First Agility Show of the season Wyre Championship and UKA NADS

After all the winter training session, it was time to dust of the Salomon Shoes and set the alarm for our first agility show of the season. Amy ventured all the way up to Preston for the Wyre Championship show, and I decided to stay a little closer to home and joined friends at the UKA NADS show in Marlborough.

Luckily the weather was much nicer than last year, where NADS had snowed for most of the morning and the decision had to be made to cancel, as it was just too dangerous for the dogs and handlers, too. This year however, it was held at a lovely venue called Barbury Racecourse in Marlborough, situated on the top of a hill. I won't lie, it was a tad nippy but the sun was shining.

Breeze was very excited to be at her first show, and she certainly made enough noise to prove it, but equipped with her Back on Track coat and a Tuubeez filled with sausage, we were ready for our first run, which happened to be Champ Jumping.

It was a course that required a lot of running but Breeze was on form and she won the class! We trained our agility run, and even little Roux came out for her debut NFC round in steeplechase. I was very nervous and excited to be running her, but needless to say she took it all in her stride and ran her little socks off!

Amy had an iffy start to her day, with van problems (think we've all been there!) however she got up there and after the long drive it ended up being a very rewarding journey. Fudge had a lovely clear in her Champonship class, and Spice was the star of the day, winning the combined 3-5 agility qualifier, taking Spice up to grade 5!

On the Sunday Amy joined us at NADS, although the weather had become temperamental with the various hail storms - we all ran for cover, as they blooming hurt! We both attempted the first UKA Master qualifier of the year, judged by Marc Saunders; the courses were great and even though it became a little wet underfoot, Fudge won the jumping round with Breeze coming 2nd, and in the agility round Breeze again came 2nd which meant both dogs had qualified for the UKA Grand Finals held at the Hands Arena in December.

Not to be out done, Luna won 2 x 1st and Neville did a cracking round in Novice agility with Richard, unfortunately the timer didn't work and he had to re-run, not being as successful the second time, but the judge, Jillian Sawyer, gave some lovely words of encouragement at how Neville has progressed and Rich can't wait for the rest of the season.

Next Show: UKA Lydiard Park - Agility World has their own tradestand!