Well it seems time is racing past at the moment and Crufts is getting ever closer eek scary. I think it seems to have come about sooner compared to last year as the semi finals were at the start of January unlike this year where they were at the end. When they were earlier it meant that you could have a bit of a break from training and then get going a the start of Feb.
So I have tried to start to do a bit more training and have been listening to the music a little more. My music choice for HTM this year is a little different from my normal track so there is a certain amount of nerves about it. I think it will mean I will be consuming more than my normal glass of alcohol before I go in the ring that day. Fingers crossed the alcohol does it trick and makes me more relaxed.
The freestyle routine is coming along ok although the "titanic" move has been giving me a bit of a problem. Everytime I practice this move it seems to go a little wrong the first time but then fine after that. So we really need to nail it a bit better so I'm hoping by putting a quick wait in before Pogo performs it Will help, lets hope that works. With a cabaret night this weekend and next it will give me a chance to practice a few of the moves in sequence in front of an audience.
Betty went to her first dog training class this week as I felt that she needed to work around other dogs as she thinks they are all her friends. Also with her little legs her nose is very close to the ground so it was good to work on a flooring which other dogs had worked on. I was very pleased with what she did but she did look a bit tired by the end of the class.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
A busy weekend
Well this is the first time I have sat down at the laptop since friday of last week. Last weekend I was in Dagenham for two one day workshops. I have been to this group twice before so knew some of the handlers. The first day was for beginners so we tackled a lot of the moves and then developed them on a little with those that could perform them.
The only trouble was that the dogs got really exhausted as anyone who has been on my workshops know I always cover a lot on them. So I think many of the dogs and perhaps a few handlers slept well after that first days training. The second day was for dogs that had done some moves, so we linked them together as well as learnt some other moves. There were some nice dogs on the workshops and a Rottie with a tail who was a very handsome boy. I must admit I have not always liked some of the Rotties with tails that I have seen but this boy was a really nice one.
Leaving the venue on sunday evening I set the sat nav to Rugby as I was going to stay with Dave and Mary Ray as I had agreed to go up and help Mary with her routine. The monday dawned and we had to get to the Rugby dog training venue early as the owner of the place had decided to put a new cattle grid in so we had to get there before they started. As it turned out it was a good job we did get their early as it took a while to get through everything. I'm sure that Marys new routine will go down well as it always does and there is certainly a move towards the end which people will remember.
So what with the weekend and working with Mary on her routine its given me a much needed boost to get on with Pogos routines. Of course I have had the routines worked out for a while but there has just been a couple of bits which I thought I would leave until I knew if I had qualified. Today I went out training and luckily there was not many people in the park as I think I would have got some odd looks with my props. In Pogos freestyle routine she has what I have called the Titanic move and its not been always going to plan. I always like to have the moves to the stage where I know the dog will 90% of the time perform it but with this one I have not got my part off pat yet. So I will see how it goes and then decide if I will definitely put it in.
The only trouble was that the dogs got really exhausted as anyone who has been on my workshops know I always cover a lot on them. So I think many of the dogs and perhaps a few handlers slept well after that first days training. The second day was for dogs that had done some moves, so we linked them together as well as learnt some other moves. There were some nice dogs on the workshops and a Rottie with a tail who was a very handsome boy. I must admit I have not always liked some of the Rotties with tails that I have seen but this boy was a really nice one.
Leaving the venue on sunday evening I set the sat nav to Rugby as I was going to stay with Dave and Mary Ray as I had agreed to go up and help Mary with her routine. The monday dawned and we had to get to the Rugby dog training venue early as the owner of the place had decided to put a new cattle grid in so we had to get there before they started. As it turned out it was a good job we did get their early as it took a while to get through everything. I'm sure that Marys new routine will go down well as it always does and there is certainly a move towards the end which people will remember.
So what with the weekend and working with Mary on her routine its given me a much needed boost to get on with Pogos routines. Of course I have had the routines worked out for a while but there has just been a couple of bits which I thought I would leave until I knew if I had qualified. Today I went out training and luckily there was not many people in the park as I think I would have got some odd looks with my props. In Pogos freestyle routine she has what I have called the Titanic move and its not been always going to plan. I always like to have the moves to the stage where I know the dog will 90% of the time perform it but with this one I have not got my part off pat yet. So I will see how it goes and then decide if I will definitely put it in.
Friday, 5 February 2010
New Crufts rule fiasco
Well as I mentioned in my last post HTM / Freestyle competitors were notified of a new rule that was made up on Saturday that you would have to do the same routine at the semis and the final. It was no surprise when I heard that the Crufts department have released yesterday this new rule on the Kennel Club website. I think it is a case of get it out there quickly to try and shut up those people who are not in favour of it. I have to say I am disappointed that the people who work with the crufts main arena regarding HTM have not put forward the handlers point of view and are basically backing the rule it seems.
As yet I personally have not heard from anyone who thinks the rule is workable and necessary. Plus many handlers are disgusted at the way it has been brought in without any consultation and in a very dictatorial manner.
So what are the implications now ? well firstly it has been pointed out to me that I should make sure I tick that box on the entry form which says you don't want to be filmed. Why, well who will want to have a record of their routine on film so that others can say you have done the routine differently. Secondly are the judges who have already accepted the judging of the final appointments for 2011 happy to disqualify handlers under this rule. Also if a a judge is not at the semi final how will they know whether of not the routine is different ? who will be telling them that the routine has changed ? there are so many more questions I could list but I wont bore you.
I am so glad i do not work Disco in the semis anymore as I have always had to improvise sometimes huge parts of the routine as she never liked doing a predictable routine.
I must admit to feeling very disheartened by this rule and wonder why I bother to compete : (
As yet I personally have not heard from anyone who thinks the rule is workable and necessary. Plus many handlers are disgusted at the way it has been brought in without any consultation and in a very dictatorial manner.
So what are the implications now ? well firstly it has been pointed out to me that I should make sure I tick that box on the entry form which says you don't want to be filmed. Why, well who will want to have a record of their routine on film so that others can say you have done the routine differently. Secondly are the judges who have already accepted the judging of the final appointments for 2011 happy to disqualify handlers under this rule. Also if a a judge is not at the semi final how will they know whether of not the routine is different ? who will be telling them that the routine has changed ? there are so many more questions I could list but I wont bore you.
I am so glad i do not work Disco in the semis anymore as I have always had to improvise sometimes huge parts of the routine as she never liked doing a predictable routine.
I must admit to feeling very disheartened by this rule and wonder why I bother to compete : (
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
The semi final aftermath
Well its a few days after the semi finals and I'm feeling in need of a bit of a boost. It's always the way after the semis, there is a big build up then its all over. Of course I really should be thinking about the Crufts routines but just cannot get the energy up until today to think about them. Then of course thinking about the routine makes me panic, is there enough content in them ? could I improve the interpretation of the music ? and the list of my worries go on and on !
So do I sit down and work out the routines again no I get some treats and work with Betty! Just taught her to jump through my arms and its so funny seeing her flying through the air and boy can she jump. Got to ring her Grandma tonight (her breeder in other words) so that we can start to think about registering her with the Kennel Club.
Of course I cannot finish without mentioning the instant Crufts rule that we were told about on Sunday morning which rather took the edge off the semis for me. We have been told that as of next year we will not be able to do an old routine at the semis and a new one at the finals, we will have to do a new routine at the semis and the same at Crufts. This I think is such a shame as it will make the final a rerun of the semis even with different judges. It really has not been thought through and from what we are told is the brain child of one member of the Crufts committee.
Rules that go through the working party at the Kennel Club have to be cleared by so many committees before they make it into the rule book so it seems madness that one person can make a rule and impose it just like that without consultation. I do hope that the competitors will be asked their views on this new rule before its made law.
Anyway its a busy week with a afternoon workshop for a private gundog group tomorrow and then two workshops at the weekend so better go get organised.
So do I sit down and work out the routines again no I get some treats and work with Betty! Just taught her to jump through my arms and its so funny seeing her flying through the air and boy can she jump. Got to ring her Grandma tonight (her breeder in other words) so that we can start to think about registering her with the Kennel Club.
Of course I cannot finish without mentioning the instant Crufts rule that we were told about on Sunday morning which rather took the edge off the semis for me. We have been told that as of next year we will not be able to do an old routine at the semis and a new one at the finals, we will have to do a new routine at the semis and the same at Crufts. This I think is such a shame as it will make the final a rerun of the semis even with different judges. It really has not been thought through and from what we are told is the brain child of one member of the Crufts committee.
Rules that go through the working party at the Kennel Club have to be cleared by so many committees before they make it into the rule book so it seems madness that one person can make a rule and impose it just like that without consultation. I do hope that the competitors will be asked their views on this new rule before its made law.
Anyway its a busy week with a afternoon workshop for a private gundog group tomorrow and then two workshops at the weekend so better go get organised.
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