Today was the Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club trial a ways upstate. The weatherman lied to me this morning when I checked the forecast (65 and sunny). It was drizzling when I got there, chilly, and windy. Occasionally the sun would come out and give us hope, but it never got warm or truly sunny. At least I was smart enough to bring dry shoes and socks to run in! The dog-walking field was a half inch of standing water where it wasn't thick mud.
It was interesting having both pups. They didn't like being left in the car, but didn't seem to panic at all either. I think it was good for them to be together, for company. And I didn't worry so much about walking away and watching the trial, knowing it wasn't just a soft crate that Sadie could claw through.
The STD course was nice and flowing. There were only two lead changes, and no tricky bits. On my trainers' advice I didn't lead out this time. Sadie started really nicely. She hit all of her contacts, stuck the table, and made the weaves on her third try. There was some sniffing mid-course, but it was easier to get her back and re-focused. We didn't Q, but I'm still quite happy with the run.
Between courses I let Maxwell have some one-on-one time with me. I left Sadie in the car and took him into the riding barn to watch some of the trial. He was very good, though less interested in food than usual. To be expected, in such an arousing environment. A few people asked if he was entered, and I laughed. He's not only too young by AKC rules, but definitely not mature enough to be successful. Some day!
I walked the pups a bit together as well. Sadie whined for no apparent reason, having been given water, treats, and the chance to pee. Maxwell sniffed around a bit until OMGARETHOSETHINGSICANHERD??? He finally noticed the ponies, corralled nearby. Since they were barely moving, he didn't go out of his mind excited, but he was certainly interested. It was cute.
Sadie's JWW run was awesome. Yeah, I wanted to kill her within 3 jumps, but that's okay. She darted around jump 1, so I had to circle her around again. Refusal 1. Then there was a curve into a pinwheel, with three cross options. I had definitely nixed a rear cross on jump 3, and was going to let Sadie's speed determine whether to front cross from 2 to 3, or rear cross 4. Too bad she had other ideas! I did the front cross, and she darted around me to rear cross 3! It ended up working beautifully anyway. Her second refusal was at the tunnel. She had just done perfect weaves (on her first try no less), the put her nose in the tunnel. A bird or something made a noise in the rafters, and she popped out. Bah. Once through, it was a smooth sequence of jumps to the finish. I sent her to the first and ran for my life. It was amazing! She took them all, and ended way ahead of me. She even came back to me for pats and the leash.
It turned out that, of the 6+ dogs entered in 20" preferred, only two Q'ed. So she took second! Now we have one more leg to get her NJP title.
An excellent day overall. I'm pleased with both dogs, the results of Sadie's runs, and had a great time with my fellow PCOTC handlers. Now I'm tired and smell like horse. So good night!
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