Ok, so after I had a dismal showing at Skyhoundz 3 weeks ago I thought I’d try it again at a last chance qualifier and see if I could get in the action at this years USDDN Last Chance Qualifier. I left work around 3:30 on Thursday and went home to pack and grab the dog … got out around 6 or so. The GPS said I was 7:25 minutes from my destination in Cartersville Ga and I hadn’t eaten all day so I figured a stop for Bandit to Pee and me to eat we’d get in around 2A and since the competition started early that meant I was starting out bad

Turns out the GPS lies and I got in at 12:15A even with the stops so we hit the sac at about 1A and got up at 7A to find the field which was about 30 minutes from our hotel. I got lost even with the GPS and ended up getting there at about 8:45A which was only about 15 minutes before registration began for a scheduled 10AM start. I thought I was early but I was sadly mistaken when I saw the entire sideline had been occuoied with tents already Tracy and Ann had gotten a pretty good spot and I was really happy to see a familiar face too. I grabbed a spot at the end and as I was about all set up I saw Bob and Coleen Heygi as well as Gary and Sara Duke show up then we turned my tent to make a 90 degree angle so I was looking straight down the field of play and had the support of our CFDDC members to help ease my nerves. Oh and did I mention it was raining … not terribly bad but enough to soak EVERYTHING.

So I get registered and they explain the first round is on another field and freestyle would be on the main field and only the top 15 teams would advance after Fridays  competition to the Georgia Nationals  on Sunday … The pressure was on to perform. The best of the best were here and this was only my second time away from my comfort zone where I compete with our club members and for some reason I get extremely nervous in front of a crown and away from home as I proved at skyhoundz. I wandered over to the other field and watched a few teams and it seemed like everyone I watched was nailing their throws and their dogs were catching everything put in the air. I finally got the nerve to throw and went up and just unloaded. The rules were a little different and I had a little more time than I was used to so I just took my time and with no crowd I seemed to find a groove. As it turned out I got a total of 23 points after the first round and after the first round was #3 in the standings … that was more than I would have ever dreamed ofbeing in the ranks for Kevin Erosky (This years Skyhoundz Toss and Fetch World Champion) and Mark Muir (Who has been on the podium at the end of every event I have been to)

I needed to savor that moment as it was the best I was to see all weekend.

We eventually got to throw the second round in the evening and it was freezing cold and my hands felt like block … couldn’t hold on to the Frisbee to save my life and ended up TANKING my second round with I think something like 12 points. Only the top 15 teams would advance and I was sure that I had completely blown my shot just like I had done at Skyhoundz. (much worse at skyhoundz though) I’m not exactly sure how low I was but as luck would have it some people who had beaten me had already qualified with their dogs and since they can’t qualify with their dogs twice they roll down the invitation to the next qualifiers …. That’s how I got in to Sundays big show.

Saturday I just farted around and took some vids which I’ll post at http://www.youtube.com/teambanditdotcom once I get a few minutes to try and do some basic editing.

Sunday came and again I REALLY felt the pressure, I don’t know why it gets to me soo bad. They explained that there would be in essence two competitions > The first would be the Georgia Nationals which is the qualifiers from all the regionals around the country and Fridays event (me) and at the end of the the top 15teams would move on to the International Competition and have a second competition that day to determine the International Standings for this years USDDN Disc Dog Championships hosted by Woof Sports and The Greater Atlanta Disc Dog Club.

BOTH rounds I threw completely willy nilly and was ALL OVER THE DAMN FIELD. I couldn’t believe it. I was watching my chances slip away before my very eyes and I was the cause of it … Bandit, as always, was absolutely fantastic and the only reason I was able to score two rounds of fourteen each was because he was completely carrying my ass through this competition by running down under thrown discs and tracking those that were way out of the zone.I must say he was truly amazing in his ability to move around the field so well. After all was said and done all we could do was wait and I REALLY appreciate everyone who came up to give me encouragement  while I was obviously down on myself. It came time later on for the names to be called out over the loudspeaker of the top 15 qualifiers and I was actually starting to pack up my stuff to leave as I knew there was no way and 28 would carry through and as it turns out I was right, “Chris and Bandit” was not called but I decided to try and not be such a sore sport and stick around and see what I needed to practice to get to beat these guys next year.

I was sitting there talking with Bob, and I hear over the loudspeaker Chris Engel, Come fill out your scoresheet, YOU HAVE QUALIFIED for the International FINALS !!!! I COULD NOT freaking believe my ears. I woofed down some chips I was eating and went over and began the paperwork, While I was there he called my name again and said I was UP and should be at the line as they go in reverse order and I would be first. I finished quickly ran over and grabbed bandit … who was amped … ran him to go pee real quick and prayed he wouldn’t stop and poop in the round as they stop your round if your dog relieves himself during competition. Next thing I know, I’m at the line where I had walked to because the wind was supposed to be at my back and just as I get ready to throw it shift to my face …. I said screw it … it’s been doing this all day just throw the damn thing like you do at home and have fun, which is exactly what I did. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to hit the 40 yard mark as I had done on Friday so well but after the first round I was at 17.5 points. They went through the field and before long it was my turn again I stepped up and tossed another 17.5 Bandit kicked ass ALL DAY LONG and we ended up with 35 points in the end and it was a waiting game to see where we’d finish.

When All was said and done we finished 8^th overall in the international competition and the record books will say 15^th I believe for the Nationals because I think there was a scratch … we’ll just have to wait and see once the official results are posted.

I REALLY want to thank EVERYONE with the CFDDC who got me hooked on this stuff. You guys rock man.

I WILL SEE EVERYONE IN DAYTONA NEXT WEEK…. GOOD LUCK