Here is the course map.
The places that got most teams were the #3-4-5 jump sequence in the beginning, #12-13-14 in the middle, and the #16-19 at the end. Lot's of traps and handler motion was restricted. Sage took the #18 jump in the beginning (instead of #4) and Summit took the #2 jump after #16 at the end. I ended up layering twice with Summit (something I do not like to do). I RC'd #4 and sent out to #5 while running on takeoff side of the 270 towards #6. Then RC'd #8 into the poles. Then did a forward send to #13 then took off towards #14 (layering #6). By the time Summit took #16, I was so far behind, as I moved in towards #17, my motion pushed him to take #2.
That afternoon, Summit has a gorgeous standard run but dropped a bar on the triple at the end. I ran the course with Sage with the only purpose of proofing her contacts. She had a wrong course (chute instead of the tunnel) but I wasn't really handling to run clean but to work more distance in her contacts. She didn't miss a single contact and I got some good lateral distance on the dw and the teeter.
Summit's Saturday Standard run
That afternoon, Summit had a nice run in Ex. B FAST. I just wanted the Q and walked for a fast flowing sequence. As it turned out, he missed 1st place by one point. He had 71 points in 23 seconds and First place was 72 points in 29 seconds.
Summit's Ex. B FAST run
Sunday Sage qualified in Standard with 2nd place. We lost some time on the table because she zoned out. It was strange but she wasn't focusing on me and kept looking around and it took some time for me to raise her to a sit.
Sage Sunday Standard run - 2nd place
Summit would have had 1st place but we were called for a refusal at the tunnel. It was dogwalk to tunnel (underneath) and something that I should practice at home. I practice a turn away from a contact to tunnel but not a recall from contact to tunnel and this just felt a bit awkward to me. The rest of the run was nice though.
Summit Sunday Standard - one refusal
The jumpers course that afternoon was FUN! Summit ran clean with a 2nd place (by 100ths of a second). I had confidence that Sage would get double Q number 18 on this jumpers course. Not to happen, I got too far ahead of her going into a box, turned my head to look back for her which opened up my shoulders and she moved away from me and took a wrong jump.
Summit Sunday Jumpers - 2nd place
It was a fun weekend but the courses were really tough and although I love challenges, I could sense some negativity from other competitors. I think the low qualifying rate discouraged many people as team after team (good dogs and handlers) NQ'd all weekend.
We have another weekend off so will plan on a hike in the mountains if the weather is good.
6 comments:
very nice. Loved the rear cross before the jump into the end tunnel. Looked great. I also like how you dont use your arm unless its needed. I really need to work on that but often forget when Im running the course. Diana
Those were some nice runs on tough courses! That Saturday jumpers - wow trap city. Seems the new trend it to position 2 jumps so close that you can hardly get through and it traps you behind the dog. Another thing to train...
I am glad to have been in Florida on vacation instead of at this trial I think!
Great runs! I really enjoy watching you run courses (when I can take my eyes off your dogs which is difficult!) - you always get yourself into position ahead of your dogs and show them exactly where to go while making it all seem effortless!
Each time I see the vids, your guys seem to be getting faster! Its also interesting to see the table being used in the competitions.
Thanks everyone for all the nice comments!
That course you posted the map for looked like a killer. That rear cross into the yellow tunnel, was awesome and that jumpers course looked like a lot of fun-I love watching you three run together!
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