Dog Vegas (Winterton)

We've been to quite a few DV shows and they're always nice but this weekend turned out to be a really super one. The weather was perfect - sunny but just the right temperature, and everyone seemed relaxed and happy :o)
Maisie did some super runs and she is loving her agility at the moment. On Saturday she got 16th in the First Contact 1&2, earning yet another one of those cool rosettes with a spaceship on! Then on Sunday she came 3rd!!!! in a 1-4 graded agility. We had some brill courses all weekend, really enjoyed every one. Her other run on Sunday was round a big galloping course - though still with handling bits. I always walk courses like that and think it looks a long way round for a little fluffy one, but actually she loves them when she's in the mood to fly. We were a bit unlucky there as there was obviously a sniff of some sort in the tunnel and she stopped to investigate then reversed back out, lol! Even on 5R she was 6th, though rosettes only to 5th, but no matter, the fluffy one was sooooo fab.
Oh Tim! Well I ran him with the modest aims of him staying in the ring and, hopefully, going over more jumps than under! His first run was OK - stayed with me though did run under loads of jumps - he did though do 12 super weaves and fast, solid contacts. I was then really undecided whether to do any of his other runs as I don't want to spoil the good bits by re-inforcing the idea that he can run under jumps in the ring. Anyway, decided to try one more run and this time he was much better, and then he got better with each succesive run, to the point when he was only ducking under the odd jump here & there, result! Apart from one 1-2 all the rest of the classes were 1-4 graded and so we faced some fairly challenging handling sections and he responded well to those. In fact he jumps much better on the trickier handling bits and he really listened and worked well - when it goes right it feels amazing! A non-straight-line start really helps to grab his focus. I was super pleased to be able to cross sharply behind him in his weaves, and run past his contacts, and he did some lovely confident send-ons to do bits of the course on his own. Really, really encouraging bits, and I'm now pretty sure it is the right thing to keep taking him into classes - the ducking under seems to be largely a confidence thing, apart from odd times when inexperience means he just doesn't quite get his stride right when spacing is tight - but he tries so hard and is realising what an amazing game it all is!! Clear rounds (or even not getting E'd) are a distant dream yet but we're defo making progress. Of course he had to have a clown moment - was a bit unsure of the Scottish judge and had to go and check what Scots keep up their kilts, teehee :o)
And Jules and Jette had some really fab runs and a lovely time. Sara & Tilly qualified in 5th for the FC final! Helen & Skip survived their move into grade 3 and I'm sure are going to do really very well there. Tim's ginger 'big bro' Bailey ran sooo well too :) And up at Hare & Hounds, Wendy and Kyle won into grade 6!!
And next weekend we're off to the seaside, yay!!!!