Clean Run Magazine - June 2007 - 17

Ann competes with her Border Collie, Spree, and they were members of the AKC/USA World Team in 2005 and 2006. In 2006 they represented the AKC/USA at Crufts in the U.K. Finalists in both the 2004 and 2005 USDAA Grand Prix and Steeplechase, they won the 2004 Steeplechase. Ann offers private lessons and seminars at her training center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Contact her at ambraue@aol.com. Ann Braue Everyone has experienced the embarrassment and frustration of getting lost on course. While remembering courses can be quite challenging, it is a skill that can be developed. Consciously implementing strategies for remembering courses is the best way to begin. Before entering a trial, I practice running short sequences without putting any numbers out. Once I am comfortable running short sequences without numbers, I gradually increase the length of the sequences until I can run a full course without numbers. This helps me develop a “feel” for the course. I also severely limit the amount of time I allow for walk-throughs in practice sessions. If I become comfortable running in training with a short walk-through of only 3-5 minutes, then the amount of time the judge allows seems plenty long. On the day of the trial I implement several other strategies for remembering the course: Start with a “think positive” attitude. Avoid statements such as: “I know I’m going to get lost” or “I’ll never remember the middle of this course.” Statements such as these often become self-fulﬁlling prophecies and you end Serpentine after A-frame FC Front cross after tunnel Landmarks © CLEAN RUN up getting lost on course. Instead make positive statements like, “I can remember this course” and “I am good at remembering courses.” I study the course map before the walkthrough. While studying the course map I look for shapes and patterns. I say to myself, “It is a straight line to the double, then a serpentine to the weaves, followed by an S-shaped-curve to the A-frame.” By the time I walk the course I have a good feel for the “shape” of the course and hope not to be looking for the numbers. I memorize a couple of specific physical landmarks to use while negotiating the course such as, “rear cross at the panel jump” or “front cross after the tire.” These landmarks are easy to recognize at full speed, but I use only a few landmarks per course. Using too many landmarks defeats the purpose, and I can’t remember what I was supposed to do at each landmark. When it is time to walk the course I begin toward the end of the course. At the start of a run I am mentally fresh so it is easier to remember the beginning portion of the course. Toward the end it is easy to run out of steam mentally and physically. Still, if I have rehearsed the end of the course multiple times, it is much easier to remember. So, when I begin my walk-through I might start at obstacle #15 and walk to the end. Next I might walk from obstacle #10 to the end. Each time I walk the course I add a few more obstacles until I’ve backchained the entire course from the last obstacle back to the ﬁrst. First time left out of through: to jump, th tunnel 180° to ri en ght Second ti me: right out of to jump, th tunnel 180° to leen ft My ﬁnal strategy is mental visualization. Once I’ve walked the course several times I stand off to the side, close my eyes, and mentally run the course. If I get lost during this visualization I simply open my eyes to ﬁgure out where I got lost. Once I’m mentally back on course I close my eyes and try again. Keep in mind that a sense of humor helps. Understand that remembering a course is a skill that develops over time and occasionally even the most experienced handlers get lost. If and when this happens, remember to laugh. I remind myself I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to be on a course playing with my dog. There are much worse things that can happen than getting lost! Brenna Fender is a freelance writer with an undergraduate degree in mass communications and a masters degree in elementary education. She lives with her husband, two young children, a Vizsla, a Doberman Pinscher, a Whippet, and a cat. The dogs are collectively titled in agility, obedience, conformation, hunting, rally, and lure coursing. The cat, husband, and children are lacking in this regard. Contact Brenna at BrennaFender@gmail.com. June 07 | Clean Run 17 © CLEAN RUN D
Clean Run Magazine - June 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - June 2007
