Dog Vegas at Grantham 30th and 31st July

Was really looking forward to the weekend away, have had such an emotional two weeks its never easy to say goodbye to some you love especially when they have been fighting an illness with such courage, but she'd had enough and as much as it broke our hearts it was time for her to leave us. I owe such a lot to her I'd never have done agility without her support (well more like a kick up the back side lol) she always told me to believe in myself no matter what and go for it so that's what I'm trying to do. Will miss you always hun love you lots xxxxxxx

The weekend started off before we even arrived as Sal, Steve and Pauline where competing Friday they where storming Sal with 4 x 1st Steve 2 x 1st and a 2nd and winning out!!! Pauline with a 3rd. So no pressure on poor Penny and I to do well on Saturday lol We started off the day with a lovely 1-3 graded agility it was steady for us but fab for first run as they can be a bit manic was surprised to come 12th good start. We then did another 1-3 graded agility but I set her off before I was ready and she shot off like a rocket and went in the tunnel so we where E'd lol After lunch we had the graded 3-5 jumping which I'd been getting myself into a bit of a tizz about but we loved it was a Kenny Waddell course who we love anyways was a huge confidence boost (sorry for jumping up and down on the finish in excitement lol) was very very surprised we came 9th what a bonus. Next we had graded 1-4 jumping lovely course I just turned her a bit quick so we knocked a pole. We finished off the day with the gun dogs power & speed, I got a bit lost in the middle of the speed bit but some how managed to not get us E'd was good to practise a nice distance in between two jumps with her lol Sal did great too getting 2 x 1st winning into grade 3, celebrations where needed :D

Sunday we woke to the sun shining (we are not used to this sort of camping lol) we knew it was going to be a hot hot day we started off the morning with Doc's 3-5 agility lovely lovely course another judge we love, it had a tunnel under the a-frame which I knew was going to be our biggest challenge as at Otley I'd lost her onto the a-frame. She ran really well and I got her into the tunnel wooop but then didn't get there to push her out for the next jump so got a 5R was really gutted as the rest was just lovely. Next was graded 1-3 jumping 5f for a pole I turned too tight and graded 1-4 jumping 5f  for a pole I set her up to close at the start. Next was 1-4 graded agility was just our sort of course, front cross heaven I managed 4 lol I only just got the first one in as she was flying, she slowed a bit in the weaves so had to clap to keep her going (defiantly going to have to try something that doesn't involve speaking to keep her going as the faster she is the less I can breath lol) I thought she'd missed the dog walk contact but was really pleased with the run and she was miles ahead of me working and I was really trying to keep up lol Was very surprised when the gang watching told me she'd gone clear :D I hoped we might have a chance of a placing. We had to wait around for an hour and a half for the other classes to finish for the results, Sal had checked the timings and though we where defiantly up there but couldn't tell for sure as the writing wasn't very good lol Needless to say when the called us out for 1st I was ecstatic lol never in a million years did I think we'd ever win out of grade 3, I thought the only option would be on points. I just can't believe it I'm going to be grinning for days on this one lol Pen also had a great day with a 2nd in agility (so so close to that 1st place) and lovely clear in jumping they are really working as a team now will only be a matter of time before they are in grade 2 :) Pauline also got a 2nd and Steve had a 1st and 2nd. Between 5 handlers we've had 17 placings and 6 clear rounds fantastic weekend we really need to do it more often its so lovely having such a supportive group :D