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KT - Coppershell Lucky Lady an Irish Setter Living in England |
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Update July 2011: Unfortunately KT was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in 2008 and retired from agility :( Now we just do the occasional any size jumping at kennel club events, and she loves it. I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! KT MANAGED TO GET A 1ST POSITION AT AN AGILITY EVENT North Sommerset UKAgility Event on the 1st April 2007. Still getting used to competing. It was a funny day - it seemed like all of a sudden, I had to run all the classes we had entered. I was preparing for the Steeplechase Class (jumps and tunnels), when all of a sudden I had to run the Jumping Class (jumps tunnels and weaves), made a mess of it! We managed to get a clear round in the Steeplechase, goody, goody, goody!!!!!!! Then straight on to the Snooker event. It's like a snooker game, a red jump, a black jump, another red and so on. Have a look at another dog and handler try their luck at snooker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBjYmRBRwdg, they made a mistake towards the end. KT and I managed to do it perfectly!!!!!!! Slowly KT's trophy cabinet is filling up. The first one was a 3rd for a photo competition I entered, the second one was a 3rd for prettiest bitch, then we had our first clear round at a Tuffley agility event on 17th March 2007. Then at North Sommerset, a clear round in the Steeplechase, and to my great surprise/delight/I have no words: 1st Place Rosette and Cup at the Snooker Agility Event!!!!!!!!!
My First Competition at an UKAgility Event on 4th November 2006 Wow, we're getting there. With patience and persistence, we are slowly getting to grips with agility. Here are some snaps of our first competition.
Such a star! I'm so proud of her.
No Prizes today, just three rounds and no disqualifications. That was the main aim of the day. My First Certificate at Whitminster Whitminster Canine Activity Training Club Oh well, can't say KT and I have achieved anything in agility, yet, but at least here is the proof that I'm trying. And if dedication is what is needed to have an Irish Setter Agility Super Star, then at least I have that. I'll keep trying, with patience I'm sure we'll make slow progress as we go along. One Day...
Whitminster Agility Day May 2005 I went to watch my first agility competition on the 15th May 2005. Just to watch and learn what happens at such events. I have a lot to learn, but at least it's a start. KT had to stay at home, she is at that funny time of the month. The picture below shows one of the courses, looks like so much fun.
And the dogs loved it.
There were people of all abilities, from the seasoned veterans to the complete beginners. For some it was like a walk in the park, just point the dog in right direction and off they'd go. Others, the simple task of jumping an obstacle proved a hassle: HEY, this way!
But when they jumped -
They really jumped.
The couple of pictures below looked quite strange to me. Before each event the handlers were allowed to walk around the course and it looked a bit like a balet, lot's of people following each other doing these peculiar motions with their hands. I'll probably be doing this balet one of these days.
Agility To negotiate an obstacle course with no errors in as fast a time as possible. We started going agility training about September 2004 at the Whitminster Canine Activity Training Club. After going there for a couple of weeks we went away on Holiday and after coming back KT must of thought she'd never see that place again. Apparently she was in heat, so couldn't go. We did eventually go back. As I am only a beginner still learning the equipment, there is not much here on agility. Worth checking out my diary section, where I do mention how I did in my agility classes during the week. I'm sure it will only be a matter of time before I manage to do a whole course. Here is a good quote I found in a book called: "Guide to owning an Irish Setter" by Jackie O'Neil: "The Irish Setter develops slowly - physically, mentally and emotionally - so don't be disapointed if your clumsy red pup isn't the star of the beginners obedience or agility class. The breed loves to please but lacks the adult coordination until he is nearly two years old and may not develop his mature attention span until he is pushing three years of age. Consequently, you may find yourself with the largest, but most puppysih, dog in the class. Patience and persistence are the keys to successfully training the jovial Irishman. Be calm and consistent in your corrections and never, ever lose your temper." |
