Can't believe it was 2012 when I last posted on here. Oh well fashions come and go and I suppose this is out of fashion now. Anyway Marley is now 3 years old and regularly competing. He has qualified 3 times for National finals and this year we are actually going to go to one. He is still in G3 but this year will be his first proper season although looking at my calendar he is still doing mostly UKA. He has progressed to Senior Steeplechase & Novice Performance at UKA so not doing too badly.
Dylan is now running at Champ level for Performance and Steeplechase and is now G7 at KC (never thought that would happen but just goes to show what a great dog he is) He has competed in the Masters at UKA Grand Finals and in the Split Pairs -I just love running him, he is soo much fun.
Taz is now doing mainly anysize/casual.  He has gone lame several times so perhaps it is time for him to slow up and also I struggle to run 3 dogs at a competition,  you are being called here there and everywhere, I get myself in a flap and that does no - one any good.
I will try to keep this a little more up to date as it helps me to keep a little diary of how we are doing throughout the season.
Speak to you soon.

Such a long time since I last posted and such a lot has happened. This season has been very strange and I feel that I have hardly been to any shows. The weather has been appalling, with torrential rain for days on end. There has been flooding everywhere and many shows cancelled due to waterlogged ground. I have only stayed in my caravan twice so far this year - it almost seems hardly worth having it ( but I do love my little caravan).  Anyway the sun is shining today and according to the weather forecast will do so for the next few days - Summer had eventually arrived but for how long. Perhaps we can get a few shows in.
We have had some results from the shows we have attended this year. Taz has been steadily improving and seems (seems) to be getting his weaves now. We have been here before only for it all to fall apart - I don't think I will ever take it for granted that he will get his weaves. His pole knocking also seems to be improving and in fact this weekend he only knocked 1 pole in 3 rounds. That is outstanding for him. He has had 2 x 2nd placings at UKA so I am really pleased.
Dylan is still doing well and has progressed to Champ level at UKA. This meant that we were able to compete in a Master's Class. Oh what fun that was. A complete disaster on my part, it really helps to remember where you are going. Dyl did some lovely work for me and if only I could run faster I'm sure we could better, but he doesn't know that it all went wrong. To be honest I think I get a little star struck. Greg Derrett was next in the queue behind me and to say that I felt a bit out of my depth is an understatement. Still this was my first one and things can only get better as I get more experience. We redeemed ourselves at out next show which was a k/c open. In the G5 jumping, I watched a beautiful, tight and fast round and entered the ring for our turn thinking that everyone was now running for 2nd. Dylan went really wide on a turn so I even thought we may have blown our chances at getting 2nd. Imagine my surprise and delight when I was called out in 1st. Then came our agility run, and once again Dylan managed a clear. It seemed a long wait for the results but we won that class as well. So in total Dyl has had 3 jumping wins and an agility win, well and truly putting him in grade 6.
Then it was off on holiday for me for nearly 2.5 weeks of glorious sunshine and lovely warm sea.
Our first show, after my return was at the new grade 6 and I was a bit nervous about it. Jumping was up first and we manged to get around the course although we had faults then came agility. When I walked the course my heart sank, you needed to layer the dog walk and although I allow layering in my handling system it's not something that I've had to do. Oh well in for a penny, in for a pound I had to give it a go. Dylan never even questioned it, he looked like it was something we had practised and practised and to my surprise and delight he went clear. I watched some more people run and thought what good runs they had had and that Dyl was moving down the placings each time., but I didn't care as all I'd wanted was that we could get round the course.  When it came time for the prize giving they called out the clear rounds and I was sure that I'd be in amongst them but I didn't know his number, so would collect his clear round rosette once the placings had been given. THEY CALLED OUT MY NAME IN FIRST PLACE!! I was soooooooo shocked and still am. He had won by 0.5sec which is quite a good margin. So first Grade 6 show and we have our first G6 agility win. 3 more wins to go (one of which must be agility) and we can be G7 - now that really would be a miracle!


I have more news. I have a puppy that we have named Marley.
(I have a Bob's Dylan so it seemed only right to have a Bob's Marley). When he arrived he was very laid back and quiet, he is now 6 months old and quite frankly a complete pain in the arse. It has not been love at first sight like it was with the other two but the bond between us is still growing. I think a lot of the trouble is that I keep comparing him to Dylan and Dyl is a very special dog, who is quick and keen to learn. Marley seems to learn OK but does things soooooo slowly. Oh well - he'll be what he'll be and at the moment that is a challenge. I will keep you updated on his progress (if any) so watch this space!!! He is blooming cute though isn't he?

Looking Back & Forward

What a year it has been. Dylan has had amazing results and I have had to pinch myself to believe that it is true. Not only did he make it into Grade 5 but he came second in the Agility Club's Anual Awards, meaning we were presented with some beautiful crystal. He also has 2 jumping wins at grade 5 under his belt and has 2 x 3rd places in agility and more placings besides. With results like this I am beginning to think that he possibly may go Grade 6 this season - now that really is scarey. We will have to work hard on trying to tighten up his turns and his dog walk also still leaves a lot to be desired; but I am hoping that with lots of chicken, sausage and general bribery we can improve it a bit.
Taz has had mixed results; oh I do so love this little dog. Even when things go terribly wrong for us in the ring I only have to look at him and I can't help but smile. Taz is one of those dogs that shows exactly how he is feeling. When he is on an agility course, you can see by the expression on his face that he is having a ball, and if he is happy then I am happy. The amount of people who have said to me as we leave the ring ' He really enjoyed that' just goes to show that it is plain to see.  He has won 2 classes this season, Grade 2 jumping and then a Grade 3 jumping class. He has been unlucky in the agility ring; twice having 1 pole down but the fastest time. Weaves are less of an issue now but sometimes we still have a problem, although with the new spacings I am hopeful this will help him. It would be wonderful to get him out of Grade 3, and at least now it is a possibility (no matter how small -a possibility)
The new season will soon be upon us and I look forward to it with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.  Grade 6 beckoning for Dylan - scarey, Grade 4 for Taz - exciting. Bring it on!

We've done it!!!

When talking about grades and which grade we would like to be, I always said I would like to be grade 5. Grade 6 and 7 seemed impossible but the dizzy heights of grade 5 seemed just right. Well we've done it, Dyl managed to win a Grade 4-5c agility class at the weekend which makes him the illusive Grade 5 dog that I always wanted. We have achieved my all time goal, so I'm going to have to set myself another one now. Grade 6!! Now that really is quite frightening. But having said that if he'd been in G5 this weekend he would have won into 6 so I must realise that it is not an impossibility. I will have to be careful; because to be honest I'm not sure that either of us are ready for it just yet.
It was rather a successful weekend for Dylan. He had four runs and was placed in every one. He managed to get 2 x 1st and 2 x 2nd. Astounding! I think this is the most successful weekend I have every had.
Taz was also very good. He had beautiful contacts and got all his weaves. He just knocked a pole or two in each of his runs but I was very pleased with him. He is an absolute pleasure to run. Even when he decides that his course is better than the one the judge has set, or he decides he can't stop to do the weaves; the look of sheer pleasure on his face is priceless. I love this little dog and we have great fun. You just never know what is going to happen in the ring.

And now for Grade 4

This weekend will be our first Grade 4 show and although it is a smaller show, I am feeling quite nervous about it again. Smaller shows mean you can't hide - mistakes are remembered. I shouldn't feel like this because Dylan is so ready. In the past few weeks he has had several more placings at grade 3 - with another win and a 3rd at agility and 2 wins and a 2nd in jumping. I know he is ready he is showing this with his results but am I ready? I am so worried that I will let him down.

We have had a small taste of the higher grades this past weekend at Wye Valley, where one of his agility classes was a 3-5 combined class. I managed to get him round and not too badly - just a bit messy on one part where I overhandled a pull through and then struggled to turn him out of it to take the next jump. We got round clear though and finished up being 7th which I was over the moon with. They placed to 28th position which means there was somewhere around 280 dogs in the class. We did a little better in the 1-7 combinded jumping, where despite almost stalling at a jump we managed a 3rd place. Once again a huge grin on my face.

This little dog just astounds me and I have been told by someone that we will go all the way - meaning we are likely to reach grade 7. I don't think so!!! Dylan is very capable of this giddy height but not me - I make far too many mistakes and I don't think my nerves would hold out either.

As for this weekend........our first G4, well panic has set in already. The running orders arrived and both dogs were still entered in G2! After a 'OMG they are in the wrong grade and I won't be able to run at all' moment I phoned the show secretary and all is now ok. I need to remember to stay calm and believe that my dog is there because he is capable of it. I must also realise that he hasn't got there on his own - we are a team (well sometimes) and that must surely mean that I am capable of it as well............doesn't it?

When will it end..........all too soon I expect

I can't quite believe what is happening at the moment. We have just had our first grade 3 show and I must admit to being quite nervous about it. When I watch Pat with her 2 dogs and Dan with Magic I find it hard to think that Dyl is anywhere near as good as they are but he continues to prove me wrong. He only went and won the agility putting us into grade 4 - and he did it at his first grade 3 show!!! I know I said that I wasn't going to stay in grade 3 (as I was quite prepared to move up on points if necessary) but I didn't think it would be this brief. This is of course the icing on the cake but there is more which is leaving me gobsmacked!!! Taz is improving no end. He is not knocking so many poles and weaves are now sometimes a possibility for him. In fact this weekend I stuck him in the weaves and went off in the opposite direction. His weaves were perfection and totally independant, I am really enjoying him again. Perhaps there is a slight possiblity that even he may progress to the next grade one day, but do you know what? I don't really care, I am having such fun with him and that's all that really matters.
This weekend: great dogs, great company, great result - what more could I ask for - THANK YOU xxxxx

Good View from Up Here

I am on cloud nine and will probably stay here for sometime. Don't really care what happens over the next few days as I am going to milk this for all it's worth. What are you milking? you might be thinking...........well I have just had the most amazing agility weekend. Dylan won the Omnipro starters cup qualifier, which also moves us up into grade 3. Even though the final is when I should be holiday, Peter has agreed (well actually suggested) that I move my flight back a day and compete.
Not only did Dylan win the agility but he also won the jumping and came 2nd in the agility on Sunday. But that is not all, the icing on the cake was when Taz won the grade 2 jumping on Sunday. Over the weekend he has weaved on several occasions and kept most of the poles up!!! When he was called in 1st place I could hardly believe it and it was really hard not to cry. I must admit that when walking back to the caravan and being congratulated by some of my friends; the tears of joy did come!
I know it's me Tazzie and that I put too much pressure on you, I will try harder next time to relax and what will be will be.
Thank you to my two wonderful dogs for making my weekend complete.

Good News!

We have found another training venue and it is so much better than the last one. It is a lovely big barn without posts in the middle!!!! We have also been given the OK to use the school outside as well. At this point I would like to say that I have been very grateful to use the smaller barn with the posts over the past years, even though I used to moan about the poles I always then followed up with 'but at least we have somewhere to train - which is better than nowhere' We are going to our new venue from next Monday - so very exciting times.

On the show front; I have competed in 2 limit shows over the last 2 weekends and things are looking good for the coming open season - or are the dogs just lulling me into a false sense of security? (probably). Out of 6 classes (over the 2 weeks) Dylan has won 3 and come 2nd in another. He would have won another class if he'd had a decent handler. Oooops! As for Taz, well he remains, shall we say, a challenge but what fun! No more competitions until 20th March which is the day after my niece's hen party so I don't expect to do much there - if I even manage to get there at all.

Another day in my life.......

I have just checked the statistics on my blog and I have had more visitors from the USA than my own country. I can't believe anyone actually reads this rubbish though. I ramble on and on about my dogs and very little else. It doesn't make for good entertainment. I would love to make it more 'readable' but am unsure what to talk about - quite frankly my life really is 'that' boring!

I have just returned from Exeter with my husband after looking for dining room furniture. OMG we can't agree what to have. I am quite happy to wait until we find something that we both like but he has gone off in a sulk and is hardly talking. You could cut the atmosphere with a knife! Men!!

Back to the usual subject -Dogs! We are going to lose our agility training venue at the end of the year (They are re-developing). I'm not sure where we will go - the hunt is on but it is not very easy to find somewhere that is suitable. From my own point of view it's not the end of the world; because I can still go training at Feniton on Saturday and with Sally on Tuesday and also practice in my field but it would be such a huge shame to lose agility from our club, so we must therefore keep searching. Fingers, legs, arms in fact everything crossed in the hope that we can find somewhere.

Yawn, yawn

Tomorrow I have to be up at 6.30am (and it's Saturday!!) and I'm not even going to an agility show. TDCS is holding it's annual limit show and I am stewarding. I can't believe that I have to get up so early to only travel to the other side of our village and spend the day doing something I don't particularly like. I really don't see the fun in breed showing at all but it wouldn't do for us all the be the same. Roll on the summer when I shall be getting up early for something I enjoy doing. Not really looking forward to tomorrow, as I expect you can tell - boring!!!!!

I have had a lovely weekend including 2 days training with Dave Munnings. I don't think I did too badly, Dyl was a good boy, with only the occasional spin/bark. I'm glad he did it because it's no good going to these things saying you have a problem and then the dog does everything perfectly. Dave said that he couldn't believe Dyl has a problem going on cos to watch him in full flight he looks like he will go forever. He recommended that I do a lot of 1 and 2 jump excercises, and work them further and further away from the jump. The last jump is the worst (and always has been). Dave thought it might be because Dylan doesn't want to finish. I then told him that when I throw his toy at the end he picks it up and runs into the middle of the course and lies down it's almost like he's saying I want more, also when we are up the field and it's time to go , we set off back to the car and when I get there I only have Taz with me and Dylan is lying amongst the agility equipment - He always come immediately I call him, but it makes you wonder that perhaps Dave is right. (He does the same at Sally's.)
Good news on the moving front - we have built a new industrial unit for our business and are in the process of moving. Poor Pete has had to work all weekend making sure things get safely from old unit to new and thankfully things seem to have gone ok. I shall be glad when the move is complete and we are totally in. It is a worry and Pete is not sleeping very well at the moment (and he has a nasty cold) but hopefully things will soon settle and we can get bac to normal. At least there is nothing major to worry about (at the moment - see nothing to worry about and I'm worrying about that!!)
I have a competition at the weekend - UKA in Cornwall. I am not expecting to do anything at this show because I am in the process of trying to change my handling system and the dogs are wondering what on earth is going on. No that's not true really - they are fine with things, it'me, I have to work on my timing etc, when I get it right it will be good as Dylan really tightens up his turns, I didn't know he could turn so well! Trouble is in competition you only get one go at it. Must walk the course properly and work out what goes where and when!!

A New Year Dawns

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm off to the Golf Club soon for lunch - as if I really need more food!! I shall be glad to get back to my now normal diet; for those of you that don't know me well; since January 2010 I have changed my eating habits completely - in an attempt to be more fit and healthy - I now feel so much better and have managed to lose 3 stone in weight but there is still more to go.
2011 I am hoping is going to be a good year for us; work wise, home wise and dog wise.
Last year I didn't quite manage to achieve my goals - although I exceeded my wildest dreams in UKA, it was Grade 3 (or above) Kennel Club that I really wanted - well it will have to be this year. As I have previously said, I have confidence now that Dylan will be able to achieve this - he is more than capable, I just mustn't let him down. Training starts again next week and now that the weather has improved we will also be able to get up the field to practice.
Sigining off for now..........watch this space

Last one of the year

All the shows for this year have now finished with the final one for us being last Sunday. I look forward to next year with great enthusiasm. Dylan finished with yet another win in the agility. I am so proud of this little dog. He tries so hard for me and when we fail it is my fault and not his. Our next outing is not until middle of Jan and we are bound to be unbeatable (he he) as I will have had a couple of training sessions with Dave Munnings by then, so look out world here we come!!!!
I want to wish all those going to Olympia the very best of luck and above all I hope they enjoy themselves even if not successful. I will hopefully be watching on the telly or live streaming.
To everyone else; have a lovely christmas and a happy new year.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

How I hate the winter. Dark mornings, dark evenings, cold, wind, rain................doom & gloom. Would like to be able to get up the field more but the weather just won't allow it. Today the weather was good but I had too much to do to go - why is it that whenever I am able to go, the weather says 'NO' and when the weather says 'YES' I am unable to for whatever reason.

I have decided that next season things will be different for Taz.
I've noticed that the couple of time he got his weaves, I'd just chucked him at them and hoped for the best, the times he missed; I'd almost baby'd (is this a word?) him which I would never do in training. He got his entries most times and then turned around and came out only for me to put him back in (learnt behaviour?). Next season we will keep going....... hopefully he will soon cotton on and just keep going himself. What ever happens it can't be any worse than what we've got at the moment. He knocks poles like there is no tomorrow and is starting to fly his contacts so I am just going to enjoy him. No pressure any more Taz, we are just out for fun - (apart from your contacts which will ALL be held and should you come off before being released you will be put back on).

I love my dogs! They are such happy people. Always ready for an adventure, always ready to curl up for a cuddle, always pleased to see me :-)

More Red Rosettes for Dyl

We went to a local limit show this weekend and boy did I enjoy myself!! It was great to see my friend Sue again, I haven't seen her in ages although we have talked on the phone (alot!!), but the icing on the cake was my little boy. Not only did he win the jumping but he also won the agility. 2 lovely red rosettes and 2 lovely trophies.
I have been looking back over my blog and it was at this show 12 months ago that Dylan had his first proper clear round and won the class; it makes you realise what a long way he has come in a year!

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I haven't posted for so long! Well so much has happened since my last post that I will just summarize things - Dylan continues to go from strength to strength. In July he was in a class with over 236 dogs in it and to my amazement he won!! He is still only Grade 2 at KC but we haven't done that many KC shows and he has had a couple of unlucky runs - he fell off the dog walk at one show and would definately have won had he managed to stay on - never mind our time will come and I truly believe that now! At UKA (which I have done more than KC) Dylan started the season as beginner in performance and steeplechase. He is now Senior in both and has more than half the points required to go champ in steeplechase (that's quite frightening). Taz also started as beginner in performance and won an agility class which put him up to Novice, in steeplechase he has also gone up a grade from Novice to Senior. I seem to have a huge pile of rosettes home here with lots of trophies.Oh I am very pleased with my little doglets.


There has been another major event in the past few days - Emily and Paul have got marred. It was a wonderful day and even the weather was kind to us. Emily looked absolutely stunning. I was very proud of my little girl, her brother - who scrubbed up very nicley and my husband. In fact I was rather proud of my whole family.

Grade 2 beckons..........

Little bit of updating to do since my last post: Dylan had 7th in the agility and Taz 3rd in jumping at a show in Bristol and the next day we had training in the ring at Feniton and Dylan got 2nd in the jumping (with a pole down) and 1st in the Agility.

We had a show at the end of May - SWAT in which Dylan again did very well. He came 1st in the jumping and even managed a 5th in the Agility with a very messy run. (This meant that Dyl now had 2 jumping wins under his belt so one more win for me with either dog would put us up a grade)

The following weekend we were off to Wales - Wye Valley Show - which my friend Sue said was a really lovely and pretty show. I must admit I like it there too now as Dylan won the agility which means we are now Grade 2!!! Taz was also a star getting all 6 sets of weaves that were in his courses. Really enjoying it alot at the moment - long may it continue; but no doubt they will bring me back down to earth with a bump. We have a UKA show this weekend at Taunton Racecourse - UKA is always more relaxed than K/C so am looking forward to it - hopefully I will have some news to report afterwards.....................................................

Cornwall/Dartmoor Show 24-25/04

The course from hell - it was certainly not a grade 1-2 but Dylan managed a clear and was placed 3rd. Taz was quite spectacular going into washing maching mode - a spin cycle around 2 jumps; he must have completed them at least 3 times and was on his way for his 4th before I said 'just stop!' He looked at me with a look of pure glee on his face as he was having the best time ever! I smoothed him to calm him and then continued on our way. Oh he is such fun to run!!! No results for Taz this weekend but as I said earlier a 3rd for Dyl in the agility and also an 8th in the jumping.

Kernow K9

My first ever results at a KC show. Taz was a very good boy and things are looking a lot brighter for him. His first 2 rounds were very good; he weaved in both and only knocked 1 pole (in the agility). The jumping round was a little messy though - the weaves were obstacle 4 and Taz tried to do them again on the run home. I think this is because I have done sooo much weaving with him over the winter. Our little detour cost us a lot of time but he still managed an 8th. Pole knocking got worse as the weekend went on so back to grids for him.

Dyl had a very very good weekend. All 3 of his agility rounds were good - knocked 1 pole in the first one, broke his stay in the 2nd one, so I took him back and made him start again which got us e'd but he then went on to have the most beautiful round, and in the 3rd agility run; he just missed the A frame cos he jumped long however the rest was stunning. In the jumping he got a 6th, we had a bit of a spin and 1st in another run. I am very pleased with both of them. The future is looking good.