This weekend, Gusto and I trialed down in Virginia at TAG. It was his first weekend at 26 and I was a bit nervous because I wanted to do well to set the tone for my future pursuits. A lot of top handlers were there; due to the fact that it had Grand Prix and Steeplechase.
The courses were challenging but fair. Grand Prix was probably the most technical and Steeplechase was fast and furious. My first run of the weekend was Masters Standard and I really wanted to run it well. I was nervous though and didn't execute well. Next class was Grand Prix. I set my jaw so to speak, determined to run it well as a test to my ability to pull one out. Gusto was brilliant, I was decent. We got around the course and he had a fast time but he dropped 2 bars. Gamblers was after that - no Q because another bar came down during the gamble. Again, he ran really well.
Next, on to Steeplechase. It looked like a lot of fun to run as I watched the 22 in class give it a shot. Some brilliant runs and fast times were posted. Again, I stepped to the line with a clear head, focused and ready to execute. Unfortunately, 2 bars once again. I was very happy with our run as a team though. He really is talented and I just need to get my timing down for 26 and stop talking to him right over the bar.
Everyone asked me why I moved him up. That was a tough question to answer. Why did I do it? He is my fastest and most talented agility dog to date and I will kick myself if I don't see what we can do Nationally and possibly Internationally. It comes down to me AND his ability to keep the bars up. My answer was mostly, "why not". If you never push yourself or test yourself, you'll never know what you can do.
I think of Dara Torres, 2008 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 50M freestyle when I write this...."never put an age limit on your dreams". Dara won her silver at age 41 - what an inspiration.
About Me
- Sharon Gilligan
- "I don't like negative air. I don't like bad air!" Lance Armstrong; "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow - what a Ride!" Peter Sage Entrepreneur and Speaker
8 comments:
"why not" is for losers.
Say "because I want to give World Team a try" or something.
In my experience, Why Not'ers are usually people who want to do well but don't want to admit it to the person who asks.
I think "why not" is a great answer. Because in truth, it's no one's business why. You owe no one an explanation.
You two are funny! I wasn't actually prepared to answer the question. I got better with my answers as the weekend went on....I got asked it a lot. My last answer was "Gusto is amazing and I would like to see him reach his potential." And left it at that.
I say "why not" is a crappy answer in this situation, because if you DON'T have a reason, I don't think it's right to ask a dog to jump 4" higher than their required height all the time, especially when some physical health issues run in the family.
I have seen people jumping rather small BC's at 26" and when I asked why, "why not" was all I really got, and I thought that was very unfair to the dog.
I'm with Rosanne! When I run Reddi at 26" or 24", I always get asked how tall he is - apparently a round about way to ask why I'm running him at that height! I just tell them I need the "hang time"! Which is the absolute truth! I do think he had fun at 22" this past weekend and my timing was not too bad, so I'm thinking he may be staying there for the time being! Unless I decide we're ready for primetime like Drifter and Gusto!
Well it is really nobody's business why I am jumping him 26. I know in my heart that he has a shot to be good enough to compete with the best dogs in our country. I also know that if it affects his health, I will drop him back down. But I can't just assume that because his relatives can't handle it, that he can't either. That is a cop out. I would never do anything to my dogs that would affect their health. My dreams will never overshadow their own physical well being. Anyone who knows me well enough knows that about me. Abbey is a prime example that I can do what is right for the dog and park my own personal goals when required.
You do realize nobody was saying "Gusto shouldn't jump 26" right? I meant that you shouldn't waffle if people ask you. Tell them you're hoping to make World Team. What's wrong with that? Nothing.
People will always ask questions. Asking why you moved him up is just local gossip. If you don't want people to ask, don't trial.
"I got asked it a lot. My last answer was "Gusto is amazing and I would like to see him reach his potential." And left it at that."
quoting your response, I think that's a fine answer. Don't get defensive, I was just pointing out all the people that do 26 but will never tell anyone why, or they do but everybody secretly knows they won't make world team . . .
(not talking about you! we don't know about you yet, your dog's too young to say one way or the other!)
I was referencing certain "other" people who jump their dogs at higher heights either to get super Q's, or because they are World Team Pretenders, but their dogs are clearly not built for the height. Those people usually say things like "why not" or "my dog's still young" or whatever. I hate that. I also think that part of being ready to try for World Team is being ready to talk about it, and really feel like you can beat the world, not waffling about it:-)
So chill!
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