Let Me Qualify The Qualifying Runs

For the most part, the qualifying runs were ran in the rain. Only the first day was a sunny day, after that the skies opened up, and dumped on our parade. Penny Caster was my personal groupie, and watched the trail with me as well. Mostly from the warmth of the car.

We watched Aled Owen from our vehicle. Why should we all get wet in the rain?

Marylou and Dayna was the first Canadian to run. She had a pretty fair run with what she was dealt with. She was one of the lucky ones to run in the sun.

Canadian teammate Jennifer and Bea was cheered on as well.

Jennifer and Bea didn't quite finish it all, but she had a decent run nonetheless.

On field three there were the likes of Kevin Evans. Standing room only to watch the top handlers.

The trial was well organized, setout and clearing the field were done expediently. Help came in all sizes.

Jennifer and her entourage.

Tommy and Sly was another one of the lucky ones that got to run in the sun.

Tommy finished with his pen and shed, and made it through to the semifinals.

I waited for the rest of the dogs to finish - I was 5th to the last to run on the last day of qualifying, and I would know what I would have to do to get into the semifinals. A 190 would do it (95/110). I know I could do it if I could set my mind to it.

After all the troubles sending Gin on the left this summer, I really wanted to send to the right...but, it was a left sided field. I gulped, told her to listen, and I sent her to the left. She went, and she went nicely.

The girls came quite nicely around the post. We got to the post, only 6 points off to my feet. Sheep were settled, we could do this!!

In my mind I was saying - Holy Crap, are we having a not too bad run...then Gin heard the infamous whistle from the other field which she of course took, and I could hear the "Tink, Tink" as the points dropped away.

We finished our drive, me thinking, "I have come all this way, and I am going to finish this thing!" Our first shed was done....

.....the pen was done.......and the shed was complete....and so was my fun in (not) the sun at the World Trial.

Penny and I went to a pub for supper that night.

Fish and chips were on MY menu.

I then proceeded to drink my sorrows away.

It killed my pain....

....just a little.