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Some thoughts about Exhibiting in Novice:
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2001: Again 80 degrees but I made sure he was wet
and cool. During the sit/stay I was counting 1120, 1121.....etc.
saying to myself "Madre Dios" hang in there. Well he
did and took second place. Whoopee!!! Our new CD boy!On Saturday, Sept. 18, 2001, Max and I finished with the group exercises
and when the judge announced that we qualified I was jumping with excitement.
I thought whew that was over now we can go home. I then remembered
that it was polite to stay and join the qualifiers for the placements.
So we hung around and followed everyone into the ring and I recall being
so proud of Max and being with the group. I remember a number being
called out by the judge and thought "I didn't think there was a dog by
that number". Then another number was called out and I'm still looking
at Max and being proud. Then suddenly the judge says "Will the standard
schnauzer kindly come forward, number 127". Well I was shocked to
think that we placed. So we trotted up there and stood in the half
circle wondering what just happened. Then the judge reaches over
and hands us the Blue Ribbon. I'm telling you my mouth and face dropped
to my knees. I was stunned. I later found out that our score
was 191, three points higher than the second place dog.
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On Sunday Dec 30 Max earned his Novice Agility
title at the Boston Terrier Club trial at Elma. What is striking is
the way he won. A score of 100, a time of 31.18 seconds over 125 yards,
allowed time was 70 seconds.. A First place and High in Trial. When you take
out the 5 second down at the table he was running at 4.77 yards a second or
14.3 feet a second. We seem to have created quite a show. We are
changing to Novice B and will be there for a while until we get
consistent. That was one run on one course in which we were in the
"zone". The next run on Monday, we were the team of old..he
had never seen a contact before.. let's try a leap off the teeter cause that
is much faster than waiting.. I think I will just hang back and try to
remember what to call that obstacle, oh yea, a table, I'll try loping
around because divine intervention should take over soon. I think
I said to him that we were going home after this last run, so both our
brains were not connected to our feet. His sit/stay at the start line is
currently non existent in the trial ring which causes me to see a blur as he
goes by. My list of improvements for me to work on doesn't appear to
get any shorter, just some move off, others come on, and previous others
suddenly reappear. Very fascinating and challenging sport.
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A big
thanks to Susan Perry who provided great encouragement and training when we
were just starting out.
All the best in the New Year for you and yours!!!
David & Max (MTWD - Max the wonder dog ..cause I wonder what we're
both going to do next in the ring)
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