They just couldn’t keep us away! I know it seems crazy, but even though we just drove back to Colorado on Monday, Karma and Jenny were back out in San Jose for the Vizsla Club of America National agility trial. We really weren’t planning on it, but last Sunday after leaving Cali, we were sitting in our hotel room in Mesquite, and there was Marc’s voice in the back of Jenny’s head. He had been telling us since Saturday that no matter what, Karma should still get to do agility at the National. Jenny was not about to to another 36 hour drive, but it did get her thinking…what about a flight. Our quick flight search last weekend showed that all roundtrips flights were about $800. No thanks, and Jenny didn’t have enough miles for a free flight on any airline. But maybe…we checked the “super saver” awards on United. These are last minute award flights for half the amount of miles. They are almost never available, but on Monday night they were! Jenny was able to pin down a free ticket on Thursday morning to make it out for our National Trial. Made our week.
Jenny worked all day Tuesday and Wednesday…after being out Friday and Monday there was a ton to catch up on and the days went quickly which was a total blessing — we were anxious to get out there! Thursday morning we landed in San Jose just in time to see Best of Breed and it was awesome to see Halo’s sire, Havoc, and her littermate sister, Envy, BOTH get an Award of Merit! Havoc was actually stacked right in front of our ringside seats, so Jenny was able to get a really good look at him.
After breed, we headed over with our agility buddies to grab some lunch, then it was over to hospitality to help Heather close up shop. After we were finished, we actually went back to the room and took a nap! Heather has had a long week and Jenny had an early flight — the nap was just what we needed! Then it was time for the annual award banquet where Jamie and Tokaji were presented with their 2013 National Agility Dog of the Year trophy. So flipping cool. After dinner, Jenny went over to Colleen & Bob’s room to meet and love-on Havoc and Envy. So much of Halo in both of them…perfect way to end our night 🙂
And today was THE day. We had such an amazing time at the trial — definitely something to be said for getting to watch a whole day of nothing but Vizslas doing agility (and maybe some zoomies.) It was also a really cool to see everyone in the 2014 Vizsla agility shirt that Jenny again organized. When the judge found out we had one for her too, she was SO happy 🙂
The day went great for all of our friends — I think everyone won at least one class and then people like Carol won FIVE classes! Karma, Gunner, and Aja pulled off a really cool feat and ALL three of them finished their Open FAST titles! This was super cool because we all earned our first OF Q last year together in Omaha, on the way home from the National in Minnesota! Super fun to finish a title at the National and with your best friends and training partners. And after being crowned the 2013 Agility Dog of the Year last night at the banquet, Jamie and Tokaji showed up to today and burned it down, taking home the inaugural High Master Agility Dog in Trial trophy. Perfect day.
Karma’s OF title run: http://youtu.be/7kz_ZN84lHg
After group photos, the award ceremony, and cleaning up, we were all pretty beat. We decided to just grab some pizzas across the street; thinking we would all want to turn in early. However, back at the hotel, we somehow all congregated back on our patio and sat around trying to make this awesome day last forever.
🙂
And here is our updated goal list — can’t believe this is our first agility goal of the year!
Agility Goals:
-Gunner & Karma’s OF titles — DONE!
-Gunner’s AX title
-Gunner’s MX & MXJ titles
-Gunner’s T2B title
-Karma’s MACH
-Get Karma qualified for AKC Agility Nationals
-Get Karma ranked in the Top 20 (agility)
Conformation Goals:
-Grand Championship on Indy — DONE!
-Specialty Award on Halo (BISS, BOSS, SBS, JAM) — DONE!
-Get Halo ranked in the Top 20 (show) — DONE! Feb #15, Mar #17
Obedience/Rally Goals:
-Rally Excellent on Karma — DONE!
-Companion Dog on Gunner — DONE!
-Rally Advanced Excellent on Gunner
-Canine Good Citizens on Gunner & Halo
Field Goals: (some may be 2 year goals)
-Junior Hunter on Halo — DONE!
-Senior Hunter on Gunner & Karma
-Tracking Dog on Indy, Karma, and Halo
-Coursing Ability on Halo
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