Grace's First AKC Trial Day

To wrap up my posting for the 2008 FUMC Confirmation Class Spring Break retreat, I selected a group of my favorite photos and loaded the album to the Stately Warren Manor Picasa Web page.

Grace was only entered in the AKC Amite trial for Saturday. I worked the math and decided that the cheapest way to let her have some real trial time (automatic timer beeps, judges with whistles and microphones, and a loud booming arena) was to enter her in all 3 novice classes on Saturday.

• Her standard run was first... she did the opening jump and then ran past the A-frame. However she perked up after several jumps in a row, the teeter, soared over the broad jump, and shot into the chute. She came out of the chute and started up the dog walk ramp - only to bail off about 4 feet up the ramp. I kept running toward the table... she hopped up and a quick sit. I didn't make her try the weaves... she finished up jump, tunnel, jump, jump, tire. Still no A-frame or dog walk at a trial yet. Off to the crate for some tuna.
  
• Her jumpers run was good. I let her fly and we had a few awkward direction changes since is just learning front and rear crosses. Several folks were impressed with her jumping style. They thought she looked very comfortable going over the jumps. More tuna...
  
• The last class was FAST (Fifteen and Send Time Class). I planned almost the same course with her that I ran with Bern. Her Send for the bonus was a A-frame, tire combo. She did the A-frame... we missed the tire but I didn't care. Unfortunately, the dog walk wasn't on the course to practice but we did the teeter again. Big party for doing the A-frame (more tuna).
  

Michael Loftis was at the show taking pictures. He took an awesome picture of Bern actually weaving (10 of 12 poles on that particular attempt). There are also some great pictures of Grace going over the broad jump and through the tire. I will add these to the slide show when they become available.

Grace's first official AKC VMO measurement today was 18.75" - putting her into the 20" jump class. She measured under 18" for both USDAA judges a few weeks ago. Oh well... we knew it was going to be close. If she struggles at 2o" for AKC and/or 22"for USDAA, I will just drop her down and run her in performance at 16" in both venues. Poor Nedra, we have to move Grace's LCCOC entry jump height again (entered at 20", down to 16" after USDAA measurements, now back up to 20" after Cindy measured her today).

I'll post results for Bern after we run Sunday. Sparkle has been staying in the ring this weekend to play with Tracey. She had a qualifying run in jumpers today. Lego is not focused on agility this weekend. I feel for Tracey because he is fast and knows the obstacles but he just will not play the agility game consistently when she asks him to run. Several folks are at the AKC national this weekend - Kay, Georgie, Julie, John M, Therese, Blake but no results news yet.