Barney is a Grade 6!

Last Saturday saw us at the first indoor agility show of the year. It was held at Ingliston indoor horse arena which is a great venue.

First up was Pebbles in combined 5-7 agility. This was an elimination with Pebbles stumbling slightly coming over a jump and on getting up I think I pushed her the wrong way by moving towards her (mother's instinct to move towards them when they fall!) and so she back jumped. Still the rest of the round was good and she is starting to work away from me quite well and I am getting more confident about not having to be glues to her side all of the time.

Next up was Barney over the same course. Again we got eliminated! Not a great start to the day! This time Barney jumped the wrong jump in the box (one of his favourite moves!). Again the rest of the round was good although he could still do with going a bit faster.

Then it was the first of the jumping courses for Pebbles. Again she got eliminated (definitely a bad day!). I pulled her through two jumps and must have moved my shoulder a fraction too early and it pushed her back throught the same jumps and she jumped the jump the wrong way! Mmmm, my fault I think. Pebbles is just so responsive to any slight movement I make which is great sometimes but not so great others.

Barney was next up over the same jumping course (Barney loves jumping). He did a lovely clear round which meant he won Grade 5. This was his 3rd jumping win at Grade 5 which meant he qualified for Grade 6. Yippee! Only disappointment is that he did not win Grade 5 agility. This will have to change now though since he cannot progress to Grade 7 without winning 2 Grade 6 agility courses.

Over the final agility Pebbles did a lovely clear but was not fast enough to place. It has to be said though that all the good small dogs were out at this one so I was not surprised. Barney did his usual 5 faults on the dog walk. He still won Grade 5 though which was great. Back to the drawing board with this I think. He just does not get it. Must do more training!

On the final jumping course Pebbles went clear but again was not fast enough to place. Barney was eliminated by my handling again! He was supposed to go round the back of the the jump but I did not push him out enough and he jumped it the wrong way.

Overall I am happy with the way the show went. Things to work on are Barney's dog walk and Pebbles's speed. But really please with the progress Pebbles has made with working away from me.