Ultimate Air Games: Imlay City, Michigan
Friday
We left later than the original plan was to head to the UAD Ultimate Air Games. Then we hit loads, and loads of construction and ended up being severely late to our Splash. Luckily, Sara said she would make room for us in the 8 pm Splash and so we had plenty of time to set up and get ready. We unloaded the kennels and then headed out to find some information about where we were camping. We had signed up to have a site for Friday night only but were then informed that the camping was first-come, first-serve. We rushed over and found a spot, popped the tent and (as an extra precaution) put the EZ-Up over the tent. There were tons of people all over the place by the pool. It was insanely busy.
Here are the boys - waiting their turn:
Finally, it was time for us to compete. Mason was in the first group so I brought him up before Midas. He was pretty nervous, but really wanted to go in (which he vocalized clearly!).
After some “encouragement” (gentle push when he was leaning out over the water 
), he finally got the nerve to go in himself. By the time it was our turn for the competition jump he was worked up enough to jump by himself. His first jump was 2′3″ and his second was 2′6″ - doesn’t sound like much but we were sooooo excited! Go little dude! 
Next was Midas in the second group. I held him out of sight of the pool so that his screaming would be more subdued and he wouldn’t upset anyone in front of him. When it was our turn he was raring to go and lunged right up the stairs. His first jump was only 14′10″, which is over 3′ shorter than his usual average. His next jump was marginally better at 15′, but barely put him into his division. He was very distracted on the dock and kept looking through the bars - overall, not his best day of jumping 
. Oh well, he had fun anyway.
After Midas was done, we headed over to get our air mattress into the tent and go to bed (we were both pretty exhausted). Someone had parked their camper next to us, with four barking (hysterically) Weimeraner’s. They didn’t shut up the entire time we were setting up. To top it off, some lady blew our whole line for electric so we had to walk around the corner to blow up the air mattress….at which point, it started to rain - oh goody. We hustled and got the tent set up and the boys settled inside and started to drift off (thank goodness for the EZ-Up). The Weim’s kept barking intermittently…and then again at 6 am. The red-necks that were with them kept hawking loogies and spitting and generally being disgusting and inconsiderate.
Saturday
Woke up at a decent hour and I headed over to shower (which felt amazing!!) and Eric went to set the up EZ-Up over our kennels to be prepared for what was bound to be a hot, humid, sunny day. We loaded up the tent and the boys and drove over to the UAD side of the fairgrounds. It was really cool in the shade, so we parked the truck and left Midas in there to relax.
The Ultimate Vertical finals were first and were a lot of fun to watch. I don’t know a whole lot about the rules so it was a little confusing but still very enjoyable.
These are not the finalists, just some of my favorite shots:
Ooops, I lied, this is actually the winner, Flash, a Belgian Malinois with a 7′ jump:
He sure makes it look easy doesn’t he? Milt actually has a pup fathered by Flash, whom he named Nash. Here are some adorable photos of Nash with his sister Lisl:
After seeing these pups and the intelligence on their faces, and watching Flash perform, I think looking into the breed as a future potential is definitely required!
Everything was running an hour to an hour and a half later than the schedule so we decided to only compete Mason in the semi-finals and not Midas so that Eric would not have to drive like a maniac to make it to the football game in Ashland, Ohio.
Finally, the novice finals were starting. Mason jumped (all by himself again ) a whopping 4′3″ and 4′9″!!! I was thrilled - that’s two more feet in one day!! Yay, Mason!! Of course, I think he finished last in his group, but he was the youngest pup I heard announced, so we were still pleased. Also, he’s really starting to get the drive for the competition. As soon as I get him out of his kennel, he gets all riled up and starts lunging towards the pool. He couldn’t care less about any of the dogs/people around us, he just wants to get to the pool. Once up on the dock, he runs back and forth from the end to me and back again, shaking like crazy he’s so excited. Sometimes he even starts barking. I throw his toy while holding his collar, pull him back a bit and then release him. He sprints to the end of the dock, comes to a dead stop and then llleeeaaannnsss…and jumps! It’s so funny to watch! Milt, was announcing and said that with all the energy he showed on the dock, he had been expecting a 15′ jump hahaha. Good times anyway.
Here is the play-by-play:
Saturday Competition Jump #1
Raring to get out of the kennel and into the water again (he’s looking at me):
This is the lean, but I didn’t have to “help” him here
And he’s in!!
Saturday Competition Jump #2
The Leap/Fall 
Going… 
Swimming for the toy:
Success!!!
I got to meet more people from the forum which was really neat.
This is Jillian, who previously I only ever talked to online and her gorgeous yellow Lab, Bailey:
And Jeff and Beth’s Tundra (so darn cute - and tiny! Also, much better extension than Mason, but 3 months older too):
And Sara and Carly - just to name a few:
I enjoy the events more and more when there are other dogs to watch and cheer on. It’s so much fun! I was really bummed that they didn’t have any shirts in my size again , oh well, I will keep waiting. I am still a little sad we missed the other semi-finals, even if we weren’t going to compete Midas as most of the people I know have dogs that compete in the upper division levels. Overall, can’t wait until the next event!!
On the way out, I convinced Eric to let me wander through the puppy tent and look at all the puppies for sale in their pens. I cannot resist puppies!!
The boys and I were tired out on the way home:
