Day 2 of Regionals

Woo Hoo!! Found out today that we placed 1st yesterday in the steeplechase which puts us in the Steeplechase Finals tomorrow!!
Today we had 3 runs, 1 standard, 1 jumpers and 1 gamblers. The standard was a really tough course for the big and fast dogs, too much cranking on them and traps, it was tight. We ended up with a bar down and a refusal as Zephyr spun around in front of a jump. The jumpers round was tricky but flowed better. However the bars were flying for SO many dogs! We took one bar down here too, which threw me and we had another refusal this time I pulled him off a jump and he ran past (brought him back around to it) right after. Our last was the gamblers and I am happy that we got the main gamble!
I am not sure what any of my placements were today as they were announced hours after I left! One day left, 4 more runs, it's supposed to be very hot, hopefully we stay cool.

Day 1 of Regionals

Today was the first day of the 2010 AAC Ontario Regional Agility Trial held in Fergus.
This morning was the warm-up rounds, and this afternoon was the Steeplechase Round 1 (the qualifier for the finals on Sunday).
I am really happy with how FAST and smooth Zephyr and I ran. The first of our 2 frame contacts was blown (typical for Zephyr in a trial especially the first class!) which was too bad. However even with the five second penalty he was still faster than some of the other dogs in the class....we'll find out on Sunday if we managed to squeak into the finals with the fault!
Looking forward to the next 2 days!!

Spring Hiking

We hike all year but spring is my favorite!

May 16th Agility Trial

Royackers held their May trial this past weekend. I was going to pull as I wasn't really feeling up to it after losing Chase so recently, but I decided that seeing some good friends would be good for me, and getting out would be good for Zephyr (who has been sulking around a fair bit since Chase left.)
Unfortunately I didn't get any video! We started with Master Gamblers and ended up with 76 points and a Q!! Our second class was another Master Gamblers and this time we ran SO well, 96 points and a Q!! What a rush!! Our last class was standard and if I hadn't had a brain lapse on course and sent him over the wrong jump I'm sure we would have done well!! (I haven't done that in so long, I guess a lot on my mind lately).
That was the last trial for us before Regionals next weekend!

Goodbye Chase

It was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to Chase on May 12. After several months of declining it was time to help him pass with dignity and put him at ease.

Who would have thought that the terrified little puppy from a pig farm would have such an impact on my life. I feel that I owe him so much. Not only was he my constant friend and companion but he introduced me to dog training and dog sports and in turn so many amazing people and friends.

Thank you to our vet Dr. McLean who came up to our house so that Chase could be in the comfort of his home.

Because I'm better with images than words, here is my tribute to him...

http://s896.photobucket.com/albums/ac161/artofdog/Movie/?action=view&current=chasemovie.flv

I miss you so much.

Shine on Chaser Bug, I'll see you on the other side.

May 1st Agility Trial

I am finally getting around to posting the one video that I managed to get of Zephyr and I running at this past weekends agility trial. He ran well, but I have to get a move on!! Training indoors all winter in a small space I haven't had to run! Less than four weeks until regionals!