Videos:

Okay so I have a video for just about everything.

Enjoy. :)

Jenna's EO 2012 runs: 

Demon's EO 2012 runs:

Demon in Mini/Midi Team Finals:

EO 2012:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEUuTODdpBM

EO 2012 Day 2 Results.

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a weekend.  Sunday results.  Jenna: Jumpers- clean, ran conservative finished 110? Out of all the small/medium dogs attending. (roughly 300+) Standard- clean, but 5 faults. Fairly fast, smooth just an oops in the pouring rain on the down side of the dog walk.  Demon: Jumpers- clean. Smooth, decent time.  Standard- E. demon swung to the backside of a jump. But his score was dropped out of the 4 dogs on team.  Diane, Marcy Mantell, Barb Davis, and Tracy Sklenar (sorry if I spelled any of those wrong) made Team finals for the USA sitting 8th. Team finals is run as 4 courses in one. 1 dog goes after the other is finished on short 15 obstacle sections. Granted this is the EO so they had to be super evil little courses too ;).  Diane and Demon ran clean on their section, not sure where the team ended up over all.  Really amazing experience, now back in Copenhagen. Home in the morning, dog class tomorrow, as if we haven't done enough agility. I'm officially an EO addict. It is safe to say you'll see me in Belgium next summer with Whimzy and probably Jenna too. Diane caught the bug too, which is good because Europe alone at 17 might not be all that possible. This event is indescribable.  The handling, the courses, the people, the dogs, all of it is just top notch and amazing. I ended up video taping the top 15 dogs in the 18" finals for research, you know Whimzy's future competition, and honestly I can't picture her ever being that amazing. But I think she has it in her. We shall see won't we? That's the fun part anyway, building the dog, the journey behind getting to the top, falling back down just to start all over again? Yep, agility. I love it.  Pictures and videos will be up tomorrow

EO 2012 Day 1:

Jenna:
Jumpers- handled all the technical parts of the course flawlessly, got to the chute, Kathleen sent out, hand up motion forward. Jenna, well Jenna went with Kathleen to the next jump. Then over the next jump. E. Ouch, but not a mental error, so I don't mind all that much.
Standard- Clean, 44th/180? Held the dogwalk and teeter for a beat. My shoe came untied about half way through my run, boy oh boy did that throw me for a loop!! But I managed to get through the end, cut off Jenna on her way down the A-frame, so we ate a second or two. Still over all a nice run.

Demon:
Jumpers- two refusals, rest was clean and precise. Like Jenna, Demon avoided the new European chute.
Standard-(down pour at this point). Landed jump 12, slide from there right into jump 13. Hit it hard, but was fine. Finished the run with 5 faults, for the down bar.


Diane and Demon actually ended up making the cut for Medium Dog Finals! The only USA Team in 18" to make the cut. They had a beautiful run, not super duper fast, but very smooth and respectable. Not too shabby for a 10 1/2 year old dog with a crippled handler! Honestly, I'm very proud of them both.

Rest of the day was spent, watching, supporting, and talking with our team mates. Such a great group of people. I got to take pictures too, for a grand total of 10 minutes. Then my camera died. Charging it all tonight, I'm determined to get good pictures of the USA's dogs tomorrow!

Mudi

Sheltie

Pumi

The open is open

Amazing day. Vet checks early this morning were a breeze, no one on the USA team had trouble. Then after a trip to the bakery, yummy, we headed back to the arena for Team practice. Few notes: the contacts are rubber, the teeter is very heavy, large dogs run on turf, small/midi on grass, the dogwood has 3 main struts, but no supports. Other than that no surprises. Lots of dogs had trouble with running contacts because they were getting bounced off the board. Jenna was sticky the first time over, but after a bit she warmed up and gave me her all star contacts I see in the yard. Hoping it sticks. Not a bobble the whole way round for us, feeling good.  Took some fun pictures too, wish I could actually edit them, but Ahh well!! I'll get them up tomorrow for those of you who don't have me on Facebook, feel free to add me though. Because this is the 10th European Open Championships we got a special parade through town for the opening ceremonies. Nancy Gyes gave me the honor of holding our USA flag out in front of the pack. Which meant I had to carry Jenna, I can't even pick up a jump bar around her let alone a 5ft by 4ft flag on a 6 ft pole!! But I was happy to do it, even if my arms hurt a bit by the end. What I was surprised to hear is that I was being filmed live on agility vision for a portion of the walk. Hope Jenna and I looked good haha!!  Honestly a wonderful experience, but now it's time to work. The nerves are setting in. Not sure if they are just pure excitement, months of anticipation, or true anxiety. With my luck, a mix of all three. Happy my iPod is motivation loaded. Individual competition tomorrow, this is it!

The day before the real shit starts...

Refraining from calling this post: Day 2.
Dogs all got the day off. Hotel room for them, shopping for us. Diane, Tinna, and I covered a good section of the Kristainstad shopping district in just a few hours. So many clothes, so little time. After that, and lunch, the dogs got out for a hike, a swim (well Tirade anyway, Jenna would drowned), and a quick game of Frisbee in the gorgeous park 2 blocks down from the hotel. Defiantly a place we will be visiting again and again. Dogs seem to be getting an edge again, Demon had a bit of a rough first day (especially after a day in Copenhagen), and with Jenna just coming off surgery, I'm glad to see them both a bit feisty and bright eyed. 

Team meeting tonight at the restaurant across the street. Fun getting acquainted with everyone. Exciting news about tomorrow too. The opening ceremonies start in the center of town, and the parade of teams makes its way to the arena. Apparently this is a big event for the town too, should be interesting to see what type of crowd we generate. Also got team leashes with costume USA EO pins for this year.

Can't wait for Team Practice Tomorrow! :)

In Kristainstad.

9 hours in the air, a day in Copenhagen, Denmark, and an hour drive across the boarder and here we are. Sweden. 

Got of the plane yesterday and ran into our fellow team mate and friend, Tina and her dog, Tirade. Ended up spending the day with them in Copenhagen. Strange city really. Not very European in my opinion. City was built up a bit touristy, buildings weren't exceptionally old or different looking, actually reminded us a bit of New York city. One shopping district was a dead ringer for time square. But a nice enough town to get our feet stretched and the dogs paws warn off. They were all dead asleep by the time we got on our way to Sweden.

Kristainstad is much more what I would call "European", even though  I've developed that generalization from visiting several countries these past few years and is probably a bit stereotypical, I find it to be a semi-accurate description. Point is there is good shopping, old buildings, yummy cafes, cobble stone streets (ones you can actually walk on o.O), and it is extremely dog friendly. Only weird thing is you can't buy bottled water?? Like really? Guess the dogs will be drinking from the tap. I'd rather not, but I don't suppose we have a choice, unless they suddenly become okay with drinking Coke and sparkling water which I don't think is gonna happen.

The handsome Tirade waiting for lunch in Copenhagen.

Jenna post-surgery update:

Jenna is now 3 days after surgery, doing great too! Haven't let her do anything, no hikes, no agility, no playing rough with the other shelties, just leash walks and cuddles.We'll be getting her back on solid food tomorrow morning, and maybe a light agility session. It will be our last before Sweden, we leave Tuesday. Crazy how fast this all happened, one minute getting our health certificates from the vet, the next we are scheduling Jenna to get several grizzly looking teeth removed ASAP the next morning. 

For those of you who missed the brief Facebook update, Jenna managed to crack two back upper teeth. They were both split right down the middle, and were at risk of infection. Normally this wouldn't have been a big deal, Jenna is young, healthy, going under and getting a few teeth pulled wouldn't be a huge inconvenience. But  5 days before our biggest competition ever? Adds some extra stress, plus it had to be done quick. Our vet was concerned that we may not have been allowed to run at the EO if Jenna had cracked teeth, or worse they got infected while we were over there. Diane and I of course agreed, so poor Jenpup has spent the last 3 days in lock down with rather puffy cheeks. Doesn't seem to be in pain, but I'd rather not have her pull the stitches out doing something silly.

Luckily we are as ready as we will ever be, I'm really happy with where she is fitness wise and handling wise we are really in sync. So ready or not Sweden here we come. What a weekend! 

Inspiration, motivation, perspiration...

Getting things done is always challenging. Okay let’s be realistic it can be a royal a pain in the butt. There are lots of things everyone wants to do. Like about a year ago I wanted to run. As in be a runner (not for like a school track, would never have enough time with Agility to focus on), just  someone who likes to run and runs often. There was the idea, become a runner. Motivation though? Why? Just so you aren’t fat? So you can be healthy? Honestly for me those weren’t exactly motivating. So goal left unfinished. Not that I didn’t attempt it, I did. But I did it all wrong, I wasn’t willing to put the work into running to become someone who loved to run. I tried just running, number one it was exhausting because I was attempting a full speed agility sprint around field track, and number two I hated it. When Whimzy was about 11 months, several people commented to me about her weight. She was a chunky little breed puppy. I needed a powerhouse dog with tons of drive to get over 18” jumps effortlessly. She became my motivation. I was willing to put the work into it because I wanted her, needed her to be healthy and exceptionally fit. After that it was all about putting the miles in. This time I did it right too, I took my time building up both our muscles and endurance. Now we both go twice as far as we used to and faster than we ever could before, then we follow it up with a 50 minute cool down walk around the neighborhood. Not only is my baby a solid muscle, but I’m also someone who enjoys running.

It’s never enough to just have an idea. You have to have a reason and the will to get it done.  Looking back at something so simple it amazes me that I didn’t see that having a practical application for the skill I was trying to obtain made all the difference. Since I’ve done a million things in agility that use the same thing, see a move you want, understand how and where you will be using it, and then build it into your tool box of skills. You cannot simply want something, you need to have a use for it and you have to be willing to put the hours into getting it for yourself.

Blogger's note: I'm not sure if this actually makes sense or I'm just stupid. But look an Mz^

Highlight Reel

Highlight Reel for the European Open

The speech I used is from an old Nike commercial. Personally I just find it really motivating. Made this video specifically for my Ipod, but I just couldn't resist sharing it. Hope you enjoy.

I'm still kind of not realizing how exciting this is. I know I should be over the moon, but it just hasn't hit me yet. I'm so used to watching EO videos online and ordering the DVD when it comes out. This year not only do I get to see it live, but I get to compete. Seems a little too good to be true if you ask me. Like a dream that never really fulfills itself. Yet here we are a week away from traveling into Copenhagen. The final vet work is being processed, our uniforms arrived yesterday, and I have enough USA gear to sink a battleship. After seeing how nicely the Junior European Open team did in Austria, I'm really excited to give it a go at the Regular European Open. Next year I think I'll try for both events... But for now I guess its okay that I'm the only junior going or who has ever been to the EO from the USA. 

My Team USA Jacket!! :)

Demon sporting some patriotic wear.

New shoes I ordered, wont have them for the EO though :( But still love them!

Pieces...

And parts. They are slowly being sorted out and put together. One by one, they are starting to click together. I can see it, that agility dog, it's in there and every weekend, every run I'm starting to see more and more. Whimzy and I got our OAJ Saturday, and are officially free from Open Hell for good! That class is evil. But anywho, the rest of the weekend wasn't what I'd hoped. To be honest, I would have liked us to have held it together for another run or so. But we only had one mistake on each NQ, for a 19month old puppy that is pretty good. I really have to remember that, she is 19 months. So young, and not even my priority. I've spent so much time working on Jenna for her big events, Nationals, World Team Tryouts, and European Open, that Whimzy has really been on the back burner. I can't wait to come back in August and give that poor dog the time she deserves.

Note to self: It's a baby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrz8dHpAw50&feature=youtu.be

Studying...

With our past few break weeks from trialing, Whimzy and I have been working on our game plan. Re-working, re-watching, re-training, re-running, you know all that good stuff. Honestly though it's been a bit of a challenge getting what we need from each other. I finally am feeling in sync though. Which is good because we have our first show of the Summer season this weekend. Two days, a possible OAJ and AX in the making. Fingers crossed that mommy isn't a complete idiot and that Whimzy keeps her feet up. See I told you we had a good game plan!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PIMjEVWP0M&feature=youtu.be

Be afraid, very afraid...

Are you scared of rejection? Failure? Elimination? Death? Good you should be they are scary things, or can be. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be nervous, it's actually good. It means you're aware. You are there living it and loving it, if you weren't you wouldn't care enough to be nervous. Every time I go to the line, with any dog, no matter the course, I'm nervous. I'm scared of something. But just because you are scared doesn't mean it should control you. Going to the line shaking because this is a one shot do or die kind of run, good. Going to the line thinking "Don't flub your fronts" or "Watch out for that off course tunnel", bad. You just set yourself up to fail, you think about the bad and all you'll get is bad. I think I've said a million or two "don'ts" and to tell you the honest truth, they didn't help me worth shit. I've started to learn how to catch myself before I start getting negative before my runs and I'll repeat the same thing over and over.  "Let your feet lead the way." It's the one sentence that reminds me exactly how I'm supposed to handle Jenna and it makes me confident that every turn will be tight and every step right on track. Caught myself tonight thinking "don'ts" about the European Open and I figured I'd share.  :) 

Belief Systems...

Some people believe in Religion. Some people believe in science. Some people believe in running contacts, others believe in stuck. Some people believe in me, others don’t. That’s all fine and dandy, I don’t really care which one you pick. The only belief that I really put stock into is the ability to believe in yourself. I know that sounds kind of cliché. But I don’t. Or didn’t or really I’m not sure. I never picture myself at the top of the pack, doing the best, or being the best out of everyone. Not because I don’t think my dogs have the potential, but because I guess I don’t believe I can get there. Jenna and I, in particular, have always been 2^nd class athletes in my mind. Possibly because others rate us there, so I’ve become comfortable with that image. But that’s not right. That is a comfort zone that I simply shouldn’t allow myself to settle.

Diane always raised me to be humble, especially while regarding my accomplishments in agility. But I’m starting to find there is a difference between being proud of you achievements and confident that you can do great and being egotistical and snobby.

“If you think you are beaten, you are

If you think that you dare not, you don’t

If you’d like to win, but you think you can’t,

It’s almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost

For out in the world you’ll find

Success begins with a fellows will.

It’s all in the state of mind.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.”

~Arnold Palmer

Rigby:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX_19hg0pe4

The secret to a happy, successful agility career...

This, my friends, is a secret as old as agility itself (well not quite). The path to success officially became possible in 2000. Granted this is not a path you will travel on your own. You will need friends, foes, fellow competitors to make it. It’s not a onetime trick either, it can be used every show, sometimes even at practice, if you have really cool friends that is. This will make everything better no matter how you do at an agility show. Quick fix? Perhaps, but it can have some long lasting effects. This is a handler trick, although from personal experience I know it can make a difference in the canine companion’s performance as well.

Now breathe, I know this is awfully exciting, you ready? The secret to success, all the luck you could need in agility, is eat lots of MACH cake. Really it works, and if not at least you got to eat cake. See its good luck cake, and then it’s either a reward for a job well done or comfort food. MACH cake makes everything better.  Who knows maybe eating in celebration of someone else’s 750 points and 20 double Qs actually does rub off on us? Also it is proven that optimistic people achieve their goals and perform better then pessimists. Who can be pessimistic while munching on cake? Really I don’t see how that could be possible.

MACH on! 

:)

EO Practice...

Always SO exciting to train on Monday mornings. I got some really great stuff out of my girlies today. Whimzy started knocking bars towards the end of the session, but I can't really fault her for that considering it was like 83 degrees and two hours into an agility-packed day. Other than that she was spot on, really under control and just right with me the whole day.

Jenna was on fire, we ran a course from an EO Judge. 

This course to be exact. Loads of fun, but what was even more fun was running it backwards. Jenna nailed it that way too. Honestly I feel so in sync with her it's great! Really gives me hope that we won't bomb completely at the European Open. Beyond pumped for Sweden, I just wish we had our team USA uniforms already!  

Super secret raw clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg5E-IjKR5Q&feature=youtu.be

Edited video to music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky3zmaaxOw4&lc=AROPv4_2qXN-HU2eLCDi47g4_1yXDO0tG-Lu9NhBGuU&lch=email&feature=em-comment_received