Well we are heading into day three today at the USDAA Nationals. The weather has been fantastic for dog agility, mid 70’s! I have run 3
classes with Encore and 4 with Feature (Feature didn’t get a bye into the semi finals in Steeplechase so had to run in the quarterfinals. Encore has struggled. She had a mysterious injury last month (so couldn’t work her in Greg Derrrett or Susan Salo’s workshops when they were at our place).
We don’t know what happen to her but can only guess she ran into something one night in the dark. Her only lameness was after a morning of work and she walked out of it immediately I stopped working her for a few weeks because I knew she wasn’t “right”. She has had many well qualified people look at her but yesterday started the day taking down 5 bars in a pretty uncomplicated jumpers round. Red alert for me, she has never had five bars in a class in her life! She has brought down very few bars all year.
More body work and she came out in Snooker jumping like her old self, except this time I screw up. I changed my course after seeing my teammate, Terry Smorch run, and visualized what I wanted to do over an over. I executed perfectly but unfortunately my visualization had left on a jump:).
On a brighter note Feature has run 4 very pretty rounds. I haven’t looked at the standings but I am pretty sure she would have placed in some of them. She ticked the long jump in the first day’s European Standard but had a gorgeous round other than that. The quarterfinals in Steeplechase she won, but that is a bit hollow since a lot of the faster dogs had a bye into the semis. Lynda and Favor also got through to the semis along with many other Say Yes students that are here.
So today we have the semi finals in Steeplechase as well as one team standard. Since my dogs have a bye through to the semis in Grand Prix our day will be over by 11:30 this morning. Maybe some time for some more shopping:)
Today I am grateful to see old friends as we all gather again at the USDAA Nationals.
I agree with you and would also like to see Non Border Collie classes offered! I would like to point out however that there was one Belgian Malinois in the 26″ class in the finals of the Grand Prix. The dog was Skillet and she was run by Kim James. Ran clean but was out of the placing although she had a great round! I too ran a Malinois and was very proud of him, and especially so when he pulled out times/scores that won against more nimble and lighterweight BC’s. (nothing against the BC–they are obviously awesome dogs, ideally built for agility and I love to watch them work, but it’s nice to see other breeds compete at the higher levels as well).
Make sure to check Encore’s eyesight, the problem may be there. In your “nightmare” video was it encore that jumped the imaginary jump? She might have problems in certain lighting conditions or time of day especially outdoors if the sun is at different height in the sky? Just a suggestion and I mean no disrespect.
Give my favorite BC a big hug from me.
I would be grateful if one day you post (or give a reference source) clearly and concisely what you do to warm up your dog before running an agility course, and cooling down after.
I’ve acquired your book Shaping Success and true to the promise on the cover, I feel it was written especially for me! What I love is, how all the activities have been clearly presented as “games”. With its clear explanations of breaking down goals into smallest parts, this book is my winter project.
Sorry about Encore, it’s so hard when you know something is hurting them. Added to the worry is that you haven’t been able to figure out exactly what it is. Hope she is on a med that eases her pain what ever it is.
Too bad about Snooker, Tracy S reported she also messed up her Snooker run. I love it, my favorite game. Last time I ran it… I screwed up on the closing.
Glad you still have Feature, and she is doing well.
Hope Encore keeps holding up, that’s tough when you don’t know what exactly the injury is. Feature sounds like she’s running great! Good luck with both of them for the rest of Nationals.
~Nat