My 3rd A1 Entry at the MV Oestrich, September 2003
There is nothing special to say about this morning. Mistress got out of bed and packed everything that one needs (or does not need) for a trial day. Since Mistress´s external navigation system (I am talking about Master) could not come along we drove to our trainer again. We would follow them conspicuously inconspicuously.
We did not have to erect the tents. The parking lot was so close to the course that we could use the entry tent of the trailer. Mistress and I rarely erect our tent anyway. We usually crawl in with Smokey and Medley. Shortly after several others from our club arrived and it got really cozy in our "livingroom".
It was pretty chilly that morning and Mistress was happy that it did not take long for the course viewing for the open to start. Since there weren´t many starters in the categories mini and midi it should be our turn soon.
I was very impatient and our trainer stood at the fence with my "secret flame" Curly. I whimpered from impatience and Curly came over to see if everything was all right. Mistress thought that so cute that she did not realize that it was our turn.
The beginning of the curse consisted of a "wave" made out of 3 jumps. Behind the starting jump was an other one that had to be taken later in the curse. We went to the start, Mistress straightened me in front of the first jump and stood back a pace.
People who know Curly and me say that I am as much of a rocket as Curly used to be when he was younger. Now that Curly could see me work I shot forwards when Mistress signaled. I did not heed her body language and before she could say something I had take the jump in front.
Everybody can imagine that this was followed by the judge´s whistle and we took the rest of the course rather worse that better, but so quick that the judge covered his eyes ... Mistress was not happy with my performance but Curly was proud of me!
Well we still had the test run and the jumping to go. At the beginning of the test course were 3 jumps in a diagonal line, followed by the a-frame. These obstacles I took in a mad dash and zoomed up the a-frame. I heard Mistress shout "eeeehhhhhyyyy ... tack" but I did not heed it, I jumped over the contact zone. Following were three more jumps in a half circle before I vanished in the soft tunnel standing at an angle.
Mistress ran after me when I took obstacle number 9 (which was also number 3). She was pretty mushy in the head for she expertly signaled me around jump number 10 and made me jump number 11 instead. I did not understand a thing when I heard the judge whistle. I had heeded Mistress´s directions, had I not?!
I ran towards Mistress because she had stopped in her tracks and looked perplexed. I just heard the judge say: "That was not the fault of the dog this time." Mistress smacked herself on the forehead, smiled vainly and we took the remainder of the course.
To make it short: we disqualified our selves in the jumping as well but with rocket speed. When the judge whistled a third time he pulled his hat in his face and our trainer did surely wish for the earth to open up and swallow her ...
But Mistress said: " The dog is great, but I ... ". I have to say that we managed several tricky spots very well and it looked really good in between the dis´s ;-).
