AARF Jan. 30th, 2010

Never will I write such a long post!  My previous entry tends to go on, and on, and I haven't even finished translating it for the French blog, that already something new has happened. 

Yesterday was our second trial of the month and the first one ever at AARF.  The facility is in beautiful historic Spencerville Village, Ontario.  How I love these small communities who don't tare down their historical buildings. 

During the last few days, our area has been hit by cold weather and when I started my car this morning, I could read -25 degrees Celcius on the dashboard.  Good thing I plugged the thing last night because the motor cooperated and started like a charm.

As much as I try to treat Jasmine like a big dog, I do put my foot down when she's cranky, and that's what she is when it's really, really cold.  Therefore, I made the poor creature wear her Winter coat, which I'm sure she considers it very humiliating indeed.  However, as the day went on, the temperature got warmer to a more comfortable -15 degrees and the coat was no longer necessary.  Jasmine was free to trot proudly around.

Here is the video of the Starters Jumpers Run.  I chose to do a lead-out since Jasmine has always been very good at them.  This time, I hold her quite securely in my arms to the startline, remembering quite well what happened at MorningStar earlier this month.  Once in sit-stay, I bravely run to the third jump in the sequence (I've never done that in a trial before) and release her.

What worked well

• The lead-out
• The tire (I was a bit worried about this obstacle, since Jasmine ignored it twice at the fun match two weeks ago)
• Jasmine took the first tunnel with no hesitation.  In a past life, she would have gone straight outside the ring to investigate.
• Yes, she did zoom, but came back to me every time.  : )
• I was suprised that Jasmine didn't try to gorge herself with the footing.  This arena is usually used with horses.

What didn't work so well

• Forgot to call her after the first tunnel, even though Seebee had warned me to.  I was too much relieved after the lead-out, tire, tunnel sequence, that I forgot her suggestions.
• Jasmine went straight out after the first jump of the pinwheel, something that happens quite often lately.
• She's coming at an angle at the winged jump, resulting in throwing her off her line and zooming away.  I didn't expect that.

All in all, I should be quite proud of her.  I must admit that I was quite discouraged on my return yesterday thinking about Jasmine's zoomies and ring crew/judge socialising, I was seeing myself back to the drawing board, training, training, and training.  Now, a day later, I can watch our performance with pride.  Yes, we have come a long way.