27th September – Middle day competition
What a day of great agility! Team GB have also contributed to the day by some awesome performances. I think that Steve said last year was the best GB performance to date. Well, maybe with the right wind and some help from lady luck, 2008 may be better. It could be that what is happening now is that handlers with previous experience of FCI WC are training newer dogs to compete over the different types of courses one finds in continental competition (and they are different) and the running contacts they tend to do.
At the close of play today we have had the following results:
· Small team – 3rd (first ever podium finish for this group I understand)
· Small individual – All clear and in with a chance tomorrow. Nicky and Indie best placed with 2nd
· Medium individual – Tasha and Dizzy, phenomenal round and leading after the jumping, Angela and Ten nice clear round and in the top half of results
· Large individual – Dave and Spice with clear round and high place
The middle day is traditionally the longest and so proved as well today. It started with individual small (results above) then to medium individual. I was first to go for GB in this. I had long ago decided that in the jumping, no matter where I was drawn or the course, Jude and myself would give it 100% from the first jump. I was actually looking forward to this even in the collecting ring and really wanted to get out there. The course was nice (if a little tight) and up to #15 we were absolutely spot on. Then we took a wrong jump, so need to put my champagne back on ice for another year. It is easy in these circumstances to be wise after the event, but even as we came out of the ring I was pleased. I stuck to my game plan (after all it’s how we do every weekend of the year) and our clear round rate (>75% and trophy cabinet say we must be doing something OK.
The large individual jumping was next; Karen again had a great fast round, but with a jump down. Lesley was very unfortunate and had a harsh 5R (deviations are marked like this in FCI), before Dave (who is fast becoming know as clear round Dave) and Spice finished up with an excellent round and an outside chance of something in tomorrows finale.
Then onto the culmination of small and medium teams. The small team ran 7th from the end and put in 3 fantastic clears which held them in first place for a few more teams before finishing an excellent 3rd.
After yesterday, the mediums were ‘playing for pride’. We went out as professional and determined as if we were playing for places. Unfortunately apart from another sensational round from Tasha and Dizzy, we only had that clear round. Like yesterday myself and Jude had another harsh 5R. Am I disappointed as yet I have not had the magical ‘C’? Yes of course, I wouldn’t be here otherwise. Am I despondent? No, the learning I take from this weekend is smoother entries into tunnels and flat jumps. If we can manage to get back next year we will be even better off with that in our armoury.
Finally, 2 things. I attach a picture of Nicola and Rachel with their ears to the wall. What are they doing? Well next door is the doping room which came on line today. They were pressing their ears to the wall to try and hear who was in there being tested and what was happening. Oh well, girls will be girls!
And lastly, maybe, just maybe, Team GB could have an individual World Champion. Keep an eye on your texts and the net. Oh and keep everything crossed. Mediums run first. First dog will be off around 08.30 local time.
What a day of great agility! Team GB have also contributed to the day by some awesome performances. I think that Steve said last year was the best GB performance to date. Well, maybe with the right wind and some help from lady luck, 2008 may be better. It could be that what is happening now is that handlers with previous experience of FCI WC are training newer dogs to compete over the different types of courses one finds in continental competition (and they are different) and the running contacts they tend to do.
At the close of play today we have had the following results:
· Small team – 3rd (first ever podium finish for this group I understand)
· Small individual – All clear and in with a chance tomorrow. Nicky and Indie best placed with 2nd
· Medium individual – Tasha and Dizzy, phenomenal round and leading after the jumping, Angela and Ten nice clear round and in the top half of results
· Large individual – Dave and Spice with clear round and high place
The middle day is traditionally the longest and so proved as well today. It started with individual small (results above) then to medium individual. I was first to go for GB in this. I had long ago decided that in the jumping, no matter where I was drawn or the course, Jude and myself would give it 100% from the first jump. I was actually looking forward to this even in the collecting ring and really wanted to get out there. The course was nice (if a little tight) and up to #15 we were absolutely spot on. Then we took a wrong jump, so need to put my champagne back on ice for another year. It is easy in these circumstances to be wise after the event, but even as we came out of the ring I was pleased. I stuck to my game plan (after all it’s how we do every weekend of the year) and our clear round rate (>75% and trophy cabinet say we must be doing something OK.
The large individual jumping was next; Karen again had a great fast round, but with a jump down. Lesley was very unfortunate and had a harsh 5R (deviations are marked like this in FCI), before Dave (who is fast becoming know as clear round Dave) and Spice finished up with an excellent round and an outside chance of something in tomorrows finale.
Then onto the culmination of small and medium teams. The small team ran 7th from the end and put in 3 fantastic clears which held them in first place for a few more teams before finishing an excellent 3rd.
After yesterday, the mediums were ‘playing for pride’. We went out as professional and determined as if we were playing for places. Unfortunately apart from another sensational round from Tasha and Dizzy, we only had that clear round. Like yesterday myself and Jude had another harsh 5R. Am I disappointed as yet I have not had the magical ‘C’? Yes of course, I wouldn’t be here otherwise. Am I despondent? No, the learning I take from this weekend is smoother entries into tunnels and flat jumps. If we can manage to get back next year we will be even better off with that in our armoury.
Finally, 2 things. I attach a picture of Nicola and Rachel with their ears to the wall. What are they doing? Well next door is the doping room which came on line today. They were pressing their ears to the wall to try and hear who was in there being tested and what was happening. Oh well, girls will be girls!
And lastly, maybe, just maybe, Team GB could have an individual World Champion. Keep an eye on your texts and the net. Oh and keep everything crossed. Mediums run first. First dog will be off around 08.30 local time.
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