Our first trial

DiverDiva · #1 11-20-2008, 08:19 AM

After 2 years of agility classes, Oscar and I are running in our first trial this weekend. I entered both standard and jumpers with weaves both days. I told my instructors that if we don't get one qualifying run out of four tries, the agility gods are telling us something.

We ran in a mock trial last night and didn't qualify on either run, but we had fun. Butterflies were doing the jitterbug in my tummy, but it was the best practice for us. Others in attendance gave me lots of good advice. I think I'm becoming addicted.

LILYLARUE · #2 11-20-2008, 08:46 AM

That sounds like so much fun for both of you. What an addiction to have! I may try it in the spring with two of my pups. God knows I could sure use the excercise too!

Good luck in the trial and remember ~ imagine it to be what you want it to be. Then it will be!

IluvLucy · #3 11-21-2008, 09:48 AM

I'm guessing this is at TCOTC? Good luck to you! Just concentrate on your course and your dog and you will do fine. Don't be discouraged if you don't qualify. It's a lot of things to put together and experience is a big factor. I know it's easy to say but try to stay calm and focus on what you are doing. When you are in that ring, you need to pretend that there's no one else there but you and Oscar. Don't worry about the other exhibitors,spectators or even the judge. It's just you 2 and the course. Good luck! Can't wait to hear how GREAT you did!

dizzydogmom · #4 11-22-2008, 01:28 AM

Good Luck!

DiverDiva · #5 11-22-2008, 08:45 PM

What a day! A little background: last summer Oscar had two seizures, slipped and fell while lure coursing on Oct. 4 and was limping for 2 weeks, then got bit on the neck and required staples for 2 different wounds 3 weeks ago. Several times I thought we'd never get to the start line of this trial, but we kept on working anyway. What else could go wrong for us?

I did go to another trial to get him measured, and he measured 21 3/4". Great, then he would jump 20". That is the jump height we trained at.

This measurer had him at 22 3/4". She did it again and came up with 23". So now we have to get moved up to jump 24". I have never trained him at 24". Needless to say, I was concerned for him. Actually, I was freaking out.

Jumpers with weaves was first. Oscar nailed it. Scored 100. Second place by less than 1/2 second. Our first run, and he qualified, at a jump height he had never done. Woohoo!

Our Novice Standard class immediatly followed JWW. The start obstacle was the tire. He ran under it. I tried 3 times. I guess he just didn't see it, it was higher up than normal for him. I gave up on the tire and went on. He would not down on the table. After an eternity, he downed, stayed and we went on. Missed the weave entry. Got it on the second try. Just when he was climbing up the A frame we ran out of time. We got lots of letters on our score sheet.

We'll see what tomorrow brings. Oscar's daddy and I are both very proud of our boy. He may not be perfect, but he rose to the unexpected 24" challenge and never knocked down a bar. I am so thrilled at how fabulous my Oscar did today.

IluvLucy · #6 11-22-2008, 09:30 PM

Congratulations! Don't be too discouraged by the Standard results. Sometimes a course just seems to be stacked against you. If the first obstacle didn't go well it can throw both of you off your game. I'm sure it made you and Oscar a little less confident about the rest of the course. The jump height confusion is confusing to me. How can they get a different measurement each time? What is Oscar's official jump height? Have you been issued a jump height card from the AKC? If so, what does that say? Unless you have a very young dog that may not be done growing there is no reason for them to be re-measured once you have an official measurement on a jump height card. Well, good luck on your runs tomorrow! Go Oscar!

dizzydogmom · #7 11-23-2008, 01:12 AM

Great job! That is really weird how Oscar's jump height changed. It's not like he's a puppy. Still, it's awesome that the higher jumps didn't throw him off on the first run. A 100 is fantastic! I can just imagine Oscar's ears flying around the course.

Good luck today!

DiverDiva · #8 11-23-2008, 07:39 PM

For today's runs, standard was first. We had a good start, did a few jumps and a tunnel, and he ran under the tire again. We went on. This is a training issue, it will not be fixed in a trial and I didn't want to nag him. It took three tries to get the weaves, the contacts were fine, and he wouldn't sit on the table. Finally he sat, we finished 9 seconds over time, and with the tire problem had an NQ, but today at least we did get a time.

He nailed JWW. We were in the groove together. DBF Steve and my sister Carol were there to see him. He was just flying. We got a blue ribbon. I am just as pleased as can be to get two Q's at our first trial. He is Awesome Oscar the amazing jumper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IluvLucy

...The jump height confusion is confusing to me. How can they get a different measurement each time?

To get a permanent jump height card from AKC, a dog must be measured by two different voluteer measuring officials (VMO). That was why I went to a trial last September to get Oscar measured. I figured with the measurement there and the one at this trial, I would be getting his card. If there is a discrepancy, the dog needs a third measurement for a tie breaker. It happens sometimes, but I sure wasn't expecting a full 1" difference. Do you know of any judges who are good measurers and will be at any upcoming trials in the Twin Cities?

IluvLucy · #9 11-23-2008, 08:21 PM

Congratulations! Again! First place too! Woohoo! You said it yourself, 2 legs is definitely better than no legs. It would seem that Oscar is a bit like J.C. He always seems to like the Jumpers courses better than the Standard ones too. I think you are right about the tire jump. You will have to train at the new height before Oscar will be comfortable with it. It is a big difference adjusting to a new height going over a bar jump than through a tire. I would think you have to be a bit more precise. But then what would I know? I've never jumped through a tire jump myself!

They must have changed the rules on jump height measurement because I only remember having J.C. measured once before I received my official jump height card. And no, I don't know of any good
judges who measure that will be in the Twin Cities area in the near future. I don't even remember the name of the judge that measured J.C.

liamsmom · #10 12-01-2008, 11:35 AM

congratulations!!!!
i look forward to our first obedience trial someday. i'm sure i'll be a bundle of nerves!
glad to hear you had a fun time!!!!!!
that's wonderful!