Tricks

Closing in on our goal...

Terra and I are happy to report that we have moved into the Elite Advanced division of Rally Freestyle Elements Musical Freestyle and just earned our first qualifying score with a newly-debuted routine! We are working toward RFE’s first Elite Grand Champion title, and I have choreographed a new routine to allow her to show off her talents while being physically less taxing on her body. She still absolutely loves to play and train with me, so it is very important to me that I honor the joy she gets from training and performing.

Terra is hanging out while I read, but she wants to go for a walk…

Terra is hanging out while I read, but she wants to go for a walk…

“Hey mom! Stop reading!”

“Hey mom! Stop reading!”

Our new routine scored 95/100 with extremely valuable and wonderful comments like “Lovely storytelling!” “Super clever prop use!” and “Creative interpretation of the music” . This routine was a skit-style routine, very different from our usual heel/dance style of freestyle, so it was a creative stretch for me that presented lots of training challenges. The sheer duration of a few of her behaviors took time to build, as well as the independence to work further from me than she would prefer. Anyone who has seen her sidepass with me knows how she loves to GLOM and SHOVE into me! lol

This routine has also been challenging in the prop department: lots of them and some that even change throughout the routine! Oy!

She’s got a better idea!

She’s got a better idea!

Going for a walk… Now the fun really starts!

Going for a walk… Now the fun really starts!

I have been resting her for a couple weeks, hoping to perform again in the Dogs Gone Dancing Bandstand show April 27-28. I’ve practiced, but made her rest her body. We’ll feel the need to sneak in one more practice this week, play around with some bits during the Friday fun match and then see how she feels.

Stay tuned as we continue to work toward our goal with this new routine! Enjoy the video stills! :)