Adding Obstacles

1/29/2032 – 11:45 am

Location: Holly Ridge Farm, Ashland, VA

Weather/Conditions: 52 cloudy, light rain, 11mph SW winds

Cover: Grass

Age: 3 hr

Tracklayer: self

The track started in a little basin and went 70 yards up the hill, then took a 90 degree left turn toward then fence. It was 68 yards to the fence There was an article mid way down the leg and a flag a little further past that to make sure I had a line up. I went through the fence, across the driveway and made a 90 degree left turn paralleling the fence and driveway for about 80 yards. I scuffed to and from the fence. There was a food drop on the last turn after crossing the driveway. She had to pass a culvert where there was old horse poop that has washed out of the field. The only article with food was the end article.

Saber's start was strong (yay!). She had to work hard going up the hill. I couldn't tell if she wanted to turn early or was going off track because she wanted to go in the direction of the turn but too early. I held my ground until she got back on the track. When she made the turn she was right on it. She indicated the article. I could have been a little more patient for her to down on her own.

When she got to the fence she wanted to go through but it was tight so she backed up and tried again. I encouraged her and she went through it. She was to the right of the post were I went through to the left of the post but she cruised across the driveway without batting an eye. She found the food drop. Initially she went in the correct direction but did not commit. She checked the right and quickly decide that wasn't right. She really wanted to go through the fence. I am assuming checking all directions. I discouraged that. In hindsight I probably should have let her check it. That is not unusual behavior from her on turns. Once she committed to the correct direction she finished with ease. She didn't even stop to snack on the old horse poop. She indicated her last article without prompt.

I was pleased with her. The obstacle was not a problem. We probably need to strengthen both our skill sets on sloping land where sent moves and pools differently.