Tag Archive for: Cute

Switzerland meets England

Es ist schon ziemlich lange her, die letzte Etappe unserer Sommertour. Aber besser als nie – mein Blogpost für euch.

Auch dieses Jahr zog es uns wieder an das weltgrösste Agility Event – das outstanding KC International Agility Festival. Für die, die wissen möchten warum das KCI so ‘outstanding’ ist, ist das der Link zum Report von meinem ersten Besuch 2014.

Auch dieses Jahr wurde ich nicht enttäuscht. Ausser etwas von meiner Leistung. Zu meiner Verteidigung… Die Unterschiede der Geräte sind zwar klein, jedoch können diese ganz schön nervig sein. Ein Beispiel: Der Weitsprung setzt sich nicht nur um ein zusätzliches Weitsprungteil zusammen, dieses Fünfte ist auch noch höher. Liegt der Weitsprung nun am Ende einer langen Gerade bergauf, und geht es danach scharf nach rechts… Naja, dann wird’s halt brenzlig 🙂 Schade, v5 mit einer weiteren super Bestzeit im Grade 6 Jumping.

Im ‘Special International Final’ haben wir leider wegen 1cm das Ticket an die Crufts in den Sand, ähh Zone gesetzt 🙁 Dennoch hat es für 4 Läufe im Main-Ring, 2 Finalläufen (von 2 möglichen) und fast zum Aufstieg in die Klasse 7 gereicht.

Nun… ich weiss was ich für nächstes Jahr zu trainieren habe, nebst anders normierten Geräten – es ist Articulate! 🙂 haha… was für ein spassiges Game, was für ein amüsanter Abend, was für eine amüsante Truppe!

Das Video wie immer am Schluss dieses Posts. Viel Spass 🙂

 

English

It’s quite a long time ago, the last stage of our summer tour. But better than never – my blogpost for you.

This year again, I was drawn back to the worlds biggest agility event – the outstanding KC International Agility Festival. For all those who’d like to know why I call the KC ‘outstanding’, here’s the link to the report from my first visit in 2014.

Also this year I didn’t get disappointed. Except somewhat about my performance. To my defense… Indeed, the obstacle’s differences are small, however those could be quite annoying. For example: The long jump not just composes of one more part, no this fifth and last part is higher too. Is then the long jump at the end of a long uphill straight and you have to turn hard right after… Well, then it can get quickly dicey 🙂 To ad, v5 with a super best time ion grade 6 jumping.

At the ‘Special International Final’ we messed up with the dogwalk contact and missed the ticket for the ‘green carpet’ by 1cm 🙁 what a shame! Nevertheless, it was enough for 4 runs in the main ring, 2 final runs (out of 2 possible) and almost the promotion to grade 7.

Anyhow, I know what I’ve to practice for next year beside other standardized obstacles – it’s Articulate! 🙂 haha… what a fun game, what a fun night, what a fun group it was. Thank you all for that entertaining weekend!

 

 

Aller guten Dinge sind drei

Es war ein langer und steiniger Weg bis hierhin. Doch endlich haben wir es erreicht. Alle drei Bestätigungen sind beisammen und unser Verbleib in der Large 3 um ein weiteres Jahr gesichert. Ich weiss… drei Bestätigungen in einem Jahr zu sammeln ist gewiss keine grosse Leistung. Angesichts einem Dritteljahr Auslandstarts und der massig gesammelten v5 im Inland schon.

Ich möchte mich an dieser Stelle bei allen bedanken die durchwegs an mich und Cute geglaubt haben, die mich unterstützt haben und die mir immer für mich da waren.

Nun geht es für Cute in die Winterpause. Das hat sie sich redlich verdient – mein kleiner Silberpfeil!

 

All good things come in three

It was a long and stony road. But finally we did it. We have all three confirmations together and our stay in grade 3 is safe for another year. I know… to collect three confirmations in one year is indeed not a big achievement. Considering one third starting abroad and those tones and tones of v5 collected at home, it is.

I’d like to say thank you to all those who throughout believed in me and Cute, those who supported me and those who were there for us.

With this achievement Cute takes a winter break. She has fairly earned it – my little silver arrow!

Agility by Night

 

Every great time has this one sad moment. It’s the moment when it all comes to an end. When it’s over. Agility by Night is over and with it two super great weeks in Luxemburg. I had such a great time spending together with my friends and – how I call it – my second family. Let’s have a look what happened since Border Collie Classic.

After a weekend of competition ending up with being in the final of BCC we looked forward for some free time and hanging around with friends. Thx Fa and Nath for taking us to the city and hoping on and off J

Already on Tuesday I was back in the hands of Agility. I used the opportunity during the break between BCC and ABN to get taught by Zeljko. It was a good opportunity to recap and refine what we learned in Sweden some weeks ago. I was more than happy with the training. Cute did such an amazing job on both training days. I don’t know when I was so pleased with her the last time. With this in mind I looked forward to ABN.

Agility by Night takes place Friday and Saturday from 5pm until 2am the next morning and on Sunday from 9am till 6pm. Two runs per day – ohm I mean per night, whereby you can get qualified for the grand final on Sunday with one of the Agility-runs while being in the top five. With the Open-run on Sunday morning you can get qualified for the small final if you win that run.

Right on Friday night Cute run two clean courses. WOW! The Jumping run she won. I was quite impressed – my silver arrow J In the Agility run I lost on three parts too much time. I let her standing after DW, then I introduced a blind cross way too late, thus she took a big wide curve and the third loss of time was in the end of the course where I almost missed the see saw. This altogether was enough to break her too much out and we got 6th. Just one place behind the needed rank to get qualified for the grand final. Anyway, I was still pleased with her achievement.

After running the party started very soon for us, since we finished already at 10pm and it went until 6am. Too long for my age J  I felt the missing power throughout the Saturday. A bar and a DIS was the consequence. I simply couldn’t afford the energy I need to run her. But I got a clear round with Hoyden. I’m so proud on that. I run for the first time with him. Thank you so much Michael to let me run with him. It’s a honor to me.

Even without being in the final, ABN was a success for Cute and me.

I’d like to say a big big big thank you to the HSV Beetebuerg and its crew for having me so warmed welcomed and hosted over the last two weeks. Furthermore, I appreciate the tough work they did to organize and run this show. Everything went so well. Even if I realized how tired they are after running a second show they managed it to keep that super atmosphere which makes ABN so unique. You guys definitely rocked! Keep on going, I’m already looking forward to the anniversary edition in 2017!

 

 

Border Collie Classic ’15

 

For the second time after 2009 the Border Collie Classic was hosted in Luxemburg. The venue located at Herschesfeld, a big field sourrounded of a forest is a perfect location to realize such an agility event. All the more I’m looking forward to the following event, the over the borders well known ‘Agility by Night’, taking place next weekend. But first things first.

Cute and I had a break on Friday, since that day was dedicated to grade A1. Saturday and Sunday were the days for A2 and A3. 4 qualification runs on Saturday and 2 on Sunday before the finals took place. The courses were set by Frank Gers (B), Patrick Tunders (NL), Romain Stein (L) and Rolli Schiltz (L). Especially the courses of Rolli Schiltz from Saturday prompted the discussion 🙂 But they were not bad at all after the course walk and even better after the run. Particularly the Jumping was fluid to run.

Cute managed to get qualified for the final with the fourth qualification run on Saturday. The run wasn’t perfect handled by me, but it sufficed for a second place. At the final, set up by Patrick Tunders, I had to go for all or nothing. On a sequence I had to replan my initial handling and thus I lost a bit of time. But it was the dogwalk, the second last obstacle, on which we failed. I was to much in front, whereby I couldn’t lead her in a proper approach on the DW. Thus, she felt down half of her way on the DW. Good luck she didn’t hurt herself. But I will let her check before we go back to the start on the next weekend. Even with the DIS I’m quit happy with our run.

The team managed to defend the title from last year. They took the victory clearly with 4 clean runs! My congratulations to Gisela with Gwen, Martin with French, André with Air and Ciro with Lady! Well done!

I’d like to say once more thank you to the HSV Beetebuerg for the perfect organisation. They even ordered the perfect weather conditions 🙂 It’s always a pleasure to me to compete on one of your events!

 

 

Klappe, die Erste und Action! Agility Zürisee Cup’15

 

There are competitions and competitions. The Agility Zürisee Cup (Agility Zurich-Lake Cup) is definitely the latter case. A superb event with a international potential and a bright future.

The cup takes place above Wädenswil near Zurich (CH) on a riding arena. It is on a hillside and this allows us a perfect view on the lake of Zurich and on the Gold Coast (this is how we call the rich part). But it’s not made with just the view. Two rings are outside while one other is in the riding hall. The surface is sand which is well prepared. It was so good prepared that we never had any issues with dust or hardness while having such high temperatures. The audience could sit like in a arena while watching Agility in front of a fantastic scenery.

For us competitors have been the judges and their courses the most or one of the most important things. The half of the 6 judges came from abroad. A small sensation for Switzerland. For normal it is hard to find any foreign judges. All six made some cool and demanding courses with different focus areas. All of the courses were interesting to run.

Cute and sand as surface, especially when it’s so well prepared, are in perfect harmony. My little silver-arrow have been in a top shape and attempt for each and every hurdle. I myself attempt to remember all the things I learned in the past few weeks, to bring them into the competition and to do this as correct as possible. Not an easy task, which went well each time. But I could see kind of a progress. As a little tank you for our attempts we won the Jumping of Mark Foneijn (NL). Unfortunately not a single lens captured that run 🙁

I would like to thank Regula Tschanz-Haas and Maggie Korrodi and also to any helper in the fore- and background for that great event. You all did that well!

You find more information according the compeititon here: agility-zuerisee-cup.ch

 

 

Summertour Sweden – Day 13-15, it was worth each minute

 Tag / Day 13-15, it was worth each minute

 

WOW… mind blowing it was! Indeed, I had to leave Sweden without seeing a single moose. I’m sure it’s just a fairytale that they have any of them 😀 But I left Sweden packed with full of tips, advices and experiences.

This summer camp was the best seminar I’ve ever had so far. Everything was just fantastic and outreached my expectations by far. Jenny and Zeljko put demanding courses for us. Courses with lots of “springa!” (to run), distractions and with the possibility for many different handlings.

Both showed me tips, gave me advices and drove me to reach more, to get the needed perfection. And they did this in a highly motivated manner. Astonishing what details their eyes caught. Little tiny things in the handlers handling with tremendous impact. Nothing remained undetected. Even if they’re not totally congruent each other regarding the handling, they compliment each other in a perfect way. At least for me. And this all is priceless to me.
So many more things I have to add, change and improve on me and my handling in the next coming weeks and months. Now I’m looking forward to my trainings and to the hard work ahead than ever before.

The training condition were super. The day before and even minutes before the camp started it was pouring buckets of rain. With the start of the summer camp the sun showed up and she luckily stayed for the entire camp. We trained in groups of four. Thus, each of us had enough time to do the exercises, repeat them and do different handlings. This is what I appreciate a lot.

And then the catering. I had nothing to worry about for two full days. Breakfast buffet, lunch, coffee & tea with fruits and cookies & fruits through the day and BBQ in the evening. All included, everything of its best. Yummmy… Thx so much Anita for taking care to us.

After something more than 3’690 km and over 6h stuck in traffic we’re back home. And it was worth each km! Many, many thx to Jenny and Zeljko for the superb camp. I experienced some super days at the Lotushallen.

Sweden is such a great country to explore. I wish I have had more time to spend there. The vast expanses, all those thousands and thousands lakes, the neat red colored cottages, endless forests – this and much more makes it one of the perfect destinations, with or without dog.

(The album is updated with the last photos of our journey.)

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.459719044202181.1073741838.258511767656244&type=3

 

 

Summertour Sweden – Day 12, arrived at Lotushallen

 

Tag 12 / Day 12, arrived at Lotushallen

Lazy day… First I ate breakfast in a special manner. The selection of the breakfast-buffet constraint to a launchbox from schooltime – two sandwiches, one egg and a yoghurt.

After that I went with Zeljko and Jenny to an extensive walk of the Swedish way. Literally, it went over hill and dale. Over creeks and thru thicket. And all this during moisty weather. So mosty, that after the walk I was able to swim in my shoes 😀
The afternoon we spent in the dry with shopping at Halmstad and surroundings.

I setup my new resting place at the Lotushallen and got a first impression of the facility. Finally, tomorrow the highly anticipated summer camp will take place. I’m looking forward to it like a child on Xmas Eve.

Most likely it won’t get any updates in the next days, since we’re here out of reach of any Wi-Fi.

 

 

Summertour Sweden – Day 11, from coast to coast

 

Tag 11 / Day 11, from coast to coast

Nothing special today…. The last time we went for a short bath at the beach and a walk on the east coast. After that we went off to go from the east across thru Sweden to the west coast towards Halmstad. All with an average speed of 70-80km/h… Thus, we had enough time to look for a moose. But no luck. Not a single one showed off. And also the weather has changed.

The night we spent at Berte Bed’n’Breakfast. It’s a small stable from the 1800 century which got rebuilt to an accommodation. Much charm is in the air. But much dung-smell too 🙂

 

Summertour Sweden – Day 10, splish splash at the beach

 

Tag 10 / Day 10, splish splash at the beach

I, Ayla, have been waiting for this for a long time. Finally he has time just for us. And we can do what we like the most. Enjoying the day with him, romp around, playing and swimming all the long.

The water of the ‘Ostsee’ isn’t particularly warm, but for what do I have a thick coat? Cool down in the water, drying on the sun at the beach. Some rest and den start again from the beginning 🙂 This is what each day could look like.

Ah yes… we shot with the GoPro for a short video. Have a look:

[yt4wp-video video_id=”t9HCSKCBdmE”]

 

GULDagility and Summer-Camp with Jenny & Zeljko

Posted by SBAgility on Montag, 29. Juni 2015

 

Summertour Sweden – Day 9, the day after

 

Tag 9 / Day 9, the day after

The day started good for me Cute. Indeed, really good! We went swimming even before they went for breakfast. Ok, the temperature wasn’t as high as the last days due to a thunderstorm last night. How I hate thunderstorms! Each time I have to be very close to Simon. Best is to be on his face. There I feel it’s the most safest to be… Although it wasn’t really cold, he and Zeljko let us swim alone.

Simon showed his social engagement once more and helped with the cleaning-up operations. After this was done, we went together in the city for sightseeing. According to the buildings this has to be a city with a long history. But what do I know… I had my place at the windows at school 😉 Old citywalls, canons, etc. points still on past times. Kalmar is a city with its own charm, which I like.

So, now I’m tired. Ayla and I had to pose more than once for taking photos 🙂

 

GULDagility and Summer-Camp with Jenny & Zeljko

Posted by SBAgility on Montag, 29. Juni 2015