Pepper and I have been to a lovely UKA show today organised by Kelluki.  It was part of the Country Fair and Ploughing Competition at Loseley House so there was a much bigger audience than we are used to, but it still had a fantastic friendly atmosphere.

We had a great day and came home with a 1st place rosette and trophy for Beginners Jumping, and two 2nd place rosettes for the two Novice Steeplechase runs.  A clear round in agility still eludes us but I am pleased that she once again did a great seesaw and 12 weaves so I'm sure it won't be long!

It was great to see so many friends at the show - special thanks to Julia and John who kindly looked after Pepper for me while I walked courses!  Hopefully I can return the favour when I persuade Julia to start competing!

I took the girls to this show yesterday!  I had only booked to take Pepper but after Ruby's great performance at training on Thursday I decided to take her as well and enter her for the Steeplechase and Jumping.

There were a few friends from Paws at Play at the show which always makes it so much more enjoyable and I'm really grateful for the support that I get from everyone.

First run of the day was Agility for Pepper.  My aim for the agility was for her to complete the seesaw without freaking out!  The course was quite flowing and started jump, dog walk, jump, 12 weaves, seesaw - so all of the danger was in the first part of the course.

She got her dog walk entry (that she missed in the last 2 shows) and did a good contact on exit.  Jump, 12 weaves (slow but no faults), great seesaw (very proud) - then she missed the tunnel entrance, and the next tunnel entrance!  Finished with 10 faults - the first time we haven't been eliminated in Agility so I am really pleased but baffled as to why she missed 2 tunnel entrances??  

Beginners Steeplechase for Ruby was next.  I decided to run NFC so that I could take the toy as I was unsure how she would be!  I was really hoping that her return to form at training on Thursday would mean that she would run normally at a show but sadly that is not to be!  She wouldn't move off the start line even when I waved the toy in her face, and she reluctantly went over the first couple of jumps!  She stood looking at me as if I was mad, so I ran across to the other side of the ring and she followed and flew over the last couple of jumps as if nothing was wrong!  It's all very strange!  I really do think that she lost her confidence back in April when she knocked into a post at the side of the ring.  I've decided that I won't enter her in any more shows until I'm completely happy that she has her confidence back so I'm going to concentrate on making training fun over the Winter!

Jumping for Pepper next.  I had walked the course quite a long time ago (in fact I had walked 3 courses and had to remember them all at the same time), so by the time I came to run it, I realised that it wasn't as clear as it should be.  She started OK but then I nearly got the course wrong which made her miss the weave entry.  We were sadly Eliminated and it was completely my fault - sorry Pepper!

Novice Steeplechase for Pepper next.  The course was really nice and flowing - I was a little concerned about the end as there was a risk of her back jumping the 3rd from last jump but I had a clear plan in my mind.  We ran the course clear and I was really pleased that she was placed first, 3 seconds faster than the dog that came 2nd.  6 more points towards her progression to Senior.

I was really conscious that I had Ruby there and wouldn't be running her again, the weather was turning and the show was running quite slowly so I decided to call it a day and go home to spend the afternoon with Ian!  We have another opportunity in a couple of weeks at the Kelluki show when I will just take Pepper and try our hardest to get our first clear Agility round at a UKA show!

Wow!  What a great weekend!

We've just returned from the second ever Cockapoo Games that was held at Woodland Waters this weekend.

There were 122 Cockapoos in attendance and all of them took part in a 'Poo Parade to show off the amazing variety of colours that we have with this wonderful breed.

The day was organised by the Cockapoo Club of GB and consisted of an agility display, steeplechase competition, childrens workshop and tricks competition.  All day there was an opportunity to take part in the Fastest Recall and Have-a-Go at Flyball.  There were stalls with cakes for humans and treats for the dogs, as well as Team Cockapoo showing off their range of branded clothing.  To finish off the days events there was a display from the A1K9s display team.

In between there was an impromptu play session - it was a great sight seeing so many 'Poos running around together, and as usual they all got on famously!

It was a brilliant social event and we had a great time camping in Tubby!  Unfortunately I got stung by a wasp on my lip on Friday night causing it to swell up, but that will teach me to drink cider out of a bottle!!

The highlight of the weekend had to be Pepper and I winning the Steeplechase - she really is a clever little dog and has come so far in a year!

Here are a few pictures of Pepper's steeplechase run:

Our beautiful girl with her winners garland:

A few other pictures from the day:

Here is a video that one of the CCGB members has put together of the 'Poo Parade: