The Season Is About To Begin

So it is, more than half way through the summer already.

It's not even worth catching up really, or this post would drag for miles.

All I can say is that our competition season before the summer break has been just awesome.

Starting with the local 4-Star USDAA event, going onto fantastic Rocky Mountain Regional event, then closing up with a glorious AKC show.

Both girls, Banshee and Riot have been stars. Riot is showing so much promise it is almost scary to think of what's ahead. This baby dog is certainly coming to her own. Her tournament appearance resulted in two Second place placements and her first six Tournament points from just two Steeplechase runs. How is that for a debut at major events?

Banshee and I had a wonderful showing as well at both of those events and she seems to be still holding her own and certainly enjoying the Performance classes at lower jump heights.

The slew of success just culminated in a final day of a 3-day AKC show and the final 20th Double Q needed for a MACH (Master Agility Champion title) combined also as a 6th Q needed for AKC Agility Nationals 2012. Incidentally the same AKC show and the same club have been very lucky for Grommit as well in the years past, where he earned his 1st and 2nd MACH titles.

As for Riot, she's also now in AKC Excellent A Jumpers and started her first quest in Starters Standard, very succesfully as well, so far.

We shall see how it all unfolds, as her running dog walk is still a big headache of mine and we have been tweaking it and working at it, all the while me pulling my graying hair.

So the 2012 USDAA qualifying season is about to begin with our first of the fall season trial in Laramie, WY. It is one of my favorite trials and sites which I don't think I have missed in the last 5 years. So we are starting with a bang and Riot is entered in ALL of the classes, from Starters Std and Pairs, (first show) to Advanced Jumpers, Snooker and Gamblers, to Steeplechase and YES, Grand Prix!

We have about three shows planned out, unfortunately all out of town. But those are shows I really enjoy attending, they are well organized and at pretty nice venues, all things considered. We even have a team lined up for her, with two seasoned dogs and handlers who swear they don't care about baby's antics and who are totally willing to take a chance and support us. We shall see if they still talk to us after that weekend ;-)

Though I am keeping positive and believe in her that she can hold her own as well.

Banshee is going back to Championship for the next few months, or at least until AKC Nationals in April, to stay in shape at the jump height. I am hoping she will not break down any time soon. Even if she will be celebrating her 9th Birthday in October.

Where has the time gone?

Speaking of aging, old man Grommit is coming with us to the next couple USDAA trials running in just a few select classes, hoping that he still enjoys himself.

Last but not least, Blink has been shaping up nicely with lots of added swimming activities this summer and is getting ready to hopefully help break another team club record in the upcoming flyball tourney in October. His team set a new record in June, by shaving yet another .2 of a second from their previous best. We have all been training very hard and hope we can burn up the mats one more time.

Here's how we spend our weekends

And this is how we spend afternoons during the hot weekday evenings

Banshee is quite fond of her pool time

And on a personal note, I am 30lbs lighter and once again have nothing to wear. Losing weight is rather expensive in that department.