The agility thread

blackcob said:
I managed the threadles but flung my hand up for the tunnel at 9 and sent him over the back of 4 instead, and then at 15 had a hell of a time convincing him not to pick up the wrong end of the weaves, took a good five or six attempts. Did manage a clean run on the second go but it was steady and a bit scrappy. One of those courses with zero breathing room.

Large dog did a fab job today - new venue, new trainers, new dogs, barely a peep out of her. Plenty of poles down as usual but some good work otherwise.
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I was very impressed with her, she was really focussed. Once you get those poles she will be amazing.
 
Had a great session with Chloe Brown today, we did new stuff and my little dog just did it, like it was nothing new. Also nailed four or five sets of twelve weaves with minimum problems, and a reminder to me to stay near his head and not fall back. Great wraps and threadles, and drive.

Competition next Saturday, I have to give him the impression that I couldn’t care less about weaves…
 
A notorious judge today with one of his notorious courses - such that everyone dragged theirs chairs ringside to watch like a champ final. No clears in large or medium at all.

Wee dog absolutely smashed it. Given 5f for his seesaw but I’m not even mad because at the time I was layering it from the other side of a tunnel and a dog walk 🤯 Finished in 6th but I am just so chuffed with him.
 
Random musing, which is agility related. I always used to warm up Pickle before agility with a quick run around and a couple of spins etc, that was it. Ziggy has had physio from a young age due to his bionic leg, and physiotherapist gave me several exercises to do before each run, these include down to stand, walking backwards, leg stretches and lots more, he also does "trotting pole" work at home. He loves his exercises and usually offers me the full repertoire as soon as we start. I go through this warm up at training too, whereas everyone else just walks their dog from car to arena and away they go.
I know my physio sees a lot of agility dogs locally, mainly for maintenance stuff, but generally I rarely see people do warm up routines at show, although appreciate if they are camping they may do them at their caravans. I just wondered what folk on here do before an agility run.
 
I don’t do specific exercises but try to go for a decent walk, on the basis that I can’t recreate a lot of the twisting movements they will do without using equipment but at least I can ensure that main muscle groups are warm and active.

I require three cups of a coffee and a nervous wee. 😅

Champ dreams are over for now, clearly I’ve been doing too much distance and layering as I managed to send him to the further of two tunnels under a dog walk, he crossed the face of the nearest one to do it! The rest of it was super and I am going to go hell for leather in the jumping, why not.
 
This doesn’t happen to us very often! G1-2 jumping. So hot - 28 degrees, the cold dog shower saw a lot of use, even Rew was dragged protesting under it but felt better afterwards. Most importantly we had some fabulous weaves (for us), Rew really cab with them and goes flat when he here’s the word, so I’ve started saying lovely lovely lovely instead of weave weave weave, and he’s so happy!
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I was at Point Zero at Onley Equestrian yesterday and will be again today. All on their huge sand arena. 5 ample rings and loads of space between them. Very hot, too hot for me usually. Managed our 3 runs, 2 e's and a better run with faults. Amazingly that won it with 22.509 faults, only 2 of us not e'd. Does not feel like a win.
 
Errin Paddywack said:
I was at Point Zero at Onley Equestrian yesterday and will be again today. All on their huge sand arena. 5 ample rings and loads of space between them. Very hot, too hot for me usually. Managed our 3 runs, 2 e's and a better run with faults. Amazingly that won it with 22.509 faults, only 2 of us not e'd. Does not feel like a win.
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I won yesterday with 5 and .912 time faults. One day I’ll have a clear round win 🙄
 
Spotherisk said:
I see Kelluki has been abandoned today, but no idea why, hopefully no human or animal has been injured or worse.
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Might be too hot. I retreated home once I had done my two early runs, another 2 e's, as I was feeling the heat and my old dog has an upset tummy so wasn't keeping her hanging around. Hope it cools down by next weekend.
 
We went out Friday and Saturday and it was rather warm to say the least 🥵 The start time was brought forward on the Saturday to 7.30 am which was great although rather an early start 😴Girls both went well and we had 3 unplaced 2nds. Nailed all contacts and weaves but just not fast enough. Time pens were again an issue.

Having very small dogs I just hope they bring in Micro in January and that my girls measure in 🤞 it is almost getting a bit demoralising at times. Especially when you hear that the timing matrix is being reviewed and it looks like times will be even tighter 🙄

The hot weather also meant vest tops and the videos showed that despite the best efforts of M&S the GGs were still in full swing 🙈😂
 
Ditchjumper2 said:
We went out Friday and Saturday and it was rather warm to say the least 🥵 The start time was brought forward on the Saturday to 7.30 am which was great although rather an early start 😴Girls both went well and we had 3 unplaced 2nds. Nailed all contacts and weaves but just not fast enough. Time pens were again an issue.

Having very small dogs I just hope they bring in Micro in January and that my girls measure in 🤞 it is almost getting a bit demoralising at times. Especially when you hear that the timing matrix is being reviewed and it looks like times will be even tighter 🙄

The hot weather also meant vest tops and the videos showed that despite the best efforts of M&S the GGs were still in full swing 🙈😂
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I’m really hoping Micro happens . The main reason I do so few KC shows is that I prefer my lad to jump lower height , which A4A and independent shows offer . He should definitely measure in.
 
MurphysMinder said:
I’m really hoping Micro happens . The main reason I do so few KC shows is that I prefer my lad to jump lower height , which A4A and independent shows offer . He should definitely measure in.
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Fingers crossed. Word on the street is it will happen with no champ classes. That would hardly worry me 😂 I appreciate it makes it harder for shows, especially if they keep G7, which I think they should.
 
I had a result with one second of time faults last week. I know there will always be the ‘well they shouldn’t be walking round at that level’ voices but he really was running at his absolute best at that show, for a wee cobby dog he’s flying in the video.

Suggested matrix time was 55 seconds small G7, 51 seconds small champ, the large champ time was 48 seconds, judge set 45 seconds.

In the other ‘notorious judge’ course I mentioned the matrix time for small G7 was 66 seconds, small champ time 61 seconds, large champ time 57 seconds. Judge set 54 seconds. I did actually manage 8 seconds below the course time here as it flowed really well and gave interesting handling options but setting your time 12 seconds below the matrix is a very deliberate choice.

If all you want to succeed in small is purposely bred miniaturised cocker spaniels then that’s the way to do it. 😒
 
blackcob said:
I had a result with one second of time faults last week. I know there will always be the ‘well they shouldn’t be walking round at that level’ voices but he really was running at his absolute best at that show, for a wee cobby dog he’s flying in the video.

Suggested matrix time was 55 seconds small G7, 51 seconds small champ, the large champ time was 48 seconds, judge set 45 seconds.

In the other ‘notorious judge’ course I mentioned the matrix time for small G7 was 66 seconds, small champ time 61 seconds, large champ time 57 seconds. Judge set 54 seconds. I did actually manage 8 seconds below the course time here as it flowed really well and gave interesting handling options but setting your time 12 seconds below the matrix is a very deliberate choice.

If all you want to succeed in small is purposely bred miniaturised cocker spaniels then that’s the way to do it. 😒
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I was going to say similar! It seems that it is not wanting ordinary people to do well and it is becoming elitist! The new rules are certainly going that way it appears. There has been a lot of discontent at shows over the times set by judges which seem unachievable unless you have a Daschund cross, sorry meant to say wcs 😂

I picked up a meat box from my friendly farmer who supplied me with hay and straw. They shoot and beat and breed wcs to work. They always used to seem so small. Now compared to what you see competing they are huge!

My girls are never going to win on speed. However they generally are very consistent even the pup. To have 3 unplaced 2nds with clears but time pens made me feel disillusioned and I wasn't the only one.

Whilst I'm not in your area am intrigued by the 'notorious judge' and curious who it is, although probably wont know them, but feel free to pm 😉

The more agility I do the more I realise that like horses there are some judges you wouldn't want to compete under. My eyesight isn't great but even I can spot someone putting their dog back on a contact!🙄😬
 
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