Sunday, October 24, 2010

My First Open A Obedience Trial at Del Valle

Hi Pals! Last March, I passed my 3rd and final leg of Novice A, earning my CD. Mom and Barbara had a little chat and Ma told Barbara somethin' like this: "I feel so good about Del Valle
that our new goal is to be ready for Open A by Del Valle 2010." Barbara was wary. We pushed on. I knew I could try to be ready!

So we worked and worked and worked. I had problems with the broad jump. I hated the dumbell for a long time. And finally, I wouldn't even "Come" for the Drop on Recall. OMD! But Ma entered me in Open A at Del Valle 2010. It's a five day show, from Thursday to Monday. I was due to "do ma thang" on Friday (indoors) and Saturday (ourdoors). My teach, Barbara, even worked the video in two parts. Here they are.

And Part II...

After these tests, I had to go back in the ring with other doggehs to do "Sits and Downs," where I have to Sit for 3 Minutes while Ma is out of the ring away from my sight, then Down for five minutes with Mom out of sight. Even if I've done good on my exercises, I can just as easily get an NQ if I get up from a down, or ... the reverse. I stayed on both and Mom was patting me hard and finally giving me treats when I got back to my area!!! Then imagine all our surprises when...

Holy Moly... I won Open A! So after a while of partying and such, we went home and slept soundly... believe you me, it's just exhausting to answer to Ma's commands!

The next day was "Specialty Day" when it was all Golden Retrievers - woo hoo! And guesses to who was there? No pix, but my boyfriend, Jackson, was there! Also, Avalon met up with her brothers, Ronan and Thistle. Above is Avalon with Ronan!

Even though I was entered in Open A again, I failed to "DROP" on the recall and NQ'd... bummer. Jes' didn't hear Ma right heheh! But I was due to be in a "Rescue" parade after my class. Here I am trotting out with so many other NorCal golden retriever rescues!

And here I am with Momma! Man, was I tired!

And so was my sis! We was exhausted!

31 comments:

houndstooth said...

Congratulations on winning that ribbon! Way to go, Sammie! I thought you looked amazing going through your paces and nobody's perfect, so one little missed drop isn't the end of the world.

Avalon looked cute with her brother, too!

Bunny

Sierra Rose said...

Yeaoooo! So sorry to have missed this event Sammie! You did awesomes! What a team! And, no pouring rain :) Love the parade of goldens...would have wanted to give each a bit huggie and sniff :)
Thanks for the fun time today at the parkie by the way!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Sammie!!!!

I am so happy fur you and your mom! You guys ROCK! :)

WOofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Ms. ~K said...

Happy Day for sure!!!
We're so proud and happy for you and Mom!
Hugs and belly rubs to you and Avalon,
~K and the Pups

Angel Tucker, Daisy and Leo said...

Congrats, Sammie

You are such a smart girl, we are so proud of you. Love the rescue parade.

Tucker and Daisy

Kari in Alaska said...

Congrats on the huge win!

Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

KhonGRats!

My khousins are furry furry happy fur woo too!

They woofed something about what nice looking khanines!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra and The Golden Khousins

How Sam Sees It said...

Congratulations! You guys looked like superstars! We made Monty and Sam watch the videos - hopefully they pick up a few things!

Sam

Wyatt said...

Sammie- That is so great. Your peeps must be so proud of you! Good job!

Wyatt

Maxmom said...

Congratulations to Mom and you, Sammie! That is truly awesome work...you are my icon. Hopefully one day I will be able to do half of what you do. Your mome looks totally delighted with you! Well done again and thanks for posting all the pics and the video!
Lotsauv from all of us,
MAXMOM IN SA

Molly the Airedale said...

Congratulations, Sammie! We loved your video! You are such a smart girl!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Dexter said...

I love your happy mom in the ring. So often the handlers have stern face throughout the competition. Not very motivating! Great job!

Slobbers,
mango

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Awesome, Sammie - of course, we just knew you would do it. You did so well, we were very impressed. How fun to see all your pals too. Bet you were tired. Congrats again.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

The Daily Pip said...

Congrats on your big win! That's very exciting!

Your pal, Pip

BRUTUS said...

Huge Congrats!! That was beautiful! Mom made me watch and really pay attention because she says I need to follow your example on the heel free (I've been known to end up half a ring away due to what mom calls "lack of enthusiasm"). Hope you got lots of great treats afterwards!!

Snorts-
Brutus the Frenchie

Barbara said...

CONGRATULATIONS! Neither Trixie or Minnie can do any of that stuff! They just ignore their mom!

The Life of Riley said...

Well done - it sounds like you had a great weekend with your mom and the other Goldens.

Woofs,
Riley

Infrequent Flyers said...

Such great photos! Sorry about the NQ, but it looks like you all had fun anyway. Love seeing all those Norcal Goldens!

jen said...

Congratulations Sammie!!
That is so great:)

jen said...

Congratulations Sammie!!
That is so great:)

Scout and Freyja said...

Sammie, you are a STAR! We think that your momma should get a picture of you taking a bow and put it up here for all of us to see☺

Miss Muddy Paws said...

That is fantastic! You're are truly the Golden star!

Beyond the Dog Dish said...

Whoot you smart girl! I am so happy I dropped by today. I love blogs on training, obedience, agility, dance... you get my drift. The videos are a welcome inspiration to me. Hope to see more
<3 Miss Kodee @Bark'n About

The Luke said...

Wow! Congratulations! That is awesome... and what gorgeous pitchers you shared!

wif love from the Luke

Never Say Never Greyhounds said...

WOW! Congrats on winning your first Open A class! Any greyhounds in your class? I had a friend showing there too.

Thanks for your comment on Katie's passing.

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! Pawsome. Golden Congrats. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Laura and The Corgi, Toller, & Duck said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I thought Sammie looked fantastic!!! Open is hard, I have never felt more relieved when Lance finally made it out of there! Really, really, nice job!

Unknown said...

Oh Sammie! That is such a wonderful, wonderful achievement - congratulations!!!!! I think your human's face in that picture of you with the ribbon says it all! :-) We are so happy for you and so proud of you!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Martha said...

Congratulations Sammie!!!!! You are the cleverest doggie we know - you won a ribbon!
We are very very proud of you.
Lovely pics of you all and of course little Avalon looking adorable too.
Sorry we are late again....!
love
Martha and Bailey xxx

Augie and Ti's mom said...

Wow Sammie, I'm soooooooooo impressed!! You are super fab!! You must remember us little people when you are famous ;-)

KB said...

Woo hoo! Congratulations on a HUGE accomplishment. That is truly amazing since it was your first open competition. You are a superstar Sammie, and so is your mom!

It must have been fun to see your little sis with her brother. How similar are they?

Sorry to be a late commenter. I recently switched to Reader, and I'm still finding my way. I accidentally marked everything as "read" twice - now I'm trying to figure out what I missed!