We've done a couple of shows over the last two weekends. The purpose of these is to basically get some agility practice, identify and work on weak areas. Epic isn't very used to indoor venues, neither am I so they are definitely useful in exposing issues.
Windrush on 8th November was at the same venue that Epic placed 2nd in a fortnight before (Weald), so I felt he would be reasonably confident here. The agility run was OK. We were E'd but can't fault Epic as my handling errors were 100% to blame. Totally the wrong position to get the backside of the jump at the far end of the arena (2 on from the Aframe).
In the Jumping the weaves were by the barn door. The exact same location they were in at the last show where he got them after the first failed entry. This time - no go. He just didn't 'see' them at all from either direction. In the end I just did my own line over the last part of the course as I prefer him to keep on running rather than getting it all right. The final class was the Steeplechase. So much fun and a lovely way to end. He did it in about 24 secs, the winning time was about 21 secs and I think he was 5th overall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxXAbwkJQq0
Last weekend was a new venue, a HUGE equestrian barn and this was the final KC show of the year. I wanted to make sure he got his contacts on the DW after doing remedial 101 training on Angus' plank during the week. The first agility round was OK but my handling was frequently late. He was clear - but astonishingly 2 seconds over the course time
It was a combined Grade 4-7 class but he was 2nd in the Grade 5 dogs, which was encouraging. The jumping round was terrible. It was very noisy (the starters had little signs with 'GO' because you couldn't hear!) and he went straight out of the tunnel over the off course. Because we were E'd I tried out some blinds on the flat and after the weaves which I've never really done. They didn't go well and it kind of deteriorated rather badly after that. But useful to watch back and learn from mistakes. The final class was back in the agility ring and the beginning was very similar to the first class. I was reasonably confident and worked out a quick line rather than a 'play safe' for the technical section. Something banged and spooked Epic as he went to the weaves and after that he really lost his focus. Never mind, these things happen. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HaVRZ74BVE
I was entered for another show on the Sunday but both Epic and Revel were sick overnight and Revel had problems the other end too so I stayed at home and did some training with Angus instead.
Lots to work on with Epic now. Backsides, threadles, blind crosses and obstacle commitment. Just need to
for clement winter weather!
Windrush on 8th November was at the same venue that Epic placed 2nd in a fortnight before (Weald), so I felt he would be reasonably confident here. The agility run was OK. We were E'd but can't fault Epic as my handling errors were 100% to blame. Totally the wrong position to get the backside of the jump at the far end of the arena (2 on from the Aframe).
In the Jumping the weaves were by the barn door. The exact same location they were in at the last show where he got them after the first failed entry. This time - no go. He just didn't 'see' them at all from either direction. In the end I just did my own line over the last part of the course as I prefer him to keep on running rather than getting it all right. The final class was the Steeplechase. So much fun and a lovely way to end. He did it in about 24 secs, the winning time was about 21 secs and I think he was 5th overall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxXAbwkJQq0
Last weekend was a new venue, a HUGE equestrian barn and this was the final KC show of the year. I wanted to make sure he got his contacts on the DW after doing remedial 101 training on Angus' plank during the week. The first agility round was OK but my handling was frequently late. He was clear - but astonishingly 2 seconds over the course time
It was a combined Grade 4-7 class but he was 2nd in the Grade 5 dogs, which was encouraging. The jumping round was terrible. It was very noisy (the starters had little signs with 'GO' because you couldn't hear!) and he went straight out of the tunnel over the off course. Because we were E'd I tried out some blinds on the flat and after the weaves which I've never really done. They didn't go well and it kind of deteriorated rather badly after that. But useful to watch back and learn from mistakes. The final class was back in the agility ring and the beginning was very similar to the first class. I was reasonably confident and worked out a quick line rather than a 'play safe' for the technical section. Something banged and spooked Epic as he went to the weaves and after that he really lost his focus. Never mind, these things happen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HaVRZ74BVE
I was entered for another show on the Sunday but both Epic and Revel were sick overnight and Revel had problems the other end too so I stayed at home and did some training with Angus instead.
Lots to work on with Epic now. Backsides, threadles, blind crosses and obstacle commitment. Just need to
for clement winter weather!
