We've had a great day at Paws in the Park!  Pepper and I were entered into the Agility and we met up with Ian's family who live in Kent, and my friend Jenny, her daughter Georgia and their 4 month old Cavapoo called Betsy.

There was so much to do at the show - lots of opportunity to have a go at agility, flyball, canicross and other events, and great shopping areas. 

It was quite hard trying to make sure I was in the right place at the right time - there was quite a long wait at the agility due to the size of the classes, and we finally got to do our first run at around 1.50pm.

Our first run was the Graded 1-3 Agility.  The course was really nasty - no clear way of getting to the ideal spot so I just had to give myself a good talking to and hope that my plan worked.  We set off and she stopped perfectly on the A-frame which allowed me to get a front cross in onto the snake line.  All was going brilliantly until we arrived at the 12 weaves - she got the entry but missed the second section!  I had to make her do it again, and again, and again!   Finally she got it right and we headed off to the rest of the course that all went smoothly.  Gutted - she flew round the rest of it and her weaves are normally so solid, when she got the entry I thought we had cracked it!  Oh, well, fingers crossed for next time!

Our other two runs were Combined 1-3 Steeplechase and Jumping.  The Steeplechase was directly after the Agility - Pepper flew and didn't put a paw wrong to get us 4th place.  The Jumping was the last event so we'd had quite a wait but she was just brilliant and flew round in a fantastic time getting us 1st place!

It was so lovely having friends and family there, as well as all my usual agility friends who were as always, amazingly supportive.  Fantastic result for Sue and Molly who won the G3 Agility taking them to G4 and Jo and Dexter for coming 3rd in the C1-3 jumping.

Here's Pepper with her two rosettes and trophy:

Pepper and I have been to a Course Handling Workshop at Paws at Play today!  Nicky and Michelle run great workshops and this is one of my favourites! 

We began by walking the course and then running it how we would choose to run it if we were faced with that course at a show.  Our run was judged, timed and recorded.  We then split into groups and worked each section with Nicky and Michelle who highlighted all of the options that were  possible - there's always an option that I don't even see when walking the course!!

We ran each section and the times were recorded which highlights the appropriate way to handle the section for me and Pepper so by the end of the workshop we had a 'prescription' for the perfect way to handle the course in the fastest way.

To finish we ran the course again using the options that were best for me and Pepper, it was timed and judged - sadly we still didn't manage a clear but the time was a vast improvement.

It was a great day, despite Pepper being completely wild at the start!  I'm so glad it wasn't an actual show as I might have had to give up after the first run!!  Luckily, the individual sections ran a bit more smoothly and we were able to get a good record of the preferable way to handle the course.  By the end she was quite tired after her 'monkey business', so although we were E'd you can really see how we improved from the first run.

Thanks to Nicky and Michelle for a brillaint day!  I look forward to the next one!

This is the course we ran:

And here is a little movie of the day showing our first run, some of the training on the sections and then our final run:

We had a successful and fun weekend at the Kelluki show in Cranleigh.  I took Friday off work so that I could attend all 3 days and camped with my two friends Karen and Mandy.

The weather was fantastic, a couple of showers but to be honest it was a welcome break from the heat! 

My aim for the show was to use it as a training ground for Pepper's contacts so I planned to run the agility courses NFC.  They had a practice ring at the show so in between runs I was able to go and reinforce her 2 on 2 off position hoping that she would remember to do it in the main ring.

It seemed to work - the first agility we ran NFC and she stopped on every contact.  As the weekend progressed it seemed solid so on the last day we entered for competition as I wanted to make sure that it wasn't my behaviour that was making her act differently.  She stopped on every contact and even with held contacts we came 4th.

Our runs were quite challenging as we are now Senior for Steeplechase and Novice for Performance, and I think I'm panicking which is causing us to make silly mistakes - rushing instead of collecting Pepper and causing her to knock poles down.  But over the weekend we managed a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Steeplechase so I'm really pleased.

The highlight of the weekend was taking part in a Circular Knock Out competition.  I didn't really know what it was when I entered it but it was great fun.  Two dogs run a Jumping course at the same time - the course is laid out with two start and finish points, so the winner is the dog that finishes first with the least amount of faults.  The winner progresses to the next round and you keep going until you have the final two dogs.  Somehow Pepper and I managed to come second which means that we have qualified for a final that will be held in November.  A bit daunted about what the final will be like but it will be fun to take part!

Here are a few photos of the weekend:

I was able to make it to two days of the Quadpaws week - Tuesday and Saturday.

I took a day off work on Tuesday and had my fingers firmly crossed that the weather would be kind following a solid day of rain on the Monday.  It wasn't but thankfully it didn't spoil the day or prevent us from running.

Pepper was on good form and did me proud with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Steeplechase giving us the last few points we needed to progress to Senior.

The agility was very disappointing as she was heading for a clear round until she flew the seesaw!  It was great that she got all of her other contacts but frustrating that we were faulted for a piece of equipment that doesn't normally cause us a problem!  On checking the results, if she had been clear she would have won the class by 7 seconds!

We were E'd for Jumping due to a silly mistake on my part that caused her to almost go back through a straight tunnel!

Today we headed back to Mapledurham to run our first Senior Steeplechases and to try to get an Agility clear!

I'm delighted that we managed the Agility clear getting us the 12 points we need to move up to Novice for the Performance Programme at UKA shows.

Our first attempts at Senior Steeplechase weren't quite so successful, getting E'd for both!  The courses were lovely and there wasn't anything to worry about but I lost connection with her while trying to run ahead and she took the wrong jump.

The Jumping was another success and another win!

So, a really good week for us and looking forward to the next one!

Well that was an experience!

Paws at Play were asked to help organise an agility competition as part of the Merrist Wood Summer Show - it's the agricultural college in Guildford where we train.  

The show is huge with a classic car show, a central arena with all kinds of demonstrations going on during the day and lots of other stalls and attractions.

A couple of days before the show I was asked if I would be willing to take part in the demonstration in the main arena!  I didn't really know what would be required but said I'd give it a go!  There were two demonstrations at 12.30 and 3pm that would be run as a relay race of 4 teams of 4 dogs. OMG - the course was huge and the reality of what I had agreed to hit home!

We had to fill out a form with some information about us and our dogs that the commentator would use to share with the audience - it was all starting to sound a bit serious!

Back to the competition - Pepper was very excited as Ian and Ruby had joined us for the day, as well as Julie and Darron with Charlie and Jess. My mind was definitely on the demonstration so we made a bit of a hash of most of our runs, but it was a fun show and nice to have lots of friends around.

12.30 approached and our first demonstration.  I was in a team with June & Kola, Sarah & Molly and Melissa and Didi - I was first to go!

Pepper was amazing - she didn't put a paw wrong!  It's all a bit of a blur, I was vaguely aware of the commentator announcing the information that I had put on my sheet.  I was just glad that I hadn't fallen over in the middle and that I could still breathe at the end!  The rest of the team had equally good runs - hopefully it was a good show of what agility is and might encourage some more people to give it a go.

The last demonstration wasn't quite so good - Pepper hopped off the seesaw before she got to the tipping point, but after that it ran smoothly.  I can't complain - it was a really hot day and she had completed 4 runs in the competition as well as the two in the main arena.  There was so much that could have distracted her and she handled it brilliantly!

Here are a couple of videos of our two runs in the main arena:

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!

I took Pepper to our second KC show today, run by Nedlo for medium dogs!  For good measure I took my Mum who was visiting for Christmas - nothing like getting up at 6am during the Christmas holiday!

I was really nervous but we met up with some Paws at Play friends who were there to offer advice and support, and the whole event was extremely friendly and well organised.  I'd like to thank Sally, Emma, June and Martin for their support on the day, and also my Mum for videoing our runs and keeping me supplied with coffee and bacon rolls.

Congratulations to June and Kola for their second place in G1-3 Agility (G1) and G1-2 Jumping - well deserved for great runs - I honestly thought I had got rid of you into Grade 2 but am sure that it won't be long!

Well done also to Sally and Taya for their first G6 win in G1-4 Agility - I'm sure it won't be long before you get the 3 more you need for G7!

And finally to Emma for a G1-7 (G7) win with the lovley George!

So here is how the day unfolded for me and Pepper (we'll try not to le:

G1-3 Agility

The course was quite nice and I planned how I was going to run it.  I was quite worried how Pepper would be after 3 weeks off training for the Christmas holiday but she did me proud - good wait, hit all of her contacts and 12 good weaves.  Unfortunately I had underestimated the draw of a jump towards the end and didn't give a good enough instruction so she ended up taking the wrong course - eliminated -I'll continue to beat myself up for the mistake but I'm generally happy with the rest of the run:

Pachesham have introduced a new service at their shows!  They film one of the rings and if you choose to buy a copy, it is collated into a really nice film.  This is the one that I have just bought - it shows the Jumping and Steeplechase rounds from 30th November.

We got 5 faults for the jumping for the weaves - Pepper got the entry the first time but popped out, which is unusual for her.  I was quite far away from her so wasn't there to support her through them - a good thing to practice but clearly a bit too much for her at the moment.

Some of the turns could be a bit tighter but I was pleased with the rear crosses as I normally avoid them.

Here it is...

Pepper and I have been to two shows this weekend - Pachesham Grade 1-5 Winter Series yesterday, and Scrambles Winter Series today.

At Pachesham we had a mixed day:

Jumping - 5 faults for the weaves, she came out after the 4th pole but did it second time beautifully.

Agility I - 10 faults for the seesaw and a missed tunnel entry.

Steeplechase - a clear round and placed 5th.  I knew it wasn't fast when I was running it but it was good to get her round clear on a nice flowing course.

Agility II - E'd - she flew off the A-frame and then jumped up and down and barked at me!  Eventually I managed to shape her back on to the bottom and we carried on but she was a little minx!

Scrambles today was pretty similar:

Agility I - I ran NFC so that I could train her contacts with treats.  She did a pretty good round and seemed quite controlled on her contacts.

Jumping - 5 faults for having a pole down - it was such a shame as she was flying and the course ran quite nicely.  This is the one that I will beat myself up about but she doesn't knock poles very often so not sure how it could have been avoided.

Agility II - The only contact was a dog walk right at the end so it didn't seem worth running it NFC.  She did pretty well and was really watching.  We got 5 faults for the tunnel entry, all my fault for stepping away before she had committed to it.  Her dog walk contact was pretty good!

Steeplechase - Really nice course and managed a clear being placed 3rd.  David and Maggie were 2nd and Sue and Molly were 1st.  We are having a really nice friendly competition between us!

In between the two shows I also had the Paws at Play Christmas Party - it was really nice to see everyone dressed up and to be able to finish a conversation without being interrupted by a dog or having to take my turn at training!  Thanks to Michelle and Nicky for organising a fun night for us all!

So all in all, a great weekend!  We were blessed with cold, but nice, weather, two fun competitions and two more pretty rosettes to add to our collection!

A special thank you to my lovely boyfriend, Ian, for putting up with me and fending for himself while I've been off having fun with Pepper!  I'm off to make him a roast dinner now :-)

I wasn't on top form today having hosted some customers at the England vs Argentina rugby match at Twickenham yesterday, but luckily the Scrambles shows don't start until 10am so it wasn't a particularly early start.  Luckily the sun shone and it was a lovely friendly show so my hangover soon went and we enjoyed the day.

The recent weather had taken its toll on the ground at Walton-on-Thames so we had the jumping and steeplechase ring in the field and the agility ring in the training area but with an interesting arrangement that included a tunnel around the base of a tree!

We ran the Jumping first - it was a tricky course but managed to go clear and I was really pleased with Pepper's weaves which are definitely getting quicker.

Agility I - I ran this NFC - Scrambles is unusual in that they let you take food into the ring to train so it gave me an opportunity to reinforce the 2 on 2 off position that Pepper is trained to achieve.  She didn't know that I was going to feed her and stopped on every contact!

Steeplechase - another tricky course but delighted to get another clear!

Agility II - I decided to run this for competition so that Pepper would not expect to get fed every time - she stopped on every contact again, did a good seesaw and weaves but sadly had a pole down.  I'm happy with what she achieved though and don't think it will be long before we start getting clears in agility.

When the results were announced we had been placed 3rd in Jumping and 2nd in Steeplechase so we came home with another 2 pretty rosettes to add to our collection!