labgirl
Forums Sage
We have been 8 weeks without a competition (it has been torture!). Then with all the drama surrounding Sparrow's health I have only just got around to sorting out the videos from two weekends ago.
We ran 8 rounds over two days. I had seven filmed.
Saturday
Agility - Merlin flew through his first class! It was going so well until he reached the dogwalk and was going so fast that he leapt the down contact. Never mind, I just loved that he was flying. That was the one run we didn't get a video of.
Jumping - This time it was my fault. I started to move off before he was committed to the tunnel and he pulled off. It was the middle of the day and I was struggling in the heat. I look flat on the video and Merlin picked up on that. I can't believe how long I paused before sending him back into the tunnel! After that, I picked myself up, gave myself a good shake and told myself no more running flat.
Triple A - We did it! Even with the judge wearing his Hawaiian outfit!
Merlin zoomed and we came fourth
Watch out for the Bumblebees!
Steeplechase - Bad timing of my commands sent Merlin wide through the tunnels, but we came clear and placed 12th
Sunday
Agility - A superb run from Merlin and he came 6th
Jumping - I misjudged Merlin's exit out of the last tunnel and he ran back in, eliminating us. Such a shame as we ran well up until then on a tough course.
Before my afternoon classes the heavens opened! There was a spell when I was hiding from the elements with five people and a petrified collie in a scrime tent! When the weather cleared lots of people had gone and it was decided to run all the grades together without course changes, before the bad weather returned. So all grade large dogs ran the agility, followed by the mediums, etc.
Agility 2 -The dogwalk contact clearly became electrified again, because Merlin leapt straight over it and earned five faults
Helter Skelter - We ran well and came 3rd
You will note my new 'dance' at the start line to rev up Merlin. Seems to be helping even if I do look as if I am bursting for the loo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdt57cFK4lA
And now we have the big surprise of the weekend! Cadbury ran in Allsorts, which is for dogs that can't run their normal height. He was a complete la-la, but the judges were extremely generous and he ended up coming 1st in Jumping on Saturday!
Poor Merlin has been working for one of those red rosettes these last two years and his big brown brother strolls in and nabs one on the first try!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGP5P8osEk
We ran 8 rounds over two days. I had seven filmed.
Saturday
Agility - Merlin flew through his first class! It was going so well until he reached the dogwalk and was going so fast that he leapt the down contact. Never mind, I just loved that he was flying. That was the one run we didn't get a video of.
Jumping - This time it was my fault. I started to move off before he was committed to the tunnel and he pulled off. It was the middle of the day and I was struggling in the heat. I look flat on the video and Merlin picked up on that. I can't believe how long I paused before sending him back into the tunnel! After that, I picked myself up, gave myself a good shake and told myself no more running flat.
Triple A - We did it! Even with the judge wearing his Hawaiian outfit!
Merlin zoomed and we came fourth Watch out for the Bumblebees!Steeplechase - Bad timing of my commands sent Merlin wide through the tunnels, but we came clear and placed 12th
Sunday
Agility - A superb run from Merlin and he came 6th
Jumping - I misjudged Merlin's exit out of the last tunnel and he ran back in, eliminating us. Such a shame as we ran well up until then on a tough course.
Before my afternoon classes the heavens opened! There was a spell when I was hiding from the elements with five people and a petrified collie in a scrime tent! When the weather cleared lots of people had gone and it was decided to run all the grades together without course changes, before the bad weather returned. So all grade large dogs ran the agility, followed by the mediums, etc.
Agility 2 -The dogwalk contact clearly became electrified again, because Merlin leapt straight over it and earned five faults
Helter Skelter - We ran well and came 3rd
You will note my new 'dance' at the start line to rev up Merlin. Seems to be helping even if I do look as if I am bursting for the loo!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdt57cFK4lA
And now we have the big surprise of the weekend! Cadbury ran in Allsorts, which is for dogs that can't run their normal height. He was a complete la-la, but the judges were extremely generous and he ended up coming 1st in Jumping on Saturday!
Poor Merlin has been working for one of those red rosettes these last two years and his big brown brother strolls in and nabs one on the first try!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYGP5P8osEk
but I had the sound on low this time and I just loved the way you said "you went fast that time!" on Saturday's steeplechase. LOL! In fact I'm really impressed with the way you are really verbally encouraging him all the way round and that's something I need to remember to do more of. (The best I manage is a 'yes' in the weaves). The A Frame run on Saturday was super and one to be really proud of. If I were you, I would be putting that one into the 'Hall of Fame' to watch back over and over with some inspirational music as backing 
I love Cadbury!! He is happiness personified! Many congratulations on your win - do we get to see a photo of the big guy with his rosette? Don't worry Merlin - keep running like this and it'll be your turn very soon!
The more interesting/challenging courses are a lot of fun and I think are fairer than those which just have long runs, as a lot of Grade 1-3 have. They only test the speed of the dog, not the training or handling. We have had our most successful runs on courses that need handling and I'm sure Epic enjoys them more because that's what we train. 
you guys looked great!