Friday, February 13, 2009

Tomorrow is the day!

Well tomorrow is the day of my first agility trial! Looks like I will be good to go - we went to practice on Wednesday morning and class last night and no sign of limping or anything. Last night was class 6 - we did sequences with some more difficult jump angles and weave entries. Mom and I handled it all pretty well. The only thing we are having some consistent difficulty with now is the a-frame. I have to be running fast in order to get up it - but if mom runs fast past the a-frame to get my momentum going, I often pass right by it and run after her (although she is saying, "Frame" to me. And if she slows down and makes sure I get on it, then I don't have enough speed to get up and over and end up really fighting my way to the top. So we'll see what happens.

The other thing about tomorrow is the measuring! For some reason, I had never really been measured. Don't know why this isn't part of agility classes - but it isn't (at least wasn't for us). We had been asking our instructor to measure me for awhile now and there was never the time. If you saw me and compared me to the height of dogs who jump 16", you would assume like we did that I would jump 12". So I have always jumped 12". Last night I got measured - it was a rush job, but I measured 14 and 1/4"!!! This is very bad news because that means I would have to jump 16" tomorrow (anything over 14" puts you in 16") and I never have! I have also never dropped a bar in 12" and can probably do 16" but it would've been nice to know. So we're not sure what to do if I measure the same tomorrow - jump 16", jump preferred at 12", don't run? Chalk this up to another learning experience for mom - she's bummed but at least she'll know better the next time around.

Today we are going to do a little backyard practice and maybe go for a long walk at the park. Then tomorrow we get up early and see what happens!

Gotta zoom!

Ricky

12 comments:

Cowspotdog said...

We will be crossing our paws for you....and you can jump a little higher....you have the zoomy magic, that will make it easy. he he ...or maybe you can scrunch down a 1/4 inch when they measure you. Anyway, this is just the first one trial so just go out and have fun and the more you do the better you will get.

Diana said...

It think its a good thing. Jump 12 inch perferred if you have to. I wouldnt jumpe 16 if she hasnt been doing that. This is just a learning/fun experience to see how things are going. Keep things light. Dont worry about if she runs by the a-frame. No big deal, that a training issue that you deal with later. Good luck. Diana

Sara said...

Oreo has never been measured either. Maybe I should have my teacher measure him soon. We always set the bar at 12" in class.

Good luck tomorrow. We will be rooting for you to do your best and have fun! Wish we could be there to clap and say "Go Ricky!"

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

ooh good luck Ricky, I will be thinking of you! Maybe you could hunch a bit. BOL! I is too tall I thinks, when mum measures me herself she say I is about 16 inches, but we not know if she doing it right.
~lickies, Ludo

GeeRome said...

Good luck at the trial!! Remember, it's all about the fun. :D

Dawn said...

I agree, jump preferred if you have to, it's all just to see how you like trials, right? And the A-Frame? Heck if you decide not to go over it, that's OK! This is your first time! And have fun! Katie has never been measured either, and she won't let me measure her, even if I knew what I was doing. Maybe I should have the instructor measure her too. Good idea Ricky!

Now go out there and have FUN!!! Can't wait to hear all about it.

Chris and Ricky said...

Thanks for all the good wishes everybody! We'll remember to have fun and we'll let you know how it goes!

Irish Hill Shelties said...

Have FUN I am sure this is just the beginning of a lifetime of fun filled trials don't push the 16 inch jump if you can avoid it you just got rid of your limp.Let us know how you do. :)

Morgan in Pittsburgh said...

Good luck Ricky! I haven't tried a trial yet. I jump 16 inches - it didn't seem to be too much different that 12 which is what I was doing till someone thought to measure me! My school has a wicket - they just never got it out till mom asked if they had one. Post as soon as u get back - K?
your pal Morgan

Anonymous said...

Hope it goes well for you tomorrow Ricky!!! We're looking forward to the update... and maybe some photos, too?
We'll keep our paws crossed for you,

hugs, Josh and Jessie

Amber-Mae said...

So how did it go Ricky???

Happy Valentine's Day!

Stuffed from eating a BIG feast,
Solid Gold Dancer

Johann The Dog said...

We're stopping by to see how it went! Can't wait to hear!

BTW-Mum sweated out my measuring too. For USDAA. Before my first trial I was measuring 15 3/4, so we were sweating it. Mum even taught me to lower my shoulders with a clicker. But we made it, just barely - to think I would have to jump 22? Insane!