tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31093751246541351352024-03-12T18:03:08.291-07:00Mand's MuttsMandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-605554427117239492011-02-17T11:44:00.000-08:002011-02-17T12:18:56.247-08:00No. 5... and one of the most wondeful weeks!So first No. 5. I have kinda been having that puppy craving for a while. It's one of those things that won't go away.... And so I decided to ask Dave if he would mind us having a puppy. This is where I have to say I was all ready with my reasons as to why now was a good time for a puppy and how much fun it would be. I was at least expecting a bit of a fight but no. I asked and Dave said yes. I was almost dissapointed at the lack of work.<br /><br />So after a few ups and downs and very hard decisions about a puppy we did look at but subsequently didn't get (I have been through everything in my head a million times!) we have ended up with Riley or to give him his posh name Indalees Life of Riley. He was bred by Lisa Thompson. His Mum is Sue Montgomeries Zane (Katajack up Bright and Merlie) and Mum is Lisas Macey (Locheil Dame Kelly). <br /><br />Lisa had 5 pups. Was keeping one herself, had sold three to agility homes and had one left.. nick named Bob. I saw a picture of Bob on Facebook and though aw.. as you do. I then looked into things a bit more and discovered Mum was related to my Twix and Dad I already knew was related to Jag (via Karen Smiths Breeze).<br /><br />So off I went to look. Well the likelyhood of saying no was quite low I think. But one meeting the pups I was just so impressed. Talk about bold and outgoing but actually without being to ott.. all pups just wanted to play play play. So I went back on Saturday with Dave and the boys to pick Riley up. <br /><br />He has proved to be such a character. His personality just shines through and he has managed to fit in with the other dogs as well. Bryn is his best mate. He certainly needds to be rufty tufty to fit in withour lot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h5bTF86gXSu9W8qXI-CSF0FObk9HtWYTFP2o1AIhbv3utul_Ybv8du1nfnqJRJqudUqY5XbvPoESgiitfuy3OKfA4K_fGS5z18JCOtZ5UvIirdCCJvz1C5PiYtPjubc6t8yZp9lAyoE9/s1600/SDC10362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4h5bTF86gXSu9W8qXI-CSF0FObk9HtWYTFP2o1AIhbv3utul_Ybv8du1nfnqJRJqudUqY5XbvPoESgiitfuy3OKfA4K_fGS5z18JCOtZ5UvIirdCCJvz1C5PiYtPjubc6t8yZp9lAyoE9/s320/SDC10362.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574750878534924162" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqliQIa2dIufdpRAjL77qhKbbVw7Pb4Qh9Hhyt5wa8NwluB5zVz19ux_74f0tIPWku59X0ptCEoU4JF7Ux13HQnRmMowqjE35vTbHq8L8FI14dywHNY2ctqCt_FdvFAYGlDMbNUxsXF35/s1600/DSCF2005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqliQIa2dIufdpRAjL77qhKbbVw7Pb4Qh9Hhyt5wa8NwluB5zVz19ux_74f0tIPWku59X0ptCEoU4JF7Ux13HQnRmMowqjE35vTbHq8L8FI14dywHNY2ctqCt_FdvFAYGlDMbNUxsXF35/s320/DSCF2005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574751830137762594" /></a><br /><br />So that's Riley...<br /><br />As for me personally well this week has been quite a week. Monday was Valentines day as I am sure you all know... Dave came home from work with flowers for me, we had bought one of these Dine in meals from Tesco. Dave cooked for me. We sat and ate our dinner and drunk some of the sparkling rose that came with it and then decided it was time to exchange our little gifts. I don't normally do valentines (never had need to!) but as our first together we decided we would get something but not spend lots. I opened my card and on the bottom was a little pto note.. as i turned over there was a lovely message from Dave asking me to marry him. At which point I cried... lots! and not ashamed to admit it. Dave produced a ring and asked me himself if I would marry him! Of course the answer was yes or I guess I wouldn't be posting... So I think I spent the next however long booing lol. <br /><br />What a night!!!<br /><br />Wednesday was my birthday and Dave bought me a new camera as I had managed to wreck the old one, so expect more piccies soon! I had a lovely day, not really doing much in particular but it was enjoyable. We had a takeaway and a bottle of wine in the evening and just chilled.<br /><br />I have a feeling next week will seem quite quiet in comparrison!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-25034958727471500872011-01-07T11:34:00.000-08:002011-01-07T12:04:31.236-08:00All changeWell where has that year and half gone since I updated my blog last... Obviously been way way to busy to update lol. I also struggle to know what to write on these things. People seem interested in other peoples lives. But I don't want to turn it into a massive ego boost blog or indeed tell the world my every movement and somethings are well, just private! So blog update... hm where to start, I guess from roughly where I finished!<br /><br />August 2009!!! Jag had qualified for Olympia, Twix was ticking over quite nicely. Now what happened at Olympia... hm oh I know the silly snowmen that were holding the pole up melted and dropped it. Or maybe we just had a pole down but I would prefer to blame the snowmen! <br /><br />Think maybe a general round up of 2010 is in order and then will try and keep my blog up to date from there on in!<br /><br />So 2010 started with me, boyfriends - none, (sounding like Bridgete Jones!). 2010 Personally was a mixed year. It started with bad news all round. Two funerals in two months and a Dad that had a stroke. Surely it could only get better. Well without going into to much detail and of course most of you know this any way. I met my boyfriend Dave. Again as you probably all know, Dave has two gorgeous boys. So after the bad start, my year got better. <br /><br />Agility shows kinda took a bit of a back seat as I spent my weekends travelling from Kent to Bedfordshire to spend the weekend with Dave and the boys (oh and the two dogs that Dave has). Agility didn't seem quite as important.<br /><br />Year progressed with me looking for a job in Bedfordshire after deciding that the travelling was quite frankly "doing me in". Found job, not that easy these days. And am now moved up to Bedfordshire and enjoying life. Very very much enjoying life.<br /><br />I had bought myself a little caravan to do shows in last season.. hm that wasn't now big enough for two adults, two boys and four dogs.. so had to go find another. So in good agility handler style, mine and Dave's first big purchase together was a caravan!!!! <br /><br />Agility wise... Twix had some good places. Thinkt he best of which was a 2nd in a graded 6/7 jumping where she beat the grade 7 dogs winning time as well. Was very proud of that. Jag, well we didn't make many champ finals, probably down to my lack of concentration but we did have some good places in classes. A win at Rugby Christmas show finished the year nicely. We did qualify for Olympia, sadly the first pole coming down and the fact I had no voice didn't make for us having a lot of chance to get to the final. We made a hasty exit from Olympia due to snow that was forecast... hm 10 1/2 hours to do a 65 mile journey home... not fun. But we got here.<br /><br />so below are pictures of Dave's dogs. So this makes 4... soon to be 5... see next post.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDt_yfWCzyFhdV5DO4v2T3cPSwC8rshXVXAiwLNwR7VfnE0XW-nDcuTKLWRxbmBVuC3eROIR1YAlm7JFN057a-X8TggtdIc33DzASfAxxhkd60XQBfl-24jX58ySZhmT8_dlu66pYg-ch/s1600/SDC10240.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDt_yfWCzyFhdV5DO4v2T3cPSwC8rshXVXAiwLNwR7VfnE0XW-nDcuTKLWRxbmBVuC3eROIR1YAlm7JFN057a-X8TggtdIc33DzASfAxxhkd60XQBfl-24jX58ySZhmT8_dlu66pYg-ch/s320/SDC10240.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559533763243947778" /></a><br />Bryn the gobby!!! Apparently when he was born, he came out barking, not sure he has stopped since!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloPlRAp19c-LC16YyH61xS-bct__OCQmxy_1BxzhMACwIrokpuJB2tNb3HRo-59P3OiK4ofu5Mgp_Kcn1a6EgYewyejslDd2qn-EnqP7XbABzHvKRIA9JQ0cmw_qw1I9E18nAW1wtjfRN/s1600/SDC10350.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloPlRAp19c-LC16YyH61xS-bct__OCQmxy_1BxzhMACwIrokpuJB2tNb3HRo-59P3OiK4ofu5Mgp_Kcn1a6EgYewyejslDd2qn-EnqP7XbABzHvKRIA9JQ0cmw_qw1I9E18nAW1wtjfRN/s320/SDC10350.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559536327266027170" /></a><br />TyeMandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-36156810142765166782009-08-15T13:11:00.000-07:002009-08-15T13:34:01.345-07:00Nag nag nag!!!!!!!I have been nagged by a few people (you know who you are!) to update my blog. So now I have to use the getting older grey matter to think what I have done in the last two months!!!<br /><br />Twix....<br /><br />Up and down really. Since winning the jumping at Thames, we have had some good runs.. and some not so good runs. I have decided most of it is to do with my attitude and not Twix.. well maybe most of it. Contacts do seem to have got better. Below is a video of some of the work I have been doing on Twix's dog walk. It was an exercise reccommended to me by Lee and Toni. Both of whom have been so helpful in their advice to me. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Frn6NoilTtA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Frn6NoilTtA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Quite an improvement and finally it seems to be paying off in the ring. Everything is still work in progress. Watch this space!!<br /><br />Jag....<br />Well what can I say about Mr Jaglet. We have had quite a good year thus far. Jag is now on 11 Crufts points.. hm that is borderline for getting in. One more heat to go and I could really do with a few more points just to make sure. In July we went to the Olympia semis. I had qualified for three days (3rd of which was the KC festival semi) and reserve for one. Well Jag and I went up there on the first day. All prepared to have to stay up there all week and would you believe it Jag pulled out all the stops and qualified for Olympia on the first day. <br /><br />Having not been to Olympia for two years I was so relieved to get back there.. see cheesey photo below.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyAZGlX6SiMgVN20kuB91DICBLHSwQc2KwHvCdN2nvLo96hLRglv7kZBDxygo3lWCEgZ1gYapJMaNvujUxVpwtp0SPTFrNdb-9kN_Bdtem-JOs7qx3r0JbuP3ZKC27jR1K3US50Ncsm6P/s1600-h/royalshow2009_semi1_3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyAZGlX6SiMgVN20kuB91DICBLHSwQc2KwHvCdN2nvLo96hLRglv7kZBDxygo3lWCEgZ1gYapJMaNvujUxVpwtp0SPTFrNdb-9kN_Bdtem-JOs7qx3r0JbuP3ZKC27jR1K3US50Ncsm6P/s320/royalshow2009_semi1_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370288430497681538" /></a><br /><br />This time of year seems all about getting contacts back with Jag. Having had to push so many I have needed to work hard on making Jag remember to stop. So fingers crossed they are ok for DIN.<br /><br />Hm what else. Well I had the pleasure of running my friend Karen's dog Chequer at Axstane. He won out of grade 1 at Thames and so was still grade 1 for Axstane. Karen agreed to let me run him in the 1-3 jumping. Chequer is an amazing dog. Well I think he is. We managed to put in a clear round. Not the neatest but good enough for 2nd place. I will be trying to get my hands on him as often as possible lol.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B_eFvkKPZfg&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B_eFvkKPZfg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I also judged at Tenterden show. I was treated very well by the club and all my ring party. They were all really efficent. The weather dried up for me. I did say I don't judge in the rain but after the previous days torrential rain, even I was a little worried.<br /><br />I had large 1-2 agility, large 4-5 agility, medium 4-5 agility and small 4-5 agility.<br /><br />I have to say that the standard at the top of grade 1 and 2 large was very good. And the standard in the large 4-5 was not bad at all. I will leave my opinion of the smalls and mediums!! I was however very pleased with how my course ran. My hard luck of the day had to be Grace and the love Mali, Kiah. Fastest time in the 4-5 agility (and Kiah is grade 4!) just one pole down. Ahhh. Won't be long Grace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ_Yw5c9yNRUI4WTVp0v3Z0XvhsCxoPwQYzB5hIHieUqxECNGO-NgEzh9j5oak_Hi98Bkwmcp1LkhJfd_sjZzA0UmOV6SdQdp85t4IQwb_JdXq66xqOV8UAx45o1JxNXmBiOuWsxRqbxj/s1600-h/1+2+agility+tenterden+actual.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQ_Yw5c9yNRUI4WTVp0v3Z0XvhsCxoPwQYzB5hIHieUqxECNGO-NgEzh9j5oak_Hi98Bkwmcp1LkhJfd_sjZzA0UmOV6SdQdp85t4IQwb_JdXq66xqOV8UAx45o1JxNXmBiOuWsxRqbxj/s320/1+2+agility+tenterden+actual.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370290840405025682" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8lUE82hiI4TnJJUKTDd9wfo1mz-3hOP844FMdBhgzNvn2b27_55wxjjXmT5BRaXj3k1Df3G-VTSm4oyxE3p-WHuhOZaW6z66EocOTcBnC-SLFXgkm5tsvhT1vUNuLEtWCelyH99x6mQy/s1600-h/4+5+agility+tenterden+actual.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8lUE82hiI4TnJJUKTDd9wfo1mz-3hOP844FMdBhgzNvn2b27_55wxjjXmT5BRaXj3k1Df3G-VTSm4oyxE3p-WHuhOZaW6z66EocOTcBnC-SLFXgkm5tsvhT1vUNuLEtWCelyH99x6mQy/s320/4+5+agility+tenterden+actual.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370291119061752962" /></a><br /><br />So that's about it really. Not much else to say. Well I don't think so!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-44285966607336832442009-06-16T10:45:00.000-07:002009-06-16T11:03:10.947-07:00Happy Birthday JagletI can't believe that Jag is 8 years old today. Where have those eight years gone.<br /><br />Here he is at just a few weeks old, shortly after we had bought him home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11tNDw_JJOjD4PTr9aAY96mVJT-uFbCz4aqnWO6XQxZfgIRqBmfEbg1EVKzwIOZqUKmdKJ1kg68kVybBAOVcEtep4sqBsjwviATTeSRzOT59_4yuX7PKjhKsP_4TBOvJtR3VSb8_kPp9N/s1600-h/jag.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11tNDw_JJOjD4PTr9aAY96mVJT-uFbCz4aqnWO6XQxZfgIRqBmfEbg1EVKzwIOZqUKmdKJ1kg68kVybBAOVcEtep4sqBsjwviATTeSRzOT59_4yuX7PKjhKsP_4TBOvJtR3VSb8_kPp9N/s320/jag.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347983455943409298" /></a><br /><br />And another of Jag competing in the champ final at the weekend (thanks Graeme).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X13y6Kr8uI7cirPcxeMvkNVuNT4tK5_SddR1BMw1QC17cSkOiaakuBq0cyYvw7nNxdzvsrvLvPkOhHy_SuN3ZTseotMf5sgp0soc1vi9cuZuNTsy1MwUs73sVImNtUzJYWxzaz2i1LP2/s1600-h/jag+see+saw+thames+09+champ+class.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X13y6Kr8uI7cirPcxeMvkNVuNT4tK5_SddR1BMw1QC17cSkOiaakuBq0cyYvw7nNxdzvsrvLvPkOhHy_SuN3ZTseotMf5sgp0soc1vi9cuZuNTsy1MwUs73sVImNtUzJYWxzaz2i1LP2/s320/jag+see+saw+thames+09+champ+class.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347983915402786274" /></a><br /><br />And today in the back garden, just looking gorgeous.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozvhEJSu7_zRbgzxA4lxsUa3AMOIZqzLGkVQxOji0xIt6D3RNd189m-jK3VZuTj7PU3wBcCzTM6cwh26RhWr8e5vXBPJxg_s0fUQ9IYwdfrmuvKhDd3UIWC-yOuTven-G38eR2INK5OGL/s1600-h/jag+160609+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozvhEJSu7_zRbgzxA4lxsUa3AMOIZqzLGkVQxOji0xIt6D3RNd189m-jK3VZuTj7PU3wBcCzTM6cwh26RhWr8e5vXBPJxg_s0fUQ9IYwdfrmuvKhDd3UIWC-yOuTven-G38eR2INK5OGL/s320/jag+160609+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347986480601362786" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5kH_CLre2JJOHMaLCcCMDGy8Angu08NJUX0DRvm8LdMoY69XqBuCvmI3PwXuNZqEhpDOkx7MG8PrqkYTwvg4BZZAkESueZl8yJ2_8pqqj5WLgW2BAEcDLnWer3ifhUbsXR_D2ki-00Il/s1600-h/jag+160609+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5kH_CLre2JJOHMaLCcCMDGy8Angu08NJUX0DRvm8LdMoY69XqBuCvmI3PwXuNZqEhpDOkx7MG8PrqkYTwvg4BZZAkESueZl8yJ2_8pqqj5WLgW2BAEcDLnWer3ifhUbsXR_D2ki-00Il/s320/jag+160609+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347986825896740962" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewyFJxonWfv9G07nSiuTJGWKUBa-zsZeud1NypKKfjxe4arKtsETqGOjIvuZ-de-uGXZKGo9R8LRoqCrqWQ_0MfEe9JEctk3e-hvbjDU-wvfm0Ek2hCNcl1RDFE89tSfR5WjfGwBjcmyo/s1600-h/jag+160609+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewyFJxonWfv9G07nSiuTJGWKUBa-zsZeud1NypKKfjxe4arKtsETqGOjIvuZ-de-uGXZKGo9R8LRoqCrqWQ_0MfEe9JEctk3e-hvbjDU-wvfm0Ek2hCNcl1RDFE89tSfR5WjfGwBjcmyo/s320/jag+160609+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347987425501154082" /></a><br /><br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAGLETMandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-18814151079840227742009-06-15T11:49:00.000-07:002009-06-15T12:08:30.231-07:00Oops where did that month go!Just kinda looked at my blog and realised the last time I posted was around Vyne time! Oops. I like being nosey and reading everyone elses blog so guess I should be fair and update mine. Not that I can see why anyone is interested.<br /><br />Still here goes!<br /><br />The agility season continues to go well. Jag has missed out on a couple of champ finals but also got to a couple more. Frustratingly I seem to be messing up the finals quite early on. At Thames last weekend we messed up at jump 4 but after that he ran really well. I have a couple of Olympia semis to go to now. Day one and three for certain and probably reserve for day two. Mind you I can't see me driving up to Birmingham three days in a row so will have to hope I make it on day one! I can but hope. I some how think it will be a rather strong day. <br /><br />Jag really is working so much better this year than last and I really feel like we are back together. I am enjoying running him sooooo much.<br /><br />Twix, well this year was always going to be work in progress. I had decided that I couldn't accept her contacts as they were so have worked really hard to improve them and improve Twix's confidence to work on her own and ahead of me. Well it seems things are starting to pay off. At Tunbridge Wells I finally managed to get our first clear rounds of the year and a couple of places in jumping classes. Then at Nottingham and Hinckley Twix seemed to be working better and better. No clears but just silly little errors. I had a kick up the bottom at Hinckley when I had decided not to run a grade 6/7 jumping because it was too hard for Twix and I didn't want to de-motivate her... to which I was told don't be so silly of course Twix can do that... so I did and Twix ran really well on a tricky course and just doubled up in the weaves for some strange reason but was so glad I ran that class (thanks Toni!). So it was a weekend off and then off to Thames. This is where it got a lot better with Twix! We did a nice grade 6 agilty judged by Hannah.. and yes I know we went horribley wrong but Twix felt like she was finally moving as quickly as she does in training. I went from that run straight to a graded 6/7 jumping which again was a nice course but had some nice turns in it that Twix could make up time on if she got them right and a tricky weave entry which Twix is kinda good at. So Twixlet ran, did a really nice round and went into the lead. <br /><br />At this point I turned into one of those handlers that couldn't leave the ring! I was so excited. She was leading by a second. At the end of the class she was still there. Yipee. Was very very happy! So one down... three to go. Twix's contacts were good all weekend and I feel like we are making progress... long may it continue.<br /><br />I'm sure there are some videos somewhere that I can add.. will have to have a look as it's a bit boring without some videos to break up all this reading.<br /><br />Next weekend . No qualifiers to worry about so chill chill chill.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-76912367116242639672009-05-04T12:22:00.000-07:002009-05-04T13:26:43.779-07:00It's not luck, really it's not!!So Vyne show. Couldn't run Twix today... have broken her :-( Well ok we went for a long walk on Saturday and Sunday she was lame. Better today but not enough to work her. I am hoping with a weeks rest that she will be ok for Tunbridge next weekend. In a way it was a mixed blessing, I did miss running her as she has been going so well in training but as today was a Champ show it did mean that I could concentrate on Mr Jaglet.<br /><br />So Champ jumping up first... gulp... Ya know when you walk a course and you just think how the hell... well that's what I thought here. I kept thinking on one particular bit that I had no idea how to do it and that I was only ever gonna get the big fat E! WEll I think I managed to talk myself out of it by just going over and over and over the course in my head and seeing us doing it right. In the end Jag worked his little socks off and put in a great clear to finishe 4th.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SH3K2FgSiSI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SH3K2FgSiSI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />If you listen carefully, you might hear me swear in the video... I do apologise, only I was convinced Jag would get the second tunnel wrong, I should have had more faith. When he did it right, for a split second I couldn't remember where to go next!!!<br /><br />Champ agility was a much more flowing course than the jumping. Infact I quite liked it. I knew after having a good place in the jumping that I didn't need to push Jag's agility so went for a nice steady trained clear. Jag was paw perfect again. I couldn't have wished for a better run.<br /><br />So with that I was pretty sure I had qualified for the final. <br /><br />So now the dilema... if I push too many contacts with Jag, we are likely to miss one. My next run was the KC Olympia qualifier. Now did I push for this or did I push for the champ final. Hm.... the dilema. Any way I decided that I would go for stop and go contacts in this and that if it was good enough then so be it. I have next weekend at Tunbridge to try and get day two and I have day one. Jag again was absolutely perfect!!! (should have a video later in the week). In the end I finished 13th. Not the best result but it was a gamble I took. There are actually four people infront of me that have already got day one so those that understand the rules will know that even if I mess up at Tunbridge I still have a chance of going to day two.<br /><br />So champ final... I really did go for it.. honest. But in doing so you always take a risk and mine this time was that I needed to get to the end of an a-frame before Jag and in order to do that I needed to "chuck" him at a long jump that was facing into nothing and run. The danger.. knocking it which he did as did some others. So no ticket for me today. But I have to say that Jag feels like he is running so well. We just seem to be on the same wavelength. I have now convinced myself that it's not just a couple of lucky runs.<br /><br />Can't wait until next week!!!! Hopefully the blonde bombshell will be back to it as well.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-21157206896335154432009-04-26T05:40:00.000-07:002009-04-26T06:57:28.854-07:00The good the bad and the uglyOr my day at WBSDS.<br /><br />So the good....<br /><br />Jag did a lovely clear in 6/7 agility. There were a few tricky bits in the course but he worked so well. All his contacts were solid and he hung on every word and turn. Very happy with that. Twix was in all the same classes as Jag for this show so was nice to put Twix round the same course. Well we did get e'd but.... some people will know my "sress" over dog walks with Twix, I am pleased to say her dog walk was pretty darn good in this class. I jogged along beside it so that Twix had to reach the end without me, which she did so was very pleased with that. We got e'd because of a late call from me but hey ho. Overall very pleased with both dogs in this class.<br /><br />There were two jumping classes at this how both graded which was really nice. Great to see a show doing this. Just means the extra set of rosettes and trophies but means a lot to the handlers.<br /><br />Any way jumping 1 was a very interesting course (see plan below). The problem was that at first it seemed impossible but that was because there were 200 people trying to walk it (well ish) so you were basically ending up learning the course pattern and not neccesarily how to handle it. In the event, it ran well. Twix did a lovely round. Just knocking a pole at jump No.13 but only because she turned soooo tight!! What was even nicer is that I believe of the grade 6's Twix would have finished 3rd not far behind the winner and... she was 1.5 behind Lee and Bold wining the grade 7. Now I know that Lee had one bit that could have been better but I am still pleased that Twix was able to post a good time. It gives me hope!!! As for Jag.... well I ran Jag first and got lost. Yes lost! I reversed after jump No. 5 and lost No. 6. Oops but before that and after that was great.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3pIsDY6voNOSAIm9o8cJ45z82eTXOjthOg7EPaGA-87rPzGJx79_zOPFAMCwodBDbO8jrYqOkJfqdBL3jokn-F2NHek92ThVG8FMrtmHDFjUxfPBbcKTLcim7kgESa2Zwz04KH2e4YQG/s1600-h/6+7+jumping+wbsds+april+09.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3pIsDY6voNOSAIm9o8cJ45z82eTXOjthOg7EPaGA-87rPzGJx79_zOPFAMCwodBDbO8jrYqOkJfqdBL3jokn-F2NHek92ThVG8FMrtmHDFjUxfPBbcKTLcim7kgESa2Zwz04KH2e4YQG/s320/6+7+jumping+wbsds+april+09.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328981034386431458" /></a><br /><br />The bad.....<br /><br />The other 6/7 jumping. Nothing wrong with course, it was a little tricky but nothing to bad for a 6/7. However. I just made a complete meal of this course with Jag and to some degree with Twix. It went wrong with both dogs at the weaves and that was that!! I guess one bad run each out of three each wasn't too bad. I really can't grumble.<br /><br />The ugly....<br /><br />The little things that irritate!! First off, the judge (not in any classes I was in) that felt it was ok to eliminate people when they stopped their dog in position on contacts and moved to the next piece of equipment and then released. Reason.. training in the ring. I know not everyone likes it but technically people that do that haven't done anything against the rules. <br /><br />Secondly the stupid pillock (and that's being polite) of a bloke who's Hungarain Viszla was running in an ABC class and left the ring sniffing. He then got his dog back and carried on. The dog then left the ring again. He called it back and it went back to him. He then proceeded to wrestle the dog to the floor hold onto the dogs neck and grabbed it's leg. I can only assume that he thought he was doing some kind of dominance pose on the dog. A small group of us shouted at him as it was completely unneccesary. A couple of people went over to ask what he was doing. We then watched the bloke to make sure he stopped. He wasn't being verabally aggressive to the dog and neither do I think he was physically hurting the dog. But if he thinks that is the way to get his dog to do what he wants and come back to him, then he is sadly mistaken. He then proceeded to bore the dog senseless by doing down stays by the ring. He was reported to the show secretary. <br /><br />Overall the show was really good. Nice to see lots of people enjoying agility and having a laugh with friends is always good. As I said before, nice to see lots of graded classes.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-32302877366594716672009-04-18T15:05:00.000-07:002009-04-18T15:24:25.919-07:00Scunny, Easter and WallingfordJust a show update really.<br /><br />First of Scunny, first "big" show of the year. Champ and Crufts singles. First off Twix, some good bits but no clears. I have to confess that I really struggled to concentrate on anything with Twix at this show. I was so up for getting Jag to the Champ final that Twix kinda took a back sit. I don't think that could be helped as just getting back into my Jag zone has been taking all my effort. <br /><br />Well what can I say, my boy is back!!! Jag and I were clear in the champ jumping round. And ok, as my friends would say I resorted to panicy pigg... which basically means I clapped all the way round like a grade 1 handler. I did get suitabley ribbed after leaving the ring and so decided that that was NOT happening again. Champ agility we had 5 faults. It was a weird one because I thought Jag had doubled up in the weaves but wasn't sure. Simon(judge)hadn't marked it but if Jag had come out wrong then obviously he would have marked then by which time it would be to late to stop Jag doing the next item and so we would have an E and as the one thing you don't want in champ is an E, I decided to take him back and redo them.<br /><br />Jag qualified for the final and was going really really well until he had the pole off of the wishing well. I did get e'd after that but you kinda switch off a little after a pole. Needless to say I was really really really pleased with Jag. I just got "that" feeling back. Ya know the one when you just know you are working together and you are both giving 100%. Oo I enjoyed that. Having not qualified for any champ finals last year, it was good to be back in one. Now just to get to some more!<br /><br />Crufts singles was a lovely run but sadly we had a pole but again I just felt that we were together.<br /><br />So onto Easter Celebration. Only one day of competing as I was judging on the Sunday. Twix did a lovely round in her grade 6 jumping, only to kinda miss time a jump at the end which resulted in two or three poles coming down as she was off stride. But... she worked it really well and even had similar speed to training. Maybe there is hope for her to show that same speed outside one day! (pretty please!).<br /><br />Jag and were e'd in the 6/7 jumping. Ooops. 5th in a twisty grade 7 jumping, was pleased with that one. But best of all.... Jag put in a really nice round to come 2nd in the KC Olympia heat. To say I was pleased in an understatement. Video below.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sx-GKbPBsYs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sx-GKbPBsYs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Again Jag just felt brilliant.<br /><br />Wallingford was only Saturday for me and two runs per dog. Don't think I want to mention my runs with Twix. Not really sure what planet we were on today but it wasn't the same one!!!! Jag however.. well think you might know what i'm going to say. Grade 7 jumping we came 6th. The start of the round wasn't pretty but got better the further we went on so that is good. We won the grade 7 agility. I hadn't expected to get anything as I was training this round and when you train you don't tend to get places. Well Jag was the first clear. In fact there were only 4 clears in total. I did think I might have a job convincing some of my friends who do a wondeful job in reminding me that I should train contacts, that I really did train. But I hope that explaining that everyone that got placed on faults was quicker than me.. the quicketst was 4 seconds quicker.. so hopefully that is enough to convince that I really did train my contacts.. honest.<br /><br />I don't think the grade 7 agility was that hard really just seemed that some made it look hard. However the same cannot be said for the grade 6 agility which was followed by a grade 5 agility that I personally think was harder than the 6 and IMO the 6 was way way way to hard! Now I don't usually have moan about judges courses as I believe you just have to attack what is put up, but these two courses (5 and 6 agility) were just ridiculous. There wasn't even any flow to the course. It was just one constant nag for 20 pieces of equipment. Not much fun for anyone. The 6 jumping wasn't great but was better than the agilty. And yes I know I have a choice weather or not to run them. And I did.. badly.. but I certainly wasn't going to get the hump if Twix went wrong. I'm honestly not sure if I would have got Jag round them. Hey ho. I know we all do the same course but.. well grrr!!<br /><br />That's it for now. Next weekend WBSDSBWBWSDSD ya know that one!! Then another champ at Vyne. I just hope Jag and I can keep this form going. I feel like I could tackle anything with him at the moment!! Still smiling :-)Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-75659177939880769902009-03-28T11:26:00.000-07:002009-03-28T12:58:47.413-07:00Pictures and dog walkingAs I have been working week on week of for the last 6 weeks, I have been going on lots of nice dog walks. Actually most seem to be to the beach!! It has been great really as both my dogs were a little on the unfit side and this has really helped me to get them back in condition! Some friends have taken nice pictures of them while we have been out.<br /><br />I have been taking a puppy class on a Saturday morning. Have a great group of four dogs and handlers. All experienced handlers with their new "charges". We seem to have got into a bit of a nice habit of going for a nice walk after training. One week we had 12 dogs between us. No wonder we got some strange looks!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nRX7SrNP-0POvPrdjZiZQhhix3ymP4VcwugF8flDwFH5D1Fl0uZl9sO53CD0VJcXKaCofU7OJp9nHzjCk2W8U8uI4YRdCcQHlYsYw2sKgJdeVk3bYUk0MsN9rdDsYWJs7VE1O9OM6Of/s1600-h/wet+jag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5nRX7SrNP-0POvPrdjZiZQhhix3ymP4VcwugF8flDwFH5D1Fl0uZl9sO53CD0VJcXKaCofU7OJp9nHzjCk2W8U8uI4YRdCcQHlYsYw2sKgJdeVk3bYUk0MsN9rdDsYWJs7VE1O9OM6Of/s320/wet+jag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318329761352644290" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISohey-lyUfUtx53wTY7Cu9qqDDUJl4TOdWpmsDLMamGHJdScelRqG1pPB-bRXrnW-nCttNcwWCkkTfhgSW_jZvNNBLIOTxqqppZNWYGyaVPWnO09PYKMpsKql5LVO30rmnlFcdEcTdBI/s1600-h/twix.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISohey-lyUfUtx53wTY7Cu9qqDDUJl4TOdWpmsDLMamGHJdScelRqG1pPB-bRXrnW-nCttNcwWCkkTfhgSW_jZvNNBLIOTxqqppZNWYGyaVPWnO09PYKMpsKql5LVO30rmnlFcdEcTdBI/s320/twix.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318329753878055938" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__khyGOzZdb8KYeaFVnrpYrPPuIU362R842Dwpoh0V5-_p1FXVKOToipJjI4xivR461Cl6YTHasX3_DTJb3dDyDflmRSvtdEnzuFCJDtDOvcjYpEP7EefqcKjqoqZiNow7EcLt4sMBhE1/s1600-h/check+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__khyGOzZdb8KYeaFVnrpYrPPuIU362R842Dwpoh0V5-_p1FXVKOToipJjI4xivR461Cl6YTHasX3_DTJb3dDyDflmRSvtdEnzuFCJDtDOvcjYpEP7EefqcKjqoqZiNow7EcLt4sMBhE1/s320/check+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318329751862605730" /></a><br /><br />My friends Karen's dog, Chequer<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uFwKgPRsSby5kTNuGQ2xP3O3L2XJ-B5GDbLphb1DMX1kgjii2cTDYcOOUZEvcPhTGeuxns0-tN-57GDj-74k3yVmXmvupOlx9TkfcMGRTkT8c_gLRi2joTbc-LVioAwoKKiokoiKDgDu/s1600-h/check+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uFwKgPRsSby5kTNuGQ2xP3O3L2XJ-B5GDbLphb1DMX1kgjii2cTDYcOOUZEvcPhTGeuxns0-tN-57GDj-74k3yVmXmvupOlx9TkfcMGRTkT8c_gLRi2joTbc-LVioAwoKKiokoiKDgDu/s320/check+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318329754181286834" /></a><br /><br />Chequer again.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-51x6rMU8sqJFoTHa26aoFoNPiXP3VJgTgm9DfWf9p1Bm82jXKaWmoA7U0HlrFrI1mNhPCjC3BrOfBQoVqP-PSHtjdnQ4UaJQixb9PM0jZa606t7vS4wG1EGbB-5Dvg3_5Iti5jZmIk1S/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-51x6rMU8sqJFoTHa26aoFoNPiXP3VJgTgm9DfWf9p1Bm82jXKaWmoA7U0HlrFrI1mNhPCjC3BrOfBQoVqP-PSHtjdnQ4UaJQixb9PM0jZa606t7vS4wG1EGbB-5Dvg3_5Iti5jZmIk1S/s320/12.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318329745192941010" /></a><br /><br />All 12 that were out with us.<br /><br />And for anyone who thinks it is a good idea to have a blonde dog.......<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qc4vly67JFg2E113pPPEjHWc6wkcNvBMt-POGIGPo7MGo02__6BXew4XE6LSHXOiXtfLu3CzRnTfBnFmZdFn9G8X-BZo0SIZ0xzjgpbMU1eh2ScX1JysqwFfyZPX9wxJKarEt16ovQmb/s1600-h/dirty+twix.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qc4vly67JFg2E113pPPEjHWc6wkcNvBMt-POGIGPo7MGo02__6BXew4XE6LSHXOiXtfLu3CzRnTfBnFmZdFn9G8X-BZo0SIZ0xzjgpbMU1eh2ScX1JysqwFfyZPX9wxJKarEt16ovQmb/s320/dirty+twix.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318330012126670882" /></a><br /><br />Which is not quite as bad as she looked after the end of today's walk!<br /><br /><br />Last weekend was gorgeous weather so I went outside with my Dad's super dooper camera and took some nice pictures.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiVoesnmpchRVpFFhdATsnYwZS3pQviBMB-sj78LKLR5HukRGXyYGjVeWZmlAyBxfBH8a_AqyuTFbyG7KPLIL-sEzB9LrbJQU46m0NEuRvmSHXW-GUOdb3L_GKGZLNlQGeI4omwPgcPYX/s1600-h/IMGP6050.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiVoesnmpchRVpFFhdATsnYwZS3pQviBMB-sj78LKLR5HukRGXyYGjVeWZmlAyBxfBH8a_AqyuTFbyG7KPLIL-sEzB9LrbJQU46m0NEuRvmSHXW-GUOdb3L_GKGZLNlQGeI4omwPgcPYX/s320/IMGP6050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318307938719511234" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYjNjRHhY0KBeW1e8RqxyQcVbT6K5NLfjf2tgnv04gZr6WOeh8j7Z4SH0ZCYh0Lfc4vg3pbuU1B_JoB_Utt1ohy5XwqIYrPUHMu5AaNtN0NGvUN4ko1z3Mf-qzKjagu5ZOZbLUEOkpzmK/s1600-h/IMGP6086a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYjNjRHhY0KBeW1e8RqxyQcVbT6K5NLfjf2tgnv04gZr6WOeh8j7Z4SH0ZCYh0Lfc4vg3pbuU1B_JoB_Utt1ohy5XwqIYrPUHMu5AaNtN0NGvUN4ko1z3Mf-qzKjagu5ZOZbLUEOkpzmK/s320/IMGP6086a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318326745461378642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYn7HnAMj23zPOjQbGxf1NjE6En-SE1BrTlupOBVd4EiVTb6Kc7OgZT9gH2NhWLXWUrThz0P62jEErnjObUSOVt2oZtEjgfnHogsDAQsq-HYiOxKXQaGU4wdcJhSqNd1uytZ8Z8tng3rp/s1600-h/IMGP6069a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaYn7HnAMj23zPOjQbGxf1NjE6En-SE1BrTlupOBVd4EiVTb6Kc7OgZT9gH2NhWLXWUrThz0P62jEErnjObUSOVt2oZtEjgfnHogsDAQsq-HYiOxKXQaGU4wdcJhSqNd1uytZ8Z8tng3rp/s320/IMGP6069a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318326741001756114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33E6oR53oriiMzMBdbYlCNr3Z4S24XA9t8VaPZmGZGRlpWX4cNyTUfAmzsmPTREtwiFXuuT6WQASBgstLqdeb_qNUjmmXnzdob9_YEtUHILVAc6ZL9w5Mcv_t-tssS-U8LR_jLK7lZs9e/s1600-h/IMGP6077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33E6oR53oriiMzMBdbYlCNr3Z4S24XA9t8VaPZmGZGRlpWX4cNyTUfAmzsmPTREtwiFXuuT6WQASBgstLqdeb_qNUjmmXnzdob9_YEtUHILVAc6ZL9w5Mcv_t-tssS-U8LR_jLK7lZs9e/s320/IMGP6077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318326739583779666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO1RZlx4tH06NSy_A-mNPYewrq6T5aDseFL8zz551efDT9RIgeMtOJx-xCeSxXeNqhle_4hmCB5khnSH2dNMeMKn8xDkXnBhRSNUN524qOJeYSydUN2f7wUtPv9Oh2B8ryi2o7W80bLvR/s1600-h/IMGP6080a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisO1RZlx4tH06NSy_A-mNPYewrq6T5aDseFL8zz551efDT9RIgeMtOJx-xCeSxXeNqhle_4hmCB5khnSH2dNMeMKn8xDkXnBhRSNUN524qOJeYSydUN2f7wUtPv9Oh2B8ryi2o7W80bLvR/s320/IMGP6080a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318326731477237074" /></a><br /><Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-34173610088427930252009-03-28T11:18:00.001-07:002009-03-28T11:26:33.095-07:00Mid Downs and WAGSo mid downs. I always love this show. Ok I did catch up with some people at Ribble but Mid downs always feels like the first show of the year for me. Even better this year, I didn't have to drive! I greatly appreciated Toni picking me up and driving me to the show. We had a good old natter on the way up and on the way back. So the agility! Two agiltiy runs each and two jumping. Twix was clearn in both her agility runs. I was frustrated at the speed of her dog walk. Everything else was ok. Jumping was an E in fairness the course did seem rather more grade 7 than 6/7. Jag was e'd in his first agility but had good contacts and was clear in the other agility. We came 8th in the 6/7 jumping. I kinda feel like we could have done much better. I started in control but after one wide turn, I turned into a screaming panicing grade 1 handler! Not good! Lets hope that changes.<br /><br />I was told by a couple of people that I really need to stop stressing about Twix's contacts and I know they are right. Actually its not all the contacts just the dog walk. So that's it, new resolution... no stressing about dog walk. Postition and go! Should work its magic, I hope.<br /><br />During my discussions on the way home it was pointed out to me that everytime I "train" my contacts, I always stop moving when my dogs hit the stop position and that really to be training them properly I should keep moving after they have stopped. So... plan for WAG!<br /><br />WAG<br /><br />Agility... plan into action. Sprinted past dog walk with Jag and he came off!! So did it again with him and he stopped. Twix.. good on dog walk, sprinted past A-frame... she came off. So looks like Toni was right and I had got into the habit of stopping. So need to remember to test contacts a little more.<br /><br />Both were better on their contacts in the accumulator so that was good. Jag won the jumping and helter skelter, so a pretty perfect day. Twix was 5th in the helter skelter but we messed up the jumping.<br /><br />A good start to the season really. Next onto Scunny and the first Champ show of the year and first Crufts singles qualifier!!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-2695906353513329462009-03-11T10:24:00.000-07:002009-03-11T10:30:56.191-07:00Can't think of a title!Thank goodness I have had this week off. Can't remember if I have said or not but work is not that busy at the moment so we are working week on week off. It is worrying that the company have felt the need to do this, however apparently the week on week off is having the desired effect on stock levels and so after six weeks of doing this we should.. hopefully.. fingers crossed.. be back to normal work. The company have actually been really good about it all and are paying us for 3 of the days we are at home. The other two we can take as unpaid or holiday.<br /><br />So works out great that after a hectic Crufts (yes I know I was only there two days and competing on one) I have had time to chill and recover. Have been to the gym and made sure the dogs have had longer walks. Even did some obediepants today with them. <br /><br />I feel like I have a lot of extra enthusiasm for agility at the moment.. long may it continue. <br /><br />Forgot to say in my last post well done to a few others at Crufts. So well done to Mr Munnings with Billy and Dobby. Billy for being a good boy (almost perfect) in the team. His last appearance at Crufts and of course to Dave and Dobby for winning the international final. Well done as well to Nancy and Andy for their performance in the mini maxi pairs. Well done to Leah for making it to the singles at Crufts. And I think then a general well done to all those that were there.. no mean feat.<br /><br />So off to training tonight. Mid downs on Saturday yipeee and then WAG on Sunday. Back to work next week though.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-59284063289126277622009-03-09T09:55:00.000-07:002009-03-09T10:37:56.844-07:00Crufts Part 2So after Thursday and having to work Friday, I decided that as I was going back up to Crufts on Sunday to be groomy for Toni (and Lee) in the Champ class on Sunday, that I might be better off driving up Saturday afternoon and spending the night in the lovely little cottage that Toni was staying in. Well of course that meant a late night and consumption of large amounts of wine!<br /><br />However Sunday morning off we went to NEC. Champ day. Toni and Minx and Kite and Lee had Bold there.<br /><br />Well what a day!!!!!! Toni had two 1st with Minx in the agility and jumping qualifiers, a 2nd and 3rd with Kite in the qualifiers. So both dogs into the final. Lee also qualified Bold for the final.<br /><br />So onto the final.... First up was Minx. I sat out the back in the collecting area, holding onto Kite and watching Minx on the tv screen. Toni put in a fantastic round with Minx (who was running last of the mediums) to go striaght to the top of the pile and win. 33.77. I do confess to screaming but not jumping around cos I didn't want to stand on Kite! Then I did think that maybe I ought to go and swap dogs and give Kite to Toni. So off I went. Congratulated Toni and then disappeared round the back with Minx. I sat round the back with Minx giving her lots of cuddles and telling her what a good girl she had been, thinking it's a shame they don't understand how good they have been.<br /><br />Any way me and the champ dog... sat and watched Lee run Bold, cracking time but 5f on a-frame. Lee had quickest time. Bold really is a quick little lad and i'm sure he will have his time in the spot light. Then it was Toni to run Kite. Well Kite put in a great round and crossed the line clear in... wait for it and see above... 33.77. A great time. Couldn't celebrate though as next up was Dave and Dobby and we all know what this dog can do. Unfortunately for Dave he had 5f on the dog walk. So that was it... Toni and Kite had won as well. I went into the arena to congratulate Toni and of coruse give her the lovely Minx back. Toni was crying, I was crying... everyone was hugging Toni! It was great. To see everyone so genuinely happy for Toni. What a double to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />I think it is fair to say that Minx has been hard work for Toni. And so to win this final was Toni's big goal for Minx. For Kite to win at 10 years of age... wow I think that was an added bonus. <br /><br />WELL DONE MATE!<br /><br />I think I floated all the way home and I didn't even run a dog.<br /><br />So between Toni and Lee... and apologies for missing anything.. they achieved<br /><br />Team semi win - Jag, Bold, Shy and Billy <br />Team final win - Jag, Bold, Shy and Billy<br />Singles Medium semi 3rd - Minx<br />Singles Medium final - 1st - Minx<br />Singles Large semi - 1st - Shy<br />Singles Large semi - 5th - Kite<br />Singles Large semi - 7th - Bold<br />Singles Large final - 2nd - Shy<br />Singles Large final - 3rd - Bold<br />Singles Large final - 4th - Kite<br />Champ Large jumping - 2nd - Kite<br />Champ Large jumping - 3rd - Bold<br />Champ Medium jumping - 1st - Minx<br />Champ Large agilty - 3rd - Kite<br />Champ Large agilty - 5th - Bold<br />Champ Medium agility - 1st - Minx<br />Champ Large Final - 1st - Kite<br />Champ Large Final - 3rd - Bold<br />Champ Large Final - 1st - Minx<br /><br />Now that's what I call a Crufts!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-74930749477940792202009-03-09T09:34:00.000-07:002009-03-09T09:52:43.717-07:00CRUFTS!!!!! Part 1!Well Crufts, what can I say. What a good and successful year. Ok I was a little disappointed that I was only in the team event. Was one of the first reserves for the singles which was a shame.<br /><br />So Thursday saw me up at 3.30 and picking my groomy (Claire) up at 4.00am. Off we drove to NEC with me chewing Claire's ear off to keep me awake. Morning semi was at 9.30 or something like that. We were running first and of course being the first memeber of our team to run, I was first in the ring. This year the team was a batton change. We had had our "team tactics" chat from Mr Tactics himself, Lee Windeatt. So we all knew what we were doing, how to play it, what to do if we got faults etc. The course was a little on the tricky side, tricker than we had seen for a few years. Well everything went spot on!! Four runs, nice baton changes and four clear rounds. <br /><br />All the other teams got faults, so we won the morning semi. We were pleased with this as we thought it would mean we would be running last in the afternoon final and so would know exactly what we had to do. As as happens every year at Crufts, there are the odd rules that are made up as they go along. So whilst winning the semi last year meant we ran last in the final, this year they changed their mind. So on a "random" draw we ran 3rd the final. Not to bad really but no ideal.<br /><br />The finals course was tricky. Not a bad course but maybe just a little to tricky for a team course at Crufts, on carpet. But nothing actually "wrong" with it. Hope that makes sense.. it does to me.<br /><br />Any way the first team had two e's, the second team had one e. So we knew all we needed to do was not get e'd! Well, great plan, but Jag and I started off and by obsticle No. 5, we were e'd. My heart sank. Not sure I have ever felt quite that bad before. Dave Ray said "I don't think Amanda is enjoying it out there" and he was sooo right. I took the baton off of Lee, he then went clear, Dave got 5f on dog walk and Toni went clear. Amazingly that put us in the lead with one team to go.<br /><br />Well there was no way they would mess it up........... would they? After all, all they had to do was walk round and not get an e and it was theres. Well when their 2nd dog got an e, we couldn't believe it. Now all we needed to do was for them to get 10 faults and it was ours. Lo and behold the very next dog missed a contact and rolled a pole. So on 205 faults the team win was ours.<br /><br />I have to say (and this might come across as a bit of a rant)that nobody can make me feel worse than I did when I got e'd. Even while we were having our photos taken I felt bad about getting the teams e. But.... there really is no need for some people to rub it in. I really wasn't gonna let myself enjoy the moment cos I felt bad. But comments like, "well done you lot, but not you", "you didn't help much did you" really didn't help. <br /><br />The good thing... I have THE BEST team mates in the world! Who have not said one bad thing to me about my run. Infact I know a couple of them have even stopped people in their tracks when they have made bad comments. We are a team, we got to Crufts as a team, we won the semi as a team and ya know what, we won the final as a team. So now, i'm gonna enjoy it and roll on next year (hopefully!).<br /><br />I will post videos of the runs when I can... yes even the big E. But i'm proud of our team. Two years running is a good achievement.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-77798944314847491752009-02-15T13:53:00.000-08:002009-02-15T13:54:16.845-08:00Jag jumping round WAG Feb 09Jag's jumping round from WAG Feb 09. Will hopefully have Twix's soon!<br /><br />Ok I know it was only WAG but he did feel really good.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mscWLHDNSdk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mscWLHDNSdk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-74721947048373320892009-02-13T02:39:00.000-08:002009-02-13T02:40:43.968-08:00WAG runs - youtubeHopefully below is the runs from WAG on youtube. I have a couple more to add but will do them in the next day or two.<br /><br />Thanks again to Leah for videoing.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/drjXauruezM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/drjXauruezM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-43455177901238456232009-02-11T13:53:00.000-08:002009-02-11T14:40:51.798-08:00WAG and Socks!!!Went to WAG show on Sunday. Decided I needed to run my dogs in some sort of "competition", however it is only sort of as the WAG shows are held where I train so my dogs are used to running there. But better than nothing and hey who wants travel far this time of year.......... you do.......... gulp, I must be really un-dedicated lol. Any way, Twix had a pole in the agility but I was happy with her contacts. Jag did a nice clear round but I trained his contacts. Twix's were stop and go contacts. Which is what I have been doing to try and make them a little quicker. Hm I think they are better but still work in progress. <br /><br />Accumulator, well they are a waste of time really, accept to train contacts, so that's what I did. J<br /><br />Jumping round, Twix had a pole... grr, think she was 1.5 seconds behind Jag, which for reasons to be later explained probably wasn't bad. Jag was a good boy and won the class.<br /><br /> Helter skelter, well we had a bit of a laugh. My friend Karen has a stunning dog. He is really quick and the sort of dog you would love to get ya hands on, which I do manage every now and then!!! Any way, Karen and Chequer (grade 1!) did a blinding round in the helter skelter and put in a time of 21.226. I knew this would be hard to beat. So my challenge, push Jag as hard as I could and try and beat her time. Well we managed it...... just. Jag did the course in 20.951 so not really a lot ahead. Sadly he had a pole. But if he had been slower than Cheq, I never would have lived it down. Twix didn't do the helter skelter.. see below!! Was really pleased for Karen. Also well done to Leah and Jay for some good results and Leah's friend Vicki for a clear round with her absolutely totally and utterly gorgeous lab (see Leah's blog for video). <br /><br />Leah kindly sent me the video below of three of my runs. One of my other friends videoed Jag's jumping and hopefully I will have that to add at some point as well. Thank you Leah. <br /><br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-b021bfe2b9bfeedc height=266 width=320 contentId="b021bfe2b9bfeedc"></OBJECT><br /><br />So onto the reason for me being pleased with Twix and her not running the helter skelter.... Twix has a sock fettish.. yes the truth is out. Try as we might and careful as we are, the little b*tch will insist on nicking any sock she finds and she doesn't manage to find many. Any way after her jumping run on Sunday she started to be sick. Luckily my really lovely vet was also at the show and just gave Twix the once over for me. She couldn't find anything wrong. So off I went home. Well Twix was sick all night and yes I do mean all night! So I started thinking hm, think she may have had a sock. Lunchtime on Monday, after having taking an emergancy day holiday (very understanding boss.. helps when they have animals!), she passed part of a sock. Was that it..... well, took Twix to see vet in the afternoon. Vet gave jab, should clear her out. No sick on Monday night, no pooh either. Tuesday, breakfast eating was painful. No sick, no pooh. Evening ate some food. But not much. Poor Twix was really moping around by now. Thought if she down't pooh by Wednesday evening it will be back to the vets. Well this morning... she poohed..... a huge black sock!!!!!! God knows how uncomfortable she must have been. But I have never been so glad to see one of my dogs pooh before!!! Look away now if you are eating.. But I did have to chuckle at the situation this morning, me outside 7.30am, frost morning, slippers, dressing gown pulling a poohy sock from my dogs bum. The things we do! Thankfully tonight Twix is back to normal. And all those little habits that are usually irritating suddenly seem quit comforting!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-30314239306505832962009-01-28T14:54:00.000-08:002009-01-28T15:11:13.063-08:00TAGGED!!!!!Ok not sure I get this tagged thing... But here is the pic....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgFHsSepb1IkEdRvhYzsNX64BYBghsklhchuEOSvwhHPefV96FFk7RBUKKtltNm3822sYP1r6j2k3nhYxxCgujEHfHsL-OM80XCj4cKjF44wBsTBBuQSqxsfYStI4JKbeuph5yMgFQMIX/s1600-h/mika+0001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgFHsSepb1IkEdRvhYzsNX64BYBghsklhchuEOSvwhHPefV96FFk7RBUKKtltNm3822sYP1r6j2k3nhYxxCgujEHfHsL-OM80XCj4cKjF44wBsTBBuQSqxsfYStI4JKbeuph5yMgFQMIX/s320/mika+0001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296483529917899298" /></a><br /><br />Picture is of Mika. My first Border Collie. She was born 17th Feb 1996, day after my birthday. She was my most nagged after birthday present. Boy did I have to work hard for that one. But she was worth it. We never hit the heights in agility. And from 5 years of age onwards, Mika or moo moo as I used to call her, was never the healthiest of dogs after starting to having epileptic fits. But she was a really loving little dog. She died in September 2005 aged 9. Way way to young :-(<br /><br />Trouble is that I seem to have been tagged a few times and so do all the others bloggers that I regularly look at. So who the heck to I tag!!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-59339388010120275442009-01-17T01:51:00.000-08:002009-01-17T02:01:17.084-08:00So "what's going on"Blog all really. Everyone else seems to be able to type so much on their blogs. I must have a very boring life!<br /><br />So since December, eh, both dogs are back to full training now. Both are just a little over their ideal weight, no not fat but not optimum. And I wouldn't say either of them are as fit as they should be. Yes I know it's my fault. My but is that I was trying to think the other day when I last trained the dogs properly and consistently. It has got to be back in October or early November. So no wonder we are a bit rusty and not that fit. That includes me of course, the not being fit! lol. I ended up having a break from the gym just before and over Christmas and have only really got back to it for the last two weeks. I feel better already. Just need to keep it going now.<br /><br />Training day seemed to go well. I did have a fair few e-mails from people saying they enjoy it which is always nice. I spend the few days before hand and most of the day wishing I had never arranged the training. For some weird reason I get really really scared!!<br /><br />Christmas came and went without much too much excitement. Obviously I enjoyed the break and Christmas day. But it was a nice quiet one, just the way I like it. <br /><br />Went back to training on 5th Jan, nice and early. Have managed to get some training in with Toni which is great as no one manages to nag me into doing things right, quite like Toni does. And my handling has def. slipped so thanks mate. <br /><br />Off to Ribble later on today. Yes it's a long way but I really want to do a show now. So I guess I might update the blog after Ribble. I don't normally have a negative attitude about how well I will do at a show (or not) but I am really not expecting anything great this weekend, just purely down to my crap handling at the moment and the dogs not being at peak fitness. But i'm sure we'll have fun trying!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-36572368338485993852008-12-15T15:10:00.000-08:002008-12-15T15:12:35.821-08:00Oops in trouble again!Well now I am in trouble for not individually naming Leah in my good luck at Olympia message!! So good luck to Leah as well as Toni and Nancy... oh and ANYONE else that is at Olympia that I haven't named individually.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-66923440081092906992008-12-12T14:35:00.000-08:002008-12-12T14:47:06.614-08:00Very interesting!!Ok maybe not. Sorry false hope there. Why does everyone else seem to have more to write on their blog than me! I must lead a very quiet (read boring if you like) life!<br /><br />It's been all the usual stuff. Work is well... work! It's not great. All a bit quiet and just a little worrying.<br /><br />Back.. well this is loads better! So going to Osteo has worked. He did a very good job even if I do feel skint now. I think it was worth it. I have one more session left to go and that's done then. I wouldn't hesitate to go back if ever I need to. Is def. worth looking after yourself properly.<br /><br />Agility.. managed to train both dogs for an hour each on Monday. First time for ages. Was really good fun. Both dogs worked really well and I feel like I have got my enthusiasm back. So am looking forward to doing lots of training with my dogs over the Christmas break and trying to get us all ready for Ribble.<br /><br />Teaching.. training day with Toni on 28th is nearly full so that's good. Not too worried if we don't get anymore as we have nice size groups at the moment. Lets just hope it goes well. I have finished teaching my regular Thursday group for this year. There are some brilliant people in there that make it worth going to teach and there are those that make you want to bang your head against a very strong brick wall. But all in all as people they are a great bunch. If only I could get them to understand the importance of training contacts!!<br /><br />Am judging at WAG on Sunday. Not sure I am looking forward to it (see last post for why) but I have designed my courses and will see how it goes. I have bought a thing called snuggle safe heat pad that you heat in the microwave and stays warm for up to 8 hours. So I will have that to keep me warm.<br /><br />Next Saturday is Olympia. Bombed out competing wise this year but am going as Toni's groom. Am really looking forward to that. <br /><br />Toni has her contacts DVD out now. I have seen it and was very impressed. Toni has stunning contacts with Kite and Minx and it shows exactly how they were done. It is a good step by step guide.<br /><br />Hm what else... off Christmas shopping on Monday. Will be glad when it's all done. But then I have to wrap it all... eek. <br /><br />I guess it just remains to say good luck to all the bloggers that are at Olympia. Obviously I will be rooting for Toni. I know Nancy has worked hard with Niamh and am so pleased to see Nancy back at a big final.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-26320354482837961462008-11-27T15:38:00.001-08:002008-11-27T15:48:13.969-08:00Not a lot going on!Well as the title suggests, not a lot going on. Very boring (sorry). Training... well haven't done much of that. My dogs have had a month off each and then I managed to hurt my back, so I haven't been running them. Tried on Monday and was ok but not great. I was going to run both but Twix managed to cut her paw on the Sunday so just ran Jag which was nice but I wasn't running him properly but he was such a good boy.<br /><br />I guess it isn't long until Christmas so will just potter through and to a little bit of training but i'm sure the extended rest won't dog the dogs (or me) any harm. <br /><br />No shows to report on either. Well not for my dogs. Last Sunday there was a WAG show which I went to to watch some of the people I train and I also thought I might be able to help out a bit as Leah was judging. We had a good laugh! But I soon learnt that you can't please everyone and some people just can't seem to stand people being to happy, hey ho. I won't need to help as much in future! But I think having a laugh passed the time of day. Poor Leah was stuck judging for over 10 hours and it was flippin freezing. I know most people appreciated Leah's courses and the time she took to judge everyone. Well done Leah. Just a shame there were the odd few people that couldn't see past themselves!<br /><br />My club enjoyed the show. Between 3 of them, they won all the grade 1/2 classes.<br /><br />Toni and I are doing a training day on 28th December. So should be enjoyable. Have lots of people already but still some spaces left. Be good to run off all the Christmas pud.<br /><br />So what next... well a series of going out getting drunk nights! And then the pain of deciding what the heck to buy everyone for Christmas! I always say I dislike Christmas but it's not really Christmas I dislike, its that bit before. To add to it both my parents have Birthdays at Christmas too. One on 19th and one on 27th, so double the presents to think of... ahh!!!!<br /><br />Well thats about it really. I hope all the other bloggers are fighting fit and looking forward to Christmas.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-23545309028846800322008-10-26T14:19:00.000-07:002008-10-27T12:56:28.776-07:00WAG show 26th octoberI usually end up judging most of these each year, well it feels like it. Not that I mind at all. But today I decided to enter one instead. And ok it is a small unaffiliated show but my enthusiasm for agility has kinda been on the decline of late. But I was actually looking forward to today. Nearly didn't enter but then thought what the heck. I think it is because I knew that there would be a good group of club memembers there, that I decided to go along and have a laugh!<br /><br />Well what a good day! On a persoanl note, both dogs went clear in the agility. I trained my contacts and they were both great, Twix's were even quick. Both had good waits. The helter skelter was a real blast and both of mine went clear, finishing 2nd and 4th. The best result was the jumping where they both again when clear and finished 1st and 2nd. My first double!!! Even more pleaseing was that the time between Jag and Twix in the jumping was 0.9 and in the helter skelter, even closer at 0.4! And they were both big blasty course. Go little legs Twix!!! And it wasn't like Jag was slow on them either as there were another couple of decent grade 7 dogs there that were on similar times.<br /><br />As for the others from club. Well what a day. I think there were 8 of us there and between us we won 21 rosettes. Now I am well impressed with that. We had a 1&2 in the helter skelter. In one of the jumping classes club memebers were 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th. There was at least one other 1st and two other 2nds. One of those was from my friend Karen. Her dog (like her) is basically mental. Ya know, one of those dogs you would love to get your hands on! But his first clear I think and Karen's first trophy. Might be some more there one day I think.<br /><br />So well done to all the club members. Kinda makes you feel like maybe, just maybe, they do listen sometimes. Almost as proud of them as I was of my own dogs (almost!).Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-17647126699881543162008-10-07T12:39:00.000-07:002008-10-07T12:50:09.267-07:00Oops - how long!!Just looked back on my blog and last post was 2 months ago!! Eek where did that time go.<br /><br />Have heard lots of grumps about blogs but never mind. If they bore you and you are reading this then s*d off. Make a choice, don't read it. For the rest that find them interesting for nosey reasons or anything else, please do continue.<br /><br />So blimey, October. Well what has happened since Agility Club show. No idea really. I went to DIN for a week. Very frustrating week. Twix did qualify for the end of week finals so was very pleased but frustrated that in 3 out of the 4 grade 5 jumpings she did, that we had the fastest time and one pole down. Grrr. Jag was a good boy but seemed to go clear in the agility classes I was training and not in the jumpings. Hey ho. Oh and there was one agility round I refused to do because of the wind at the time. I have never seen an a-frame blown over and across the ring, breaking the weaves as it went! Was I gonna run my dog even though they changed the course.. NO! Too much risk. What is weird is the amount of people that agreed and said it was too dangerous, only to run their dogs!! It makes me really mad! And I could go on all day about it but won't. <br /><br />Judged at Paws in the park, nice show, enjoyed judging for a change. Class winners did really well. Well apart from the winner of the grade 5 agility and he should have had 5 for kneeing his dogs into the weaves but my error. <br /><br />Not much else to say agility wise, I have missed out on Olympia this year. I really am not that bothered. Yes if I had qualified I would be more than happy but i'm not kicking myself for not getting there either. I will be there as a groom though! So watch out I will chilled and just enjoying.<br /><br />Dogs are both fine. Twix has had a cut poor, you'd have thought she had had her leg chopped off the way she limped on it. But that lasted one day!<br /><br />Now chippenham has been cancelled, I have no more KC shows left this year. I may or may not to Rugby. Not that bothered to be honest. Have booked a room for Ribble next year. Could do with a break really to reiginite my enthusiasm for agility.<br /><br />On a good note I have had a sneak preview of Toni's new contacts DVD that is due out soon (watch this space!). Very good and hope for Toni's sake that it sells really well. Toni's contacts with her dogs are blinding. And the DVD really is "how she did it".<br /><br />Oh will be judging a few WAG shows this year. I am busy saving for a caravan. No way I can do another year in a tent. So all money making ideas on a postcard please!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-35835117055249332962008-08-03T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-03T08:10:44.589-07:00Agility ClubWhat a hot weekend!!! Went up on the Friday and got set up nice and quickly. Saturday was the first time Jag would be doing any agility since his two weeks off!! To say I was a little nervous is an understatement. I know I should have put it to the back of my mind and just run Jag normally but that was easier said than done!! The champ classes were interesting.... don't let our judges go to Europe! (only joking!). I managed to mess the first bit of the champ class up, think I was just worried. Still never miind. We were better in champ agility but I wasn't really "up" for it after being e'd in the jumping. Crufts class Jag had a nice clear but was too slow. <br /><br />I am now wondering if Jag had been carrying an injury for a few weeks before hand. He had knocked poles the previous few weeks but not enough to make me worry, just thought it was odd poles. But then agilit club weekend he didn't knock any. Maybe the going lame was a good thing in its way. Made me do what I should have done a few weeks earlier! Bad owner!<br /><br />Sunday we had our last Olympia qualifier and Crufts team. Olympia qualifier... well what can I say... marked on the a-frame. I shouldn't really say much more except dogs have four feet not just two at the front!!! Not sure it would have been quick enough though. Jag is off the pace at the moment so I think we will be doing lots of trotting walks to get him a bit fitter!<br /><br />Crufts team was good fun. We are not normally that worried but this was our last chance and I think we kinda wanted to qualify again because we won at Crufts this year. Would be nice to go back and defend our crown! Any way it all worked out just fine and we won the class. So I will get at least one day at Crufts!<br /><br />Twix and I were just not together. Not sure if it was the heat (affecting me not twix lol). But it just wasn't happening!!!! Never mind. Perhaps I have chilled now I have achieved what I wanted to this year.<br /><br />The weekend was a good one though. Lee won the ticket with Bold. It was a great run and really showed Lee and Bold's qualities. I think people underestimate this little dogs potential. He is very much like Toni's Kite and still such a baby really. There is a lot more to come from them!!<br /><br />Was booked into Aylesbury yesterday but really didn't feel like going. I need an agility break! So I am depriving myself of shows this weekend and next in the hope that I will be up for D.I.N. Am looking forward to camping with friends for the week and maybe more looking forward to drinking and having a laugh than the actual agility. So not sure I expect any spectacular results but it will be a week away from work!!!Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3109375124654135135.post-29923001414777161872008-07-19T12:36:00.000-07:002008-07-19T12:45:42.401-07:00Rugby and NewlandsRugby... well what can I say, what a waste of diesel!! lol. Went up on Friday, not a bad journey. Saturday saw an Olympia heat for Jag, course was tricky but do-able. Jag got half way round before he knocked a pole. I kinda gave up at that point. Clear in his 1-7 agility and he ran clear in the team. Hm if only I could have swapped that 1-7 agility for the Olympia one!<br /><br />Twix had a clear in her grade 5 agility with nicely held contacts so no place. I pulled Twix off a tunnel in the 5 jumping. All my fault, had been working on calling off of tunnels on the Monday at training as it was something I was bad at! The 1-7 agiltiy with Twix was a nice trained clear. Not that it would have mattered as they had entered Twix in the wrong part. So I guess it ended up as an NFC run.<br /><br />Saturday night I got Jag and Twix out of the car just before going to bed and Jag was lame. I had hoped it was just that he had been laying awkwardly in the car but alas he was still lame Sunday morning. So no classes for Jag! I didn't really feel like I had my heart in running Twix. I think it showed and we messed up all our runs.<br /><br />On a good note I did get to relax and watch the champ class. Toni won the ticket with a great run in the final. With Lee winning the reserve. Hard luck Lee but just goes to show how woman always come out on top!! (well most of the time!)<br /><br />Jag was sound by Thursday of this week but I decided not to run him at Newlands. It just wasn't worth the risk. I would prefer for him to have a couple of weeks off. Twix had a good day. We started off with 2nd in the grade 5 agility. That was followed by winning grade 5 jumping!!!!!!!! Very pleased as this was her 3rd jumping win so now moves her up to grade 6! Go the blonde dog.Mandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01978277095909404723noreply@blogger.com6