Invitational Day 1

Going to attempt the nightly blogging thing. :)

So, wow. Something really, really, really cool about the big shows. It's definitely a different feel than Nationals though, I don't know if it's all the different breeds (which is  REALLY neat), or maybe that now I know what the barcode thingy is and how to put my number on, I'm just more laid back. The weekend wrist band is a little annoying (want it off now), do I really need that, and a ticket, and my barcode tag? Ah, the sacrifices. ;) 

(Trin wondering why we aren't doing the dock diving pool instead)

So Trin was awesome in "warm up FAST", she did everything perfectly except her dog walk contact. We didn't attempt the gamble. I even threw in a back side and a rear cross, unplanned which looks slightly choppy in the video, but hey, I feel good that we could do either should the need arise over the weekend. Oh Trin, who would have ever thought you would need back sides of jumps in your career? Turns out she needed to go potty and almost went in the ring at the end of her run. Oops. She's not a fan of the 5'x5' potty squares, so she seemed like she was good. I'll find her some real grass tomorrow. 

The conformation was... interesting. It's just not my thing. The shopping over there is GREAT though. Some super cool stuff that makes me wish I hadn't spent all my money already. :) The hotel room was a splurge, gosh it is nice though. My room is huge, I could do front cross drills with all the open space! I got a good room number too, which is a definite plus for the weekend. 

So tomorrow the rounds count, we'll do Standard and Jumpers with weaves, and then Sunday, JWW and a hybrid round. If we run clean in all 4 of those AND we're the fastest mini Aussie, er Mini Amerie, we get to go to the finals! Trin could definitely do it, I feel good, I can't wait to run. I'm in a good running position tomorrow too, enough dogs to get a feel for the course but not so many you're fatigued from watching. 

Fatigued. Hahahahah. Yeah. Tomorrow starts at FIVE FORTY FIVE AM. That is just brutal. My walk through is at 6:15 and my first run about 8am. I hope there is a good source of caffeine somewhere around here. Good night. :)