Well...
We entered a TINY trial yesterday. There were 4 dogs total in Open. Not 4 blinds... 4 DOGS. Spent almost 3 hours in the car round trip and was on-site for about 45 minutes total. But hey, I was home before 10:15am!!
We timed out on our first run which has been Rubie's M.O. Find one rat, tunnel, climb, time out.
I think I was so eager to get our 3rd Open Q that when she pawed a tube in our second run, I called RAT. Pawing a tube is not her (typical) indicator
Left empty handed and me calling my first wrong tube in trial.
I don't think any of the other dogs in Open Qed across either run. It was hot even though it was early and none of the dogs seemed particularly ramped up. The other 3 ladies were talking while we were in the blind and it sounds like they've all been in Open Purgatory for a while.
I'm sort of thinking we won't get very far in Senior (if we ever get there hahahahaha). Timing out in Open gives me little hope we can work fast enough in Senior. I've already sent premiums in for two upcoming barn hunts but that may be it for Rubie! She's getting into the same mindset that she got into in Agility. Training is fun for her, trialing is a struggle. Unfortunately, I can't justify spending all that time and money on either if we're not going to progress.