It’s official…..
Our first agility trial of 2010, this weekend we braved an impending snowstorm and went to the Bearded Collie Club of America’s agility trial at AK9-C in New Hampshire. Because of the ominous forecast I decided to cut the weekend short and leave after Saturday’s runs. Robbie had great runs in both Excellent Standard and Jumpers, he double Q’d and finished his MXJ with a placement!! He is now officially Wyndridge Mondavi MX MXJ NF!!! What a great way to start off the New Year!!
January 1, 2010…..Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!
A long time ago, one of my favorite instructors suggested that I make a habit to take some time at the beginning of each year to really give serious thought to what my training and trialing goals are for that year. She went on to say that once I set my goals, I need to plan how to work toward them.
I have tried to follow that advice and as each New Year begins decide who and what I need to focus on. In 2009, my plan was to focus on obedience with Stormy, and completing the OTCH quest. I truly feel blessed to have been able to reach that goal! Looking forward to what 2010 will hold, I am very excited about Britt’s upcoming litter; I really hope there is something great there!!! After the puppy duties are done, we will be busy training in obedience with both Britt and Robbie, and of course trailing with Robbie in agility……they have both waited “in the wings” very patiently, now they each deserve their turn to shine!
May you have a wonderful New Year, filled with Health, Happiness, Joy, and, of course lots of fun with your four legged friends too!
Robbie is looking forward to getting out to the agility trials in 2010 to work toward his MACH!
Our final trial for 2009…..
We had a great time this weekend at the Oriole Dog Training Club’s Agility Trial, held at the Carol County Agricultural Center in Westminster, MD. We went south, hoping for some warmer weather, instead we had 3 inches of snow! Anyway, Robbie did a great job, had I not driven him off the road we would have come home with 3 double Q’s! Instead, we came home with 3 more MXJ legs…..and…..an agility dog looking for a new handler who can steer him through an Excellent Standard course <ggg>! So, we end the year with 9 MXJ legs, and will have to wait for 2010 to earn the title!
The Biggest Show on Dirt!
The Thanksgiving Cluster starts this week; these shows run over the course of 5 days and are held at the Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, MA. This Cluster is one of the biggest shows in our part of the country, hosting 4 days of Agility competition, and 5 days of competition in Conformation, Obedience, and Rally-O. There are many canine health screenings available, and the BEST doggie shopping you could ask for in one place! I am really looking forward to these shows; we will be attending all 5 days, Thursday through Monday. Britt is entered in Rally-O on Thursday, and Robbie is entered in agility Friday through Monday 
This is a picture of the logo that was on the T-shirts given to the Agility exhibitors last year, celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Agility being offered at this cluster of shows- the agility trials known as “The Biggest Show on Dirt!”
Happy 6th Birthday Indy, Gibs and Belle!!!!!!
I can hardly believe it has already been 6 years since my first litter was born!
Indy, Belle and Gibson 12-27-03
Indy, Gibson and Belle were born on Veterans Day, 11/11/03 and the first puppy arrived at 11:11am! We tried to come up with litter names that would be relevant to this day. Indy’s name came from Independence, Belle’s from the Liberty Bell, and the very handsome Gibson after one of my favorite actors Mel Gibson for his movie “The Patriot”. Though it does not usually happen, their new families all kept the litter names that the puppies were given.
Belle went to live the life of luxury as a much doted on family pet with a wonderful family in Massachusetts. She joined an older Sheltie “brother” named Jasper.
"Belle"
Gibson and Indy both joined Carol and Gary Weiner here in CT. Soon after starting puppy classes both Carol and Gary were bitten by the “agility bug”. Not long after starting agility training, Gary’s fancy sport car was traded in for a more dog friendly SUV. Eventually they were knee deep in agility trials and a motor home joined their fleet too! Carol and Gary, along with Indy and Gibs, have been familiar faces at the agility trials in the North East over the last few years.
Gary has done an amazing job with Gibson; he is a very fast and talented agility dog! They are such fun to watch on course
Gary and Gibson
Not to be out done by her dynamic big brother, in September 2008, Indy (and Carol) went all the way from Novice A to earning a MACH!!!! Indy is Carol’s first MACH dog and she is the first Champion for Wyndridge too! We are so proud of you and all that you have achieved together!
Carol and MACH Indy!
Happy 6th Birthday, Indy, Gibson and Belle!!!!!! And Happy Veterans Day too! Especially on this day, we should say a special prayer and give thanks for all of the men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure the freedom that we all enjoy!
Robbie’s QQ#3!!!
This weekend Robbie and I went to the ABA Agility Trial at American K9 Country, in New Hampshire. Robbie really had a great weekend! On Saturday, he finished his Novice Fast title, and earned another MX leg! Sunday, he moved up to Open Fast, and earned his first leg there by winning the class! Then he went on to qualify in BOTH his Standard and Jumpers classes earning his 5th MXJ leg and his 3rd double Q!!!
The courses were very nice both days, they seemed to work equally well for both the big and small dogs. Below are the maps from the Sunday courses. Sunday’s theme seemed to be about pinwheels and both courses started with either the tunnel or chute too! Unfortunately, my camera was not cooperating so there is no video of our runs 
Sunday course maps
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An opportunity to train with a World Team member!
Jenn Crank and her mom Susan have had amazing success in agility. Among Jenn’s accomplishments are 11 MACHs on 4 different dogs, she has also been on the world team several times earning both Bronze and Silver medals! We attended the seminar they gave at Criterion Agility in August this year, and were lucky to have a private lesson with Jenn back then.
Jenn was back on the East Coast for another seminar this week, Robbie and I were very fortunate to have our second opportunity to train with her again today! We shared a 3 hour lesson this afternoon with our instructor Monique and another friend Joyce. We all had a lot of fun working together, and the time seemed to FLY by! We ran several courses with a lot of focus on fine tuning forward and lateral sends. After 3 hours of running, I am sure everyone will sleep well tonight!
Run it for the money!
Run it for the Money was the name of the agility workshop that Robbie and I attended today at Criterion agility. We have been training at Criterion in Middlefield, CT since early this year. Monique, who is one of the owners/trainers there, has really helped us to improve our communication on course and to cut down our yardage, therefore course time as well.
The Fall colors are about at peak in our area right now, and the drive to Ridgeland Farm where Criterion is based was spectacular.
The Oranges…..
the reds……………………
and the yellows are brilliant!
The view across Beseck Lake in Middlefield is gorgeous!
The colors of the Fall mums………
The dogs take turns with the horses of Ridgeland Farm training in the spacious indoor arena.
Our Workshop was great; it was a series of many short courses to drill skills. We left with a few things to work on; when the trials wind down next month we will have some homework for the winter months.
This video is the short “warm up” that we started with today…….then we all really went to work drilling skills
Robbie earns his 3rd and 4th MXJ legs!!!!
The weekend of October 10th and 11th we went to the Longshore Southport Kennel Club’s Agility Trial in Hamden, CT. Robbie qualified both days in Masters Jumpers, he earned his 3rd MXJ leg on Saturday with a 3rd placement! His Jumpers Q on Sunday gave him his 4th MXJ leg! These Q’s earned him an additional 20 MACH points as well! Our next agility trial is 4weeks away, we can hardly wait!
Robbie’s QQ #2!!
It was a beautiful New England Fall day, Robbie and I had a lot of fun today at the Berkshire Belgian Tervuren Club’s Agility Trial in Hamden, CT. He placed 3rd in both his Standard and Jumpers classes today. This gave us his 2nd MXJ leg, an additional 13 MACH points and his 2nd QQ as well!!
Robbie during his Excellent Jumpers Class at the Berkshire Belgian Terv trial.
I have been busy trying to bring each of my dog’s albums up to date, so I finally made the time to order several pictures that I had just never gotten around to ordering. This photo of Robbie was taken “playing with some friends” at an agility trial when he was just under a year old. Still a puppy in this picture, it was clear from his big smile and the way he is banking a 45-degree on his turn how much he loves to run!
Run, Rob, Run
