Gleniffer Agility show 28 & 29 May & Ellie update

GLENIFFER

We were at Gleniffer Agility Competition over the weekend. The weather was atrocious; think we have fast-forwarded to Winter, missing Spring & Summer. On Saturday the rain was hammering down, then sunshine, then pouring, then sunshine and so on all day! Although it wasn’t too cold. Today (Sunday) it rained most of the morning, then just before 11am it started to dry up but the winds started to get stronger, bit cooler today!

SATURDAY

Well what can I say Khandi loves to keep me on my toes! I wish I had got my mum to record our first run, to be honest it was really tricky and I thought there is no way we're going to get round this! Well.......Khandi flew round it and my handling was flowing so that was good except that the wee bugger missed her Dog Walk and Seesaw (never usually misses that one!) very pleased with the run though. She was the fasted dog, faster than 1st by 5 secs and faster than 2^nd by 10 secs but her faults (10) took her to 3rd!

Khandi with her Rosettes

Second run another agility nice course, very running one though! Well Khandi started of brilliantly missed contact and then decided to say hello to a dog a ringside! Got her back over the Seesaw it banged, she got spooked! Managed to get her over the wall for the second time (thought she would have avoided it) got to the weaves came in at the wrong side then circled them, managed to get her in the correct way then she totally went away in a daze mid way got her through them, over that it was a jump left jump tunnel jump back right Dog Walk (the tunnel was under the DW) I am not sure if that freaked her or if she thought she was going back up the SS - OMG it took forever I was determined she was going up it and she did! Then she did the rest beautifully jump wall tunnel jump jump. I did thank the judge as K took up so much time! I also spoke to her today (Sunday) as she was running her dog. She was very understanding and we had a wee chat as she has a dog that is a sensitive too.

Third run jumping again back-to-back classes ran down to that one had to try and remember the course. All the errors were down to me except the weave again went in from the wrong side again! Good thing finished for 2pm took them a walk and home for 3.45pm.

Khandi posing in the park!

SUNDAY

First run was jumping first thing, as it was my trainer’s daughter whom I train with I am more nervous and yes you guessed it I mucked it up, elimination! Khandi was doing really nicely.

Second run was just before lunch – it was an agility course, would Khandi go up the dog walk? Well…..she was running fast I heard the jump falling so wasn’t sure if she knocked it or the wind took the full jump (poles & wings) down, Khandi usually clears her jumps! as I turned round to look and then turn back to continue I nearly fell LOL I don’t know how I managed to keep myself upright! She went over the seesaw and flew over the dog walk YEAH! Another lovely clear round, which gained her 3^rd place.

Third run was just after lunch – it was a jumping course. Khandi started off very slow, after the 4^th jump she kicked right into speed and away she went! Another lovely clear round, unfortunately no fast enough to get placed.

So pleased with Khandi her confidence is growing and speed is increasing. A lot of people are also commented on these too, which is great! The courses Khandi runs now are usually very intriquet (sp?) courses usually twisty, silly angles, turning back and crazy placing of obstacles. I am very happy with my wee lassie.

ELLIE UPDATE

Poor wee Ellie was there as a spectator. When I take her out a walk all she does is barks at the big dogs in the rings LOL! Ellie just wants to be in their doing it, plus she thinks she is a big dog LOL!

This leads me to her injury. In my deepest heart I feel that her agility has ended before it has begun. Ellie has so much potential, the drive she has is amazing and she is a joy to run.

I took her to my own vet on Friday, who reassured me that it most likely is soft tissue damage and that no further tests are needed. She gave her a thorough check – stifle, leg, hip, spine, discs all pulled, pushed and manipulated and checked against the side which has no issues - Ellie gave no reaction (however she has been on metacam, Friday was her last does) The vet told me that if there was soreness she would still react. I have complete faith in my vet, so we will see how she goes. I can take her to physio as they have a physiotherapist now, so I think I am going to get her to a few sessions to see how it goes. I have started her on Yumove (a supplement) and I have ordered a back on track jacket to see if that helps too. I have just increased her exercise this weekend. When we were over at the park after the show this afternoon – I swore she pulled her leg up again, then I am like or did she? As after that she was like a maddie, she was on lead but my friend was playing with her dogs with the ball and Ellie just wasn’t off to go join in, wee soul.

Khandi & Ellie