A wet wet wet introduction to agility
 When Chris Bradley started agility training two years ago, she
simply wanted to do it for fun. Being completely non-competitive and with a life-long horror of
performing anything solo in front of others, she had no ambition to compete. Sp
what was she doing here
Our trainer, Marion Holt, is keen to promote the idea
that any type of dog and owners of any age can do agility and have fun together. She trains
dogs and owners for competition, and we all have to aim for competition standard.
Poppy,
my hitherto completely wild rescue dog, took to it immediately and loves it although she didn't
take it all that seriously at first. She soon realised, however, that if she did what I wanted
she got more liver cake than when she followed her own agenda, and we began to achieve a clear
round every now and again.
This summer Marion produced entry forms for a show in
Bushey in October and encouraged us non-competitors to enter to see how we got on. As the show
was safely four months away, I happily sent in the entry form, registered Poppy at the Kennel
Club and more or less forgot about it. Then suddenly the show was only two weeks away and panic
set in. I had never been to an agility show and had no idea what it would be like or the
procedure to follow at the showground.
Nerves
As the day approached, my nerves began to get the better of me, and I desperately hoped some
unforeseen circumstance would intervene and allow me to drop out gracefully - but it didn't.
The weather forecast for the weekend was appalling - torrential rain, high winds, dangerous
driving conditions. 'Wonderful', I thought, 'Can't go, far too dangerous!'
I consulted another 'virgin' competitor who was more
worried about his car getting stuck in the mud than stage fright and we finally decided that if
it was dry at 7.30 am we would both go and if it was raining we wouldn't.
At 7.30 it was dry and I set off. At 8.00 it was raining
lightly - but too late. I was on my way. The rain got heavier and the wind started blowing
hard. Somehow I managed to resist the temptation to turn around and go home. At the showground
cars were already getting stuck in the mud and dogs were being exercised by owners shrouded
from head to foot in waterproofs and boots.
I had a card which told me my number was 465 and that we
were 51 and 185 in the running order for our classes, but I no idea where to go or what to do
next. Other competitors were very helpful and I soon found myself walking the Starters Agility
course. It seemed fairly straightforward at walking pace and my spirits rose although I knew
that 'on the run' it would be a different matter. I watched some of the others go round and one
or two had problems which made me feel much better!
 Our
Turn
Suddenly it was our turn and off we went. Immediately I heard a voice which turned out to be
the timekeeper, saying 'She started before I was ready.' I knew I had blown it but I carried on
anyway. Poppy was wonderful. She went round beautifully, I remembered the course and we
finished with only five penalty points, although, of course, the round was invalid. The judge
said I could go again for time at the end if I wanted. I apologised and explained that it was
my first competition and I hadn't realised there was a timekeeper! I opted not to go again. I
was delighted with Poppy's performance and I wasn't concerned about the time.
In Starters Jumping I remembered to wait for the
timekeeper, and we went round with no problems until the penultimate obstacle - a flat tunnel
which was soaked through and flattened by the rain. Poppy ran in quite happily but couldn't get
through and stopped. She tried to find her way out unsuccessfully and reappeared at the
entrance. I asked her unsuccessfully to go in again but she began to get upset and I decided
not to push her too hard and left it, so we were disqualified.
When we'd finished our two classes the feeling of
achievement at overcoming my 'performance terrors' was wonderful. I am looking forward to
having another go at another show. I went home soaked but happy, and Poppy was rewarded with a
whole slice of liver cake all to herself.
For an easy to prepare recipe for liver cake provided
by Chris Hack, Show Secretary of Trent Park DTC, see The
Canine Cook in the Magazine section.
From Wendi Watson...
Great story. I know how you felt, but in some ways the second show is worse because you expect
to have progressed and it isn't always the case! I only go to very local shows because I can't
bear to travel a long way and then mess up!
Best of luck with Poppy.
(15/01/01)
Editor's note: If there's always something you'll always remember
about your Agility career (wet or dry), why not share your experiences with us. Email your true
stories to:- Ellen Rocco at Agilitynet
 Go top
| 
