This is the last Sunday we will train in the barn until the fall, I'll miss that smelly, dusty,dirty place, at least when the mosquito's bite I will. I've finally realized today that I'll have to learn a whole new method of handling for Blaster than the handling methods I use on Tucker. Tucker always paces himself to what ever speed I'm traveling at and he tends to slow down in fear that he might do something wrong. So with him I need to constantly drive him forward using every method possible to keep him motivated to run faster like running into every pocket, charging him into every tunnel and meeting at the end of the tunnels and charging him out. Blaster has so much more speed and enthusiasm that I'll be able to work at a further distance but with the distance and speed I'll need to be extremely precise with my handling. Lane said it's like steering a race car compared to the family car, even the slightest turn of the wheel could send you into a tail spin.
In Tucker's class to set up the rear cross I needed to stay close to him on the previous turn and dig deep into the pocket so he can get out in front of me, then do a slight snake with my path and drive on an angle crossing behind him. In order to shape Tucker's approach to the Frame and take the luminous tunnel out of the picture I needed to set it up before the previous jump. To do this required me to go deep into the turn, decelerate(pull upright, like woo) and do a cha, cha, cha all at the same time( I really need to take dancing lessons because I'm pretty sure I have two left feet). Then when I do drive forward towards the Frame I'll make sure my shoulders are aimed at the corner of the Frame away from the tunnel.
Blaster's class, let me see now, we worked on setting up rear crosses and front crosses. I thought I needed to go into the pocket to babysit Blaster around the pinwheel but he completely surprised me by executing it so fast and leaving me behind making it impossible to put in a front cross. I had a could of had a V8 moment when Lane said that when walking a coarse that is set up like a grid I'll be able to position myself for a front cross in front of one jump and still be able to keep my eyes on my dog by lining myself up with the previous jump.
This week I need to work on some Susan Salo jumping with Blaster and his focus forward.
