Drax (Focus) - 26/27/28 AUGUST 2023

A quick turnaround this week and 4 days after returning from the Champs saw us back at Drax for the bank holiday weekend. This weekend we were running Vikings, Wash, Aztec, Amazon (foundation) and Apache (multibreed).

Chris, Julia and Tina set off early planning to arrive just after lunch only to be dashed by traffic jams left right and centre. In the end they changed their route and a 2 1/4 hr journey turned into well over 3hrs. Our lights were being used this weekend so after setting up camp Chris set up the ring ready for lights to be set up in the morning.

Saturday saw Vikings (Flo, Bonnie, Maggie and Charly) running. This week we didn't have Willow (and Jack has retired) so Maggie had to step up today and she did!! The team ran brilliantly winning all 4 races today, setting a time of 22.25s and came away with 1st place in their division.

Wash (Stan, Zarah, Pip and Indie) also ran well and steadily winning all 3 heats in the morning but losing out in the afternoon to quicker teams. They set a respectable time of 19.80s and came 3rd in the division.

Sunday was Aztec's turn (Blue, Bessie, Eddie and Jessie). Lottie had been added to the paperwork for runbacks today to see how she fared as we want to move her into open asap. The team won 1 of the 3 races in the morning but both races in the afternoon and, to our surprise, came away with 2nd place with a break out time of 19.17s. After our troubles with Jessie at the champs she ran almost paw perfect today so the hard work during the week of evening training of 'finding he jump' with Julia and Tina paid off.

Both Saturday and Sunday evening saw the club eat in the clubhouse. After bbq and pasta night at the champs we needed a break from catering!!

Monday was multibreed, foundation, singles and pairs day. Tina did a judging stint again and today we ran Mabel in foundation on her own (as Lottie had been on the open sheet she couldn't partake). Mabel however pulled it out of the bag and ran 9 clear runs out of 12 coming in with 3rd place in her divsion. Well done Mabel.

Apache (Bonnie, Stan, Zarah and Bessie) were joined by Jessie today. We decided that after her good work the day before we would try her again today and she shared a spot with her mum!! The team won 2 of their 6 races but were well outclassed by the speed of the opposition. However they ran 19 clear heats today out of 23 so we were well chuffed with them. They clocked a fastest time of 19.31 s during the day and had a total of 8x19 s times. They ran really steadily and although came away with 5th place they proved themselves.

Eddie joined Ravensdale today as an extra dog (they wanted another cocker in case their own didn't want to play). This was a good experience for him running with dogs he didn't know and being in the ring again event if he wasn't really needed!!

Now for a break from training to give the dogs a rest and we are looking forward to the Indoor Champs in October and moving back indoors for the winter.