Obedience trialing on turf

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fuzbuttsheltie

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We've had a few very nice trials in the NY-NJ area that have been held in Sports Complexes. These are very difficult venues in that they are held on turf with very heavy floor distractions and the noise level can be quite loud.

Davina and I trialed Sunday at one of these complexes. There were 8 or 9 rings using red ring gating and red stanchions. We've never seen red gating or stanchions. I also noticed that the white, yellow, blue, red lines and dots on the turf were wide and brightly colored which was my biggest concern. I get to the Utility B ring and there between the two jumps is a dumped 2 pound bag of white chalk as the marker for the directed retrieve exercise. In order for the dogs to perform directed jumping, they were going to have to cross this chalk without stopping to reach the other end of the ring. My hands began to sweat, not a good thing for scent discrimination!!!

I watched a couple of teams compete and only one team qualified. I couldn't watch any more. The two teams ahead of us were performing OSS, so we got called into the ring early. With little warm up and of course less time for me to sweat we entered the ring.

We qualified, it wasn't our very best performance, but Davina flew over the big white DR marker and she ignored all the dots and lines. She also performed articles without any problems. I know the turf smelled, many dogs failed articles as well as the DJ exercise. She didn't let the screaming and zoomie running Utility A dogs in the next ring bother her either.

There were 27 teams entered, 22 teams showed and only 7 qualified in Utility B. Davina earned 1st place. We are now sitting at 93 points towards the 100 points required for OTCh. :sadsmile::lol::eek2::yes: I just cannot believe it.
 
ClantyreSheltie said:
WOO! 7 more! You coming to Oriole?

I have wondered about the turf, so it's good to hear a report on it.
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I didn't enter Oriole and now that it's been 2 weeks since it opened, I imagine the UDX level is filled. Did you enter or are you once again working? I may enter Rush into the Friday trial showing her in a non-titling class if that isn't already filled. It's time that I concentrate on her trialing schedule, she's certainly ready.

I don't suggest any of the MD Obedience clubs move their upper level trials to a sports complex. They are truly difficult venues. That said, there were 44 entries in Novice B and quite a few qualifiers.

Dani
Davina - UDX, OM1
Dalton - CDX, RAE
Derrick - CD, RAE
Rush
 
Ah good old sports turf. Nice for running agility terrible for obedience. :smile2: Congrats on the OTCH points and win.

I showed Justice and Ember on turf in Eau Claire Wisconsin a couple times. It was exciting in not a good way. The show was combined with an all breed conformation show. The crowds were massive and right on top of the ring. Someone droped a flyer in the corner of the ring. Handlers baiting dogs just outside the ring. Grils in heat with their butts on the ring gates. One person was blowing hair spray or chalk something into the corner of the ring. During one go out there was a little girl standing there with a hot dog.:eek2: Combine that with the white lines and other markings, the turf that held all the scent in the world and the vendor with the engraver it was nerve wrecking. I think the thing that kept me from coming back was the 10 yr boy pounding on the plexiglass right behind Justice on the OOS. :mad:

That being said it was also one of my fondest memories and Rachels too. Justice got OTCH points 2 years in a row there. Won UB one year and got HIT one year and finished his UDX2 there. Rachel got Pike's first UD leg there and her first ever AKC CH point(on any dog) on Pike on the same day. Ember had meltdown. It surely pointed out the dogs with the bombproof temperments.:smile2:
 
We have a local soccer complex where the owner is refusing to put in Sprint Turf because it's filthy and disgusting. Apparently, in indoor settings, it can't really be cleaned, and the guys spit and bleed and sweat all over it. It's really built for outside and sunlight.
 
Justicemom said:
Congrats on the OTCH points and win.
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Thanks! It was an outstanding win of 20 OTCh points. Davina loves challenges and it showed.

Those sports complexes are very difficult venues. Before Davina had her UD title, we trialed at one and less then 4' from the ring (fortunately behind plexiglass) there was a roller skating hockey team performing drills, pucs were hitting the plexiglass or into a chute that made one heck of a noise. On the back end of the ring behind plexiglass kids were running hurdles. A barrage of screaming 5-7 yr. olds running back and forth right behind the go out stanchion. We, too, had smells that far exceeded a competitor's nightmare and that dang vendor who played a variety of screaming toys with each sale. All that said, we did not have to deal with confirmation - now that's just way over the top!

Congrats to you, Rachel, Justice and Pike for mastering such a tough venue.

Dani
Davina - UDX, OM1
Dalton - CDX, RAE
Derrick - CD, RAE
Rush
 
WOWEEEEEE!!! What a WIN!!!!

Congratulations on a fabulous day! So close to that OTCh I can feel it from here!

What an awesome brag!!!
 
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