This past weekend, August 28 - 31, 2008, was "The Maine Event" dog show run by the Central Maine Kennel Club and the Midcoast Kennel Club. It was an All Breed Show with Obedience and Rally Trials.I entered Ella in Rally Novice A for Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
On Thursday, we went to work for an hour before we went to the show. Won't do that again, since Ella was unhappy with being left in the car while I was working. We got to the show site around 11 and then it was pretty much hurry up and wait. I helped where and when Donna needed me to steward and Ella spent time in her new soft sided crate. Unhappily. It was hot and she was hot and we didn't do our Rally run until after 5. And, it was the very first time we had ever shown, so it was stressful for both of us.
Ella placed second on Thursday with a score of 85.
Our biggest problems on Thursday were caused by me. I had ring nerves and held the leash too tight, so we got quite a few points off for that. You can see the tight leash in the photos that I had a friend take (all the photos are from Thursday).
Friday, we did not go into work before we went to the show. I made sure that I had a cooler and water just for Ella's cooling coat, which I soaked overnight. I had a baggie of larger treats that were for when she went into her crate. I also brought a thinner leash to use to make me more aware of where I was holding it. We spent a lot more time walking around the show site and I played with Ella in a quiet corner. She spent most of her day with her cooling coat on and spent a lot of time sleeping in my lap.
Ella placed second with a score of 96 on Friday.
Our biggest problem on Friday was ring nerves. We lost 3 points for "Lack of Briskness" which was caused by me being so nervous that I could not walk faster. Ella performed each station beautifully and tried really hard to reassure me!
Saturday was our day off and we needed it! We were both pooped. And, I got my "Conquering Ring Nerves" book in the mail and was able to read the first couple of chapters.
Sunday had Rally beginning before Obedience, so we got to the site early. It was quite breezy that day and Ella did not like the billowing tent at all, but tolerated it. We didn't spend as much time warming up on Sunday, but I spent a lot of time doing deep Yoga breaths for my nerves. When I did my walk through, I paid less attention to the signs and more to my pace (I needed to walk at a pace that had me take about 6 steps between each sign).
Ella placed third with a 90 on Sunday and got her Rally Novice title.
I am really proud of this little girl!
Ella and I need to proof our runs on breezy days so that she doesn't react quite so much to the tents moving. We also need to do a better warm up routine and run through a couple of the course signs when we do warm up. At this point, it looks like she might be at least a two day show dog - one who does better being on the show site for two days.
We are going to spend the winter practicing the Rally Advanced signs and attending as many shows and matches as we can.
