Fun At Olivia’s Second Summit Trial, But Falling Short

Last weekend I was in my second Summit Trial. My first one was back in June in Pennyslvania, and I have another this weekend. A dog can only compete in one three times per year, so it will be my last one for 2023. This location isn’t very exciting, but it is close to home, so we could drive back and forth each day as the trials are two full days. The site was Camp Phillipo, where we have all trialed several times before. It was cold, only in the thirties, but we had a great time.

Mom wears a GoPro most of the time, if the battery doesn’t die. She captured my “slip and slide” on film. I am a fast searcher and I have no fear of slippery floors. Off the start line I typically rocket into the search area, but sometimes I realize there is odor and I have run past it. What does a girl do? Apply the brakes. Slide a bit. Turn around. Catch that odor. Mom thinks I’m super silly and cute when I use that maneuver. If you heard that whiny noise at the start, that is me getting impatient.

Our first day was not our best day. We used too much time, and we totally blew a big search. It is a bummer, but Mom and I still had so much fun together. These Summit Trials are hard. They are two days long. Only the best nose work dogs are competing. I’m one of the youngest ones. Even though I’m awesome, I don’t have the experience dogs twice my age have. Day two was much better and we had a lot more fun. The club handed out welcome packages with memorabilia for each competitor. We received a tote bag, note book, cute card, a pen, and a super cool charm with my name on it.

You may have noticed the ribbon. It is the first time I have earned a placement in a Summit Search. You can catch my search in the video above. My search time is 1:38, a pretty short search. We were given 2:30 to search if needed. The search takes place on the main floor of a bunk cabin including two bunk rooms, a meeting area, shower room and bathroom.

Overall I placed twelfth out of twenty eight dogs which isn’t great, but not too bad. Out of the eight searches, the judges gave us Pronounced in five of them. Pronounced means exceptional handling and team work. They are hard to come by.  We had fun with friends in the parking lot both days. Our sports are more than just a competition, they are social events. We are excited to use our new tote bag when we travel. It will come in really handy.

Overall, we are happy with my second Summit Trial. Hopefully the third one will be the real charm but most important, we want to have a lot of fun and I think we definitely will. The one this weekend is in a really fun place, so stay tuned! For now, I’m thrilled to have a placement, and I am ready to earn something even bigger. Mom and I are thankful we have gotten into every trial we have entered and we get to go to some super cool places to sniff.

I’m  joining Brian’s Home Blog in the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!