It's hard to believe that since I last posted we have achieved our first big two goals, Rain's very first agility competition in Albany shortly followed a couple of weeks later by the Western Classic. And what an amazing first two trials Rain has had! In her very first run ever, in Novice Agility at Albany, she went clear and achieved her first ever qualifying run. Then at the Western Classic she not only went clear in Novice Agility but won the class against some extremely talented border collies including one of her best buddies and fellow Kerodan superstar Bella!
Albany - February 2020
The Albany trial on the Saturday was a pretty tough day. It was super hot and by the time I'd set up Masters Agility the sweat was pouring off me. After finishing judging we were straight on to Novice Agility so it was a bit stressful making sure that Rain was adequately warmed up and ready to go after sitting in the car for most of the morning. One of my fellow triallers pointed out that I looked mega stressed so for Rain's sake I took some really, really deep breathes to make myself relax. I really didn't care about qualifying, just getting her around safely so that it was a good experience. So I really did need to lighten up... Anyway as it happened Rain was amazing. She just did absolutely everything I asked her to. It wasn't super fast, I could see watching the video back that she was cautious. But at a new grounds on new equipment and with a flustered owner she was incredible. I forced myself to not interfere with her weaver entry and she made it look easy.
Albany - February 2020
We had Novice Jumping the next day was a much more relaxed affair. The weather was much nicer and I was judging the second round of classes so I had plenty of time to walk the dogs and chill the hell out... her run was so much more confident than the day before but I didn't manage a turn very well and she went past a jump. Then she knocked a bar towards the end. But overall it was an fantastic debut from a young dog who has a huge future in front of her. I was so super impressed with her attitude not to mention level of maturity and how she managed on her first travels away from home to compete.
Four very happy dogs - Albany 2020
I was really looking forward to the Western Classic because I wasn't judging and could 100% focus on running Rain. We had Novice Agility first up and Rain was amazing again running the most beautiful, flawless round and going clear. She made a weaver entry that many masters dogs wouldn't have managed and actually corrected herself to make it. She was so happy and excited with a lot more confidence. She trains at the Dogs West grounds and really loves being there. As soon as I get her out of the car she is so keen to get out and do agility. When I count her down as part of her ringside routine to let her know we are about to go into the ring her face is one of pure joy that it's "her turn" đ Funnily enough in Novice Jumping we had exactly the same result as in Albany, one jump run past and one bar down. The classes got held up due to a person injury in another ring and I think that by the time it was her turn she wasn't really at optimum focus. It's a long time for a baby dog to be hanging around. Anyway, it doesn't change that I am so proud of this wonderful dog and feel incredibly blessed to have her in my life.
Paddle boarding fun - January 2020
We have a couple more competitions coming up in March which I'm very much looking forward to. I've lightened up her training a bit to give her body a break. Those last couple of months before she started trialling was full of AF and weaver sessions. She still has lots of skills to learn but for now we are throwing in some obedience training to keep things different. I'd really love to do obedience or rally with her at some point because she is a dog that loves to do heel-work. From my experience that is not a common thing so it would be a shame to not do something with it. And of course because Rain is such a happy easy going dog we are continuing to make sure she has lots of decompression time with weekly river excursions whether its on the paddle board or just a leisurely walk. They are some of my favourite times with her. It has been a long time I have been excitedly looking forward to the next agility trial đ
