How often do you trial?

In the spring and fall it's typically 2-3 times a month except for when there's a special occasion or family gathering I have to attend. For example. I have a show this past weekend, then October 6-7, October 20-21 and then November starts busy season with all the DreamPark shows. Unfortunately I have to skip one this year for a wedding.

Rumor has it that AKC's 2014 Nationals may be in Harrisburg, PA so I'll have to buckle down and get serious about qualifying for that next year. I may have to show every week all year long to get those 6 QQ's! :lol:
 
We just started trialing in May and so far we have done 4 trials. I have two more trials left and that will probably be it for the rest of that year. As of now I'm only willing to travel up to an hour for a show, no over night stays and have entered one day of the weekend. Thankfully, there's plenty of AKC trials by me, so I can be picky.

Next year, I will probably trial a little more. If the trial is close, I might enter both days instead of just one, but I will probably stick to one trial a month. Maybe two if I'm not busy and they're near by. So, my guess is I'll probably do about 10 trials next year, but most likely sticking to entering one day.

Trials are exhausting, especially in Novice when you are there from 7am to 3pm. :eek2: I couldn't do that two days in a row. It shouldn't be as bad now that we are in Open JWW. :wink2:
 
romeosangiovese said:
Wow! I think I'd be really tired if I trialled as much as you guys did!! Not that I could of course. We get 4 trials a YEAR here. And it's always a big affair (for me), packing and bringing a ton of stuff, probably coz it's almost always outdoors and hot with a chance of rain. Must prepare for everything! :lol:
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When I first started trialing, omg, all the stuff I'd bring. Including suitcases. That's one reason I changed venues (AKC was a LOT closer to home, no suitcases needed), but even then, 45-60 mins drive was enough for me. I think all that packing, unpacking, everything burnt me out too.
 
well, we just started last fall- in Nadac so pups had to be over 18 months.
so we have now competed in 3 Nadac trials- all close to home.
and we have also competed in 3 AKC trials- one close to home, one was Sheltie Nationals and one was near my family in PA. we'll probably get some more AKC trials in but money is definitely an issue- competing with 2 dogs is not cheap:eek2:
 
Calliesmom said:
well, we just started last fall- in Nadac so pups had to be over 18 months.
so we have now competed in 3 Nadac trials- all close to home.
and we have also competed in 3 AKC trials- one close to home, one was Sheltie Nationals and one was near my family in PA. we'll probably get some more AKC trials in but money is definitely an issue- competing with 2 dogs is not cheap:eek2:
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Flyball costs less :hide and Cran would be FAST :hide
 
Less than once a month here. I'd happily trial every other weekend but it's hard enough to get out and deal with the wrath of my DH, the agility widower :lol: Hopefully when my kids are older it'll be less guilt inducing.

When we do trial, I usually only enter one day so that I'll still have one day of the weekend for family time. I cheated this weekend and entered both days because I have to skip the next trial so told myself I deserved it!

The most runs we ever do in a day is four. So Clancy would spend what...maybe...six or seven minutes total in the ring (more when I get lost on course and he has to herd me back to position!).

Whereas when we don't trial, our lessons are a solid half-hour working in the ring. I'm not sure that he doesn't look at the trial as a welcome rest! Especially when it's me who ends up carrying all the equipment :lol::lol:
 
Hmm it depends.....
I usually attend the trials that are nearby ....or at least ones that or not at the other end of the country. I don't have a car so I usually travel with friends and their dogs. We didn't compete much during the summer, because ironically there weren't that many trials in the area.... but now we're getting busier again. I think of competing as a part of practice, so I'd say it's good to go at least once per month. But of course, it's also expensive, so I usually go twice per month, not more. Sometimes there's a longer pause, sometimes we have "busy" month. Can't say how many times I compete per year :smile2:
 
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