The Western Regionals Adventure

This was my third or fourth year as the volunteer coordinator for the Bay Team's USDAA Western Regionals.  It involves working behind the scenes for a couple of months, specifically gathering the volunteers and coordinating them to staff all the key positions in five rings.  It's a big job.  It's a big trial.  The biggest trial in Northern California.  People travel far to play and compete here.

Jemima, Vixen and our house guest - Vixen's little sister Lizzie - arrived Friday afternoon to an atmosphere like a stirred up ant bed, with people everywhere putting together the rings and building the courses.  It seemed chaotic and yet in hindsight quickly came together.  The timers soon  beeped throughout the rings, a telltale sign that things are about to roll.  All rings staffed? Showtime!

There were four classes Friday, including a local Steeplechase tournament, which is about speed.  It was Vixen's first real agility in six weeks, and she qualified!  She was miraculously quiet the first three obstacles, and then the Sharknado came out over the long jump, and let me have it the rest of the run.  Turn it up!  RUN LADY!!!

Jemima didn't need either the local Steeplechase or Grand Prix since she qualified earlier in the year, so she just ran the twisty/curvy/wicked fancy courses, called Masters Challenge courses.  She won her Standard class, and 3rd in Jumpers. And we're off!!

PODIUM!!

Saturday was Team day.  Jemima & I teamed with Janet & Maggie, team name Blue-eyed Beauties.  Our blue dogs have been running agility for about the same amount of time.  I was thrilled to team with them. Our focus was to have fun and try hard; we had a terrific day and ended up winning 2nd place in Performance Versatility Pairs (PVP)!  A first for the podium for all of us!  

Chillin' in the 'hood

Vixen had the day off, and hung with Lizzie. That's a good thing about three dogs - two get to hang out while the third is ON.











Team Relay is the last class and is weighted the highest in scoring.  It's a make-it-or-break-it class, and can knock a team right out of a top position.  The blue girls ran it well, even with Maggie's deciding she wanted to keep going at baton exchange, and Jemima telling her no way it's my turn WOOF anyway!!!  Jemima always feels robbed in relay and let's me know we only ran half a course.  I suspect that's what Maggie was saying.

OMG PODIUM!!!

On Sunday, Jemima and I did the Biathalon, which was another set of fancy classes, this time scored together.  She did well, and won 3rd place overall.  Janet & Maggie took 1st, our friend Rachel & Chloe took 2nd.  So much fun.






The Regionals Grand Prix tournament was also on Sunday, and Jemima qualified.  I think Vixen knocked a bar, but otherwise did great! 

Monday held a few regular classes, and Jemima Q'd in all of them, while Vixen just had a blast.  :) Then it was time for the last class of the trial, the Regionals Grand Prix.  Jemima ran silky smooth and earned 7th place, and a bye to the Semi-Finals at this year's Cynosports.

It took hours to pack up.  And a few of us stragglers were there long after everyone else had gone home, packing the last of the workers store up, and Liza's and Katrina's set-ups.  It had cooled off and I was able to load the girls up in the truck while we packed up.  Look how good they are! 

Jemima is Lizzie's great aunt.  Aunt Jemima!

~That's a wrap.  Happy trails and trials!  Until next time!~