Flying Poodles

Two new titles and a story…

When adding the new Qs to my worksheet, I discovered that Elly had added a new title to her list: Outstanding Novice Hoopers (O-HP-N). Dancer also has a new title: Open Tunnelers: TN-O.

By Sunday of the three-day trial, I was beginning to feel a little tired (the couple fighting in the next room at 3 AM didn’t help either), but I thought I was running fairly well. I ran Elly in Elite Regular (one tiny little off-course) and then went immediately into the Open Jumpers ring with Dancer. We had a blazing fast run, all out, with Dancer running in extension most of the run, collecting only for the turns and one tunnel, and finished in 26 seconds and change. I was excited and waited impatiently for the results. A friend and I checked the book together. “Nancy, I had a great run, how could I have 80 faults?!” “Did you have an off-course?” “I don’t think so.” “Well, let’s check the video.”

(Three Pines was there with their video service. Instant replays for free, how cool is that?!)

We watch the video. Dancer was indeed running really well. She took EXACTLY the course I designed for her.

Note that “I designed.” The course I ran–which Dancer ran very well indeed–had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COURSE THE JUDGE DESIGNED, other than starting and ending at the same point.