Snooker and Pairs Runs, Regionals 2008

Here's a course map and video of Cody's Snooker run. You can ignore the part where I pull him off the second red then go back to redo it (forgot where I was going for a moment). It was a nice run other than that. It had clouded up and cooled down considerably so Cody was running nicely. In retrospect I regret going back to pick up that red. Stupid Super Q's.




Normally I wouldn't get too excited by Team Relay but this one was tricky for both sides. I was happy with what I did with Lola. I happened to see Susan Garrett's run and she ran the second side as well but she started with her dog on her left and rear crossed to the teeter. I think she had a problem with that strategy but I can't quite remember what happened. Her teammate did the same thing and definitely had a problem, can't remember how it went down but I'm pretty sure he ended up with an off course, maybe into the tunnel. Not to pick on them, it was interesting to see a different handling strategy and not many people tried that. Lots of people had trouble on the first half of the course between the A-frame and weaves. Lots of refusals at the weaves.





Master Pairs was also tricky, the second half at least. One handler fell twice, at the #3 tunnel entry and the #10 tunnel exit. I handled Cody nicely and he had a nice smooth run but I mishandled Lola, didn't quite get in the front cross I had planned at the #3 and #10 tunnel entry even though I had plenty of time and then had trouble sending her ahead for a rear cross. In retrospect I should have put a front cross in between #4 and #5 since I ended up waiting around for her to get out of the tunnel.

Some handlers chose to stay on the left of the tunnel/A-frame for the #10 tunnel and push their dog to the #11 tunnel. This was not a great choice for a fast dog and that was where the one handler tripped over her dog and fell. She did pull it off nicely though with her second dog by hanging back a bit and letting the dog shoot forward before directing him to the #11 tunnel. Still, in general those who handled from the left of the tunnel/A-frame had tighter turns and smoother runs at that point. I didn't pay attention to the first half of the course so can't comment on that.