This weekend Aiden was entered in a two-day agility trial held at the Wide World of Indoor Sports facility in North Smithfield, RI. This was Aiden’s first 2 day trial since his first trial in November.
On Saturday the trial was hosted by the Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston. The first class of the day was Open FAST Preferred. The “bonus” was three jumps in a serpentine pattern with the handler staying behind a line ten feet away. Aiden did the first jump and came back over the second jump as he was supposed to, but came wide and took the third jump at an angle causing him to knock the bar and therefore he did not qualify even though he had accumulated plenty of points. As I knew Aiden had not qualified, and I still had time on the course, I sent Aiden over the A-Frame for a second time for practice …much to the judge’s surprise!
The next class was Open Standard Preferred. Aiden had a clean run and qualified with a score of 100 and 1st place for his second OAP Leg. There was one scary moment when Aiden jumped on the table and put on his brakes. The table tipped up and I thought for a second he and the table were going to go over!
There was quite a bit of time before Aiden’s next class so we went for a nice walk with the boys
Dylan being Dylan and enjoying retirement
Aiden sees something 
It’s a family of geese on the pond
Mom, Dad and the kids
We would not let him swim out to the geese so it was back to playtime
The last class of the day was Open Jumpers with Weaves Preferred. Aiden had a clean run and qualified with a score of 100 and 1st place for his second OJP Leg. I felt like Aiden and I were totally in sync and that this was one of Aiden’s best runs.
Today the trial was hosted by the Colonial Shetland Sheepdog Club. The first class was Open Standard Preferred. Aiden did not qualify in this class. As good as his weaves were on Saturday, today he decided to run by the entry! No problem as I called him back and he completed the weaves and we continued on with a refusal for -5 points. He was a little wild on the course but was doing fine until the chute. For some reason ran by the chute to get to the triple jump. I called him back and sent him through the chute and he completed the course. Unfortunately two refusals means you cannot qualify in Open Agility.
Over five hours later it was time for Aiden’s second run of the day, Open Jumpers Preferred. Aiden did not qualify as he got two refusals in this class also. He started off fine and entered the weaves correctly but just popped out. Again, one refusal…no problem. Aiden was wild on the course but I got him back on track without any faults, however he went around the very last jump….therefore getting his second refusal. Even the camera man did not expect that!
UGGGH!! Really the last jump????
Congratulations on the clean runs and first places on the first day….being wild the second day is better then being a slug….right? 🙂
YEAH TEAM AIDEN!
Oh Julie…you are absolutely right. I would much rather have a dog with drive and enthusiasm than a slug!
Aiden has so much fun out on the course I would not want it any other way.
100% Agree! Thanks so much for posting all the videos, love being able to see Aiden run the course. Lynda, even when the unexpected happens, you always look so calm and together …. a total pro, and it’s great to watch you both have so much fun. Congrats Team Aiden!!!!
Great placings. I love how he always has a smile on his face no matter what he is doing.