HIT!!!

Last weekend it was time to load up the stuff and head to a local ASCA trial, put on by PASA - our first since last month's Nationals in Tennessee.  Time for some "smooth, flowing courses" again.  They forgot fast in that oft-used description of ASCA courses.  My dogs naturally love it because they get to R-U-N.  It's way different than the twisty, technical courses of USDAA, where they get to collect their stride and use their big muscles more with all the tight turns.  They like that, too - it's just different.  ASCA courses are fast and the dogs tend to flatten out over the jumps, literally.  Think horses in Steeplechase.  'In addition to speed, the steeplechase horse must possess the ability to jump fences at a fast pace.'  (http://www.nationalsteeplechase.com/chasing/basics/)

It's a wild ride with fast dogs.  And we humans do our best to stay with them.

And yes, this happens in dog agility too

I got to work out of my truck this trial.  No dragging a canopy, grass mat, ex-pen, gear bag, and chair halfway across a field.  No set up to set up. All that stuff is conveniently tucked away under the platform in the bed of my truck - kudos to friend Jim Westbrook for that awesome platform - and I usually pull the stuff out for the weekend, and shove it back in when packing up.

Awesome platform, from another day

It's much easier this way and I do it whenever possible.  In this case, I parked under the overhang of the barn roof next to the arena, and girls were crated in the back.  And when it was time to go, I closed up the back and drove home.

Nice.

More shark goodies from Mona.

Of course there was proper footwear.  Cushy socks inside my washable, turquoise Minimus shoes.  Appropriate for the dirt arena.

Turns out the Landshark socks are lucky.  Vixen won two of her classes, one by over 6 seconds!  Good God.  Must run faster.

Everyone was laughing!  Perfect!

My friend Susan had fun running her Papillon, Butter in some classes.  She said with a big grin: Wait 'til you see what Rachel and I got for Vixen!  I couldn't begin to guess.  Then Rachel shows up later with this dog coat.  They saw the material; she made the coat.  Fit like a glove.  SHARKNADO COAT!!

I love my friends.





Speaking of HIT ... my Huckleberry, Jemima ran 9 out of her 10 classes clean last weekend, including 2 of judge Mike Black's 3 daunting Gamblers.  As a result she won High in Trial in the Veterans division.  I've been anxious about the Gambles at this trial.  Last time Mike judged for us, we were 0 for 3.  They're tough.  I was so relieved when she knocked out the first one of the trial ... and sailed through the second one the next day while I watched, amazed.  We joined many in missing the last one.  All in all, I was thrilled - and very surprised at the end of Sunday to hear she had earned HIT.

Beautiful girl and her HIT ribbon

So, a great weekend.  Local trial.  Slept in my own bed.  Lots of laughter with friends.  

In 'n' Out on the way home Sunday.  Best dogs in the world.  I'm a lucky girl.