The drive there on Saturday morning was a bit slow - we were driving about 35 mph in a 55 mph area because it was raining so hard we could barely see. With that much rain, the fairgrounds were soaked so we had to fight mud and wet shoes. The shows were delayed a bit after the rain stopped, and it did dry up eventually.
Both girls showed very well on Saturday despite the heat which is all I can ask for! Millie took a Reserve Best Female in show 2 under judge John Davidson. Nothing for Halle in conformation.
Halle's rally debut could not have gone better! She blew me away with how well she worked for me in the heat and with so many distractions. Our rally scores for Saturday were 97 (third place) and 96 (second place).
Sunday's heat was worse, and we spend most of our time in the shade drinking water and relaxing. Because of the heat, the rally judge decided not to go in order - whoever was ready could go. I wanted to do our run as early as I could. It ended up being our best score of the weekend with a 98 (second place)! This also finished Halle's URO1 title, which I am completely overjoyed with earning in our first three rally trials. Because she finished her title, we didn't need another level 1 leg, so I scratched her last run due to the heat.
Both girls showed very well in conformation once again. Millie took another Reserve Best Female in Sunday's first show under judge Jill Sobel-Smith. Halle won a very nice Grand Champion class of five dogs - this qualified her for a TOTAL DOG Award! To earn a Total Dog Award, you must get a win in conformation and earn a qualifying score in a performance event on the same day - and Halle did it with two "firsts" ! Her first time competing in a rally trial (earning her first rally title) and her first time winning the Grand Champion class. By this point, I was very satisfied with our weekend. But Millie wasn't...
In Sunday's show 2, under judge Pamela Simmons, Millie won Best Female and went on to win Best of Winners to finish her UKC Championship!! Now I was on Cloud 9... we managed to complete every goal I had had for the weekend - a new UKC Champion, a rally title, and a Total Dog Award. I am still blown away by our weekend and could not be prouder of our girls. I also cannot thank my Mom enough for making all of this possible. Without her love and support, I could never be so active or successful with our dogs. We are a great team, and I love doing this together.
Halle and her ribbons from the weekend:
Millie and her ribbons from the weekend:
As I promised Millie, now that she has finished her UKC Championship we plan to move onto something that she will find more fun and exciting. We plan to start agility training in the near future and will hopefully trial at some point!
