Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:43 am Post subject: Our Second Show - Jumping Jacks
Another fantastic day out with the BAA and we are rapidly getting hooked! I was really pleased with my boy today and felt we'd both made a huge amount of progress from our first show a few weeks ago.
Bamber was unfortunately rather tired having had an exciting weekend staying with the in laws so was a bit steady today, but he ran really well and I was thrilled with him. We did 4 runs:
Introductory Jumping - a nice flowing course with the main complication being 12 weaves as the second fence. Having been tripped up by this at our first show I decided to jump the first fence and then give Bamber a very firm "Heel" command before we approached the weaves; this had the desired effect of getting him collected and listening and we managed it successfully! I was very pleased with a smooth clear round and we finished 16th.
Introductory Agility - quite a straightforward course with just a tricky turn off the A frame near the finish. ANOTHER clear round and we finished 17th.
Introductory Steeplechase - this was seriously complicated with a lot of zig-zagging backwards and forwards and lots of changing of sides required. I have not really taught Bamber much in the way of changing sides around jumps yet so this was quite tricky for us to run! I didn't dare rear cross him, but decided to do a couple of front crosses with wing wraps which I have only just started to teach him. Unfortunately we had a bit of a mis-communication when I wanted him to wing wrap and he back-jumped the fence he'd just jumped so we were eliminated, but otherwise he jumped clear and our second front cross attempt came off! I was thrilled with this though as it was a very difficult course and we didn't disgrace ourselves!
Introductory Triple A Agility - in this class you go over the A frame 3 times, but there is no other contact equipment. Bamber had completely run out of puff by this point and I was having to cheer him along! He skipped under the first jump and then had a pole down later in the course so it was probably a run too far, but he was still listening well, particularly on his A frame contacts.
So, another fabulous day out. I'm so pleased with how my boy is progressing and it is lovely to have found him a job that he obviously really enjoys. Time to check out the winter calendars and pick our next show!
Well done to you and Bamber!!! Luna is just the same as Bamber in going slow when she wants!!
I also found we made progress very quickly between our first few shows as we figured out what the agility lark is about and what you need to be able to do!
So pleased for you both!!
Luna says to tell Bamber to have lots of snoozing over the next couple of days to recover!!
Well done Bamber! What a pity we didn't bump into each other! I am the fat blonde, who had a stinking cold all weekend, and was trying to get all the scriming jobs so that I could sit down and have a rest!!
Thanks Laura for telling me that! As I only go to occasional BAA shows I hadn't checked the league - next port of call after here!
Oak was a star! Despite me feeling so rough, and really working on his touch points and thus losing time for slowing him down, he still came 6th, 7th, 7th and 9th this weekend . I am SO proud of him!
Ash ran nicely too, although wasn't placed due to handler errors / miscommunications! I felt so rough at one point that Tom (hubby) offered to run Ash in the agility. All started very well, until suddenly Ash left the ring to come and find Mummy! Bless him!!
Tom doesn't do many shows himself, but managed a 3rd with his Sam in the tricky steeplechase and 9th in agility, so we are dead chuffed with him too!
Lizzie I only run my boys in 2 or 3 of the available 4 runs, expecially if it is a two day show. We run maxi height, and I feel that after 3 they have done enough. Sometimes I enter more, and then choose the courses / timings that suit them best and scratch from the other courses. If you offer to help instead of run, no one minds, and I find that keeps the dogs fresh and enjoying themselves.
There was a smashing chocolate bitch running medium height too, called Molly I think. She was definately show bred, but really enjoyed it, and very very speedy! Up the Labs, I say!
Thanks for the congratulations everyone and especially thanks for the info on the leagues Laura. I thought I had ticked the right box on the entry form, but maybe not so have e-mailed June to get his records changed... although not sure we will be much of a feature as at the moment we are just focussing on trying to go clear and getting the basics in place before we start worrying about speed!
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Mole and I have entered at Norwich in November (cant do the October one as doing gundoggy stuff with Di) - will we see you there?
Yes, I hope so Sarah. Not sure we can do the October one either, but planning to be at the November one. No idea what Bamber will be like indoors though!
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Lizzie I only run my boys in 2 or 3 of the available 4 runs
Think that may be a sensible approach Katy. I'm really just getting a feel for how he finds it at the moment, but he clearly finds jumping Maxi quite tiring so may need to cut down his runs in the future (although in this instance the hour and a half walk that the in laws took him on the day before didn't help!). Sorry I didn't bump into you, but given the weather on the Sunday I think most people had their heads firmly down when they weren't competing or helping! There were lots of lovely labbies there - was really great to see...
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Brilliant you've both done so well.
