Introducing MASTER Chudleigh

What a way to finish off the agility trialing year.  On his final jumpers run Chudleigh handily picked up the necessary 10th leg to earn his Master Jumpers Preferred title.  He also got his 3rd double Q and took a 2nd place in standard.

There were some of the hardest most diabolically trappy courses I have ever run with the tunnel smooshed as small as they possibly could and still be tunnels and of course the wrong end looking more important to the dog

.  He did not take a wrong tunnel all weekend.

Every NQing run was due to a single dropped bar, time was way under and no off courses.

I love those QQ pins you get now, much nicer than the rosettes they used to give.

I sure wasn't expecting it but Chudleigh earned double Q #2 today!  He did screw up his T2B run which was the first run of the day, but if we had to sacrifice a run that was the one to flush as it was just a games class. 

I am so proud of that big white dog.  He is just 6 1/2, the same age Zorro was when we lost him.  I am acutely aware of that and cherish every day that I have Chudleigh.

Here are links to the video of today's runs.  The standard run, which was the final run of the day, had a really tricky spot for Mr Tunnel Sucker.  Coming off the dog walk there is an enticing tunnel right in front of the dog with both ends begging to be entered.  The course called for a hard right turn to a chute.  What could a long time obedience trainer do to get her dog's full attention but firmly command "Heel".  Yup, Chudleigh's head whirled toward me and we locked eyes, ignoring that hollering tunnel. 

http://youtu.be/MhneMSY5UpI      

This jumpers run was HARD and a lot of teams failed to Q.  They tended to take the wrong jump coming out of the tunnel, providing they even took the correct end of the tunnel to begin with, or the dog would take the wrong next to the last jump.  Too many people failed to cross there and the dog would veer to the right and get the wrong jump. 

http://youtu.be/EA1BeDfcnwA 

This is the standard run.  Whew, I need to rest up as next weekend we do it again.

The BESTEST Agility Day EVER

I know, crappy grammar, but it was the most fitting description of today.  Chudleigh gave me the BEST Christmas present, his very first double qualifying run.

I was waiting until he got a double Q before I ever posted anything else on the blog, and I was beginning to think I might never get to post again.

Today was finally THE DAY!  Chudleigh's agility runs were amazing, he could do no wrong.  He got his very first DOUBLE Q which ended up being a TRIPLE Q because he also qualified in T2B.  First run of the day was T2B where he picked up leg#10 and 9 more points.  Next run was jumpers, and with 10 preferred dogs in his class he picked up a 3rd place for MXJP leg #8.  I was so nervous I was on the verge of throwing up when we went in the ring for our 3rd run of the day.  Same 10 dogs in his class and he not only qualified for MXP leg#5 he did it with a 4th place!  I had tears in my eyes when I left the ring. Have I mentioned how much I love this dog?   Oh, the tiny thing I am holding in the 2nd picture is his triple Q pin.  It is such a lovely keepsake.