The agility thread

Sometimes you can win without winning. My older dog who has had issues with all contact equipment and planting on random bits today was a star. Flew clear and no time pens in agility for unplaced 2nd by .5 and again lovely clear in jumping for unplaced 2nd. She was so good. The pup I managed to eliminate by me jumping the end of the dog walk 🙈😬 it was a tricky entry under the dog walk to the tunnel and she needed ber paw holding.. She then pinged seesaw too. That's twice in last 2 shows so need to sort that. In the jumping she was extremely distracted by running on a surface outside and her little Schnauzer brain couldn't cope. But she did some good work. It was only 20 mins down road and we were first and third classes so home now and relaxing
 
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I’ve been at an agility camp this week, well I’ve shared a spot with a G5 judge which meant me and Rew were in a higher training class than normal, but that’s okay it doesn’t worry me at all.

First session with Heidi Vague, I’d not trained with her before as she is way down in Cornwall, what a lovely trainer. Very positive, her little tweaks and reminders to me to trust my dog helped massively, as she questioned me loads about how I dealt with contacts which I really like - she wasn’t a ‘train them all the same’ person at all. The following day I trained with Barrie James, who as usual was hilarious and excellent. He used to ride and uses horsey analogies and explanations which really help - he reminded me to look in the mirror in front of me (we were at an indoor school) and make sure I stayed straight, weight in the inside leg as I landed in it, and keep the cadence. Amazing, it worked, and it’s worked at home again this morning at home!

The rest of the camp was taken up with fun quizzes, making toys, treasure hunts, Halloween baking etc. it was good fun, and has reminded me how much I enjoy Barrie’s training, I will try to get back on his regular monthly sessions.
 
Ran a lot better than it looked!

3 to 4 was best served by a backside slice, keeping shoulders broadside to weaves and threadling them in. Attempts to German at 3 and send them in off the right hand either lost them over 18 or meant your shoulders were pointing directly at the tunnel.

17 was unexpectedly unproblematic for all heights, if you trusted your send to the German and kept moving forwards.

I had more trouble with the layer 10 to 11, on my ‘clean run’ attempt I went through and did a blind which my screaming legs didn’t thank me for.
 
3 to 4 would need strong communication, I can see how a dog would make its own line after three. I’m just starting to have more understanding of looking at a course and thinking of how you could handle it in different ways, and how my dog is different to say a drivey dog, or a steady trot type one. I find it fascinating.
 
10-11 definitely looks the hardest bit of that course. With the BX before 11 did that make the line to 12 really hard to push for?
 
KEK said:
10-11 definitely looks the hardest bit of that course. With the BX before 11 did that make the line to 12 really hard to push for?
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It’s a shit line that way, I only got away with it as my dog is small. Anything bigger would struggle with the lead leg changes there. Need to work on my layering!

Errin Paddywack said:
What level is that aimed at? Would be a miracle if I could get mine round it, or if I could remember it.
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It was from a team GB selection weekend (junior team - although I remember some criticism that it was pitched too hard for juniors). You’re unlikely to see anything like this outside of international competition or the odd ambitious champ course. All the elements will be found in regular courses though, just not usually one after another without any breathing room!
 
Thank you both.
I wanted to improve my confidence in the hope of getting more clients in the future who want to compete.
Most of my current clients are people who want to do it for fun, and although I teach them the same way as I would if they did want to compete, and as a result they are capable of it, I do find it quite difficult having so few people with goals. When people compete it highlights where the areas are that need work. And when people want to be competitive they want to stick to criteria and fully understand the consequences of not doing so.
I'm waffling now, but I would love to see more of my clients in the ring. I have so many that are able and could join A4A and win a beginners steeplechase tomorrow. I have made it a winter project to work on skills, particularly weaves and contacts.
If anyone has any ideas on how to encourage clients to compete please share. We don't have any particularly local shows, and as a result I put on a club show and even got a guest judge. Everyone loved it but still no new people are competing.
 
Oh goodness it's no problem, there's nothing anyone could have done to help. The agility ring was almost easier as I abused club member privilege, went round the back and had them let me in and out the other side door (not the one you exit from). The sea of shelties soon parted at the other ring but the red mist had already descended.

I didn't know anyone had filmed her jumping run but I've just had it sent to me and she looks so good once she's in the ring. 😓
 
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