Soda and I have another trial and this will be for our started title. We'll be out of town for saturday and sunday and it will be the first time she's ever herded anywhere other than Terry's so... here's hoping!

On a plus note, we had a FREAKING awesome lesson today. We did 50 yard + outruns and opened them up nice and pretty and she didn't shut down. With a bit more time she'll be more sure of herself but I almost wept when she got all the way behind the sheep and had to walk up before they moved. WEPT, I say! Hope it bodes well.

I'll let ya'll know how we do on Sunday.

Good luck Paige! I hope you and Soda have a great time, whether or not you get a title (though a title is a nice bonus).

Good luck Paige! All fingers & paws crossed for you and Soda!

Good luck Paige!

Good luck! It sounds like the two of you are in the zone.

WOOHOO!

Best of luck! I'm sure you guys will do great.

Yeah! We just got back and Soda did pretty well and we got our title! w00t!

We didn't qualify the first day--she sliced the out run and the sheep ran into this funky corner/runway and she didn't have the skills to get them out. I NQ'd myself and walked to try to help her get them out but even then she couldn't go into that intense pressure so I retired. I always thought that I'd be more upset if something like that happened but surprisingly, I was okay with it. I just accepted it and was so proud of Soda for trying. Bless her little heart she never gave up! Only two dogs qualified that day!

Then today she had a beautiful outrun and lifted the sheep fine and she did WONDERFULLY but I was ashamed of myself. About half way through my brain completely froze and I panicked and stopped thinking. The sheep were REALLY trying to get to the exhaust gate and Soda was doing the best she could and I just kept screwing her up. She, at one point, looked at me like "What do I do mom? I'm so stressed and confused" and I was so ashamed of myself for making it worse with my panicked handling. Anyway, we qualified by the skin our teeth and actually got fourth place -- only four dogs qualified! When we walked out I was so embarrassed/ashamed of myself I nearly started crying. I was glad I sunglasses on! Bless the kind herding people because they saw how panicked I was and my trial friend (who won Reserve HIT both days) empathized and another competitor told me how pretty my outrun was (and it was!--especailly compared to the day before!) But I really couldn't be more proud of Soda--even when I was royally screwing things up she did her best to try to fix it and didn't even think of quitting. What a good girl!

It was a great trial because I really really learned what I need to work on for myself and for her. Yay!

Cool!
never mind my questions...I went and read AKC's site.
**was comparing akc to the asca and ahba trials I know.

Wow, fantastic. And honestly you should be proud of yourself for putting Soda ahead of trying to Q in the first run, and going and helping her when she needed it. It's so aggravating to see the novices stand there and holler at their dogs when the dogs need them not more pressure.



Ultimately that's what it's all about at this level! Go Soda, go Soda, go Soda!

Yeah Team Soda! Sounds like a great weekend for both of you Paige. I'm glad there were people there to help you feel better about your personal tough spots. You should be really proud of both of you, I think.

Yay Paige and Soda!!! That's so very cool, I'm proud of you!!!

That's great! Go Team! You should be very proud of yourself and of Soda!

Sounds like you had an experience we have all had- there is no shame in any of it. You are learning as you go. As for crying, I think the one crying jag I had this spring in front a whole boat load of people, was pretty memorable for EVERYONE. So, been there, done that. Just remember that you and your dog are a team, in it together, good or bad, and you will be fine.

Congratulations! Sounds like a very good experience all around (minus the tears, of course!). I totally agree with Becca. You did the right thing by forgetting about a Q, and going to help your dog. Every experience, good or bad, teaches you something.

You guys are doing awesome!

Congratulations!!! Knowing what you don't know is always a good thing. Sounds like the two of you had a really positive weekend and that's what really counts.

Congratulations.

Congrats! Looks like you've got a second career in the making :-)

Paige, I have to say that you being upset at yourself and still thinking so well of your dog says LOADS about how awesome you are. I get anxious and flustered under pressure, and cry easily, so I can understand some of how you felt. You two did well!