All the campers, except Elaine, arrived Friday. It was a lovely day! But he weather forecast wasn’t brilliant………
Saturday we had the opportunity to look around the show, and take part in anything going…………… Bailey won the Scruffts qualifier again, so could be off to Discover Dogs at the end of the year. Bailey, Alfie, Meg, Angel & Katie took part in the largest recall to go in to the Guiness Book of Records (though I presume they bettered it on Sunday??...), Tosh had a disastrous handler at agility, and Beau was lame! Willow was also there, as I hadn’t realised Simon & Paula were Bed & Breakfasting Sat night.
Sunday arrived, and the weather was cloudy but ominous! Allsorts & Hotdogs were in the same 7 team Div, so we had to have a Molly & Spencer plan of action! We managed to split them so Molly didn’t see Spencer whilst racing…………..so the teams were Hotdogs- Molly, Tosh, Tess, Alfie & Katie, and Allsorts – Archie, Beau, Spencer, Meg & Willow.
Race 1: Hotdogs ‘v’ Allsorts – (Katie, Tosh, Tess, Alfie & Archie, Beau, Spencer, Molly) 3-2 – Racing was very close! Allsorts left no room for error from Hotdogs. And it seemed that if Harvey hadn’t had Archie problems, they may well have beaten Hotdogs! But as it was 3-2 to Hotdogs. Best times – Hotdogs 19.50 Allsorts 20.73
Race 2: Allsorts ‘v’ Maple Leaf Stampede – Tried running Willow. But in the excitement of racing, her inexperience and being on grass for the first time ever, it was all too much, and she ran round. Then had Archie problems! So lost 0-3 Best time 34.08
Race 3: Hotdogs ‘v’ Molten Monarchs – (Molly, Tosh, Tess, Alfie) – They were just too fast for us on the day! Lost 0-3 Best time 19.96
Race 4: Allsorts ‘v’ Barkshire Bandidos – Tried Willow again, but still no luck. Got Archie’s starts sorted out, way back at 40’ (same as the faster collies!) Lost 0-3, best time 22.08
Race 5: Hotdogs ‘v’ Maple Leaf Stampede – (Molly, Katie, Tess, Alfie) Molly fumbled, so brought Tosh back in. I had a light, and in a race we could have won! Lost 1-3, best time 20.38
And so that concluded the mornings racing. We were all set to blast back with some wins, but the weather had the better of us, and it turned to torrential rain, and all racing was cancelled. Placings were worked out on times. Hotdogs was given 3rd place rosettes, but on the website we came 2nd…………and Allsorts were 7th.
As previously at Brentwood (yes we’ve been there in the rain & mud before, and no, we haven’t learnt!) the poor caravanners had a few problems getting themselves off the field. Jeff &Marilyn managed, but were quite a picture to behold! Tina & Andy managed, but poor Peter &Wendy had to unhitch and get pulled off with the help of the show organisers.
Paula & Simon had their first taste of flyball in the rain. Not sure how enjoyable it was, but as you’ll see, they managed to come back to another tournament!..............And now they are banned, as they seem to bring rain with them!!!!!!!