Dr. Ben's Benefit Trial

Well, there wasn't a big turnout for the novice trial. But I will say it was a nice supportive group of people and a fun day. I met several people that I have never met before. I ran Gael in P/N, we ran 5 sheep and a slightly different course from the last trial at the same place. This time we had no fetch panels but were required to keep a straight line down to the post a left hand drive and then to the pen. Our first run wasn't horrible but there were many things I could have improved. Our second run was one to write about!! Fabulous for only having run this dog 1 other time. Had to redirect her twice at the top, actually did on both of my runs, so I need to figure that out. Little bobble on the fetch but we quickly got back online. Nice turn at the post with a little bobble on the drive away due to the sheep wanting to escape to the exhaust but they got back on line and went nicely through the drive panels. Nice pen, had one try to escape as I was shutting the pen gate but my stick influenced her to stay in. Score of 65 out of 80....I was highly impressed with Gael and myself!! Can't wait for the next trial!

So we have been working well...

LOL we will see if it all works out in a trial situation though. I rarely get nervous for anything anymore thanks to the years of showing horses....but ummmmmm well I'm not really nervous now just want them day to come to see if the big Gael/Kelly debut will be magical or disasterous. Its gonna be a long weekend! I keep using the techinques of invisioning the run in my head as I want it to happen, so hopefully the good visions will carry us through!

Jen will be in tow so that I can get all her rehab in that day and Dutch as well so that he can get some socialization.

Updates to come Tuesday, wish us LUCK

OK OK I know I haven't blogged in a while!

So there has been a lot going on lately!!



First, I went to my first dog trial 2 weekends ago. Boy, now I'm hooked! Being a former competitive equestrian, I really have the desire to now be a competitive dog handler! I replay it over and over again in my mind and just think of all the things I could have done better. But I think we all did OK for our first trial....2nd in P/N with Spottie and 6th in N/N with Jen. It was Jen's first trial as well and the competition wasn't exactly easy either! Spottie is down to her ideal weight but we now need to work on Endurance!



Second, Dutch is growing and growing. He is up to about 15 lbs now and he thinks he is King of the Hill (see below). He continues to be a great puppy and gets along well with everyone. I have to say, I have been keeping my sisters 6 month old lab for the last 2 months who never quite got dog manners, the first time someone growled at Dutch over a bone, I was ECSTATIC to see him back off and find a different bone!! His ears have started to stand...OK well they both stood for a while, now only one stands, the other is a 1/2 way up other 1/2 sideways ear! But its CUTE!













Thats all for now.......There will be more to come! We are entered in a couple of other trials coming up and I will try to get better updated pics of the puppy and the other happenings around the farm!