Green Lane Sheepdog Trial

This weekend we braved the weather at the Green Lane trial. It's always a blast, and nothing... not even hurricane rain and wind will keep us away!!
Saturday started out well for us Novice handlers-- no rain :) The sheep that we use for this trial and not dogged at all! They are worked in the flock- but never in a trial type group(three's and four's) which made for some challenges! They also NEVER see a pen!! The Field is also pretty tricky. There is real heavy pressure behind the set out(where the set out pen is) and on the left side of the field(where the exhaust is!) The are nice enough to let the Novice dogs do a right side drive- which i have the hardest time with! I don't know, but i think it has to do with me being left handed-- i just work better on the left :)
So, Splash was first.. the sheep left before she even got to the top, but she got them to me. She still isn't totally driving- getting there! So i try to do a little assisted drive. She was a little wild, and just kept heading the sheep-back and forth she went!! that's as far as we got :) The sheep went into the "no fly zone" and we were called.
Rock decided that he could not lift! I was very happy with his outrun. He tends to be a little tight at the top, and we have been working on going out square and staying off. And also working on his impulsive self releasing to start! He stayed and waiting for me to send him.. and as he started to go out i could see him coming in, and he felt his sheep and corrected himself and pushed out! He ringed the sheep at the top of the outrun, and then busted right through them and it all went to hell after that! A running i went!!!
For the rest of the day we pretty much sat and did exhausting--see if we could remember what to do! They both did really well, Splash even got to push the sheep out and back to the set out pen. About halfway through the day---the rain started. and it POURED for hours!!! There were times of pretty good winds too. I stayed mostly dry, in my giant rain suit! Went through a pair of shorts, 2 shirts, 1 jacket and 1 NOT so rain prof rain coat. then pulled out the heavy duty stuff! the dogs were sitting out, soaking wet, but could care less! If wish i had some pictures!!
Sunday was MUCH better!! NO rain! perfect weather!
Splash was on the ball this time. she really covers pressure- so was short on her outrun, but it was the right place to stop! they did not get away. the fetch was a little hairy, but the drive was GREAT! i just let her cover the left side, and push them up! No pen, but she tried. Out of all the classes-- i think only 5-6 dogs TOTAL made the pen, including the Open dogs. And she placed Third!!!
Rock was better too. Still dove in and ringed the sheep at the top-not sure what is up his butt! But he was listening on the fetch and drive. the drive line was way off, and missed the panels but they were calm and he was calm and working nicely. He tried really hard at the pen too, SOOO close!! and he placed 5Th!!
We did some more exhausting, enjoyed the weather, and the Scottish Irish festival that was going on. All in all, a good weekend!!