My instructor convinced me to sign up in a real AAC trial tomorrow. I'm only running Jumpers and Standard, but Nutmeg has been a loose cannon in class that past few weeks and I'm really worried it's going to be a gong show.

There are numerous reasons I'm nervous:
1. Even with the clocks going back, I still have to get up at 4.30 am!
2. Nutmeg will be jumping 22" instead of the usual 16", which she's had a lot less practice on.
3. No treats allowed in the ring!
4. My old instructor (seedy Belgian guy who was really boring and whose class I dropped) is running in the same two classes with me. And he's right in front of me in running order. Awkward!
5. BF won't be coming because he won't want to wake up so early, and he wants to do some garden work and bond with Spratley.

So anyway, any and all ODO vibes are gratefully accepted! Tell me it won't be a complete disaster!

It will be fun! Good luck and I'll send some calming vibes your way.

Mucho vibes to you and Nutmeg! You'll be great!

Have fun! Do you practice 22" in class? Remember, set little goals that are attainable so that everything else that surpasses is gold!

Remember to pack for youself as well as the dog! Chairs...treats ( human and dog) change of socks...coat..chair...water for you and her...leash..potty bag..etc etc.
I always forget lip balm!

Good luck!!

Have a blast!

Hope it goes well - luck!

You'll rock it. And I know everyone says it and it sounds cliched but for serious: Don't forget to have fun. Serious.



ETA: Ten points to whoever knows what movie "for serious" is from.

GL!

You'll do great and just have fun. Ruffysdad

Good luck. Don't let your other instructor bother you. Pay attention to Nutmeg. If you don't practice at her in 22", could you drop her down to performance so she can jump 16" at her first trial?

Good luck! You'll have fun no matter what, I bet!

Good luck!

Good Luck! I bet you'll do great, and no matter how you do how can you not have fun with the Nutter?

I agree w/ Yintzy, don't worry about the other instructor, try not to even pay attention to him. And think about how much bonding time your boyfriend and Spratley will be having - it will be good for them And, I bet Nutmeg will be glad to be doing something all on her own since the little guy arrived!

Hope all goes well!

Hey, you guys will do great, I just know it! I'm late with the good luck vibes, but I'll send 'em anyway.

Paige, I have no idea which movie, and I probably didn't see it, but I picked up "for serious" and "for reals" somewhere.

So I'm back I got there at 6.30 am, and didn't leave until 6.30 pm, and I only had two runs! Not doing that again It got VERY tedious, and they had to re-run one class because of a layout mistake, so the day dragged on and on. I did manage to get some thesis stuff done in the interim, but there were only bleachers and nowhere to set up my chair, so my back is killing me.

Anyway, thanks for all the vibes - they must have worked! I was filled with dread when, during familiarization, Nutmeg got big zoomies and took off on me. She also flew over every single contact zone Luckily it was not a bad omen.

In both Standard and Jumpers we had nearly perfect runs! In Standard Nutmeg was doing brilliantly, and just got a minor zoomie entering the weaves. Unfortunately during this, she ran over the chute and touched it, so we got 5 faults. Other than that it was a perfect run! In Jumpers, at the very end of the day, she also was great One little refusal, but very speedy otherwise. I'm actually glad we didn't Q in Jumpers because I would have had to wait around for ribbons and I just wanted to get home.

I'm glad we didn't Q in either class because now I have something to work towards. Everyone commented on how well-behaved and cute she was. She made lots of treat-dispensing friends I also caught up with my old Rally instructor and my very first *lovely* agility instructor, which was nice.

And we wiped the floor with the old instructor He didn't do so well. Neener neener neener! He didn't really recognize me. He kept to himself and didn't help with ring duties or holding other dogs, or anything. Which says a lot

ETA: She was fine with 22" but probably because she only had two runs with a huge break in between. We can move down to 16" as a special if need be, but we can't start as a special and then move into regulars.

Sounds like you and Nutty conquered the ring nerves with great ease!
Congrats on finishing your paper!

When's the next trial???

Oh, I wish No, I just read a chapter of a book and reorganized my index cards. The ol' thesis is MONTHS away from completion

whoops! sorry! I recall my thesis project...oh the hours...oh it hurts to think about it...it does! I must have been out of my mind!

What's your's on?

Congratulations. Sounds like it went well. It's hard when you are starting out. They always mess with the starters/novice people and make the days really long. It's great to come out with goals.

Congrats! Sounds like a great first time out.

Congrats! Sounds like you guys did great, despite the looooong day.

Awesome! Wtg, you guys.

Awwww, WTG you guys!! Rock on team Nutty.

WTG ! That's trialing, 12 hours waiting and 5 minutes doing. Ruffysdad

That's fantastic! You are gonna have so much fun, it sounds like. Do you know my old friend Laura from out here? You will most likely meet her eventually. Just stand in the middle of the trial venue and yell, "Hokies rock!" and she'll come and shake your hand.