This is what a "warm up" jump looks like in February in New England!
This is the Bo-Gee CPE trial in Derry Feb. 28 09

CPE today at Bo-Gee

Stewie entered Level 2 Jumpers. He had a great start line stay while I led out 2 jumps. He had a bit of a wide turn to #4, since he started heading to the off course tunnel #12. The rest of the run was great, and he got a Q and a 1st place with a course time of 20.64 with a SCT of 43. My friend took video of all Stewie's runs so I will post them when I get them.

Our next run was Wildcard level 2

I led out and sent him out to the A-frame and layer the "B" jump, he got his contact, but did not down on the ground, so we still have work there! The rest of the run was great, and Stewie was fast and enjoying himself. His time was 12.89 with a course time of 43. He got a blue and a Q. It was a fun run.

Our last run was Snooker, and we had a good plan to get a 7 and two 6's. It all was going according to plan until I was really late calling him while he was in the tunnel and he came out and took the next obvious obstacle, which was not the correct one. All Mom's fault. Stewie had fun though, which is what counts.

CPE Trial Tomorrow

Stewie is competing in a CPE trial tomorrow. We have not done any CPE since about 3 trials when he was in novice. I am going to it since it is in the next town, and a new location and a good opportunity to train. We entered 3 runs, Jumpers, Wildcard, and Snooker. I will report back tomorrow and try to get some pics too.

We should have a lot of fun and also get to see some of our friends run too.

More Directionals

We did a quick training on either a go on down the hall, or a collection and left turn. Stewie was doing very well at it. I was pleased with his progress.

Training Directionals

Stewie needs to work on his directionals with a verbal cue for when he is far ahead of me. We are working on left first. We used a target to get started. I worked him off the left and the right sides.I have also started working with a collection cue before he jumps so he knows a turn is coming up.

At the beach

We had a great walk at the beach in Rye Saturday.

Friday Training

Stewie and I had an hour at Bo-Gee last night with Kelly and Sheena. We worked on distance, he can send to the dog walk from at least 25 feet and I layered the weaves and some jumps, and he stopped on the contact every time!!
Unfortunately he was back to creeping down the A-frame, which he doesn't do very often, I don't know why. Kelly let me borrow a piece of carpet since I didn't have a mouse pad with me, and with that in place as a target, he was back to running down and downing on the carpet.
We also worked with the A frame with a tunnel discrimination and in and out cues worked quite well. All in all it was a great practice and he was ready to settle down when we got home which is a plus too.

NADAC Top Ten Breed Listing-2008

NADAC just posted their Top Ten Breed Listing, and to my great surprise, Stewie made the Top Ten List for Jumpers! I am so proud of him, and it did make my day.

Elephant Trick, in progress.............

Here is some video of Stewie's trick progressing.
Remember I am very new at this!

NADAC distance practice

It was a much warmer start to practice at the horse barn yesterday, actually warmer outside than in the barn. We did a great jumpers course, practicing go on's and lateral distance. There was a serpentine in it which was no problem for Stewie.
I still have to practice being quicker on my cues, esp when he is in the tunnel. He needs to know when he is halfway through whether he is going straight, go on, or turning, here or out.
The next course we did we put in a big speed circle and incorporated some hoops and 12 weave poles. It was a good test of lateral distance from the weave poles, and since he was exiting a tunnel and going to the weaves, for me to give him direction sooner. He had good collection from the tunnels to the poles, getting all his entries.

Our Elephant Trick in progress

Susan Garrett suggested the "elephant trick" for help with hind end awareness on her new DVD, Excellance in Weave Pole Training.
First I clicked for one paw on the flower pot
Then both paws
Now Stewie is holding the position for a couple of seconds
Still clicking and treating for holding the position. Tomorrow we will work on rotating his hind end around the base of the pot.