Haute Couture For Handlers

HopeShelties said:
My problem with it is people are using them in places just to do them when they aren't the option that makes the most sense. If it makes the course run better, great! But I think what a lot of us are seeing is people doing these moves in spots that are barely appropriate.
I'm big on using the blind now, but don't throw them in just because I can. I use them in spots where they are going to offer benefits. A lot of jumpers courses I can find a place to put one in besides at a tunnel. Either in a spot where I am wanting to show a lot of extension, or when in a situation where a front is difficult to get to, or when it really would benefit me to be down the line.
Click to expand...

I think perhaps the difference between you, Ortegah, and myself is that I can only go to 6 - 7 trials a year, and so I have limited opportunities to practice what I want to focus on in a trial environment. I put whatever I'm focusing on in places that work, but they aren't always necessary. For example, at the last trial I did I was really playing with lead outs and distance - even when a lead out or using distance wasn't necessary or beneficial, because I knew it was what I needed to focus on in a trial environment. If I could go to lot of trials each year, I would probably have a similar philosophy to you and Ortegah, so I think (hope) I understand where you're coming from.
 
3Stars said:
I have a different point of view about this: I try new things in trials all the time, whether they're necessary or not. It's definitely not to look cool - I don't have any chance to do international courses at all unless I make the course myself at home. A trial environment is very different from a training environment, so even though I may practice a variety of moves at home, I will always try them in a trial environment too to see if they actually work in a stressful situation, or if we need to go back to the drawing board. Sometimes it's to reinforce a concept (ie. if I do 4 blind crosses in a trial - I doubt I would need all four blind crosses, but it increase the confidence of both myself and my dog). For me, trialing is an extension of training, and it's not always about the Q. If the course looks too easy, or if I see the perfect spot to try something new I've been working on, I'll challenge myself to add in my own stylistic elements to make the course more of a learning experience for both myself and my dog.
Click to expand...

I was going to respond, but HopeShelties said EXACTLY what I was going to. It's fine if you're, like you said, looking for the perfect spot to try something new...

HopeShelties said:
My problem with it is people are using them in places just to do them when they aren't the option that makes the most sense. If it makes the course run better, great! But I think what a lot of us are seeing is people doing these moves in spots that are barely appropriate.
I'm big on using the blind now, but don't throw them in just because I can. I use them in spots where they are going to offer benefits. A lot of jumpers courses I can find a place to put one in besides at a tunnel. Either in a spot where I am wanting to show a lot of extension, or when in a situation where a front is difficult to get to, or when it really would benefit me to be down the line.
Click to expand...

Very well said! As I've said before, people are starting to treat agility like it's an olympic sport and we have to have all these fancy moves, just like _____________ (<-- Insert world team member here) does. There's nothing wrong with developing new skills though. Yes, I've been working on the "fanny pass" or whatever you want to call it. I've also been training Trax to take the back end of jumps, but not so I can put it in anywhere. I'm learning it because at USDAA Regionals and Nationals, it's going to be a necessity if I'm going to be able to complete the insane new courses they're coming up with.

I most certainly wouldn't do most of these moves on a simple jump to a teeter at a 90 degree turn :wink2:
 
SheltieChe said:
well, guess what? Greg Derrett did a blind today at Crufts...
Click to expand...

What's your point? Now, that Greg Derrett performed a blind cross in competition, everyone should throw them in all the time whether they've trained them or not? Blind crosses were very common at one time. Then, for a while they weren't, and now, they're being used more again. Things change all the time. Certain handing moves become popular and then fade.

I hate to get personal, but the tone of your posts are a big reason I have very little interest in reading or posting here much. This was a nice place when we all were able to just post about our agility experiences without having to worry about being constantly corrected and lectured about the one and only right way to do things -- your way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top