Galen Therapy Canine Athlete Workshop
On Saturday I took Pip to a Galen Therapy Canine Athlete Workshop which we both really enjoyed. The day focused on pre and post event massage as well as dynamic warm up and cool down, and it certainly complimented Gails message seminar we attended back in February.
We did some proprioception exercises for warming up different muscle groups that proved particularly useful in identifying more subtle problem areas. I found it really interesting considering how simple they were, and I really hope this means I might be a little better at spotting potential problems. There is, of course, the possibility that I might just be even more paranoid!
CCC UKA Agility Show
This was actually our first show of the year! I'd entered 2 Vegas shows earlier in the year but couldn't make the January show due to the snow and then my van was at the garage for the March one. I've certainly missed it, but it was nice to be back outdoors and in the sunshine.
Despite their lack of regular training all 4 dogs ran really well. Out of 18 classes we came home with 14 placings (and Ds gamblers run I ran NFC). My handling, however, was a bit messy in places. Not helped by the fact I was quite often in all 4 rings with different dogs. I always forget how fast paced the smaller UKA shows can be. I always say I'll enter less classes and run less dogs but I never actually do.
Blaze was down a gear at this show. He didn't spook at anything, he didn't seem overly worried or stressed but he wasn't screaming or running anywhere near the speed I know he is capable of. BUT he was listening. We've definitely taken a step backward which doesn't surprise me. He was just getting happy and confident when I had to stop last summer and we've not attended any regular shows since. I'm hoping as we get into the swing of things he'll get his confidence back. Despite this he still did well. He came 2nd in the CSJ Agility, 1st in Gamblers and got a 1st and 2nd in the other two steeplechase classes. He got just 5 faults in his jumping as I pushed him passed the weaves.
Pippa was only running in the jumping and steeplechase classes. She was first up as the very first height in Champ Jumping at the start of the day and stopped halfway round the course to go off sniffing, out of the ring and into the adjacent day parking LOL. Thankfully she made up for it by going clear in her 2 steeplechase classes and winning them.
Inca was super excited about doing agility again. She was a little slow in her weaves and a little creepy on her contacts but given shes only had 3 training sessions since last summer its quite forgiveable. She was otherwise keen and listening really well. The only thing she did wrong was to take the wrong end of the tunnel in the CSJ Agility which was down to my positioning (which I subsequently changed for D and Blazes runs). She came 4th in Champ Juming, 1st in Gamblers and one steeplechase and 2nd in the other.
Diesel was rather gobby and felt a little cautious, although I'm convinced that was down to me being a little cautious too. I ran his gamblers run NFC so I could get some contact work in before his agility. He ran really well and was keen and focused. I was a little worried about the agility as it had 2 jumps, 90 degree turn, spread then straight into the weaves which I didn't think gave dogs much of a chance to adjust themselves, then on the home straight had the long jump right before the finish. These two things were our nemesis last easter. Thankfully he didn't react to either at all and extended nicely - especially considering he took off rather early before the long jump. Hopefully the problem is now mine rather than his. He came 2nd in the CSJ Agility (ending up 3rd overall - the top 2 qualify, typical!), 4th in a very badly handled steeplechase, and 2nd in his senior jumping. Our other run I messed up near the end. Poor D.
I'm looking forward to getting back into agility properly, although we wont be attending as many shows now we have Will in tow too. My priorities have changed somewhat, and CaniX have released summer dates too...argh!
21 hours ago













