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:
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:
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