After over six months of not entering any trials, I just finished a weekend in Palmetto for an AKC trial. We only did probably 3 or 4 AKC trials at all last season, as I was focused on USDAA to finish our ADCH. With that accomplished in December, and after a long break, I decided to focus on our MACH going forward. While I have entered a few of my favorite USDAA trials for fun, I am making an effort to find enjoyment in AKC. The courses may be a little simple, but we still make mistakes, and he really does love to open up and run full out on many of the courses that afford that opportunity in AKC. Given our limited trialing in this venue, we went into the weekend needing two standard legs for our MX, which we got. We also got our 8th MXF title with a first, and won Time2Beat for the first time ever on Sunday. Our only mistake all weekend was me accidentally sending him back into the weaves on an otherwise brilliant JWW run that cost us another DQ. However, going 5/6 on our first trial back was FAR more than I could have expected. I think my mental game was the best it has ever been, for a number of reasons. The long break helped tremendously, going to the gym regularly for strength, stamina, and mental health, as well as the presence of many good friends at this trial whom I’d missed more than I had even realized. Xander was picking up on my good vibes I think, and we were both relaxed and easy going before running each time. While it was brutally hot, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and so did Xander.
The weekend began with my brilliant idea of camping/sleeping in my van, however, the 90 degree temps and hordes of mosquitoes made that a nightmare. Somehow we survived Friday night and still managed to function on Saturday. Thankfully, my wonderful friend Terri who lives in Tampa graciously offered us a place to stay Saturday night that was insect free and air conditioned! We also had a delicious Mexican dinner and margaritas that indeed proved to be Q juice for the following day.
Trudy was a super star in all of the traveling, crating, staying in the x-pen with her brother at the trial, not barking at Terri’s house, and generally being a good sport about being dragged around everywhere. She really has had limited overnight travel experience, given that she was only six months old or so the last time we did it. She really is a great little dog who seems to have a confidence and mood boosting effect on Xander and I. She is like our own personal happy pill. She is so thrilled with life; it is hard not to feel the same way around her. She also had some good experience ringside and on the practice jump and was a superstar as always. We had some playtime with friends her size, and generally a great time overall.
I think that in the future, I will plan my trialing to include nice breaks of 3-4 weeks for every 4 months of trialing. I am hoping this, along with going to the gym regularly; eating well, maintaining relationships with positive people and staying well rounded will keep me from getting burnt out again so I can continue to enjoy this sport without letting the negativity creep in. I looked at all of Xander’s pictures taken by the photographer, and he is smiling in every single one. That’s why I do this sport. I love that sweet, sweet boy!
Also, I brought my camera, but then totally spaced out in every run and forgot to give it to Chris for filming us. However, the lovely Gail thoughtfully caught one of our standard runs. It was actually my second least favorite run of the weekend, as he had some wide turns and a near miscommunication around the A-frame/table, but the ending was nice. And Amanda wanted to see video, so here you go. I will try to do better next time!
