First Rally Trial

C

CharlieBrown

Forums Regular
Hi everyone,

Tomorrow is my first ever trial and we are competing in Rally Novice. Any tips for me would be greatly appreciated! I am slightly nervous (ok I actually freaking out!) not because of pressure to perform well (I don't mind if we qualify or not) but I just don't want to mess up and look dumb or that I don't know what I'm doing! At training I only recently was eligible to compete in this trial and have only complete 3 rally courses during training. I'm just a little concerned on when/if I should use a 'retry'. Also the trial is held by my club and I'm actually helping as a steward in rally excellence at the same time I'm competing in my first RN. So I guess you can see why I'm a little scared of what tomorrow may bring!!

Again, any tips would be helpful!

Thanks,
Emma and Charlie Brown
 
Having never participated in a rally trial, I don't have any specific suggestions except to say that Charlie Brown will probably have a great time and just remember that everyone started as a newbie like you...relax and enjoy even if you do make some mistakes. We will be cheering for both of you!! :smile2:

Trini
 
Before the CGC withe Melli I took some of that Rescue Remedy stuff. It worked really well! On ME! The dog was fine, I was nervous!

Cheering for you!
 
CharlieBrown said:
Hi everyone,

Tomorrow is my first ever trial and we are competing in Rally Novice. Any tips for me would be greatly appreciated! I am slightly nervous (ok I actually freaking out!) not because of pressure to perform well (I don't mind if we qualify or not) but I just don't want to mess up and look dumb or that I don't know what I'm doing! At training I only recently was eligible to compete in this trial and have only complete 3 rally courses during training. I'm just a little concerned on when/if I should use a 'retry'. Also the trial is held by my club and I'm actually helping as a steward in rally excellence at the same time I'm competing in my first RN. So I guess you can see why I'm a little scared of what tomorrow may bring!!

Again, any tips would be helpful!

Thanks,
Emma and Charlie Brown
Click to expand...

Oh, can I relate to this! I was so nervous -- and we had a real problem. Beckon stopped right at the beginning and started shaking his head violently side to side. We tried to continue, but he just kept shaking his head. We excused ourselves and rushed to the vet -- and nothing was wrong! I think I made him nervous.

So next time, I just relaxed -- a bit -- and he did beautifully! But I really learned the most the time he didn't ribbon because of me. You see, the errors are nearly always on the part of the handler. So then I decided we were there for us, for fun, for Beckon to have the thrill of performing with me in a wonderful game. I smiled and praised hm -- and we did better than ever!

Bottom line: Rally is a funfunfun event. Nobody is watching you to criticize -- heck, they're busy with their own dogs. Have a ball, if there's a boo-boo, laugh and try again! It's not brain surgery -- it's Rally!!
 
I agree with Chris. Rally is fun! But I completely understand your nerves. I was terrified when I first started competing with Trace. I thought I had read all the rules, I was up first, and the judge noticed I had forgotten to take off his tags! Fortunately she let the next person go so I could take them off & stop shaking...

By the time we earned the RE title I was so much more relaxed & enjoying it.

Good luck & remember to have fun! This is a great bonding experience for you two.:smile2:
 
Bring lots of water. Being nervous dried my mouth like the Sahara Desert. Nerves are normal. Try to relax and have fun. Everyone who has taken the plunge has experienced the nerves. It's so worth it!! You'll have good days and days when you wish you could crawl under a rock and hide. Just know everyone else is in the same boat and mostly worried about their own performance...leaving little time to critique yours....:wink2:
 
I agree nerves are normal. Nobody can say or do anything to help you deal with the nerves ~ except you!

I have them but not as bad anymore, and when I do start to freak out I get myself alone in a corner and give myself a little pep talk. I'm not there to meet other peoples expectations or goals, I'm there to display what my dog and I can do together, and if its not our day - well, we get to try again soon!

Good luck to you and your good dog, and CONGRATULATIONS for entering and believing in yourself and your dog!!!! Applause!

We have all made mistakes in the ring, I bet you can't do anything that hasn't been done at least 100 times before!!!!


That said, I'm off to the ASCA trial....
 
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