We decided to go down to Saul on Saturday afternoon, so Molly (Border Terrier) & Tess could have their first experience of competition. They were joined by Angel & Bailey. There were 5 teams in it, and each race was 3 legs, win or lose.
Race 1: Jelly Babies 'v' Ballistic Wolves - In the warm up, Molly had a moment of uncertainty as to what she was meant to be doing, but once she realised, she was away!! We won 3-0 best time 26.65
Race 2: Jelly Babies 'v' Chasers - The opposition were having problems with their lead dog - so much so, we managed to get all 4 dogs up & back whilst theirs was still messing around at the box. Makes a change for us! Won 3-0, best time 26.11
Race 3: Jelly Babies 'v' Bandy Leafs - Looks like Wayne (Maple Leaf's) has got himself another speedy dog, but Tess wasn't far behind. In the second race, Molly had spied all the balls on the floor behind her, so fetched one of those instead! (Remember to put balls into buckets!!) Unfortunately, they had a few more speedy dogs, so we lost 3-0, best time 27.57
Race 4: Jelly Babies 'v' Bristol Babies - Had we been able to push passes a little more, we could probably have won this race. But as it was we lost 3-0, best time 26.63
The dogs all raced well, and it was fairly hot for Angel & Bailey! In fact Bailey took himself out of the ring into the shade after race 2! We came 3rd over all, with a best time of 26.11, which could've been faster if we were able to bring our passes up……………..Well done to Molly & Tess at their first ever show, and of course to Angel & Bailey for helping out!
Sunday saw both Allsorts & Hotdogs in Div 3. We were seeded 1st & 6th, with only 0.49 sec separating the 6 teams………….Tess came to have another go in open, and measured in at 15" - she grew nearly 1" over night!! So Hotdogs was Katie, Tosh, Molly (WSD), Spencer & Tess, and Allsorts Ollie, Meg, Beau, Alfie & Merlin.
Race 1: Hotdogs 'v' Nuneaton Dodgers - Katie, Tess, Spencer & Molly - Unfortunately Tess didn't have time to warm up with wings in, and she ran out on her return run. The opposition also had a problem in the 2nd race, and it ended up being 'stale mate' as neither team could complete the run! (Never happened to us before!). So Tess pulled out, and in came Tosh. And we just managed to win the 3rd race. I then pushed my pass and got a light. Lost 3-1, best time 20.21
Race 2: Allsorts 'v' Bristol Ballistic Missiles - Merlin, Meg, Beau & Alfie - Merlin came back up the right side (as you look at them) of jumps, Pete had let Meg go, and they collided. Meg appeared shocked, but unhurt, probably winded, so she was pulled out and in came Ollie. Went on to win 3-1, best time 21.02
Race 3: Allsorts 'v' Molton Muzzles - Ollie, Meg, Beau & Alfie - Meg was fine, but can't remember much more! Lost 3-0, best time 20.66
Race 4: Hotdogs 'v' Bristol Ballistic Missiles - Katie, Tess, Tosh, Molly - Again, Tess ran out in the first leg, so Spencer was brought back in. Won 3-1, best time 19.76
Race 5: Hotdogs 'v' Allsorts - Katie, Tosh, Spencer & Molly 'v' Ollie, Meg, Merlin & Alfie - Claire decided to help Katy with her passes, which became a bit variant, but helped take half second off the time. Then they all got her in a tizzy shouting to re-run. Hotdogs ran Ok. I think! Hotdogs won 3-0, best time 19.36, and Allsorts best time 20.52
Race 6: Allsorts 'v' Nuneaton Dodgers - Ollie, Meg, Merlin & Beau - We were winning 2-1, then Dave spoke those dreaded words……………."Allsorts are doing well aren't they, they're winning"…….and with that Beau is seen running to the fence having fumbled his ball. The ball went through the netting, and Beau just stood looking at it. He finally heard Claire call, and ran back over all 4 jumps! And from there they went on to lose the next leg as well! Lost 3-2, best time 20.17
Race 7: Hotdogs 'v' Molton Metals - Katie, Tosh, Spencer & Molly - Managed a straight forward 3-0 win, best time 19.63
Race 8: Allsorts 'v' Molton Metals - Ollie, Meg, Merlin & Alfie - Some very close racing. Ollie had some excellent starts and Alfie was going out behind the opposition's terrier, and bringing home the win 2-0 up!! Then!………..a light and Marilyns finger getting stuck (????????), so we were 2-2. So Beau was brought in, to see if his speed back could win this final leg. Unfortunately Merlin got a light, but luckily for Beau, as he dropped his ball half way back, so he stopped to look for it, picked it up and continued! But we lost 3-2, best time 21.01
Race 9: Hotdogs 'v' Molton Muzzles - Katie, Tess, Tosh & Molly - Decided to give Tess a go on the blue lane, having had a few practice warm ups with wings in. And she raced!!!!!!! She completed 3 runs, and we were 2-1 up. Then!………Chris managed to load the box too fast (!!), so Katie stopped to wait for a 2nd ball, and then Tess ran round. 2-2………..The final race, and we had them for speed, so we pulled Tess out and Spencer in. And Katie stood at the box again! And the opposition completed before Spencer had even started his run! So lost 3-2, best time 19.69
All in all, I think we had a good day's racing. All teams were racing slower than their seed times, so it was still a close division. Allsorts came 6th, best time 20.17, and Hotdogs were on equal points for 2nd, 3rd & 4th places. As it was so hot, it was decided to go on fastest times, so we came 2nd over all, with a best time of 19.36. Well done to Vicki again, for handling Spencer when Tess didn't run! And if my maths are roughly correct, Merlin should have gained his FDi, so well done to him!
And finally………….as you all know by now, Molly (WSD) should have gained her Silver Award (10,000 points), and Spencer his Gold Award (15,000 points). They certainly made the last 1000 points an uphill struggle, but they got there eventually! Many congratulations to them all!!!!