To my astonishment, Pico got a steeplechase Q this weekend at the All Dog’s Gym usdaa trial!

We were there for DAM team and that is what I was most interested in Q’ing in, but as with every other try at team, Pico and I quickly dragged our teammates into the bottom of the standings, with an E in standard and jumpers. She had a good snooker run, but it was too little, too late.

In steeplechase she hit me hard with her leash clip as I went to take it off her, and I entered the ring bleeding and discombobulated. Pico took advantage of my condition and broke her stay. I followed behind and  somehow we got thru it. I didnt think our performance was enough to Q, so I was quite astonished to see our name on the list of Q’ers.

Today, in steeplechase finals Pico bounced sideways while I was leading out and I knew that if I continued the lead-out she’d bounce her way out of position to take the first jump, so I did not lead out to where I wanted. As a result we got a time wasting refusal and two bars down later in the course. I left happy though, because her weaves were excellent and she was running with some serious intensity. I was very surprised to find we finished fifth. We won $18.00! Not much compared to Dock Dogs, but I was pleasantly surprised by the whole thing.

I am going to have to re-evaluate her spring schedule now, and make some changes. More usdaa! I’m going to also have to find new victims to team with, no sense torturing the same poor people with our performances.