WALLINGFORD SHOW, NEWBURY - 16th April
What can I say about this weekend? I left home knowing that the weather might not be that nice, so had every type of clothing (for me and the girls!) in my car, but at no point had I considered that we would have snow! Yes, snow!
It was cold when we arrived and we had a little shower, but nothing too serious, but as the morning progressed it started snowing and before we knew it we couldn't really see very much at all! As a consequence, I didn't stay for my final runs, but I was really happy with what we achieved while we were there:
PEPPER
Combined 4-5 Agility - The course was quite nice but with a pretty tricky weave entry, however the ground was quite wet so there was a risk of slipping. We had a good run and no problems with the weave entry, but she knocked a pole so picked up 5 faults.
Combined 1-7 Jumping (Adams Jumping Cup Qualifier) - We managed to run this before the snow came, but I didn't push Pepper out to a jump well enough and she picked up 5 faults for a refusal.
RUBY
By the time it was Ruby's turn, the snow had set in and I wasn't sure if I should run at all:
G3 Jumping - A really nice course and managed to go clear and picking up a lovely 2nd place!
Combined 1-7 Jumping (Adams Jumping Cup Qualifier) - Another lovely run from Ruby, but sadly missed the weave entry straight from a tunnel to pick up 5 faults.
So not a bad day considering, but I was glad to get home in the warm!
WBSDS SHOW, THAME - 23rd April
This was probably our most disappointing show for a while, if not ever! I had such high hopes but managed to make a bit of a pig's ear of the the whole day:
RUBY
Brillo Bounce Combined 3-5 Jumping Qualifier - The course was quite nice and flowing, with a tricky section towards the end. Ruby ran it quite well, but had 5 faults for a tunnel refusal just before the end.
Combined 3-5 Jumping - Another nice course, but blimey, we made hard work of it!! I can't even remember the details of what went wrong but I'm pretty sure we would have been E'd about 3 times over!!
PEPPER
Brillo Bounce Combined 3-5 Jumping Qualifier - Having already got Ruby round this course, I thought I had a good chance with Pepper! It was all going so well until I went wrong and took her to the wrong jump!! I couldn't believe it! Later in the day I saw the judge, Barrie Smith, and he stopped me to say that if I hadn't gone wrong he was sure we would have had it in the bag!!! So annoying
Combined 3-5 Jumping - Again, the same course that I ran with Ruby, but Pepper knocked a pole so picked up 5 faults.
Graded 3-5 Agility - This course was a little more difficult than I had hoped, but I had walked it and had a plan. She ran it beautifully, right up to the point that I went wrong and for the second time took her to the wrong jump!!! Such an idiot! Again, I think she'd have won if I'd just run the correct course!
Combined 4-7 Agility - So, our last chance to get a clear round, and thankfully we did, but sadly just outside the places as I'd expect in a combined course!
So, very glad that April is now behind us and we can move on to a more positive May!