Preparing for the UKI US Open: Goals and Experiences
15 Nov 2024
Goals for big events? Sort of(?) A coach would tell me that I should have goals and plans to achieve/progress toward those goals. And in a general sense I do have goals for the skills for each dog and myself and all year I’ve been chipping away to achieve them.
But as I’m packing for the UKI US Open I’m realizing I’m not going there “peaking” for it or looking to achieve anything with either Snap! or Spark.
Snap! is coming up on 9 yro and running in 20s (and I’ll likely drop him down to 16” after the USO). But, I’m not really thinking about any podiums. I’ll still prepare and run as efficiently and fast as possible. Like the AKC ISCH, anything can happen!
Similarly, with Spark we can put together a quick jumpers run; but, we are in the very competitive 20” class with all the “cool kids”. Though on a sufficiently technical course, if everything falls into place, I think we can do well. My dream for him is to get some nice running contacts in a big event. I’m super glad there are warm up rings with the contacts at the event!
TL;DR: We are going for the experience and not the outcomes. Hope to see you there, please say Hi and introduce yourself. 😁
Photo of the boys at the AKC ISCH - guess I’ll need to snap a photo of them in front of the UKI banner at the Open…
If you enjoyed this article won't you please: 
Thanks!