January first brought about not just a brand new year, but also Maxwell's second birthday and his very first agility trial!
There was a USDAA trial in Hamden. That's where Sadie's first ever trial was held, so it seems only fitting for Maxwell to run there, too. I didn't want to stress him out too much, so he was only in Gamblers, Standard, and Jumpers. Sadie was in those, plus Snooker and Pairs. Overall, that meant eights runs for me.
There were only a handful of 22" Performance dogs, so it was tight! When Maxwell ran, I had to have a friend hold him while I ran Sadie (she was always first dog on the line), then do a fast switch to run Maxwell (3rd or 5th, depending on which run). I felt bad for Sadie, since it shortened her 'celebration' time with me after her runs. It also meant less re-connecting time with Maxwell before his courses. Luckily, he's a little superstar.
Maxwell knocked zero bars, took zero wrong-courses, and never went zooming. Was he stressed? Absolutely. He refused to complete the weave poles, visited the scoring table (well hello there, ladies!), and went to check out an open door once. But he ALWAYS came back to me, and we finished all three runs tail high and together. I had gone to the trial prepared to take one or two jumps and bail, just to give him success in the ring. Instead, he far surpassed my expectations. He didn't Q in anything (though Jumpers was a mere 1.5 seconds too long) but he did place top 4 in everything! In fact, he beat Sadie in Jumpers.
Gamblers: We would have killed this course, if he had taken the last jump on my first queue. Instead, he got distracted and our time was up.
Standard: Other than his stress at the weaves, a stellar run. Man, I love to watch him move.
Jumpers: He really shows his potential here. Except when he goes to investigate an open door, he really takes my queues and shows enthusiasm. This run really drilled home to me that he needs handling at much more distance than Sadie. I got too close to one of the far jumps, and he nearly ran around it. I realized just in time to give him some personal space.
Sadie was just phenomenal as well. Top four in all five courses, three Qs. I really couldn't be much happier with that dog. Her enthusiasm is off the charts, along with her confidence. Someone who saw her run 6 months ago wouldn't even think she's the same dog. In fact, I think her confidence is the reason she missed the other Q's: she runs so strong now, that she has started to drop bars in competition as she charges through the courses. That, and she was probably tired by run #5!
Running pairs was a blast. My friend with Fake Mudi was our partner. Her dog is much less seasoned than Sadie, so he is still a bit unsure of himself, but they were awesome. A clean run from them, then a great performance from Sadie gave us both a nice Q. Yeah, Sadie tried to snatch the baton from me... it was exciting!
Gamblers: We just managed that A-frame contact. Phew!
Standard: Dog-walk contact hit by a toe... but it's enough for the Q. Apparently the contacts are shorted in USDAA, so that was probably a big factor. Also, do you see those weaves??? Holy cow! 12 poles like it's nothing!
Pairs: So much fun! I want to run this more often. And more fantastic weaves! Next time, Maxwell and Fake Mudi?
Snooker: Silly dog took the wrong jump, just as we were entering the closing. Great run anyway.
Jumpers: Smooth, fast, happy. A good way to end the day, even if she did take out a bar.
All three of us went home tired and happy. And now I'm plotting Maxwell's next public appearance...
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