Humbled

[BostonBanker]

Well, this weekend was the first time Meg was really playing with the big dogs in agility. It was her first time running any of the PIII classes (the equivalent of Masters) - snooker and jumpers, and her first time in the tournament classes. We also did PII standard and gamblers.

I may have to get used to not placing and Q-ing in the majority of my classes as we've been doing until now. Nothing like looking down the list of dogs in your class and height and knowing that at least two have ribbons from Cynosport....

We got one more of the two standard Qs we need to finish out PII completely. We also finished second in Performance Speed Jumping (with a whopping $11 prize!). And, that was about it sadly. The gamble was really tough, and that is our weakest skill anyway. We were in line for a massive score in Snooker when she went past the plane of one of the jumps in the closing. Similar issue in jumpers. I need to learn to cue her faster on those courses.

It was a beautifully run trial with a really great atmosphere, plus the weather was about as good as it can get for a trial.

I'm hoping I can get the money together to do one more trial this fall, as I'd like to finish out PII this year. Then we are in for some serious work this winter!

[cinnamon]

It looks so easy watching someone run the course

We had a difficult course during class last week and my dog was barking, I was getting confused and we both were getting frustrated, lol

So the second time I just did 5 or 6 of the obstacles I wanted to concentrate on.

I find snooker the least enjoyable. Agility is alot of fun,,,and alot of hard work

[MafiaPrincess]

Snooker queen here. Last game I got into.. One of my faves now. We have gambling issues too BB, don't worry. Seems most dogs are better at snooker or gambles.. I know someone who is 3 Qs from an ATCH. What does he need with his sammy.. 3 master snookers. We are 6 Qs.. what do we need? 3 master standards, but we *just* moved up and have only run one ever yet.. and 3 master gambles..

$11 bucks is something We have no cash prizes for anything. I think the second is impressive.

When we got into masters for our first game ever last year it was intimidating. You grow into it. Till you get to dog 2 and you go back to being intimidated Smudge got out of advanced jumpers and snooker last trial.. I'm back to the masters butterflies

Sounds like minor errors really. You've got the skills needs a little tweaking. Some comes with time, some comes with practice. You two are rocking it. You'll finish out PII super soon and only be playing with the big boys

Any pics from this weekend?

[BostonBanker]

I find snooker the least enjoyable.

Snooker is my crack. I want to create my own venue where you just do four runs of snooker a day. Or 25 of them! I refuse to go for the easy Q; it isn't snooker unless you go all out! Everyone was doing 4-4-5-3 in my class, and I had a killer opening of 6-6-6-5.

I think you hit the nail on the head MP. Dogs are either gamblers dogs (good distance and "send-ability") or snooker dogs (dogs who are comfortable working tight and easy to call off).

I know we will get the skills to Q there eventually. It was just a bit of a frustrating weekend. Nothing like starting off the weekend by getting to the motel that was advertised as "Pet-Friendly" on the website and seeing a huge "Absolutely no Pets: $50 fee for violations" on the door. That sort of put me in a bad mood to begin with....

[adojrts]

BB Congrats, plus you haven't been trialing much have you? You know what it is like, it takes a bit to get back into the swing of things.

I would love to see the course maps for the snooker and the gambles, is there anyway you can post them?

You know that is one of my goals for next year, hit a USDAA trial in the states, would love to try it on and have fun. Especially before Petie gets too much older.

[BostonBanker]

I've never trialed much. Work and money tend to get in the way. I'd have to go back and check, but I'd guess we've done a whopping total of maybe eight USDAA and eight CPE trials ever. Luckily Meg is an incredibly generous dog on course normally - those masters courses are just a bit too tough for her to cover for me!

I would LOVE to have you come down to the states for a trial! Be sure to let me know when you do - I'll definitely take the time off and meet you there!