Quite a Weekend — QQ and All

December 9, 2013

Where to begin — well the weather — it’s obvious.  IT IS AND WAS COLD!  The Sangre de Cristo Kennel Club Agility Trial was held at the horse arena at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds (renamed Expo New Mexico so that the Garmin can’t find it).  We did not run on Friday because I was in an all-day seminar getting the last of my required Continuing Legal Education credits.  I arrived on Saturday morning wearing four layers of clothing — over the course of the day, I took off only one layer — it was so cold.  In addition (in case my fingers were working), I had no phone reception so couldn’t post to FB.  Chase was in fine fettle — put me in coach . . .

His first run was a truly beautiful Open JWW effort.  He stuttered at the weaves, but completed them.  Otherwise it was a responsive, fast run with tight turns on a winding course.  That earned him a first place and his OJP title.  His second run was in Open Standard.  Again, he was beautiful, this time no hesitation at the weaves, but the obstacle after the weaves was a tire jump.  He was suddenly distracted and ran by the jump.  Dorrana Durgin brought him back, he made the jump, blasted through a tunnel to the final jump and knocked a bar — groan.

I moved him up to Excellent Jumpers for Sunday.

Sunday:  Still cold, but we enjoyed some MACH cake for Jennifer Necker and her dog (it was really good).  You may recall that Jennifer and her mom Julie showed Chase at the Los Lunas shows in October.  Anyway — it was still COLD.

Chase was again ready to go.  He had a positively gorgeous Excellent JWW run for a first place and his first Excellent leg on his first try.  There are videos of his Jumpers runs that I will post when they’ve been processed.  At the Standard ring, we were lighting prayer bundles that he would have a run to remove him from the limbo that is Open.  Chase was wound up.  He and D went into the ring for their turn and the gate steward called them out because dogs were not in order.  So, they had to regroup.  THEN it was his turn, he was happy and up (very up).  When D said okay, he cut in front of her and went into the wrong end of the tunnel that was the Start, she sent him through the right way and they were off to the races.  Chase was wearing his devil look and I was worried — though he seemed fast and organized.  He had a refusal at the weaves then finished the course 12 seconds under course time.  We thought he’d not qualified because of his shenanigans at the start.  However, the judge called it an off-course.  He earned his title is Open Standard!  On to Excellent in Standard as well as in Jumpers.

Evelyn Vinogradov was taking stills at the trial and I am looking forward to some of her wonderful photos of Chase — eyes gleaming, grinning his head off.  Of course we will share them.  I cannot thank Doranna Durgin enough for putting up with the wild boy and letting him play a game that he loves so much.  Many thanks to Tom Price as well — he is the keep-it-calm, everything-is-in-place, videos-are-good person.  What a great team!  We are so fortunate (and grateful) to be able to play with them.

GCh/Can Ch C-Myste Baledwr Pursuit of Happiness CD RN HSAds HIAs HXAs OAP OJP VCX ROMs TT — “Chase” to all his friends!

Category Agility, Baddog, Chase, Dog Friends | Tags:

2 Comments

  1. Taryn says:
    December 9, 2013 at 10:46 am

    Congrats! Sounds like Chase is really enjoying agility!

  2. Cheryl says:
    December 9, 2013 at 11:05 am

    That is so awesome! Chase is simply astounding with all he does and advancing so quickly! He is always filled with joy!