The evolution of the sport

I hope that being successful in agility continues to be defined by the magical connection and awareness of each other on course that can only be achieved through taking time to grow together as teammates, not by how many ribbons are won. Yes, I enjoy the “thrill of victory” as much as anyone else, but somehow there is no “success” without the road it takes to get there.
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I really enjoyed and agree with what Linda wrote.

I section I quoted above, and specifically the bolded text, summarizes my reasons for getting involved with agility in the first place. It was seeing the pure and simple joy between dog and handler, especially at the end of the run - regardless of a dropped bar or clean run, that made me want to get involved.

Sure, I love running well, getting the Q's and titles. There is a major feeling of accomplishment with each achievement from the first title through a championship. But my agility journey has never been about titles, championships, or being invited to some big tournament. It's been about going out, playing a game with Edan and having fun along the way. If that connection between handler and dog is viewed as the true measure of success, then we are an amazing success.
 
Sheri, excellent quote there. It's so true.

I am a VERY competitive person, in all that I do. Sometimes I am disappointed in myself, and even the dog, when I'm competing. At our last two trials I wrote on my hand "I'm taking the best dogs home" because it reminds me why I have my dogs, and why I love them. It's not because they are great agility dogs, and it's not because they get ribbons or titles.

It also makes me think of what I told Lexi's breeder when we were looking for a puppy. Yes, we wanted a drivey pup, and yes we wanted one that liked learning, but more than anything we wanted a dog we could live with. If agility wasn't for her would I be disappointed? Sure, that's human. But would I ever turn my back on her or replace her because of it? Of course not! My pets are first and foremost my companions.
 
Good article!!
I had to laugh at the speedo tracksuit comment... It's true the sport is so competitive now, I just hope dogs and people won't get left behind, just because they won't be able to be in worlds!
 
When I read this, I could only think of when I trial in NADAC. Regardless if those are "bought" dogs, which I don't think they are, you get that feeling of "everyone knows your name", it's a family, and everyone is there to support one another, have friendly competition, but overall, it's fun for everyone. And the judges make sure it's fun for the dogs too.

I think that's why I'm having so much fun running some ASCA lately. I'm more excited about this weekends ASCA trial, then I am for my upcoming USDAA and AKC trials. I miss that family-feeling.

So for myself, when I'm feeling stressed out over titles or where we're not yet, I now tell myself to go do a NADAC trial. Honestly, it's like being home again for me and it's great to see all the friendly faces once again. I admit, it's also nice having people tell me how far I've come as a handler and how great Koji is looking.

I just feel all gooey and glowing inside.
 
Well I know I am glad that I took a step back and gave myself a good shake and made an attitude adjustment to get away from being so goal driven and results oriented with Cosmo at the last trail. I just hope I can keep it up and keep the compedative demons at bay,We both had a lot more fun and it showed, I mean we never Q'd but he did everything I asked of him and did it just perfectally I mean what more can you ask from your partner, it kinda made me feel all fuzzy inside :smile2:. Cosmo like's agility but he doesn't live for it, not like storm, ie: it's deffinately not the highlite of his week, he would be more happy in the backyard chasing those big bad squirrles then to go to practice contrary to Storm who starts going Crazy the minute you take the agility bag out of the closet and only gets more wound as you get closer to the practice hall.

WE as a team have already accomplished more then I ever thought we would when we started this for fun and thats The Key word Here for FUN,and that was the problem for us it was my compedative desire that started to take over and take the fun out of it for both of us, and shame on me for that.

I think for us Triail selection played a big part of that
most trial venues that I was selecting for us to attend tended to be of a much more highly compedative and very structured in nature, larger pre regional and national qualifyers then some others that we could have gone to. I noticed a big difference when I started to attend some of the more down home and definately more layed back trials that came up around here even though we were primarily running against the same competition as at the more structured trials we had been at and it seemed most of the other compeditors just seemed to have a lot more relaxed demeanor then at Trial A, it was actually at these somewhat lesser venues that we really got to know, meet & talk and with all of the people that we had been trying so hard to beat at the other events and really started to make friends & aquantences with these fellow agility buffs. Of course being a part of the sheltie army didn't hurt either LOL.

IN any sport you are always going to have the elite compeditors and the best of the best , those that have the best gear, the best trainers, specilized dogs ( I have actually seen this already, oh This is my snooker dog, this is my gambler dog, steeple chase dog, you get the picture) and I am OK with that as long as the lessor of us don't get forced out or looked down apon as being inferiour along the way. I wish I could say that I have never heard a comment LIke, Oh what is she trying to accomplish by having that dog out in the ring, but unfortunately I can't. luckily these types of comments are still far & few between and most of the agility faturnity that I have meet are some of the best people anywhere, willing to help and offer any advice asked for at the drop of a hat and thank God for that because I need all the help I can get.

OK Rant off, Can you tell I am bored at work today:biggrin2::biggrin2:
 
oh wow you are so right... who are they to try and make it less fun for you and Cosmo!?

For me it's about having fun with your dog, teaching them all the way, how far I have come... and how many years Toffee and I can do this together!!

Yes, OF course I LOVE to see people go all the way, I recognize some of the people I train with who will definitely get there.. but they have been nothing but supportive, kind and fun to be with!

However at the trials there are a few that I make a LOT fun of are the snobby elite wannabe people with matching tracksuit who are currently making up their own handling system, because Derrett and Mecklenburg aren't good enough for them, they actually MERGED the two... which is harebrained.. but whatever... what I hate is that they won't let people train with them without a 'test' to see how good they are :razz:
Let me tell you the group I am with has a hell of a lot more fun than they do :lol:
 
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