walk and he got a tad bit dirty. The mud puddles they must have found!!

This Friday is JFF night again. I can't wait to try some more master/advanced course. They really help you to think and see what the dog sees. I am glad that I put Pepper in JFF. It has helped us to prepare for real trials. Soon you will see Taz running at trials as well!