WE DID IT! Tonight we’re back home feeling exceptionally lucky to have attended 2025 CPE Nationals, hosted by Bo-Gee Agility in Northampton Mass.
This was really a dream come true for us, since our beloved Quincy was a pup. When he was very young, Nationals were right in our back yard in Altamont (2013) but he didn’t qualify. As he got older, he qualified several times, but never attended (always something preventing us—too far away, too hot, couldn’t get away from work or home ). So, this year was extra special for us. And it did not disappoint!
When we thought we might be able to attend with Taylor, we traveled far and wide to get those 48 Q’s (even had a little flip chart countdown at each trial) and our girl came through for us each time. We were thrilled when she qualified, but a little apprehensive—she’d never competed in a big trial with LOTS of dogs, multiple adjacent rings, plenty of noise, many different surfaces and lots of distractions in a strange place (at a fairgrounds no less-you can imagine that’s like a Disneyland of smells for a terrier type!).
Once we got there we were already second-guessing our decision to enter her in LC (no guts, no glory! or so we thought) so no pressure. Lo and behold, she took it all in stride-Q’ing in FH right off the bat, first run of the trial Friday morning! OK this is easy! Well, second run was a wicked hard Jumpers course, and right around obstacle #11 she heard Quincy whisper in her ear “take the wrong end of the tunnel—you’ll love it!) That’s OK buddy, we know you loved your tunnels and just wanted to make it fun for your sister. But she went on to redeem herself with a fab run and Q in STD, so all was forgiven. We capped the night off with a fantastic social—a pot luck dinner followed by karaoke and a corn hole tournament (Gary got all 11 of our team points, no surprise there!)
Saturday Mother Nature opened up the floodgates and the trial was underwater! In what can only be described as an EPIC pivot, new rings were built outdoors and classes moved indoors. The show must go on, and did, until the wee hours, thanks to the herculean efforts of a whole bunch of dedicated people. We were happy to receive the Q for the cancelled WC run—thank you CPE! We had to leave the trial Saturday afternoon to come back home for a birthday party, so we missed the 2 evening runs of Jackpot (which only a handful of people got) and Standard. Back in time to rest up for the last day.
Sunday the weather let up and we were back on schedule, and we began the day with what can only be described as the most fun NQ ever in STD. Once again, Quincy suggested an off-course tunnel right off the bat at the third obstacle, that was too good to resist. She then proceeded to NAIL the whole rest of the course. Gotta laugh! She followed that up with an off-course choice NQ in Snooker, but finished the trial with a bang in Colors.
All in all, 3 Q’s for 6 runs. We were hoping for one Q going in! She far exceeded our expectations, and we were so proud of how well she ran in a highly distracting environment. She took it all in stride–no nerves, no stress—all gas, no brakes!
As we think back on this memorable event, we’re reminded of the many people who support us–our family and friends, our teachers, and our agility community. You all are simply the best. This was our first Nationals and we sure hope it won’t be our last!
Dedicated in loving memory of Quincy, our beloved boy who changed our life, and with so much love for Taylor, our little girl who got us there.
