Breezy Earning the MX

Breezy was entered in the AKC Agility Trials at the Wine Country Circuit shows in upper New York State. Breezy went into the 4 days of trials needing 2 more legs to earn the MX. We were confident the title would be won since Breezy had close to an 80% qualifying rate at AKC trials, but fate has a way of dealing with confidence.

1st day Breezy runs a flawless course until reaching the 3rd obstacle from the end - the weave poles. After successfully entering after the 3rd pole, Breezy stops, shakes her head and backs out. NQ! No leg today!

2nd day The old 'tunnel next to the A frame' trap. No problem, I'll just block the A frame, outstretch the arm towards the tunnel and yell "TUNNEL, TUNNEL" as I always do and it always works. "TUNNEL, TUN----" and a blur of fur flies over my outstretched arm within inches of my nose and lands half way up the A frame. What a sight that must of been for ringside with Breezy standing on top of the A frame looking down on me stooped over, butt in the air and arm outstretched. I finally got her back on course finishing with a score of 86 (wrong course and 3 sec. over SCT) - the lowest score we ever got but a Q nonetheless. Leg number 9 and one to go!

3rd day Different judge but same trap, only it's the A frame that's correct. No problem, yesterday was a fluke! As I stood blocking the tunnel and yelling 'A FRA---", the fur blur scoots under my leaning body and disappears into you-know-what. When I finally reached the other end of the tunnel, Breezy was on her way up the back side of the A frame. By the time I reversed direction, she had entered the contact zone on the down side (this normally gets a "Good Girl" but not this time). As I attempted to get her turned around, Breezy started to enter the tunnel again. NQ! No leg today!

4th day Last chance for that 10th leg and a MX title. Heeding the advice of my wife - Lu, I planned to not block the trap but to pull Breezy to the correct obstacle - not a strategy I use often. This day's judge gave me 2 opportunities to try this new approach. However, my confidence was gone. Thank You Fate! I led Breezy up to the first trap - the tunnel next to the tire jump - at a pace a turtle could beat, but it worked. Breezy took the tire without even a glance at the tunnel. We went on through the weave poles and pin wheel jumps without a hitch. We approached the second trap - the tunnel instead of the tire - just as cautiously as the first with time taken to discuss how long the ride home would be without a title (Breezy does not care much for car rides - especially long ones). It worked! Through the tunnel and over the last 3 jumps finishing two seconds under SCT. Score 100, tenth leg, Master Agility Excellent title -- but not exactly Master Agility Excellent style. Confidence restored. Jerry (Lu and Breezy, too)

Off to a BAD Start

 Bad Attitude