LifeofRubie
Well-Known Member
Today was SO AMAZING. It was long. It was stressful. And Rubie was phenomenal.
She measured a competition jump height of 20" but I opted to stay at 24" which was A GOOD decision (we are registered and trialed with CPE). Rubie and I were the only Level 1 at 24". If we finished a course, we got 1st place.
We got there by 6:30a. Got ourselves set up. During the opening meeting at 7:30, the judge asked who was new. Myself and one of my classmates raised our hands (we're wearing matching shirts for our training facility and our trainer has one on, too) so we're painfully obvious. We had SO many people cheer for us and encourage us for the sole fact this was our first trial. It was actually really amazing!
I'm so glad our trainer was there to show us the ropes but I'm positive we would've been totally OK. Should I get to the good stuff, first?
First run: a fullhouse!
Goal: earn 19 point to Q; joker's are 5 pts, tunnels are 3 pts, jumps are 1 pt.; You start where the "S" indicates and it ends when your dog touches the table. You pick where you earn your points, when the buzzer sounds, get to the table AS FAST AS POSSIBLE to stop the clock.
Actually a really nice way to start because you just do whatever and however you want. Rubie jumped at the start, did the dog walk, and WIPED out. Skid on her side, all four legs in the air. By the time she recovered and we got through the rest of course, we ran out of time and got only 11 points. Even though we didn't Q, qualify, we finished so placed first.
Next: Standard! Pretty staright forward. Complete the course as numbered. I was so worried Rubie would be freaked out by the dog walk and/or turf after her wipe out that she'd refuse everything.
The start was the hardest part because of the type of jump. Once Rubie got past that, she nailed it! Q and first place (by default)!
Next: Wildcard! 2, 4, and 7 have two options; a and b. For levels 1 and 2, you pick two As and one B. I chose 2a, 4b, 7a.
Rubie did great but 2a was the same jump that messed with her start on the standard. We Q'ed and got 1st, though!
Next: colors! There are essentially two courses laid out; you pick one (circles or squares). I chose circles.
Rubie ran out of steam. Two jumps in and checked out. It was probably around 2pm and we'd been there 7.5 hours. I can't blame Rubie. We just ran off and went to the crate with no celebration or excitement.
Last: Jumpers! Follow the numbers in the allotted time.
This would be Rubies JAM if it hadn't been 4p and 9.5 hours into the longest day ever. She actually did GREAT. Strong start, got interested in the judge for a few seconds, and then back on course. Would NOT jump 14; that darned same jump from the two earlier courses. We had time. We circled around and around. Rubie would not jump that finish line to get her Q and 1st place to save her life. SO CLOSE!! That's the only time I got frustrated.
We were the last run off the last group of the last level of the day and Rubie couldn't get that LAST jump to end it!!
That said, Rubie was amazing, considering. New place. LONG day. Lots of people and dogs and noises. LONG day. My own anxiety. Mental stamina for such a LONG day!
The other dog and handler there didn't do so well Penny was too overwhelmed and just ran around the course. She only did two jumps the whole day. BUT everyone was so understanding. "We've had those days," "We've been there," "We can't wait to see you guys next time!" The even let him put a leash on her and work with her on the course. Allowed him to take treats onto the course after the trial was over. Everyone was so supportive.
I can't wait for our next trial. I LOVE this Dingo and what she tries for me.
Our first ever ribbon and the first ribbon earned by a student for our teacher!
Who dis!?
Still deciding which to buy!
I love this dog so MUCH . We've been training a year and needed to get this under our belt.
I cried a little
She measured a competition jump height of 20" but I opted to stay at 24" which was A GOOD decision (we are registered and trialed with CPE). Rubie and I were the only Level 1 at 24". If we finished a course, we got 1st place.
We got there by 6:30a. Got ourselves set up. During the opening meeting at 7:30, the judge asked who was new. Myself and one of my classmates raised our hands (we're wearing matching shirts for our training facility and our trainer has one on, too) so we're painfully obvious. We had SO many people cheer for us and encourage us for the sole fact this was our first trial. It was actually really amazing!
I'm so glad our trainer was there to show us the ropes but I'm positive we would've been totally OK. Should I get to the good stuff, first?
First run: a fullhouse!
Goal: earn 19 point to Q; joker's are 5 pts, tunnels are 3 pts, jumps are 1 pt.; You start where the "S" indicates and it ends when your dog touches the table. You pick where you earn your points, when the buzzer sounds, get to the table AS FAST AS POSSIBLE to stop the clock.
Actually a really nice way to start because you just do whatever and however you want. Rubie jumped at the start, did the dog walk, and WIPED out. Skid on her side, all four legs in the air. By the time she recovered and we got through the rest of course, we ran out of time and got only 11 points. Even though we didn't Q, qualify, we finished so placed first.
Next: Standard! Pretty staright forward. Complete the course as numbered. I was so worried Rubie would be freaked out by the dog walk and/or turf after her wipe out that she'd refuse everything.
The start was the hardest part because of the type of jump. Once Rubie got past that, she nailed it! Q and first place (by default)!
Next: Wildcard! 2, 4, and 7 have two options; a and b. For levels 1 and 2, you pick two As and one B. I chose 2a, 4b, 7a.
Rubie did great but 2a was the same jump that messed with her start on the standard. We Q'ed and got 1st, though!
Next: colors! There are essentially two courses laid out; you pick one (circles or squares). I chose circles.
Rubie ran out of steam. Two jumps in and checked out. It was probably around 2pm and we'd been there 7.5 hours. I can't blame Rubie. We just ran off and went to the crate with no celebration or excitement.
Last: Jumpers! Follow the numbers in the allotted time.
This would be Rubies JAM if it hadn't been 4p and 9.5 hours into the longest day ever. She actually did GREAT. Strong start, got interested in the judge for a few seconds, and then back on course. Would NOT jump 14; that darned same jump from the two earlier courses. We had time. We circled around and around. Rubie would not jump that finish line to get her Q and 1st place to save her life. SO CLOSE!! That's the only time I got frustrated.
We were the last run off the last group of the last level of the day and Rubie couldn't get that LAST jump to end it!!
That said, Rubie was amazing, considering. New place. LONG day. Lots of people and dogs and noises. LONG day. My own anxiety. Mental stamina for such a LONG day!
The other dog and handler there didn't do so well Penny was too overwhelmed and just ran around the course. She only did two jumps the whole day. BUT everyone was so understanding. "We've had those days," "We've been there," "We can't wait to see you guys next time!" The even let him put a leash on her and work with her on the course. Allowed him to take treats onto the course after the trial was over. Everyone was so supportive.
I can't wait for our next trial. I LOVE this Dingo and what she tries for me.
Our first ever ribbon and the first ribbon earned by a student for our teacher!
Who dis!?
Still deciding which to buy!
I love this dog so MUCH . We've been training a year and needed to get this under our belt.
I cried a little