We had another great day at the WBSDS at Newbury today!  It was a big show with 9 simultaneous rings running, but as it was quite local there were lots of friendly faces there to make it a fun day!

I was given lots of advice by my experienced friends on how to deal with Pepper's contacts in the ring, and having taken their advice I feel that I will be less daunted by KC shows in future.

Our first run was Combined Agility - I went and spoke to the judge while we were walking the course and asked her permission to put Pepper back on the contact if she didn't stop.  She was really friendly and encouraging and said that it would be fine and she was grateful that I had asked.  When it came to our turn I found that I was less stressed as I had a strategy and knew that the judge was OK with it!  Pepper stopped perfectly on all of the contacts but unfortunately we had a pole down!  I shouldn't be upset about the pole as my aim was to get good contacts and she delivered on that! 

Second run was Graded Agility - I spoke to the judge again before we started running - he was OK but not quite as welcoming as the previous judge.  We ran the course and she leapt off the A frame - I tried to get her back in a 2o2o position but she was being a little tinker!  Eventually she got in position and the judge said I could carry on but that was my last chance!  I really should have just left the ring, but carried on and she didn't stop on the dog walk - she didn't miss the contact but she did leap so I really should have stopped her again! 

Next was Jumping - a nice course and Pepper was flying - right up to the point when she went over a jump and got distracted by the photographer sitting in front of her!  She had to go over and investigate and when I got her back she took the jump the wrong way!  I shouldn't get annoyed with the photographer - she needs to get used to distractions and it was my fault for not keeping her attention in the first place!

Final round was Combined Jumping - a course with a difficult start that I was trying to find an easy way to handle!  In the end I decided to handle it in the way we would in training which meant having to do 12 weaves on the right hand side and a rear cross on the next jump.  She never ceases to amaze me - perfect weaves and lovely rear cross - she flew round the rest of the course clear and we were placed 2nd!  A great way to end the day and another rosette to add to the collection.

Luckily the photographer managed to get this great picture of Pepper just before she went over to see him:

Pepper and I went to the UKA show at Broadlands today!

As usual it was a mixed day with only one clear round, our first run of the day in the Beginners Jumping.  We were placed 2nd and received another blue rosette to add to our collection.

She did a beautiful run and I got my hopes up for great things for the rest of the day but sadly it was all downhill from there!

We need 2 points in Steeplechase to go up to the Senior level, and I was really hopeful that with two Steeplechase runs on the day we would be able to get those points - unfortunately not!  We were E'd for the first one as Pepper got so excited she released herself before I was ready and it completely threw me.  She missed the 3rd jump but when I got her back on track she flew round the rest of it.


We then had a painful few hours waiting for our next runs.  We had decided to enter the pairs with our friends June and Kola and as time approached when we were due to run that, we also needed to be at the Novice Steeplechase and Beginners Agility!  Typical!

It was fun doing the pairs - June and Kola ran first doing the Agility section - they did well but unfortunately had a problem with the weaves.  We handed over the baton and Pepper and I headed off for the Jumping section.  The opening was really the hardest part and we managed to navigate it exactly as I planned, but as we headed round the course Pepper dived off into a tunnel so a real shame, but at least we'll feel less daunted to try this again in the future.

We ran straight over to the Steeplechase and I should really have taken a bit of time to settle down and remind myself of the course, but I was distracted worrying about getting it done so that we could get to the agility.  Unfortunately Pep knocked the first jump, very unlike her, but after that she did really well!  All my fault for rushing!

Finally we made it to the Agility.  I had really hoped this would be earlier in the day and had resolved to run it NFC so that I could train the contacts.  By the time I got to the agility I was frazzled so just ran the course - Pepper leapt off every contact and took the wrong jump so a big fat E to end the day!  I've really got to get my act together with the contacts as it's really holding us back!  Back to the drawing board!

Ruby and Pepper don't tend to choose to sit together, they prefer their own space, but when they do find themselves in close proximity it never ceases to amaze me how often they sit in exactly the same position!

Here are a couple of pictures that I took recently: