offered run in working test - chickened out AGAIN

[maisie06]

Why do I think it's a good idea to enter....then chicken out at the last minute? I have horrendous stage fright and the thought of bein judged horrifies me. I try to think of it as a training day but last minute I back out - stillit's made the day of one of the reserves!!

 

[Clodagh]

I don’t compete now but when I’m at a new shoot I’m hysterical with nerves. And when I used to compete the horse I struggled to get off the loo long enough to get there! So I’m not much help but rescue remedy is good stuff.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I find it worse as I get older. Club trials are harder for me now than big competitions once were.



A life coach once told me to pick another competitor or role model to emulate, a judge last week told me that I should think of myself as an actor playing a role and to channel that.



So didn't I strut onto that field as Janelle Monae...

 

[maisie06]

The thing is it's ridiculous, the dog in question has worked on shoots in the beating line and done walked up shooting, flush sit to shot and retrieves for fun in fact can retrieve at distances a labrador would be proud of, so why can't I do a simple test of hunt, stop, retrieve?? It's purely because I'm being judged!! I ouldn't compete horses for the same reason, ..

 

[druid]

I used to stop on the way to trials to throw up, even after I made the first dog up. Now it's a case of what will be will be.

Why don't you look for some of the Country Girls UK or Ladies Working Gundog Club tests which are more fun/inclusive?

 

[Thistle]

Maisie, where do you live. There is a lovely charity have a go first time test coming up. 16 April in Norfolk. Judges offering help and advice.

 

[Bellasophia]

Quote.

“The thing is it's ridiculous, the dog in question has worked on shoots in the beating line and done walked up shooting, flush sit to shot and retrieves for fun in fact can retrieve at distances a labrador would be proud of.”

Maisie…read this again..look in a mirror and read again aloud…

now..Go and do that test again and do both of you proud.

 

[FestiveG]

Can you get the mindset that they are judging the dog, rather than the handler? It might help

 

[druid]

Can you get the mindset that they are judging the dog, rather than the handler? It might help

Except you get knocked for things like noisy handling so you are being judged as well...

 

[FestiveG]

Except you get knocked for things like noisy handling so you are being judged as well...

Well yes, but in thinking of ways of helping handlers nerves it may still be a useful mindset to have.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I’ve found charity tests to be more welcoming or are there any Novice Dog Novice Handler tests coming up? I found it less daunting to not be competing against handlers much more experienced then I am!

 

[maisie06]

Maisie, where do you live. There is a lovely charity have a go first time test coming up. 16 April in Norfolk. Judges offering help and advice.

Unfortunately Norfolk is about 4 hours away! as that sounds rather fun, there's not much in my neck of the woods, mostly quite serious competition, even in novice classes.

 

[Thistle]

Unfortunately Norfolk is about 4 hours away! as that sounds rather fun, there's not much in my neck of the woods, mostly quite serious competition, even in novice classes.

How far from Hertford? Nice NDNH charity tests run by Riverlily Easter Monday and May 8th

 

[maisie06]

Hertford is about 3 hours each way and with the cost of fuel it's too far....