At last I feel like posting on my blog; I really miss keeping it up to date but I just haven't had the heart for it lately. However at the weekend my special little sheltie made me very happy and I want to record that emotion on the blog so here we go with part I of a megga update completing with very good news (well for me and Zeki anyway!)
End of 2010 Agility Season
Both my girls were brilliant last year with Niamh getting into four champ finals and Zeki winning into G7. We are really looking forward to our first champ class in 2011!
Here they are with there 2010 hauls.
Olympia 2010
I was proud to have Naughty Niamh at Olympia for the second time. We had a great time despite the worry about getting home through the snow. As it happens we were fine especially as we were travelling in Jay's super duper 4x4. We ran clear in the morning event but were just out of the top ten times. There are a couple of places I could have saved precious time but hindsight is a wonderful thing! I was thrilled that Niamh was so close to the qualifying times. We got to run in the pairs and she ran clear again; our partner had a lovely run also but picked up 5 faults.
Here are Niamh's videos and some pictures. I so love Olympia. Whenever I watch back video of Niamh it makes me proud and quite emotional as her honesty always shines through to me. She is such a wonderful dog and I am so lucky to have her. I know, I am biased but that's how I feel about her.
Me and Naughty Niamh at Olympia 2011
The little snowman Dan and Mac built in my front yard for when we returned home!
Niamh with her Olympia rosettes at home
Garden
I had written on the blog back in the Autumn about the work we were doing on our long border. I am excited about this as we have put lots of new plants in and it's lovely to see them start growing.
Right now we are just finishing the lovely display of spring bulbs and we have to wait and see what else will happen this year. Obviously it's going to take time for it to mature but it's still so much better than the mess it used to be. Andy has cleared a couple of areas and put down grass seed. The downside of this wonderful sunny April is that the new grass isn't growing very fast as the ground is too dry.
At last my bird house/table has been fixed. Andy made this years ago and we had it at the old house but the post had rotted and it has laid under the shrubbery here for nearly four years. Whilst I was at Shuttleworth show the other weekend he mended it and it's lovely to have it back. You can see it in one of the pictures below.
Here are some pictures of the garden.
During March when not much happening
Above and below the height of the daffodils and tulips, really gorgeous
A few tulips left but now bluebells starting
It seems to be a really good year for pansies. Ours are looking gorgeous and some of them we planted before all the snow last winter and they have survived. Julie who helps us in the garden gave us a tip to feed them once a week with tomato feed. It seems to be working!
Things are progressing very nicely in the garden. Our rose has arrived and been planted, for me rather disappointing as it's just three twigs but that is normal I am told. I'm not really sure what I expected but not just three twigs! Oh well, I am sure it will be beautiful one day.
Al and Andy have been very busy starting to work through the very long list of outdoor stuff. They worked the last two weekends flat out and finished up on Sunday evening working in floodlights in the freezing cold. So far they have repaired the shed roof and completely re-felted it so it now looks very smart and doesn't detract from our newly planted border. They have also built a lean-to roof over part of Andy's yard so that he can keep most of his stuff (trailer, barrows, timber etc.) under cover. Part of clearing out the yard meant using up the decking that we inherited from Dennis and Bernadette a good time ago. This has now been put to very good use around the summerhouse and gives a nice area for people to sit. Here are some before and during photos. Can't put any 'after' photos up yet as everything is covered in SNOW again!
Next weekend Andy is going to have a huge tidy up of the yard and do some much needed pruning in the agility area. Then the following week Al will be back and they hope to get power and light into Andy's mower shed, put up lighting in the new lean-to and other bits and pieces and then on the second day, if we can get materials here in time lay the new bigger gauge gravel on the driveway. This isn't a very technical job, just lots of hard work shifting the current gravel next door as Geoff has a use for it and then taking delivery of the new stuff and getting it in place.
It's very exciting to see progress but it's really hard work for Al and Andy. I did feel sorry for them this weekend as it was so cold. I spent a lot of the day ferrying up hot drinks, soup and lots of food for them. I did two walks in the freezing weather so could imagine how cold they were stuck out there all day.
A couple of weeks back was North Downs agility show. I like this show as it's always well organised and a nice indoor venue. My girls were both brilliant and we even managed to execute a funny turn! Zeki got 3rd place in her class but I got e'd with Niamh as I pulled her off a jump which was a bit annoying.
Zeki got a 4th place in her jumping class and then one elimination down to a poor handling choice on my part. I actually didn't wait for her last run as it was too late. Niamh did some fantastic contacts which I was really pleased with bearing in mind we have Olympia coming up soon. Can't wait, very excited about that! I can't believe how excited I still get at the prospect of going to Olympia. My first time there was with dear little Bess in 1991 and this will be my twelfth time competing and Niamh's second.
On the subject of Bess, Graeme gave me a dvd of her Pedigree Pairs win from 1993. It made me cry when I watched it. She was such a wonderful dog. I have already posted the video on Facebook but here it is again for posterity on my blog.
It's a while since I've posted on the blog mainly because we've been really busy and partly because I just didn't feel like it! Have been a bit bogged down with our year end accounts which causes me no end of misery as I always leave things to the last minute and then bury my head in the sand and hope it'll go away. It never does and I never learn. Oh well.
Anyway, the agility season is all but over and Autumn is well and truly with us. The clocks went back at the weekend and the horrible dark evenings are with us once more. There is a part of this time of year that I love as it's nice to be cosy by the fire with Christmas coming (and Olympia!!) but I really don't like the dank, dark days.
So with the dark evenings here what better way to spend an hour than catching up with the blog and remembering the last few shows of the year. I think I left off after Lune Valley and the World Tryouts. Quite a few shows between then and now and I can't remember all the details but some highlights are:
Rugby with Zeki getting 3rd in the Crufts singles (also EOQ).
On the lovely walk at Rugby venue with Pops, Zaz ( staying with us at the time) and Zeki
Agility Club third win towards G7 for Zeki and some good runs from Kizzy with me running her. Here are some fantastic photos of Niamh from this show by Grace and Alex:
Burridge Niamh Q'd for Olympia semi-final and had a nearly with Zeki but one pole down.Andy Sandercock judged the large qualifier and it was a really good course, obstacle discrimination and some really tricky bits. Loved it as it gave me a chance! I know some people like to set very fast and relatively easy courses for Olympia Q's as they believe that reflects what you'll get at the finals. They are absolutely entitled to this view but I feel a bit differently. I see Olympia as a prize that should be earned. The style of course at that final is like no other due to the size of the arena and the nature of the event. From a personal viewpoint, I am so much better when I have to really work at a course than just blasting round fast patterns. Anyway, Andy's course certainly suited us! KC Festival Zeki got her final win for G7 and then another win the following day.Here she is with her prize, clever beautiful little girl:
DIN - Zeki got into the G6/7 final and was a superstar, such a shame her daft handler pulled her off a jump right at the end, she also got a couple more wins at that show; Andy and Kizzy starting to get back on form with Kizzy coming 5th in the small champ final with clear runs in all three elements; sadly not at all on form with NN at DIN.Here are three videos from DINand some photos of Niamh and Kizzy:
I absolutely love these photos taken of Kizzy at DIN - she looks so lovely, thank you to Patch Guipago for these super pics! And a couple of Niamh taken by Grace and Alex. I particularly love the shot with Leah and Herbie where we've been caught without realising having a cuddle (and kiss) with our lovely doglets.
Letchworth another 3rd place for Zeki in EOQ class and some good runs from NN in prep for the semi finals the following day.I camped over night in my van at Letchworth, here is Niamh getting ready for bed on the new pillow I bought her :o) Love the above photo as Niamh leaps in the air as she watches Leah and Herbie run. She gets so excited as she always assumes it's pairs when she sees them run!
Fantastic shot of her focused and driving through a tunnel. What a lovely girl and what a great shot (not sure Alex or Grace but thanks anyway!)
Olympia semi-finals, Stoneleigh - I truly didn't think I would get Niamh to Olympia again as the qualifying process is very hard now. We are a good team but there are so many great partnerships out there and rather a lot of them quite a bit quicker than we are! We have consistency on our side and I guess I can handle the pressure of big events having participated in quite a few over the years. So I have to stay focused on the positives and I really did that during my walk at Kenilworth Castle before driving on to Stoneleigh. I gave myself a good talking to and it seemed to work! I had stayed over night at Hill Top Bed & Breakfast in Kenilworth where both my dogs were able to come into the room and I would thoroughly recommend this establishment to anyone with up to a couple of well-behaved doglets. I was treated so well and waited on hand and foot. Such lovely, welcoming and friendly people.
Anyway I digress but it does help to stay somewhere nice where you don't feel under pressure because of your dogs. I know Kenilworth quite well and have often walked in the castle grounds and find it a good way of relaxing before the trauma of the qualifier! Niamh dug up several mole hills and got smothered in mud so I wasn't best pleased at that!!
On to Stoneleigh which is literally five minutes up the road and got parked and organised and then went to watch the novice qualifier. It was quite a tricky course and we saw a lot of E's. I was quite nervous as this was to be our warm up run and I hoped that I could get Niamh round! As it happens the course ran really well with the slightly more experienced dogs, it wasn't as tricky as it had looked from the outside. I decided what I wanted was a clear round with solid contacts, I also found somewhere that I could turn Niamh towards me rather than flick her away even though it was slower to work the combination like this. I have a few issues with her flicking away from me when I want her to turn toward me but more of that in a later training update! Niamh didn't disappoint and ran a lovely clear which boosted my confidence.
Before lunch Simon built his qualifier and we were allowed to walk it over lunch. It was quite trappy but still a fast course. I really liked it as it wasn't just a straight forward blast. I walked it probably twenty times and drilled into my mind all the things to remember. The course had a bit of everything: running past the face of obstacles not to be taken; pull or push throughs; go rounds; snakes and a fast finish. Sadly I didn't get it on video as I was on my own and just had to concentrate on my run.
We ran quite late and Leah and Herbie had already gone clear running early on. I was thrilled for them and so wanted to get it right for me and Niamh. I was very nervous.
Apparently by the time I ran (which was two thirds through the competition) all I needed was a clear round but I was unaware of that. Bless her, Leah stopped anyone from saying this to me because she knows that I work much better under pressure and would probably screw up if I went out just trying for a clear. As far as I was concerned I had to go fast and clear. Niamh was brilliant and I couldn't have asked for more. We ended up 10th out of the eighteen that qualify and I was delighted with this result.
The competition is so different now and because there are more in each semi and a lot more go through to the final (sixteen whereas used to be five) I was worried that this would make me complacent. I mean when you know you have to get top five you have no choice than to go for it but when you are looking at top eighteen it would be so easy to take it too cautiously and blow it. Anyway, we didn't and we're going to Olympia. I am so thrilled! My clever, wonderful Niamh.
This is the cake that Leah made for me and Niamh for qualifying. I wish I was that creative!
Will he, won't he? I couldn't possibly eat Niamh - it would have been so wrong. That didn't stop Andy. Horrible person he ate my dog.
Gillingham - just can't remember what we managed to do there.I don't think very much agility-wise but had a great time as I love the venue and had lots of nice walks. We were able to go early as Andy and Tamzin had a trade stand so it was nice to have a few days away. Here is the naughty one peeping out from the windbreak:
Stour Valley - great day with Niamh getting four out of four clears and some good places. Didn't do as well with Zeki!
South Downs with 6 hours between my two (yes two) runs but it was worth it as Todd and Zeki won the pairs that was over by 10.00 am and then it was gone 4.00 pm before the qualifier was set up. The wait was worth it Zeki was a star and won the Olympia qualifier meaning we have qualfied for the 2011 semi-finals! Zeki won a lovely picture frame (well two actually) at South Downs and this is perfect for the lovely photo that Gran'Ma bought for me at DIN of Zeki competing in her first final. It was even worth the four-hour drive home (accident on M25)!
Zeki and Todd with their haul from Southdowns show
I think that's about it for the agility competition update. I have one more show before Olympia which is North Downs and also the WAOC try outs in December. More of that later!
It's a long trip to the Lune/Barrow show ground but a gorgeous venue with a the lovely canal walk right off site plus of course loads more walking off site if you choose. We took the lazy option this year and walked along the canal each day. The intrepid Bays went offsite and climbed mountains each day. One day they even took Mr Murf!
Murphy and his 'other' family
The show ground had changed this year which meant a different layout. It wasn't as nice and neither was the running ground. The show committees had done their best but there was a heck of a lot of walking from the caravan to the rings and by the end of the week my legs were done! Andy caught a horrible bug whilst there and became ill half way through the week so that spoilt things a bit. Andy did a day's judging for Lune and myself and Bernadette did some training for Barrow's charity raising.
The showground from the canal. You can see how the rings were right up one end and the camping all behind. Not good on the legs!
Poppy having a snooze in Zeki's little bed!
A lovely property at the end of the canal with its own private jetty. Beautiful.
Kizzy did some good runs and got some placings but she's still not running flat out. We have to work hard to bring her back to her old self. Not entirely sure what has knocked her confidence so much but hopefully we'll get there. Niamh and Zeki were great and Zeki and I managed two wins towards G7, both in agility. Niamh got two third places one of which was in agility and possibly one of her best ever runs (sadly no video). She was third behind two very fast dogs by just fractions of a second and this gave me a real boost.
On the Sunday of Lune Valley, Bernadette and I travelled all the way down to Daventry for the World Try Outs. This is the first time I've ever taken part in this and I have slightly mixed feelings about the experience but I'm glad I did it and very happy that my little Niamh performed brilliantly. The courses were a little bit easier than I had been expecting and so I kind of knew we wouldn't be able to out-run the really fast partnerships. We got E'd on the jumping course but I don't feel too bad about that as a lot of people met the same fate on this course. It wasn't a hard course there just one bit on it that caused the problems. We had a pole in one agility class and a clear in the next agility run. We got into the final round and I was very proud of both Niamh and myself on the day; her for her great runs and me for holding my nerve.
Actually, the most stressful thing for me on the day was that there was nobody to take your lead; this I find hard because Niamh is a handful on the start line and I need to get her onto her toy at the end of a round otherwise she will try to go back into the ring. Strange that such a simple thing was overlooked at such an important event.
Bernadette and Zen made the medium team so big congrats to them on being part of the team for the umpteenth time. What a great partnership. We have excellent teams in all three height categories and I really think we can do well in October. Good Luck guys and girls!
It was a long drive back to Lune Valley show! Here are my videos from the day (thanks to Bernadette):
Rugby
Quite enjoyed Rugby but the camping was pretty awful as we had the day trippers right outside our caravan which can be a bit annoying as some dogs just bark all day long. Not very peaceful. The venue seems to be struggling with the size of the show. Mixed results with the doglets. Niamh did a lovely run in Simon Chandler's KCQ but had a pole down. We were E'd in the champ jumping as Niamh chose to flick away from me in the weaves, something I had been practising rather a lot and obviously need to proof against!
Zeki was a little star and came 3rd in the Crufts singles. I couldn't believe it. The course was a a bit different from the usual but still quite fast. She did run it well but I still didn't expect to come that high in a 6/7 qualifier. The Crufts points are no use to us as I am judging at Crufts next year (yikes!) but I believe the class was also an EO qualifier so that might do us some good if we try out. Zeki was leading her jumping right until the end when we got beaten by Gemma and Hoax and so ended up in 2nd place. We did a good run in the KCQ right until the end when I pulled Zeki off a jump. We wouldn't have been quick enough to qualify though as the top three spots went to border collies and they will always be faster across the ground than us.
Agility Club
Well, this was different from usual as it was held at Ardingly. It was a nice show but boy was there some walking. The way that the club had been forced to lay out the show was pretty awful. All the rings ran across the very top of the ground and then the camping just went back. To make things worse all the rings were situated within enclosures with only two gates to get in and out of each enclosure. Of course the gate was always opposite where you ended up or wanted to be! I think this is possibly the most walking I have done at a show perhaps apart from last year's KC Festival. Hard to tell!
Results-wise, nothing for Niamh. I chose not to run her on the Saturday as it was quite wet when her runs were due and the courses a little too twisty for my liking (in those conditions.) I saw so many dogs hit the A-Frame in the KCQ that it made me feel sick and at times upset.
We didn't do very well in the champ on Sunday but Zeki made up for it by winning her Graded 6 agility in style (by 10 seconds!) It was a tricky course set by Andy Longley and I thoroughly enjoyed it as you had to handle the whole way round. I was really pleased to get this third win in agility as we had almost won a class on Saturday only to be beaten again by Gemma and Hoax. I am delighted to say (both for Gemma and Hoax, and for me and Zeki LOL) that they are now in G7! One more win to go for the Beek! Thank you very much to Colin for filming this run for me.
I ran Kizzy on the Saturday and she worked really nicely because Andy wasn't there! Had he been around she would have looked for him. He had to stay home to catch up with work. We got 5 in the champ jumping and a clear in the agility but didn't make the final. Unusual for a small champ as you normally would get to the final on 5. Never mind! Again thanks to Colin for the videos.
Obay Winners at the Agility ClubYazz (G3); Zen (KCQ); Zaz (G5), Itzy (G4) and my little Zeki (G6)
Kizzy preferring to stay home on the Sunday!
Burridge
Oh gosh, what a long trip for two runs but I am sooooooooooooooo glad I went. Niamh and I qualified for a KC Olympia semi-final on the Saturday. I loved the course, set by Andy Sandercock, it was full of handling and choices. I chose a couple of safe options but took some risk in other places. I trusted Niamh completely on the obstacle discrimination (both times) and she did her job. Clever little girlie. We had a very near miss right at the end of the course, I opted to go for the faster finish and it almost cost us as Niamh very nearly took the wrong jump, I yelled her name and she just turned off it but it cost us time. I really thought I had blown it with that error and was so pleased when friends told me we had come 7th with two people in the top five already qualifying this meant we had done it! I was a very happy bunny and took my three dogs off for a nice walk on the New Forest with Karen and her gang. I didn't do Niamh's second run as I was so happy I didn't care about it!
Sassie with Poppy and Zeki in a little stream on the forest
The following day was a choice for me. Chippenham and Niamh's champ or back to Burridge for a last ditch attempt for Zeki in the KCQ. I chose to go back to Burridge and am glad I did even though we didn't qualify. Zeki worked beautifully but had a pole; we stayed on for our 6/7 agility and honestly think we might have won it but for one half of the partnership letting the other half down right at the end of the course. You can see for yourselves which half let the other down!
Well done to Karen and Todd for winning the KCQ and getting to the semi-finals in September. Karen had to withdraw from Olympia last year so I hope with all my heart they make it through this year. Oh and not forgetting little Yazzooooooooooo, not to be outdone by her brother she won two classes on the Sunday!
Well, now it's just a case of getting ready for the up and coming KC Festival and Dogs in Need. I am so looking forward to this feast of agility. I will try to do a more timely report on our return!
We'll soon be off to Lune and Barrow. So much to get ready and so little time! We really loved these two shows last year even though it was megga hot! I'm doing some training for Barrow during the week (along with several others), I like doing this as all the money goes to their various charities. Hopefully we'll get to visit the Lakes whilst we're there, last year it was the only cool place we could find for the dogs during our days off agility.
This year I am driving down to the Midlands on the Sunday of Lune Valley as I've decided to try out for the worlds with Naughty Niamh. We will give it our best shot and it will certainly help to give us some focus. Maybe next year I'll do it with Zeki too!
We are lucky to have people looking after the house whilst we're away, that always means peace of mind and that the flowers will get watered!
Thanks to Candice for these two great shots of Niamh from Hinckley show a couple of weeks back. I particularly love the seesaw shot. The tunnel shot is also great but Niamh was obviously having a "bad ear" day!
I love Axstane show normally but this year didn't enjoy it as much partly because it was so cold and partly because the show ground has really deteriorated. There are pot holes everywhere (from rabbits I think) but more worryingly there is litter everywhere including glass and other unsavoury items.
We arrived quite early on the Friday to get set up and ready to help them build the rings. Andy, Al and Dan did this whilst I chilled with the doglets. It was good to see Tel and Bill and we all got together for Friday evening to watch the football. Bit of a let down to say the least. Nat and Tracey brought pizzas with them so no cooking. Great.
On Saturday morning we had a bit of a lie in as there was nothing for either of our dogs to do first thing. Although this was nice, I kind of lose my focus when I haven't got anything to walk. Then of course everything came at once. I had all three of Niamh's courses to walk at the same time and frankly I made a mess of two of them but did get a clear in the agility. I think I got a place but not sure where as I forgot to collect my rosette. All three courses were quite tricky and it was too much for my brain!
Zeki was a good girl and we got a clear in the helter skelter but no place. However, she amazed me in the KC Olympia qualifier. I do these as an extra run for her with no expectation whatsoever (for this year, watch out next year though!) Zeki was having none of that and did a really good round in which we were placed 3rd behind Sian and Jazzy and Carol and Marli. This is our best result to date and I am so happy even though we missed qualifying by just the one place. We were 2 seconds behind Sian and just fractions behind Carol. This makes me feel really positive that we are making good progress.
Here is a video of her run taken on our brand new video camera. It's amazing, so tiny but the quality is great. You can put it in your pocket, so much easier than lugging a big camera around which I can't be bothered to do any more. Plus the best thing about it is that although it's described as red it isn't, it is PINK. Perfect. I haven't figured out how to edit anything yet so this is just a basic download from the camera. More reading up to do!
We had another lie in on Sunday as nothing much for us to do. Andy walked the champ class at medium height ready for Kizzy's run. Kizzy was running well this weekend and got a few placings but she was a BAD sheltie in her champ jumping. The course was pretty tricky and she and Andy actually got round the pattern really well. However, Kizzy shot up a tunnel right at the start of the course which got them eliminated. Oh well.
I missed walking one of Niamh's courses so just trained the run but she did a lovely run in her Graded 7 jumping and came 4th. I loved the course as the dogs could really open up and run but it wasn't an advantage to people could run fast. The obstacles came up naturally for the dogs to take and so you could cut corners. Thank you Stuart Carter for a really fun course. Here is the lovely but Naughty Niamh in action.
I only ran Zeki in one of her classes as both her others were right at the end of the day and we were so cold we just wanted to get home. I'm glad we did leave early as it meant we had time to clean out the caravan ready for our trip up to Lune Valley and Barrow.
Last but not least, yet another whirlwind at Axstane. We see these every year at this venue and this year was no different except we were lucky that nobody got hurt when a medium sized marquee was lifted right over the top of the main marquee and landed at the entrance to the first row of rings. The wind held the marquee in the air for a few moments and so people were able to scatter and thank god no-one or any dogs were hurt. Very scary.
Wasn't sure about Thames as when we got up on Friday morning it was pouring with rain. However I was assured by Dan that the forecast was good from lunchtime onwards so we decided to go. I am very glad that we did as the weather did pick up and we had a brilliant weekend.
Andy did an 8.00 am treatment before we left home but we still got away in good time and had the caravan all set up and dogs walked by about 3.00 pm. Very civilised. We all had chili a la Karen for supper together with baked potatoes and some nice red fizzy wine to celebrate Dan and Tig's win into G5.
Saturday was possibly one of the busiest days I've ever had in agility terms. I was quite lucky that most of my runs were in the top area of rings but I was still exhausted by the end of the day. For the first time I had late running orders in the champ class and I find that quite stressful as it means that you have to keep an eye on the ring all the time. Now that I have Zeki running it is even harder because very often the medium classes are over before they've started (or so it can seem!)
I had run Niamh in the first leg of the champ (jumping) and got clear. Of course this meant I was keen to run clear in the agility round but I also had a class coming up for Zeki. I marked myself as late in Zeki's class even though I was drawn last in the class, I just didn't want them to close it before I ran. I had about six dogs to run in front of me in the champ class when I heard my name being called. Zeki's class was about to close and they were giving me two minutes to go and run. I have never been in such a panic as I really didn't want to miss her run as I'm so enjoying her. Thank goodness for friends! Leah ran back to get Zeki, Janet Jackson held onto Niamh and I raced up to the other ring. I literally threw poor little Beeks onto the startline and off we went. She was a star and ran clear and won the class. We exited the ring, Zeki was shoved at Karen and I tore back to the champ ring with just one dog to run in front. Luckily for me somebody (who shall remain nameless) was late and they were doing a 2 minute countdown for that person to arrive (see I am so kind I'm not even letting on their gender.) That gave me the chance to get my breath back before I ran Niamh. Not to be outdone by Zeki she also ran clear. At that point I fell in a heap but not for long as I had another class to run with Zeki!
That was kind of how the day continued and I was very proud of my two girls both of whom ran clear in all their classes. Over the weekend Zeki collected three first places and two seconds. Niamh got into the champ final and this time I didn't mess her up in the final, we just weren't quick enough on the day but we did put in a good round so I was more than happy. Greg won the ticket with Detox with a round that I can only dream of doing. It was an amazing run.
We watched the football on Saturday evening with Dan and Mac and it was very disappointing but hopefully the team will pick up this Friday. They had better otherwise I shall tear my flag down (only joking!) After the football we went across to the live band and had a great time going mad on the dance floor. Unfortunately I had to go before it finished as my ears hurt so much from the loud music. I don't think it's any coincidence that my dizziness came back on Monday. I've still got it now and they say it's connected with my inner ear. I guess the loud music probably set something off.
Niamh ended up on Sunday with a completely clean slate but unfortunately in our last run I managed to get poor Zeki eliminated and it was in her qualifier. Oh well I certainly cannot complain. Niamh did a lovely run in her KC qualifier but due to a slight misunderstanding about releasing the A-Frame we weren't quite as quick as we might have been. We still got 7th place which was good but I would have preferred a slightly higher place. Oh well, onwards and sideways on that front!
Kizzy also had a good weekend running clear in all her classes except one. She had a clean slate in the champ class and got into her first final at only her second champ attempt. She and Andy have a way to go before they regain their previous form but this was a good start.
Here is a video of Niamh's KC run, courtesy of Mrs Bay and also a photo of Zeki with her haul from the weekend.
The final instalment (thank the lord I hear you sigh!)
Going off on one for a moment, someone was quite horrible to me recently about my blog making much of the fact that how sad it is that I blog about my life rather than live it. Well hopefully you can see from my catch up posts that we do live a life (and indeed one outside of agility!) More importantly this blog is for my family and my friends. I have lots of family that I don't see very often if at all but they like to keep up to date with our news and I find this a great way of being able to keep them updated with pictures and videos. So, I will live my life thank you kindly but I also choose to blog about it; other people can choose to read or not to read it! In fact I would suggest that the saddest people of all are those who make disparaging remarks but then still read other peoples' blogs!
That out of the way on with the important stuff ..... my doglets and agility shows!
First of all Nottingham. Well that was an event in itself as I ended up sleeping in my little van for the night. We were due to camp but Andy had a really bad migraine attack where he lost not only his vision but also his ability to put names to faces. This is always scary and we think probably associated with the fact that he had stopped taking aspirin for a few days as he kept getting nose bleeds. Hopefully things will settle down a bit. I don't think the stress of exams is helping but thankfully they'll soon be behind him.
Anyway I desperately wanted to go to Nottingham as it was Zeki's one and only opportunity to win into G6 in time for Lune Valley/Barrow. It was my goal to get her into G6 for these shows as she has a reasonable chance of getting to G7 there as she won't always be up against the more experienced dogs. I would love to get her to G7 so we can have the challenge of more difficult courses.
I knew that Nottingham would be a bit stressful as I wanted that win for Zeki plus Niamh had a champ class. So, it was probably good that Andy didn't come along as I might have been unpleasant company ;o)
I was going to book B&B but then decided this was stupid as I'd already paid out for camping so I came up with my little plan. I didn't think Andy would be too happy but he thought it was a great idea and helped me to kit out the van with a comfy bed and curtains. Here is my little camper van:
Leah and Jay tried every trick in the book to persuade me to stay in their caravan which was very kind of them but I was actually quite excited about my adventure. My dogs always sleep in the caravan at dog shows as I choose not to leave them out by themselves, however I was happy for them to sleep in the van with me. I had Zeki in the bed with me but Niamh stayed in her kennel as she's a little too big to sleep on my feet in such cramped quarters!
As it was the weather was kind to us and not at all cold. We all three slept well and I would do it again for sure!
On to the agility. Well I achieved one goal by 8.40 am on the Saturday morning when Zeki won the G3-5 agility by a small margin of 9 seconds. It was a good course with several pull throughs and some tricky angles and I was very pleased that we had done it so early. That meant I could relax about Zeki and concentrate on NN. Well as it turned out I didn't do well in the champ with poor Niamh. We were clear in the agility but disaster in the jumping when my poor handling meant that Niamh back jumped so we were eliminated. I was very disappointed as my goal for Niamh was not to get eliminated in any champ classes. Damn that one has gone out of the window. To make up for it Zeki won two more classes and came second in another. I think I got a 20th place with Niamh in one of the classes but we weren't really in tune after our champ mishap!
I had a great weekend, thanks to Leah and Jay for countless cups of coffee and good company.
Here is my clever little sheltie with her haul from Nottingham.
Zeki with her win(s) to Grade 6
Last weekend was Hinckley show. I enjoy this show as it is very well organised and always runs smoothly. However I was a bit dismayed that beyond 3rd place all that you got was a card rather than a rosette. I personally don't think this is a great idea. I was really disappointed when I got 11th place in the KC qualifier with Niamh only to get a clear round card, not even 11th place. Bit mean I think.
Anyway I did enjoy the show very much. I wasn't at all stressed running Zeki as we were in with the G7's all weekend so I just concentrated on training contacts and trying different things. She didn't disappoint getting 5/5 clear rounds with two placings. I was thrilled with her. She is just the best in my medium world. Obviously Niamh is the best in my large world! Overall Poppy is the best of course.
Niamh was superb all weekend. We got into the champ final but I am sorry to report that a momentary lack of concentration meant that we had a pole down and that was the end of that. I was quite upset because I hate letting my dogs down in finals. I don't expect to win but I do expect myself to perform well and I didn't. Kick up the butt required! Niamh didn't know and that's all that matters but I want people to see her for the great little dog that she is and not being messed up by stupid handling errors. Onwards and sideways. I guess it's not bad going that we've got into 2 out of 4 champ finals that we've so far taken part in.
On the Sunday we had a great course to challenge us. Leah judged the KC qualifier and it was a fair but tough course. I was very unsure when I first walked it; I liked it but truly didn't think I'd get Niamh round. There was a lot of handling and it was one of those courses that you had to work every step of the way from #1 through to #20 and all spaces in between. Niamh was brilliant. We ran #12 and it was still quite slippery from the night before's rain. We ran clear and for a long time it looked as if we might just qualify. But at the end of the class some superb rounds came in and we finished in 11th which I was not disappointed with. I believe there were only 16 or 17 clear rounds. The course certainly took some prisoners! If only the old system were in place, we would have more or less been guaranteed a semi-final run with an 11th place. Oh well, we will keep trying.
Andy and Kizzy competed for the first time in ages. They have lost their mojo right now. It wasn't helped by the very hot and humid weather. Kizzy really seems to hate these conditions so we're hoping for cooler weather at Thames. That said they got 7th place in their first agility run and then a clear in their first ever champ run. Sadly Kizzy was a very bad sheltie and popped out of the weaves in the jumping leg of the champ. Andy tried to get her back to the start of the weaves but she wouldn't come to him and back weaved = E! Now Andy wishes he had just popped her back into the last weave gap but hindsight and all that!
We very much enjoyed the show but I think if it clashes with Dartford/Keston next year I will probably opt for the more local show as it's a long haul to Hinckley and does seem a bit crazy when there is a perfectly good show almost on the doorstep!
Just a very quick update on Tunbridge Wells show as I haven't got any photos or videos. This is because Andy stayed home. His leg didn't heal properly due to the surgeon not stitching it properly and hence he ended up back in hospital as it was opening up and becoming infected. I am happy to say that it is now on the mend.
It was good to see old friends Jackie and Terry for their first camping trip of the year. That said I'm actually quite glad we chose not to camp as it was so cold. I didn't run my dogs at all well. Niamh did go clear in the KC qualifier but once again it was a very quick course with little handling and we ended up in 24th place. Just 19 places out of qualifying LOL!
I ran Zeki very badly and once again had a bad A-Frame. I did stop her and tell her that she was a bad wicked evil sheltie but then I failed to put her back over the A-Frame as I get too embarrassed asking the judge if I can do this. Oh dear I must get myself together on how I am going to deal with this properly in the ring.
I didn't walk one of her courses and the judge kindly held the class for me as I hadn't even realised it was up and running let alone about to close. We had a reasonable attempt at the course with a bit of a scary moment where I forgot to cue a turn and so Zeki went one way and me the other. By a miracle we ended up in sort of the right place and got 5th in the class.
I have to report that NN has had her first ever Agility ASBO. Her startlines have been deteriorating as I haven't trained them enough. Instead of sitting nicely her chin is almost on the floor and she has started quivering and shaking. All good because it means that she is keen but the downside is that I kind of knew she would break at some point. Being Niamh she did this in style and came thundering across the dog walk past me. I was rather shocked. Annoyingly she did a really wonderful dog walk but I did give her a little bit of "feedback" shall we call it as she ran past me so she kind of knew I wasn't best pleased! I took her out and asked the judge if I could reset her which he agreed to. I put her back on the startline and walked out to the dog walk again, this time she didn't budge so I released her back to find her toy in the bucket so she got a reward for not breaking. What a nice judge, thank you Roger Griffin! I did have to take a bit of stick from a couple of people for 'punishing' a beautiful dog walk. I agree with them; it was a tough choice but I can't stand to lose my startline.
So what with that and Zeki's A-Frame both my girls are on Agility ASBO's. Lucky I have a sense of humour and love them both so much :o)
I've fallen behind with the blog. We are so busy at the moment that I don't really know whether I'm coming or going! The studio is really coming along, Andy's exams are approaching, work is busy and of course the agility season is now in full swing. We also have Boot Camp upon us this weekend and that involves a huge amount of work before let alone during the event.
So here is a rather quick (for me) update from Dordale and Vyne. We were very lucky with the weather at Dordale as it rained hard both Friday and Saturday night but the days were dry. Saturday was pleasant and we were able to sit outside the caravan albeit in our coats! Sunday was much colder but still dry.
Resting in my favourite bed
Back with my special person, I don't want to run with HER anymore!
I can't resist taking pictures of Zeki in her little bed. She looks so cute. I am so glad I bought it for her as she really does love it.
Andy was unable to run Kizzy as he had a small operation on his leg and still had stitches in. It wasn't a very good exercise as Kizzy really didn't want to run with me and would only go at half speed. Not something I think I will repeat! Zeki was great and got 2nd place in a 4-7 agility sandwiched between two border collies. I was very proud of her as this is probably her best result to date. It was a good course and not just straight lines. Most of our other courses for the weekend were pretty simple and so we didn't really have much chance against the grade 7 dogs. Most of our classes were combined 4-7 at Dordale. That said Zeki was fantastic and on a couple of very fast courses (jumping and agility) she came in between 3-4 seconds behind the border collies. I know the margin is huge in terms of agility times these days but in the medium world where other breeds struggle against the small border collies I find this very encouraging. The nice thing for me was that she maintained this margin in the jumping class which Tasha and Dizzy won. It's not always realistic in the agility classes if people work their contacts but the same can't be said for jumping rounds!
Naughty Niamh was great and did some lovely rounds, a few mistakes here and there but some good places also. On Sunday we ran a tricky G7 jumping course with tunnel/weave discrimination and a very tricky weave entry. She ran the course really well and I was thrilled to find out that we won the class. This is her first G7 win and I was so pleased with the NN! Typical that we didn't get that round on video.
Andy had a relaxing weekend helping on the rings and just chilling. Dordale is good in that everyone who camps has to do 1 hour's help per day. Andy did my stints as I was running three dogs. He got lucky on the Sunday; when he went to report to the ring in the afternoon for my slot, the ring had finished and in fact was no longer there!
Then it was off to Newbury to overnight ready for Vyne on Monday. What a difference in the weather. It was so cold when we got there. We just put the legs of the caravan down without putting up any windbreaks so we didn't have too much clearing up to do the following day. We took the dogs for a nice walk and then settled in for the evening to get out of the freezing wind. Bernadette and Itzy came for supper and we had a good catch up. The dogs were all very cosy tucked up with us in the caravan. They are so good that it's hard to believe we had three people and seven dogs all inside one small space!
Vyne itself was a bit of a mixture for me. Niamh did two lovely runs in the champ class but unfortunately knocked a pole in the jumping round so that meant we didn't get to the final. I loved Amanda's courses and would love to have been in the final. Never mind, onwards and upwards. I completely blew out on her KC run because I just hadn't walked the course properly. It was walking at the same time as the champ jumping and having gone clear in the agility I wanted to focus on that. When I got on the line I just couldn't remember how to handle the course. Oh well, never mind we wouldn't have been quick enough anyway as it was a pretty fast course. At the end of the class there was a horrible incident with a stupid person driving too fast. I will write about that in another posting.
Niamh in the champ jumping at Vyne.
I love this photo that Graeme MacGregor took. Her little face is so serious as she concentrates on her job. I do love her!
At this point I would like to say well done to Karen and Todd for gaining the RCC in the medium championship class. Was a helluva run!
On to Zeki. Well we didn't have a very good day at all. Again I think this was mainly down to my concentrating on the champ class. I am finding it quite hard being back in champ classes. Hopefully I will settle down and be able to concentrate on other things the more that I do. I am not looking forward to Nottingham as this will be Zeki's first chance to move up to G6 so I will be nervous about her runs plus Niamh has a champ class. I keep reminding myself this is supposed to be FUN!
Zeki's A-Frame started to deteriorate at Dordale (as you will see in one of her little videos.) This pattern continued at Vyne and sadly to say also at Tunbridge Wells. I think she has only actually missed one A-Frame which is the one in the film from Dordale but she is taking a leap rather than coming down that extra stride. Homework definitely required.
Our three rounds at Vyne were pretty awful compared with what he had been achieving. I was going to scrap the videos but then when I watched them it actually made me feel better because there were lots of positives, the main one being how much speed she is picking up. I think bad rounds often feel worse at the time than when you look back. So, I have been brave and put them on the blog so that I can take out the good bits! We had our first competitive weave failures as well as our not so good A-Frames. Looking at the videos I do think some of these little issues are connected with her getting faster so hopefully nothing insurmountable!
Oh boy were we tired when we got home and it's only the start of the season!
It seems to be a really good year for pansies. Ours are looking gorgeous and some of them we planted before all the snow last winter and they have survived. Julie who helps us in the garden gave us a tip to feed them once a week with tomato feed. It seems to be working!
