After resting yesterday, I ended up going to the trial with the kind set that I would see how Aayla feels and ask her if she wanted to opt in to work. If not we would just watch and take Ryker around for exposure.
Aayla is very much the type that if she is stressed or sore she most likely will show signs of stress and say no when asked. Today she warmed up great and was pushing me for work. Just her normal self.
So we still did our runs.
Aayla was in such a better and happier state today. It still wasn't a day for us to get any points of legs but overall I was so much happier that she was herself.
NQ - Utility
She got distracted by something outside the ring and missed a signal. Not a big deal. It's a harder set up when she has her back to the stewards table.
She had GREAT articles. She still got a little stuck on an incorrect article and kept mouthing it but searched the pile until she found the right one and brought them both back without dropping them. Though she is chewing on the wood, which is why I had gotten metal in the first place but oh well. I'll take points lost for chewing over the dropping issue.
Then on directed retrieve she was a bit too over exercited, she pivoted to much for glove three and was facing glove two. She took forever to sit due to her anticipation and went for glove 2 (incorrect one) when cued. So I opted for a fix and go which she did well minus some anticipation for the sit.
Open B - 185
Our worst qualifying Open score to date. Lmao. She was just over the top and the judge was not a fan. She marked every little squeak Aayla made. I'm sure took off a bunch of points for her two barks. Aayla auto finished on the drop on recall but overall was happy and engaged. A few slow sits but that's normal for her.
Guess she doesn't need to retire quite yet but this year might be her last still. I'll reassess after the trial in November, see where she is at with her legs and points and see if it's time.
