determination

I love this...

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions,
Small people always do that.
But the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great!
~Mark Twain

*******
I learned quite a bit about myself, my dog, and other competitors this past weekend at the Regional event...while it took a couple of days to sink in, I came away having learned a great lesson.

I've worked very hard on Triumph's jumping over the last 4 months...I could see much improvement with his take off and with his over jumping.  I truly believe he thinks the sooner he takes off, the sooner he can either catch up to me or get to the next jump, tunnel, contact, whatever...he's got a lot of drive and a lot of forward compulsion but he is starting to think more about his job and he is also starting to realize that he doesn't have to put THAT much effort into jumping to get where I want him to go next...

I got lots of compliments on his progress and on a number of his runs, but I also heard some very negative comments which I let bother me...really bother me...and then the "no comments at all" I think bothered me even more...so I spent a lot of Monday thinking about this and instead of being hurt by the negative comments, I chose to feel differently...I decided that I will spend the rest of the summer working even harder on Triumph's jumping, his contacts, my handling, everything, and I am now more determined than ever to go back next year and do even better! 

At least I know that I have a very willing partner and as always, he will give me at least 150% effort in our training this summer :)))))