We had been anticipating today for quite a while! The Rocky Mountain Vizsla Club (RMVC) was holding an agility A match. A matches are run just like licensed events, but exhibitors aren’t eligible to earn legs towards titles. These matches are usually held when a club is trying to obtain a license or sometimes conformation matches are held as part of an annual requirement to keep their license. Because A matches aren’t official (for the exhibitor) they are cheap! On top of their attractive price tag (think an entry discount of about 95%) matches are a great way to see if you are ready to compete. There is a real judge, you follow all the real rules, and you compete just as you would at the real thing! We have attended A matches in conformation, hunting, field trials, and now agility! If you are a Novice or just need some practice and ever have the opportunity to attend one, don’t pass it up!
So back to our anticipation —
Jenny and Karma started in an agility foundations class this past January. Karma’s Great-Grandma (Necka) and Grandma (Geli) are very accomplished in this sport, so we thought it might be something Karma would like. Our trainer immediately noticed there was something special in our Karm. She has a spark for it and follows Jenny’s hands spectacularly. She was a stand-out in her class from day 1, especially for her weaving skills (you’ll find this funny later). After our beginning class, we moved onto intermediate where we did a lot of sequencing. But by April, Karma had outgrown the classes that they offered, so we searched for someone who could hone our skills for competition. About that same time, we ran Indy and Karma in their first walking field trial. While we were walking and watching Gunner and Heather (Gunner is Karma’s first cousin and another progeny of Geli and Necka) we met a couple who do a ton of agility with their two Vs. Dale and Katherine gave us a ton of advice and then Katherine even sent Jenny a whole list of people that could get us ready for competition. We ended up choosing the trainer that they use, and began taking private lessons.
We had completed two private lessons and where ready to take our third when Karma came in heat. This meant no training for the WHOLE month of July. Since Jenny and Karma stayed over at our spare condo we didn’t have access to our jumps or weave poles, so we couldn’t even practice the important stuff. Bummer. But the A match is all about practice and provided a great opportunity to work on handling skills and see how an agility competition is run so we didn’t pull out, but set our expectations low.
Being at the match, we learned how to check in and find our number. Jenny also listened to all the briefings before excellent, open, and novice even though we were only entered in novice, it definitely provided a good education about ring etiquette and what the judge is looking for.
First up was our standard run. This is the run that has all the obstacles: tire, dog walk, tunnel, jumps, table, A-frame, chute, teeter, and weaves. We took off from the line and Karma balked at the first obstacle (tire) Jenny led her back and started again, this time, no problem! Karma cleared the tire and didn’t look back. After our twelfth obstacle, Jenny tried to do a front cross rather then a rear cross because Karma isn’t very solid on rear crosses – yet. But Jenny messed up Karma’s momentum right before the teeter. Great. She’s not a huge fan of the teeter to begin with. But we made it through the teeter, another jump and then all we had was weaves and the final jump! And here is where we lost her — she wouldn’t enter the weaves. We tried three times and then moved on. Such a bummer, but again, weaves require a lot of practice and that definitely didn’t happen this past month! Even with stopping to repeat the weaves 3 times, Karma still finished her course in just over a minute! Not too shabby!
After standard was jumpers with weaves. Karma started great, but after the 6th jump she totally lost her steam. It was really hot outside and Jenny was definitely not very motivating either. She finally begrudgingly took jump 6 and 7, but obstacle 8 was weaves and this time Karma decided to look at the entrance and then turn around to look at Jenny and squat. Yes, she peed in the ring. Totally not allowed and an automatic DQ, not to mention pretty embarrassing. Whaaa….whaaaaaa.
But all in all it was a pretty good day. Jenny needs to work on front & rear crosses, giving Karma direction even earlier, and being a little bit more exciting. Together we need to work on weaves, teeter, tire, weaves, weaves, and weaves. Hopefully, we will be ready for Nationals!
Below are some photos of Karma doing her thing. Big thanks to the RMVC Agility Committee and all the volunteers for making today such a fun Saturday!
